Sustainability: Adapting to a changing world
On 15 and 16 May, Northampton University held its inaugural Sustainability Summit with the central theme of “Adapting to a changing world – addressing our shared sustainability challenges”.
The 2-day event, which was held at the University’s Waterside Campus, brought together representatives from local, national and international businesses, along with academia and government, to discuss shared sustainability challenges, knowledge and experiences in our ever changing landscape.
Following keynote presentations, panel discussions and breakout working groups, the summit ended with the launch of the Northampton Sustainability Accord where the outcomes and deliverables were agreed upon for future action by the delegates.
At the end of the summit awards were given for:
“Best Social Initiative”, “Best Environmental Initiative” and the “UoN Vice Chancellor’s Award for Best Sustainability Strategy”. The latter was awarded to Sustainable Leather Foundation for their work within the leather industry through their innovative Transparency Dashboard and AIM approach (Accessible, Inclusive, Modular) designed to support sustainable improvement within the leather value chain.
Professor Anne-Marie Kilday, Vice Chancellor UoN and Deborah Taylor, ASLTC, Sustainable Leather Foundation
Deborah Taylor, Founder and Managing Director, said on receiving the award “We are thrilled to receive this recognition of the value of the work we are doing. Although we are a young Foundation, only established in July 2020, we have already helped organisations around the world to develop robust sustainability strategies through our joined-up approach of support, tools and certification. Sustainability is our entire purpose, and we now hope that through the springboard of this inaugural Sustainability Summit, we can help other industry sectors to develop their versions of our Transparency Dashboard to make the transformative change we are all working together for, whatever our industry.”
For more information about the work of the Sustainable Leather Foundation and to find out how you can become a partner, please visit: www.sustainableleatherfoundation.com or email: info@sustainableleatherfoundation.com
Footwear Industry Articles
- EU targets Shein as number of low value parcels more than doublesBrussels, Belgium (06 February 2025) – The European Commission has asked online fast-fashion retailer Shein to provide internal documents and more detailed information on risks linked to the presence of illegal goods and content on its marketplace, the EU executive said on Thursday.Shein said it welcomes "efforts that enhance t ...moreAI-generated images of a Birkin bag show just how iconic and widely recognized its design has become. Even AI knows its distinctive look!
01 January 2025 – Walmart, America’s retail powerhouse, has disrupted the fashion industry with the “Wirkin Bag,” a budget-friendly alternative to Hermès’ iconic Birkin bag. Officially called the Kamugo Genuine Leather Handbag, the Wirkin has captivated social media, offering luxury aesthetic ...moreWhere are we heading as a society? From slip-on shoes to revolutionary shoelace solutions
21 January 2025 – In a world increasingly defined by convenience and technology, even footwear reflects profound societal changes. The rise of slip-on shoes, led by innovators like Kizik, and the advent of transformative solutions such as Twirlys’ no-tie shoelaces highlight our collective pursuit of simplicity, efficienc ...more
Leather Industry Articles
- Update on FMD outbreak in E. Cape and KZNPretoria, Gauteng, SA (20 December 2024) – Currently, there are 2 Provinces with ongoing foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks, while all other FMD outbreaks have been resolved and closed with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).Eastern Cape Province The outbreak in the Eastern Cape Province remains stable, with no new ...moreAct on Agricultural Land Conservation is ‘just a veil for greater state controlPretoria, Gauteng, SA (29 January 2025) – TLU SA rejects the new Act on the Conservation and Development of Agricultural Land. The agricultural organisation believes this law is nothing more than a veil for greater state control and a direct threat to the future of agriculture in South Africa. It runs almost parallel to the Expropri ...moreStudies in leather educationThe loss of much tradition-based training - such as the recent closure of ICLT – is a matter of concern, and can have serious effects that extend across the global leather sector. Nevertheless, there are two existing and updated studies available to help address these eventualities and minimise the impact of such closures.The first ...more
PPE Industry Articles
- Functionally integrated lightweight design in electric mobility: EV battery enclosures with lower carbon emissions
Chemnitz, Germany (02 September 2024) – More charging power, higher range, lower environmental impact: In the COOLBat joint research project, researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU have teamed up with partners to develop next-generation battery enclosures for electric vehicles. Th ...moreMastering contractor management for safety, business efficiency and growth in the mining industry
Johannesburg, Gauteng, SA (13 November 2024) – The mining industry operates in a complex and demanding environment characterised by rapid technological advancements, stringent safety regulations, and escalating cost pressures. To compete in this context successfully, mining executives must prioritise operational efficiency, cost-eff ...moreCircular economy: Fungal mycelium as the basis for sustainable products
Potsdam, Germany (02 September 2024) – Fungi have more to offer than meets the eye. Their thread-like cells, which grow extensively and out of sight underground like a network of roots, offer huge potential for producing sustainable, biodegradable materials. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP in ...more
