Business leaders urged to accelerate climate change fight

Sponsored post by BusinessGreen

In this pivotal moment in the fight against climate change, small business leaders are being called on to attend the Net Zero Festival, an event which will give them the inspiration and cutting-edge advice they need to develop and advance their own net zero transition strategies.

With the event taking place this week from 29th September 29 October 1, businesses have one final chance to book their tickets.

BusinessGreen’s Net Zero Festival is the world’s leading net zero focused event and will bring together many of the world’s top climate experts and inspiring business leaders to offer an exciting forum in which to explore the net zero transition’s immense challenges and opportunities.

Through exclusive announcements, original content, expert commentary and the showcasing of the world’s most successful strategies and innovations, the event will throw a spotlight on the global green industrial revolution.

In its second year, the annual festival comes at an opportune time, with the UK set to host the critical COP26 Climate Summit this November and thousands of companies now committed to delivering net zero emissions. Free event passes are being offered to give as many business leaders and sustainability practitioners as possible the tools they need to join the global effort to avert a climate catastrophe.

Inspirational keynote speakers will include former Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd, NatWest chief executive Alison Rose, Solar Impulse founder Bertrand Piccard, MP & President for COP26, The Rt Hon Alok Sharma and Sir David King, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry - University of Cambridge.

SME Publications/ SME XPO 2024

Over three days of speeches, workshops and panel events, the speakers will explore key topics and themes shaping the net zero transition; from net zero investment, to public engagement and the need for a just transition.

There will also be fringe events and digital content from a raft of partners. Key sessions include:

  • September 29: Panel discussion – “The Role of SMEs in the net zero transition” with Andrew Griffiths, MP, Net Zero Business Champion, Maria Mendiluce, CEO – We Mean Business Coalition, Simon Heppner, CEO – Net Zero Now
  • September 30: Workshop – “SME’s: Why Net Zero is good for business – supporting small businesses to get ahead of the curve.”
  • September 30: Keynote speech by Rain Newton-Smith, Chief Economist – Confederation of British Industry, on the “Green industrial revolution- The economic case for net zero.”

Michael Mann, renowned climate scientist said: “Getting to net zero is a critical goal in addressing the climate crisis; that’s why I’m so pleased to be speaking at this year’s Net Zero Festival. This is a pivotal moment in the climate action movement and the effort to move toward net zero carbon emissions.

“We can’t allow ourselves to be distracted and dissuaded by polluters and climate inactivists. That’s the take-home message of my book and my presentation.”

The free passes to the Net Zero Festival have been made possible by the support of its partners: Atkins, BCG, Schroders, Bank of America, Derwent London, Drax, Energy Saving Trust, Engie, GSK, Midrex, Tetra Pak, The Climate Pledge, Volvo and Kingspan.

James Murray, BusinessGreen editor-in-chief said: “We’re thrilled that BusinessGreen is able to offer free passes to this year’s Net Zero Festival to give as many business leaders as possible access to the tools and inspiration they need to accelerate this historic net zero transition.

“To prosper over the coming decades, businesses of every size need to engage with the critical themes that climate change presents. Whilst there will be many challenges on the journey, we are driven by the belief that a rapid transition towards a net zero economy by 2050 at the latest is not just possible but is hugely desirable and something worth celebrating.

“We’d encourage all businesses, policy makers and sustainability practitioners to get involved by registering for their pass today.”

Register for one of the limited-edition free passes, here.

SME Publications/ SME XPO 2024