Press release: Optical professions and industry come together on sustainability

In a unique initiative, dispensing opticians, contact lens opticians and optometrists are joining with manufacturers for an event to kick start the optical industry’s work towards long term sustainability next week.

The keynote speaker for the SEE Summit on the Environment will be Nick Bridge. Nick is the Foreign Secretary’s Special Representative for Climate Change and is directing the UK’s global diplomatic climate change work, currently focused on COP26.

Nick says, “The urgent and compelling need to tackle climate change is clear to us all. The UN Climate Change conference – COP26 – will be hosted by the UK in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November 2021 and bring together Heads of State, officials, campaigners & business to make new commitments that can help us avoid catastrophic impacts.

“Ahead of COP26, the UK is working round the clock with partners around the world – every country, sub national governments & cities, businesses, and a full array of civil society – to reach the most ambitious possible agreement in key areas such as finance, energy, transport and nature, and limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees.

“I am delighted therefore to support the UKs optical sector’s SEE Summit for the Environment, which will provide practical ideas and support for eye care practitioners, practice owners and suppliers so they can minimise their carbon footprints and contribute to a sustainable global economy for the benefit of current and future generations.”

Visit https://www.abdo.org.uk/events/see-event/  to find out more about the event and discover what the industry is doing to become more sustainable. 

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Media enquiries to Antonia Chitty achitty@abdo.org.uk
2. Hi res images are available
3. The SEE Summit aims to promote environmental sustainability in the UK optical sector and contribute to the government’s goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It takes place in the run-up to the COP (Conference of the Parties) climate change summit in November 2021. Running from 7-8.30pm, the event offers a packed agenda with inspiring speakers talking about how they have moved towards environmental sustainability in practice and in manufacturing. Attendees will also receive practical advice on the changes that can be made at work.
4. This event is supported by the Association of Optometrists (AOP), the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), the Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers, the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA), the College of Optometrists, FODO, the General Optical Council (GOC) and the Optical Suppliers Association (OSA).