With the green agenda gathering pace, organisations are assessing their impact on the environment. They are also looking for opportunities to establish green credentials that can forge relationships, build brands and increase bottom line results.

This conference, at the Kingsgate Centre, will see Jonathon Porritt, pictured, return to Peterborough to deliver the keynote speech. Jonathon last visited the city in 1996 when he spoke to local green organisations about Peterborough's ambition to become the UK's Environment Capital.

Director of marketing college Marketing Ability Bob Hogg is arranging the conference as part of his position as Chartered Institute of Marketing events organiser.

He said: "In this time of credit crunch and recession many are wondering whether the environment will maintain its position as a top priority for the business community.

"I would argue that this is the best time to focus on sustainability – if you are wasting energy or sending mountains of waste to landfill it's money down the drain. Being sustainable makes good business sense; reduce your environmental impact and increase profits."

Responding to the challenges of sustainability isn't always simple. The speakers at this conference have real experience of running successful organisations in a planet-friendly way and include John Grant, author of The Green Marketing Manifesto, Ed Gillespie, co-founder of Futerra Sustainability Communications and Clare Allman from Ecover.

Ed said: "There have been a number of conferences on green marketing and sustainability, but this conference aims to go a little deeper than others. Delegates will leave equipped with knowledge that they can go straight back to the office and start putting into practice.

"The talk I will be giving will focus on the results of some research Futerra has recently conducted into 'green-washing'. This is when organisations make green claims which cannot be substantiated – for example, when airlines or 4x4 manufacturers claim to be eco-friendly. The public is growing wise to people jumping on the green bandwagon and are looking for supporting evidence to show real change.

"Futerra has worked with many companies to make sure they are sustainable from the inside out and avoid falling into the trap of green-washing."

Steve Magenis is a director at Royal Haskoning and chairman of Peterborough Environment City Trust. He said: "Royal Haskoning is delighted to be sponsoring the Green Marketing conference. From our office in Peterborough we have a dedicated division of staff providing environmental and sustainability services across the world. Our climate change experts work with organisations looking to reduce their carbon footprint and operate in the most environmentally friendly way.

"We understand that being truly sustainable can only be achieved with buy-in from all company stakeholders, from employees and the board of directors to customers and partners. This makes marketing and good communications vital for success."

Join the debate at the conference to find out if marketing really hold the key to sustainable business.

Talk directly to the people who have made green marketing work for them, and find out how to avoid green-wash and make meaningful business decisions that benefit the environment.

Prices start from £140, with early bird discounts available if you book by December 31, 2008.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities and to book, contact Nyree Ambarchian, nyree.ambarchian@pect.net.