Brighton leading the way in sustainability

Someone told me a story yesterday about Stateside EcoMom parties.

Think groups of young mums, small pre-school kids under each arm, who meet every week to discuss how they can recycle what they throw out, compost what they don't. And, well, generally put the eco back into everyday. Surely there are worse ways to lower your carbon footprint than over mint tea grown from home made compost?

Until, that is, you step outside and trip over the 15 US versions of the Chelsea Tractor in the front yard.

Well, they have to get from their block 2 streets away SOMEHOW!

Hmmm, nice idea. But...

Ok, so maybe I've picked on the EcoMoms a bit, but it seems like being responsible environmentally can, like most things, be victim to the latest vogue. Which is why its so important to make things properly sustainable. People are definitely becoming more 'green' savvy. And whilst its great that people are starting to make changes in the home, research suggests 49% also take note of green aspects when making an actual buying decision. So it actually makes sound sense economically for businesses to 'go green'.

And this is what a lot of businesses in Brighton are starting to do really well, or indeed have been doing for a while. The recently opened Jury's Inn has combined style with sustainability and is one of the few hotels in the country to achieve an 'excellent' environmental assessment rating. The Brighton De Vere Grand was proven to be the most energy efficient of the hotels chosen last year by the 4 major political parties and many hotels and restaurants and sourcing local and organic produce over bulk supermarket fare.

Brighton has in fact been leading the way in sustainability for a while - the eco friendly Jubilee Library won a sustainability award in the Observer's Ethical Awards and the award winning city bus service uses some of the lowest emission diesel engines in the world. The city was also recently unveiled as top in the Sustainable Cities Index, as well as voted 'Green Capital of Britain' in recognition of the amount of organic food and recycled toilet paper residents buy.

So whilst small changes obviously can't hurt (unless 15 Chelsea Tractors are involved) its the long term strategies that take hold and make the big differencesa and I reckon Brighton is really starting to lead the way as a destination in the field of sustainability.

Sarah
VisitBrighton