Jonathon Porritt – Programme Director of Forum for the Future and Chair of the UK Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) – has been announced as special guest speaker at Ignition09 - the UK’s first dedicated wood fuel expo taking place at The Sage Gateshead on 11th - 12th March 2009.

Kicking off the proceedings, Jonathon will be on hand to share his expert views with delegates on 11th March at the event backed by One North East and Rural Development Initiatives, which has been designed to provide networking opportunities for organisations involved in the supply chain and those interested in finding out more about how wood fuel can benefit their business.

Appointed by the Prime Minister as Chairman of the UK SDC in July 2000, Jonathon has long been a positive ambassador for wood fuel and its many benefits, and wholeheartedly supports the Scottish SDC’s report which claims that wood heat can make a significant contribution to cutting carbon emissions, whilst providing much-needed rural jobs and reducing fuel poverty. His vast knowledge and passion for the subject, complemented by a strong media profile, made Jonathon the ideal choice of speaker and organisers are thrilled he will be backing the event in this capacity.

Martin Glynn, Director of Rural Development Initiatives said: “We’re delighted that Jonathon Porritt will be speaking at Ignition09. His knowledge of the environment and sustainable development is second to none, and delegates will benefit greatly from his presentation at the event. In addition to Jonathan’s speech, there will be many exhibitors on hand and a number of workshops available – making it a varied and exciting event for anybody interested in learning more about wood fuel as an alternative to fossil fuels.”

Jonathon Porritt said: “I am delighted to be involved in Ignition09. Whilst renewables (and heat from biomass in particular) are certainly on the agenda at present, the vast range of available information can be overwhelming and very fragmented. It’s important to provide easy access to current information and aid understanding of this growing sector. In addition, the current economic climate may have prompted some organisations to place environmental concerns on the back burner – which makes it all the more important to remind them that reducing your carbon footprint can actually reduce your outgoings. This free event can help people to make an informed decision on whether wood heat is now the viable option for their business.”

Jonathon’s speech will launch the Heated Debate, within which industry experts will be discussing the issues of wood heat. The expo will be a unique opportunity to network and forge links with like-minded individuals from across Europe. Designed to be a ‘one-stop shop’, planned events include exhibitions, workshops tackling practical issues by industry experts and field trips to showcase wood fuel in action. The expo will showcase installers, consultants and suppliers from across the UK and Europe with one of the leading installation companies in the UK, Wood Energy Ltd, already signed up to exhibit.

With fluctuating oil prices, concerns about security of supply and increasing awareness of the environmental costs of carbon emissions, the incentives to consider alternative sources of heat have never been greater.  Wood fuel as a heat energy source is not only more than 90% carbon neutral, but has the potential to cut energy bills by half – a real solution for businesses looking both to reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint.

Wood fuel is a viable option for a wide range of businesses and organisations - particularly those with a high demand for heat energy - such as hotels, schools, manufacturers, food companies and factories, as well as large commercial and residential developments.