Birmingham’s claim to be at the forefront of environmental concerns will be given a further boost when the city stages an important conference on the subject next week. Green innovation and the best use of resources in 21st century society will be on the agenda when experts from the business, finance and academic sectors meet for a European Commission forum in Birmingham on March 22-23.

Cllr. Paul Tilsley, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council will be amongst the speakers at the ETAP (Environmental Technologies Action Plan ) Eco Innovation Forum, being staged at the International Convention Centre. The event will explore the issues facing Europe against the backdrop of a projected global population of more than nine billion by 2050, and the increasing international competition for resources of all kinds. More than 250 delegates are expected to attend the forum to discuss and identify key issues that need to be addressed by government and EU action.

The event will be the tenth ETAP forum to be staged since their launch in 2006 and Birmingham joins a list of host locations including leading European cities such as Brussels, Copenhagen, Berlin, Vienna and Paris.

Cllr Tilsley, whose portfolio covers climate change and sustainability, said: “Given the serious environmental resources and economic issues that Europe faces, it is crucial that we act together to tackle these. This forum is a key event for developing responses and ideas to these challenges.

“I am delighted this European forum is coming to Birmingham, both because we are good at hosting events but also because we are serious about tackling climate change and we are really keen to promote economic innovation.”

“Just as importantly however, it gives us an opportunity to learn from others about the innovation challenges they have faced, and how they overcome them.”