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The RE[act] Festival

COP26 will accelerate thinking around sustainability and LQ BID wanted to make sure Belfast was part of the global conversation.  

Belfast City Council (Resilience Commissioner) was an early supporter, and we were also delighted to receive COP26 regional funding, administered via the NI Local Government Association. These important sources of public support, combined with dedicated project management from LQ BID, have made the Festival possible. 

LQ BID believe in a hopeful future and RE[act] provides a framework to consider the essential changes we all need to make. The food and consumer goods we buy, the way we travel and get to work, the energy we use, and our relationship with nature and our wider eco-systems. Likewise, organisations must evolve and redesign their operations in a much more sustainable way. And local and regional government have a huge role to play, through the laws they make, and the funding they can provide. 

These are challenges for everyone, and we hope this festival will inspire you to RE[act]. 

event speakers

An inspirational line up of global, local and national experts

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Sarah Longlands

Chief Executive, CLES

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Carol Lemmens

Leader of Global Advisory, ARUP

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Victoria Marie Evensen

Vice Mayor of Oslo

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Linen Quarter Business Improvement District

The Linen Quarter Business Improvement District (LQ BID) was democratically elected in 2018 to represent the area between Belfast City Hall and Shaftesbury Square. We are independent of government but regulated by statute to deliver improvements across our district on a not-for-profit basis. We have currently delivered 30 projects in the area, that have supported a safer, cleaner and better promoted district. However, our highest priority is the work we have pioneered to help create a more sustainable city. 

We are currently rolling out our programme for a more sustainable district across the Linen Quarter. We have developed ten projects that local organisations can buy into at low or no cost. These include: 

  1. An annual sustainable survey, to measure progress on our journey 
  2. A green energy scheme for all organisations, in partnership with Power NI 
  3. Sustainable waste management, in partnership with River Ridge 
  4. Climate Awareness Training, in partnership with Business in the Community 
  5. Delivery of regeneration projects, including improved green and social space, in partnership with the City Council, DfC and DFI.  
  6. Promotion of sustainable buildings, including our Bedford House Case Study in partnership with Ulster Estates and Dark Matter Labs 
  7. Greater advocacy for sustainable and active travel 
  8. Cyclist support packages, and employer’s accreditation, with Cycling UK 
  9. Creation of a new sustainable tourism product – the Golden Mile Walking Trail 
  10. Thought leadership, principally via RE[act] the festival for a sustainable Belfast, in partnership with Belfast City Council (Resilience Commissioner), NILGA and COP26.