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Sue Riddlestone

Chief Executive of Bioregional, an international award-winning social enterprise and sustainability charity. Board member Catalyst 2030 network of social entrepreneurs for the SDGs, chairs government partnerships and UN advocacy group. Co-founded Bioregional in 1994; initiated the BedZED eco-village in south London where Bioregional is headquartered. Bioregional systematized its approach to create a sustainability framework called One Planet Living, which has been used in $30 billion of real estate development, and by municipalities, cities, organizations and companies worldwide. Works with partners to create zero-carbon homes and communities, eco-products and services that enable people to live a good life with a sustainable carbon footprint within in the natural limits of the planet. Draws on the work of Bioregional and partners to change policy and industry practices, from zero-carbon policy to eco-towns and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Former London Sustainable Development Commissioner. Has worked in the United Nations sustainable development processes since 2010, first to secure the Sustainable Development Goals, then to embed sustainable consumption and production, which became goal 12, and now to implement the Goals. Schwab, Skoll and Ashoka award winning social entrepreneur. London and SE region winner in the 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. 2013, awarded an OBE by the Queen for work on sustainable business and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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BioRegional Development Group
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Model
For-profit Social Enterprise
Sectors
Sustainable Development
Headquarters
United Kingdom
Areas of Impact
Europe, North America, Greater China, South Africa, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, People's Republic of China

BioRegional Development Group

Along with their partners, BioRegional develops real life solutions, including sustainable low carbon communities, businesses that supply sustainable products and services, and initiatives like sustainability strategies for municipalities. These designs can be replicated around the world, demonstrated by BioRegional’s portfolio of enterprises that illustrate the potential of sustainable design and appropriate resource allocation. BioRegional’s most recognized project is the BedZED eco-village in London. This community of 100 homes (for 220 people) encompasses facilities powered by renewable energy, and six businesses that include green property development, recycling, clean tech for the paper industry and local charcoal supplies sold to national retailers.

BioRegional’s One Planet Living framework is based on 10 guiding principles used in all of its projects: Zero Carbon, Zero Waste, Sustainable Transport, Sustainable Materials, Local and Sustainable Food, Sustainable Water, Land Use and Wildlife, Culture and Heritage, Equity and Local Economy, and Health and Happiness. BioRegional’s One Planet Communities programme is creating a network of the earth’s greenest neighbourhoods, where it is easy, attractive and affordable to live a healthy, happy lifestyle while sharing a fair amount of the planet’s resources. Working with developers around the world, the programme currently has projects in the USA, United Kingdom and Portugal, with others planned in South Africa, China, Australia and Canada.

The programme has been applied to sustainability strategies in over$30 billion of planned development. In addition to collaborating with its partners to design and construct these communities, BioRegional is also providing advisory and training services in sustainable design and practice to various actors in other industry sectors, including manufacturing, retail, commerce and government.

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