The colour of profits is green, as a get-together of waste-not want-not businesses is about to prove when it takes place on the outskirts of York. RON GODFREY reports.

HUNDREDS of business delegates will visit York next month for an environmental conference with a difference.

The delegates - entrepreneurs, owner managers, chief executives and finance directors - will attend the one-day conference at The Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, which aims to set a new environmental agenda for businesses based on a new era of opportunities.

The conference - brainchild of commercial lawyers Denison Till - will highlight the new commercial opportunities and cost savings which the organisers believe northern entrepreneurs can become the first to exploit.

Andrew Lindsay, of Denison Till, said: "There is a consensus that the environment needs to be protected.

"However, many businesses associate environmental issues only with enforcement. We aim to highlight environmental sense as good business sense. There are many exciting, profitable, proven opportunities waiting for innovative business people to take them forward."

The keynote speaker will be former NFU president Sir Ben Gill, who will discuss new commercial opportunities arising from addressing climate change. He said: "This conference aims to set the agenda for all business so they can look at how they can plan strategically."

The conference will be hosted by Denison Till with Yorkshire Forward, Business Link York and North Yorkshire, University of York and Science City York, all of which will have stands and take part in talks and seminars.

One speaker, Ian Humphreys, is environmental manager at British Sugar,

which has reduced energy consumption for each tonne of sugar processed

by 40 per cent and pioneered seed-coating technology improvements so that 70 per cent of the crop no longer requires insecticide spraying.

He said: "We want to help like-minded businesses realise that there are

financial benefits from minimising their environmental impacts. Reducing

waste produces raw materials savings and reduces landfill charges."

Another speaker is John Miller, recycling manager with Northallerton-based Yorwaste. He said: "This conference will be important in raising awareness among people such as chief executives and finance directors that thinking environmentally can mean increased savings and profits rather than onerous costs, as is often perceived. "

The conference will also be important in creating links between the business world and university researchers and academics involved in environmental initiatives.

Updated: 09:40 Tuesday, March 23, 2004