Transition Derby

A big buzz and lots of expectations were in the air when some forty people from local businesses and Derby College met in the fabulous Engine Shed Restaurant at the iconic Roundhouse for the launch of the Stakeholder Resource Group of the Derby Carbon Academy.

Louise Curd, Director of Innovation and Enterprise welcomed everybody with these great words “You are here because you know that 20^th Century assumptions and ways of doing things will not work in the 21^st Century.

You know that the world is changing fast and that new ways of doing everything will determine whether you and I and our families, our friends and our organisations thrive and prosper.

You know that the future has to be environmentally focused. You recognise that your business can have first mover advantage in that by being involved from the start in the Derby Carbon Academy.

You are in the same privileged position that we were in some months ago as we realised the potential that the concept provided and we offered to be the host partner. Today you’ll hear more about the Institute and how you can, through the Institute accelerate the green jobs, livelihoods and opportunities that it presents – particularly in this area – linking Derby’s proud business history with its pioneering business future. That’s how we felt at Derby College when William and Graham from the Transition Network first approached us with this innovative project”.

This set the tone for the event as Graham Truscott explained the macro context of Peak Oil, Climate Change and legal imperatives, and why the Derby Carbon Academy (or Initiative as it is becoming known), is so important. William Barron pointed out that Derby College is uniquely placed to host this initiative - in a city and area which has creativity and engineering as part of its DNA. “The college”, he said, “ links the Industrial Revolution of the 19^th century with the Environmental Revolution of the 21^st century”. Discussion of budgets and funding of the project led to immediate pledges of support from delegates including James Blick, MD of the Finesse Group and offers from Trent Barton, Geldards and Paskett PR.

There was some discussion too of the name, with initial feedback suggesting that “Initiative” might be a stronger word that “Institute” or even “Academy” .

The passion and energy present during the discussions - the second event that the Derby Carbon Academy has held at the Roundhouse – led participants to the inevitable conclusion that this is a project whose time has come.

Stimulated by the presentations and input from everybody present, work now proceeds on the creation of courses and workshops, as well as further briefings and funding activities.

©William Barron

Derby Carbon Academy/Initiative

May 28^th 2011