Pictured: Patricia Head, metnet project manager, guest speaker Reed Paget, Mandy Stoker, metnet Shropshire chairwoman

A "goldmine of opportunity" exists for Marches companies which are prepared to innovate and invest to help solve environmental issues, a green business event heard.

Award-winning entrepreneur Reed Paget, speaking at the Marches Environmental Technologies Network conference, said the key to success was also finding ways to commercially position new products and services in the green technologies industry.

Mr Paget launched Belu, the UK's first bottled water company to commit all its profits to clean water projects, in 2004. He made Belu the first "carbon-neutral" bottled water and launched the UK's first compostable bottles made from corn.

He was the guest speaker at the metnet conference in Worcester, which attracted more than 100 delegates working in, and looking to diversify into, the sector. It was followed by the Green Expo exhibition which was also open to the general public.

Mr Paget said: "The bulk of companies focusing on environmental issues are focused on climate, and while important and a huge challenge, there are many other issues which are on the horizon. 

"If you look at how quickly climate went from being something companies were ignoring to being at the core of many company's strategies, it would seem there is a goldmine of opportunity. 

"Companies should be looking at the biggest environmental problems we are facing and finding commercial opportunities by being at the front of the queue for solving these problems. I see a huge amount of opportunity at the early stage of innovation and in research and development, and importantly, equally in the market position of green products in sales and marketing."

The conference also heard from experts from a range of organisations including the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Environment Agency and Sustainability West Midlands on subjects ranging from waste legislation, how companies can drive down energy bills and take advantage of the Government's Green Deal.

Funded via ERDF, AWM and local councils across the Marches, members of the metnet network also exhibited at the Green Expo, an event for both businesses and the general public, which included briefings on the environmental technologies available in the marketplace.

Mandy Stoker, chairwoman of metnet in Shropshire, said: "We were delighted to welcome so many delegates. With so many changes in legislation, regulations and new schemes and incentives being introduced, it was important to be able to give  companies the chance to hear about them from the experts."

Paul Hutchens, chairman of metnet in Herefordshire & Worcestershire, said: "The metnet conference saw companies from a range of environmental technology businesses gather together to hear about changes in the industry and how they could benefit new schemes in the pipeline. Importantly, events like these give companies a chance to network and form new working relationships."

Visitors to the Green Expo also had a chance to see the Riversimple local car, a two-seater vehicle run on hydrogen fuel cell technology, developed in south Shropshire.

Founder of Riversimple, Hugo Spowers, said metnet had been instrumental in helping the Ludlow-based company achieve a deal for road trials for the car, which will take place in Shropshire and Herefordshire next year.

He said: "For a small company like ours, metnet has made all the difference in the world. It has helped us find our way through the maze of different organisations and local authorities to get the project moving."

Funded by the ERDF and AWM, metnet is a partnership between Herefordshire Council, Shropshire Council, Telford and Wrekin Council and Worcestershire County Council administered by Shropshire Council.