May Day Summit 2008
On 1 May 2008, over 1,600 business leaders from across the country were addressed by HRH The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Gordon Brown at the UK’s largest gathering of businesses and organisations committed to taking collective action on climate change.
Twelve Summit gatherings across the UK were linked by live video to a 'hub' event attended by 160 Chief Executives of leading businesses. The event provided an opportunity to report on progress businesses made since the last May Day Summit and share examples of companies that are finding solutions to climate change.
Pledging to take action
With only 25% of May Day Network members reporting back on the pledges they made at the first Summit on 1 May 2007, companies were this year challenged to do more to move the UK to a low carbon economy. They were asked to commit to up to 6 pledges on climate change. Nearly 7,000 pledges were made on the day and:
- 76% of attendees committed to calculate their carbon footprint over the next 12 months
- 60% of attendees committed to report their carbon footprint over the next 12 months
All May Day Network members will be requested to report back on their progress against pledges by May 2009. Those who commit to and fulfill pledges 1 and 2, and report back upon request, will be eligible to use the May Day Network logo in their own marketing materials. The 2008 report back is now complete. Business in the Community will contact all May Day Network members when submissions for the 2009 report back are being accepted.
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