Businesses interested in implementing low carbon initiatives are being urged to attend a series of free events taking place during the East Midlands Innovation Festival (iFestival). 

Organised by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda), with support from Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire County Councils, Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited, and Lincolnshire Enterprise, the Low carbon series will highlight the possibilities and opportunities for businesses to develop lower carbon products and services. 

Delegates will be able to take part in talks and interactive workshops on manufacturing; low carbon skills; biotechnology and renewable fuels; waste and recycling and how resource efficiency can benefit businesses.

Martin French, Head of Innovation at emda, said: "Working alongside businesses and communities, emda is well placed to support the move to a low carbon economy, offering tangible, immediate benefits to the economy, industry and the environment.  

"The Low Carbon series has been developed to offer organisations a chance to find out about low carbon initiatives, how they may have a positive impact on long term sustainability and growth and to provide information about the support and advice that is available to them across the region".

The Low carbon series will take place at the following locations between 9am and 1.30pm:

Tuesday 23rd March - Low carbon supply chain opportunities - MAS East Midlands, PERA Innovation Park, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

Thursday 25th March - How resource efficiency can benefit your business - The University of Northampton, Northamptonshire.

Friday 16th April - The Bio-future: renewable chemicals, biotechnologies and biofuels - The EPIC Centre, Grange-de-Lings, Lincolnshire.

Tuesday 20th April - Low carbon skills - The IDle Centre, North Nottinghamshire College, Nottinghamshire.

Thursday 22nd April - A low carbon future - Nottingham, with guest speaker Andrew Sentence, member of the Bank of England Monetary Committee. 

The first four events are free to attend, but registration is required as places are limited. The event on 22 April in Nottingham is by invitation only. For more information and to register visit http://www.eminnovation.org.uk/ifestival. 

Funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and East Midlands Innovation (the region's innovation council), the iFestival celebrates the importance of innovation with a programme of over 150 events across the region between 12 March and 23 April.