A Gateway to a Unique Forum: the Cambridge Sustainability Network
"The level of the people that you will meet with from other organisations is going to give you an opportunity to really expand your thinking."
Sarah Severn, Director of Mobilization for
Sustainable Business and Innovation, Nike
Having attended one of CPSL's programmes or seminars, delegates join over 4,000 alumni of CPSL in the Cambridge Sustainability Network (CSN).
The CSN is an international network of sustainability leaders comprising some of the most senior decision-makers in business, the public sector and civil society. Members come from many sectors and regions, and include faculty, tutors, contributors and supporters of CPSL’s work, many of whom are the world’s leading experts in their field.
The network is increasingly seen as a major consultative forum for policy makers and other decision-makers around the world, and members are regularly invited to take part in consultation processes that offer benefits to all involved.
Membership of this network offers a means of keeping abreast of the debate, and provides further inspiration, encouragement, support and advice to those wishing to help their organisations take a lead on sustainability issues.
The CSN supports and encourages its members to remain engaged with sustainability issues after they have returned to their organisations, to share knowledge, foster cooperation and achieve real change.
Members of the network will gain:
- the opportunity to continue their leadership journey via regular events tailored to specific sectors or current issues;
- a gateway to world-class thinking and leadership for sustainability via regular communications;
- the opportunity to participate in consultative processes with other senior decision-makers and thought leaders.
Alumni are regularly invited to BSP and CPSL events, both in the UK and in the USA, South Africa, Australia and continental Europe. A number of major events are organised annually as part of the programme of activities open to the alumni. These help alumni to benchmark their organisation and to learn from best practice and from the experience of others.
Events include:
The BSP Lecture; an Annual Reunion (usually held at The Prince of Wales’s private residence); special-interest working groups and themed dialogues; networking receptions and gala dinners; regional reunions and alumni hosted events.
Examples of Previous Events
| 2010 |
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| November: BSP Autumn 2010 Americas Networking, Atlanta |
Reception hosted at the private residence of HM Consul General. |
| November: BSP London Lecture |
Lecture given by Jeff Immelt, Chairman and CEO of GE and hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales and attended by senior leaders from the international business community, and from political and civil society organisations. |
| June: Highgrove Reunion |
Annual reunion for alumni of the Business & Sustainability Programme hosted by The Prince of Wales at his private residence, Highgrove, in Gloucestershire, UK. |
| May: BSP Spring 2010 Americas Networking, Atlanta |
Alumni Event to mark the launch of the Business & the Environment Programme in Atlanta. Speakers include Jonathon Porritt, the UK's leading sustainability thinker, Lisa LaFave, VP, UPS; John Reid, VP, Corporate Social Responsibility, The Coca-Cola Company. |
| January: Copenhagen Debrief |
Developed in partnership with the Guardian, a free evening event aimed to help Business Executives facing the post-Copenhagen business world. |
| 2009 |
|
| June: Copenhagen and Beyond |
Event hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales to launch the Route Map for the Next Economy and the Copenhagen Communiqué. |
| 2008 |
|
| July: Highgrove Reunion |
Annual reunion for alumni of the Business & Sustainability Programme hosted by The Prince of Wales at his private residence, Highgrove, in Gloucestershire, UK |
| 2007 |
|
| July: Highgrove Reunion |
Annual reunion for alumni of the Business & Sustainability Programme hosted by The Prince of Wales at his private residence, Highgrove, in Gloucestershire, UK |
| February: BSP London Lecture |
Lecture given by Lee Scott, President and CEO of Wal-Mart and hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales and attended by senior leaders from the international business community, and from political and civil society organisations. |
The BSP London Lecture, 2010
Delivered by Jeff Immelt, CEO and Chairman of General Electric
Jeff Immelt, CEO and Chairman of General Electric, delivered the London Lecture of The Prince of Wales’s Business & Sustainability Programme (BSP) on 28 October, 2010. Mr Immelt addressed over 300 members of the CSN, including CEOs, chairmen, senior executives and policy makers.
Mr Immelt communicated the important role of developing new energy technologies that not only address environmental problems, but also create jobs, improve efficiencies and deliver genuine economic value.
Mr Immelt emphasised the potential of business and government to work in collaboration:
"It has been a great tradition that government and business jointly solve problems, invest in the future and stay optimistic. To seize the leadership on the great, global clean energy challenge, today’s and tomorrow’s leaders must reignite this tradition today."
Hosting the lecture, HRH The Prince of Wales said:
"It is particularly encouraging that so many of the companies which are part of my Business and Sustainability Programme are putting forward the solutions we know we all need."
Polly Courtice, Director of CPSL, welcomed Jeff Immelt's optimistic speech, and noted:
"We are hugely encouraged that Jeff Immelt shares our view that business leaders must put their heads above the parapet and take a lead in shaping a sustainable future economy."
Videos
Watch videos of the London Lecture in our Video Library.
Download
Download the London Lecture 2010.
| BSP London Lecture, 2010: Jeff Immelt, CEO and Chairman of General Electric
In this video, Mr Immelt addresses over 300 members of the CSN, including CEOs, chairmen, senior executives and policy makers. Mr Immelt communicates the important role of developing new energy technologies that not only address environmental problems, but also create jobs, improve efficiencies and deliver genuine economic value.
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| BSP London Lecture, 2010: Ian Cheshire, Group CEO, Kingfisher plc
In this video, Ian Cheshire, Group CEO, Kingfisher plc talks about what needs to change and how the city can help? at the BSP London Lecture, 2010.
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| BSP London Lecture, 2010: Stephen Haddrill, Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC)
In this video, Stephen Haddrill, Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) talks about regulation at the BSP London Lecture, 2010.
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| BSP London Lecture, 2010: Charles Middleton, Managing Director, Triodos Bank UK
In this video, Charles Middleton, Managing Director, Triodos Bank UK talks about linking finance to sustainable activity at the BSP London Lecture, 2010.
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