The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) launches a competition to encourage Britain’s youngest inventors to think green when coming up with new ideas.

Recent research by the UK-IPO shows the UK is among the world’s leading nations for eco-friendly inventions, ranking in the top six for the number of energy saving inventions. The table is headed by Japan followed by China, America, Germany and Korea.

The competition targets young inventors to keep Britain in top league of green inventors

The UK-IPO is committed to encouraging green innovation and is using the Cracking Ideas 2008 competition as a focus for the launch of its flagship education project for primary school aged children.

Cracking Ideas offers teachers resources and activities for the classroom through their website, the resources link to a nationwide competition to find the inventors of tomorrow. Children aged 9-11 will be encouraged to come up with a new invention - with the emphasis on something eco friendly.

The campaign is backed by Oscar® winners Wallace & Gromit and uses inspiration from their new film A Matter of Loaf and Death and features their own green inventions. Prizes for the winning schools include a special screening of the new film.

Minister for Intellectual Property Baroness Delyth Morgan said it was an important initiative to get children thinking about innovation at an early age.

“Cracking Ideas is fantastic for encouraging primary school aged children to innovate. It’s great that this year we are getting children to think about green innovations.

The UK is proud of its innovating tradition and our work on energy saving devices. Cracking Ideas keeps us at the forefront of this vital field.

We are very fortunate that Wallace and Gromit and Aardman Animations have played a part in bringing this exciting project to life in our schools, and I would like to thank them for their support,” she said.

Trevor Baylis, one of Britain’s most famous inventors, has also recently launched the innovative Eco Media Player. The inventor of the Wind-up Radio has brought the idea to a modern media player which stores 500 songs and comes with a radio and torch. It plays music for 20 hours before it needs to be charged - and this is done by cranking a fold-up handle at the rear rather than plugging it in. More…

The UK Intellectual Property Office (UK-IPO) is the government body responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the national framework of intellectual property rights (IPRs) (patents, designs, trade marks and copyright) and the granting and management of rights within that framework. UK-IPO leads and promotes UK interests in European and international efforts to harmonise and simplify IP law.

FairTrade fortnight is underway. Fairtrade is about better prices, better working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.

By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which mustn’t fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers.

Fairtrade enables producers to improve their position and have more control over their lives.

Commuters passing through some of the UK’s biggest railway stations will be able to join in an array of exciting activities to highlight this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight. The two-week annual campaign (25 Feb – 9 March) celebrating Fairtrade products will see action-packed events taking place around the countryFairtrade has never been an easier choice for commuters, with Virgin Trains, Virgin Atlantic, Ryan Air, Midland Mainline, and cafes and restaurants in stations and airports across the UK serving Fairtrade drinks and snacks.  Sales of Fairtrade products in the foodservice sector are now growing faster than within retail.  Sales of roast and ground coffee alone grew by 98% in 2006.  Demand for greater availability of Fairtrade products outside supermarkets and shops is rising significantly. In a recent OC&C online consumer survey, 65%of respondents said Fairtrade products should be more available out of home, not just on shop shelvesCheck out our fair trade categories and explore a number of merchants that are celebrating fairtrade fortnight with special offers. Find Fairtrade Home & Garden products here & here - Find Fairtrade Clothing & Accessories here - Fairtrade Gifts here , Fairtrade Jewellery here & Fairtrade Toys here

Simply Fair is a shop that offers only fairtrade products

Browse some Fair Trade Productshere - Please wait while window opens

Other Shops stocking Fair trade products include: Nigel’s Ecostore / Ethical Superstore

You still have a chance to nominate the winner of the Observer Ethical Awards, which are held in association with Ecover. Entires for this years nominations must be in by March 14th 2008. This is the 3rd year Awards that give everyone the chance to promote their favourite socially and environmentally ethical enterprise. There are 10 categories of award, four of which: Best Local Retailer, Best Supermarket or Online Retailer, Campaigner and Politician of the Year, Ethical Kids Award, are determined by public vote. Other awards include Conservation Project of the Year, Ethical Business of the Year and Fashion Product or Accessory of the Year are judged by an expert panel from eco designers to sustainability academics and eco architects. There are prize funds of £500 - £2000 to be won & the exposure of winning the award can be a real help to small businesses. Projects can download promotional materials and you can vote here

26-28th February, Earl’s Court, London.  From solar cells to sustainable regeneration, eco-paints to the zero carbon house, whatever your interest in sustainable design, sustainable construction and the built environment, a visit to Ecobuild will give you a fresh perspective. Over three days, you can visit the 500 exhibitors; join in 100 conference & seminar information sessions, most of which are free; listen to 500 expert speakers. There’s something for every one with an interest in green building. Explore and learn more about the cutting edge issues: zero carbon, water management, renewables, natural materials, & urban design. Learn More…

Take part in The Climate Change Summit 2008.

Climate Change has raced to the head of the global agenda in the wake of the important IPCC reports and Al Gore winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Hear about how your business is going to be affected in 2008 and beyond.

The climate change debate has shifted from whether we need to act to what we must do and how best to do it.

The window of opportunity to avoid the devastating consequences of doing nothing, while also making the most of potentially lucrative opportunities, is closing much faster than anticipated.

Learn how to prepare for the enormous changes that lie ahead. And discover how to make a virtue out of necessity.

Key topics include climate initiatives that achieve both environmental and business objectives… crafting climate change messages that win over the most sceptical consumers… an A to Z of using offsets and taking advantage of carbon trading…. how to report on your climate change objectives and achievements for maximum impact… and how to manage the many risks of climate change.

• The Climate Change Bill: What will it mean for businesses operating in the UK?
• European and international legislation: what’s happening now and is about to happen in the major business sectors
• Post Kyoto regulations: What’s anticipated – and how to prepare your business
• Nuclear power: Is it responsible to source nuclear energy for your business to cut carbon

The list of speakers already includes senior executives from Tesco, ASDA, HSBC, Cadbury Schweppes, Procter & Gamble, Lehman Brothers, Timberland, Walkers, CEMEX, IBM, British Gas, AXA Insurance, The Co-operative Group, and many more. Join them as they discuss how to adapt to climate change, 12-13th February, London

 The two previous climate change events from ethicalcorp were both sell-outs.

Early registration discounts for the Ethical Corporation’s Climate Change Summit 2008  expire son.

Register by Friday 18^th Januaryand get up to£150 off your ticket price!

For the full programme and the latest speaker line-up and to book your place visit EthicalCorp