Bradford's bold regeneration plans have helped it clinch an influential environment conference for some of Britain's top companies this summer.

It will be the first time that Business in the Community (BITC) has staged its high-profile event outside London.

The conference - called "The Future Now" - will focus on the crucial question of climate change and how to ensure the sustainability of both the environment and the economy. It will also examine other environmental impacts.

A range of high calibre speakers has been lined up for the 300 delegates to the event on June 2 at the Cedar Court Hotel. There will also be a debate, work-shops and exhibitions to examine the innovations and technological advances that will put the environment at the head of the boardroom agenda.

The motion for the debate is: "This house believes that adapting to climate change is a more business critical issue than mitigating greenhouse gas emissions."

Sarah Want, BITC's environment programme manager, said: "Bradford was chosen as an ideal location for our conference because the regeneration plans for the city and the exciting environmental projects being carried out by local businesses and organisations such as the Bradford Business Environment Forum are linked into the overall theme of the conference.

"The Cedar Court Hotel provides an ideal venue due to its central location and excellent conference facilities."

Keynote speaker for the day is David Jackson, company secretary of oil giant BP and BITC's chairman of Business in the Environment's Leadership team.

Futurologist Ian Pearson of BT will provide a scientific insight into how companies should regard environmental issues in the future.

The main speaker from the public sector will be Sir John Harman, chairman of the Environment Agency. Helen Young, the chief weather presenter for the BBC, will provide a "future forecast" at the close of the day.

The conference will be chaired by Channel Four News's Jon Snow.

A number of experts have agreed to take part including representatives from The Climate Group and the UK Climate Impact Programme while schoolchildren involved in other BITC projects will present their ideas about "Our Environment in the Future".

The conference is sponsored by Yorkshire Forward and the Waste Resources & Action Programme.

BITC (www.bitc.org.uk) aims to have a positive impact on society. It has more than 750 member companies with a further 2,000 engaged in programmes and campaigns and global partnerships.