The Business Show's first of its kind, international Sustainability Summit is the first in an annual series of events aimed at bringing together the corporate, academic, non-profit and activist worlds to look at sustainability on a global scale.
The strategic initiative, which will take place virtually on September 22nd, is a one-day event held across two virtual stages centred around sustainability and what governments, corporations and individuals can do to aid the environment and their communities.
The free-to-attend, virtual event, will host talks and panel discussions on the theme of sustainability in business, with the aim of educating business leaders and the community on how to apply viable solutions in the coming decade, while addressing the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and how to action the change.
Speakers
In a series of keynote speeches and discussions to debate a wide variety of topics centred around helping international business leaders achieve the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the Sustainability Summit will bring together leaders, policy makers and key sustainability experts.
Former Irish president and founder of The Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice, Mary Robinson, will be the headline speaker at the inaugural Sustainability Summit. The adjunct professor for Climate Justice in Trinity College Dublin and chair of The Elders & Former President of Ireland and Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, will be joined on the day by some of the world’s leading business and environmental experts to discuss the state of play in the world’s fight against climate change and other sustainability trends.
NASA’s senior climate advisor, Dr Gavin Schmidt, has also been confirmed as one of the keynote speakers. Dr Schmidt has been the director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies since 2014, where his main research interest is the use of climate modeling to understand past, present, and future climate change.
Additional speakers participating in this year’s Sustainability Summit include:
- Sir David King, emeritus professor of Chemistry of University of Cambridge & founder and chair of Centre For Climate Repair
- Norman Crowley, founder of Cool Plant Group and Studio AVA
- Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle
- Cyrill Gutsch, CEO and founder of Parley For the Oceans & featured expert on Netflix Documentary 'Seaspiracy'
- Magid Magid, founder & director of Union of Justice
- Audrey Choi, chief sustainability officer of Morgan Stanley
- Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet
- Gordon Willoughby, CEO of WeTransfer
- Daniel Gutiérrez Patiño, CEO of Saving the Amazon Foundation
- Dorothy Grace Guerrero, head of Policy and Advocacy of Global Justice Law
- Maria Adebowale-Schwarte, CEO of Foundation for Future London
- Colin Hanna, partner of Balderton
Tracey Carney, managing director of The Business Show Sustainability Summit, said of the event; “We are delighted to be able to welcome such a unique selection of international speakers and moderators to join us in our inaugural Sustainability Summit in September. The theme of this year’s sustainability summit is Action the Change. Our goal is to showcase not just policies but how businesses can implement and excel by ensuring sustainability is at the core of their business growth no matter what stage of the journey they are on.”
“Through renowned speakers, thought-provoking panels and world-class case studies there will be actionable learning throughout the event. As a fully sustainable virtual event, we have removed all barriers and attendance is complimentary to ensure we reach the widest audience possible. Our pledge is to help action the change through education, collaboration and inclusion. We are asking companies to pledge their action #actionthechange.”
Partners
An Post has been named a founding partner of the Sustainability Summit. Nicola Woods, chief transformation officer of An Post, said; "We're delighted to be associated with The Business Show's Sustainability Summit. At An Post, we are committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions from our own operations by 2030 in order to deliver a more sustainable future for generations to come. And in order to achieve this, we are committed to embedding sustainability in everything we do."
"As one of the largest employers in Ireland, maintaining one of the largest fleets in Ireland and having the largest retail network in the country, we have a responsibility to create a positive environmental and social impact, equality for all and everyday opportunities for consumers to live a more sustainable life.“
The summit seeks to explore the potential for the development of eco-friendly products and services and how the business community can come together to combat climate change and improve people’s lives. The Sustainability Summit will convene thought leaders, policy makers and sustainability experts for an engaging exchange of insights and strategies designed to provide attendees with the tools needed to achieve sustainability goals.
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