A real coup for the organisers, the excitement is further heightened by the reputation of the organisations for which the CEOs and VPs in question work: the Economist has already announced that high-level delegates from EMI Records Group, Eden Project, Alliance Boots, Sustainable Development Commission, WWF-UK, The Carbon Trust, Hitachi, Unilever, RPS Group, Whitbread, Carbon Capture and Storage, Umeco, Anglian Water Group, DS Smith, Inbev, Forum for the Future, TIMA International and Axa Investment Managers, will all be attending.
That list alone makes for stimulating reading, with all eyes on representatives from environmental stalwarts like WWF-UK, the Eden Project, the Sustainability Development Commission and the Carbon Trust, plus involvement from such well established companies as EMI Records Group.
What’s on the Agenda?
The Economist Sustainability Summit 2010 will focus on the role that businesses can play in the development of environmental policy and reform in coming years, and will meditate on the impact that environmental legislature could have on business practice.
Pitching itself as a point for reflection – it comes after the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit, which will act as the new global framework for environmental legislation, and before the introduction of the Carbon Reduction Commitment, which kicks in at the start of April of this year – the Economist Sustainability Summit 2010 will look to discuss the role of business in the changing socio-political climate and its relation to environmental change.
Offering case studies delivered by industry experts, plus conceptual debate on the most pressing of issues – from carbon neutrality to changing environmental legislature and commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility – the Economist Sustainability Summit 2010 will certainly provide lively debate, if not some interesting answer to some of business’ most pressing issues.
Given the guest list, too, it would seem that anyone looking for industry leading advice won’t leave disappointed.
Who’s Speaking?
The Economist have announced that the following delegates will lead the discussion:
• Stefano Pessina, Executive Chairman, Alliance Boots
• Gareth Llewellyn, Global Head of Safety and Sustainable Development, Anglo-American
• Roger Harrabin, Environment Analyst, BBC
• Tim Smit, Chief Executive and Co-founder, Eden Project
• Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director, Forum for the Future
• Anthony Giddens, Member of the House of Lords
• Jeremy Hobbs, Executive Director, Oxfam International
• Will Day, Chair, Sustainable Development Commission
• Paul Polman, Chief Executive Officer, Unilever
• Mark Wright, Chief Scientist, WWF-UK
They have also announced that all attendees will have the chance to question, understand and review the reports and findings of more than 500 business executives, included in the summit’s flagship report ‘After Copenhagen – Assessing the Impact on Business’.
Why the Economist Sustainability Summit 2010 is Big News
Given the stature of the delegates, plus the keynote speakers, the Economist Sustainability Summit 2010 is set for real success. With the day relevantly themed – an event centering on the importance of changes to environmental practice as a result of the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit is a much needed event indeed – it seems that there’s going to be something for everyone to take away with them.
So get ready! And we’ll hopefully see you there.
For more information, take a look at the Economists website.
