UK Trade and Investment offered companies attending an opportunity to meet potential customers from more than 45 markets around the globe. Buyers and key decision makers from priority markets including China, India, Brazil, USA, Korea, Australia, Russia, Canada, Cyprus, Portugal, Turkey, South Africa, Chile, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt took part.

Low Carbon Business Ambassador, Professor Julia King, said:

“With the UK government’s continued commitment to the green agenda, businesses that are proactively developing their low carbon strategy look set to benefit in the future.

“Whilst efficiency and new legislation are key drivers for the manufacturing industry to cut costs, investment in innovative technologies, green solutions, and services will ensure that the UK maintains and strengthens its competitive advantage. This in turn will enable UK companies, including innovative SMEs, to profit from the growing low carbon global economy – as demand for their products and services looks set to grow.”

Sustainability Live 2011 is taking place at the Birmingham NEC from 24-26 May and includes five leading sustainable business and environment exhibitions: BEX (Brownfield Expo), ET (Environmental Technologies), IWEX (International Water Exhibition), NEMEX (The National Energy Management Exhibition).

UK Trade and Investment is launching a new report on environment & water opportunities on Brazil at the event. Brazil is the world’s seventh largest economy and accounted for around 5 per cent of the total low carbon market, roughly £84 billion in 2008/09, and is growing fast. Low carbon opportunities in Brazil are being heavily influenced by the demands placed on renewing infrastructure, as Brazil looks forward to hosting the Football World Cup in 2014 and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

UKTI is also advising companies on how to work with third country partners from Portugal, who already have market presence in Brazil, and are looking for partners to form Joint Ventures or to provide technology in order to tap into existing opportunities.

UK Business Ambassador, Professor Julia King is speaking at the UK Know-How Leading the Low Carbon Transition Conference, which takes place today.

Low carbon fact file

• The UK market for low carbon and environmental goods and services is valued at more than £112 billion, within a global market value in excess of £3.2 trillion.

• This cuts across the whole spectrum of UK businesses, from renewable energy to sustainable infrastructure, water treatment to ICT, advanced manufacturing to financial services.

• The opportunities are huge, and the potential for further growth is massive. By 2015 the global market is expected to be worth over £4.3 trillion. By then the UK market could be worth £150 billion and employ over 1.2 million people.

• The UK exported £10.8 billion of low carbon and environmental goods and services in 2008, a 6.2 per cent growth on the previous year.