Sustainable Innovation Forum stakeholder launch event at Paris Climate Week 2015

Climate Action and UNEP hosted the Sustainable Innovation Forum Stakeholder Launch during Paris Climate Week at the Shangri-La Hotel on 21 May.

The launch focused on the significant role of private sector innovation in driving low carbon development and COP21 Secretary-General, Pierre-Henri Guignard, highlighted the critical role business will play during the UNFCCC summit in December.

Addressing over 100 business leaders, government officials and UN executives Mr Guignard said:"We are building a very business friendly COP which will show the commitment of the private sector to the spirit of the convention… the private sector take the threat of climate change very seriously and their strategies are taking into account whatever is needed to fight against global warming."

Joining the Sustainable Innovation Forum Stakeholder Launch via video link, Achim Steiner, Executive Director of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) further underlined the consensus that “the role of the private sector in terms of innovation and technology, in finance and investment… is going to be crucial”.

 The launch brought together multiple stakeholder groups who are mobilising the move to a low carbon economy, including partners of Climate Action's Sustainable Innovation Forum 2015 (SIF15) that will take place during COP21 on December 7th and 8th. Attendees included organisations such as Forbes, CDP, IFC, International Chamber of Commerce, BMW, DHL, BMW, Avery Dennison and Carbon Trade Exchange.

During the evening it was also announced that the iconic national stadium of France, Stade de France, will host SIF15 in December.  Registration for SIF15 will officially open in September, please visit http://www.cop21paris.org to find out more and register your early interest in attending.