"Welcome to this
special issue of the
Thames Gateway Institute for
Sustainability's e-newsletter"

Peter Head, Chair of the Thames Gateway Institute for Sustainability Board of Trustees

Firstly, let me say how proud I am to be taking on the role as Chair at the Thames Gateway Institute for Sustainability. This special issue of the Institute's newsletter marks a significant milestone in our development as we announce the appointment of 12 leading industry figures to form our new Board. Each Trustee is a recognised leader in their respective field with strong credentials in the practical delivery of different aspects of sustainability. Our new Trustees will be able use their expertise to help deliver the Institute's vision.

The appointment of the Institute's board is timely both in terms of the sea change that must be set in motion to combat climate change and in terms of the development of this exciting new entity. Climate Change is now recognised as one of the biggest threats to global stability. The United Nations Climate Change conference in Copenhagen last December was a true testament to this. I took an active role throughout the conference focussing particularly on regional and city actions to improve economic performance through improving resource efficiency. The unprecedented level of pre-event negotiations and the wave of media interest and speculation surrounding the talks reinforce their historical significance.

It is widely acknowledged, particularly at regional and city level, that the time for talk has passed and now is the time for action. It is fitting that the Institute is gathering momentum at such an important juncture in this challenge. Our remit, to broker collaborative working with business, academia and Governments to achieve sustainable development models and generate fresh ideas, innovations and thinking to tackle climate change, is key. Our charitable aims focus on sharing and disseminating sustainability best practice regionally, nationally and internationally. This approach is imperative if we want to achieve seismic change on an international scale and to safeguard our planet for future generations.

I am pleased to be in a position to lead this high calibre new team and very much want to work with them to deliver a world-class sustainability research programme that is based on delivering practical sustainability innovations on the ground.

In future issues of our newsletter I look forward to showing you the inroads the Institute and partners are making in identifying the practical tools, techniques and models needed to make significant improvements in resource efficiency while also supporting strong economic growth.

For more information and biographies of the Board members, please click here.