Climate change and commerce collide in upcoming business competition

Students from the University of Northampton will present their bright ideas to create more sustainable business practices in an upcoming business competition, to mark COP26.

The UK will host the 26 UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in November 2021. To celebrate this pivotal conference, undergraduates, postgraduates, and MBA students from across the Faculty of Business and Law will battle it out in the FBL Challenge Event 2021 on 17 November.

This dragon’s den style completion judged by Northamptonshire fruit-processing business Blue Skies will see a panel of judges, composed of senior figures from both Blue Skies and the University, assess the students on their creativity, innovation, and the quality of their business ideas.

Dr Ebenezer Laryea, Senior Lecturer in Law and organiser of the challenge, said: “The FBL Challenge is an annual opportunity for our students to apply the knowledge they are gaining from their courses to craft solutions to relevant issues raised by challenging commercial problems.

“In recognition of the UK hosting COP 26, this year’s competition will focus on creating sustainable business models. We know that climate change is a real and pressing issue, which demands global concerted action if we are to avoid a disastrous future.

“I am looking forward to seeing the creative ideas our students create to address the challenges of moving away from a reliance on plastics, working towards net-zero emissions, creating socially responsible and engaged business models, and pivoting towards legal rules which support, encourage, and compel sustainability.”

Students interested in taking part in the FBL challenge should form a team of three (maximum), and email Dr Ebenezer Laryea, Senior Lecturer in Law with the names and student ID numbers of those in the team by 1 November 2021.

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