Global leaders prepare to get down to business at COP22

PRESS RELEASE - Marrakech, 3 November 2016 – Following the historic announcement on 5 October by the United Nations that the threshold for ratification of the Paris Agreement had been achieved, leaders are now preparing to get down to business at the Sustainable Innovation Forum during COP22, co-convened by Climate Action in partnership with UNEP and the Moroccan Government.

Technology transfer and mobilizing finance will be front and centre as countries discuss how to achieve their Nationally Determined Contributions and the modalities, procedures and guidelines that will go with this.

An example of this technology transfer can be seen from the recipient of Frost & Sullivan’s 2016 Ugandan Sustainable Mobility Visionary Innovation Leadership Awards, Kiira Motors who will be a part of the Sustainable Innovation Forum and who are redefining mobility in Uganda with a range of products including Africa’s first solar bus. Kiira Motors vision extends far beyond standard vehicle manufacturing, that seeks to improve the development of the Ugandan automotive industry by catalysing growth through its sustainable mobility solutions.

Other technologies across decarbonising energy supply and waste management will also be featured at the leading business summit during COP22, with perspectives from global Climate and Environment Ministers a well as ACWA Power, Vattenfall, Siemens, Coca Cola and others.

With recent news that developed countries are on track to provide developing nations with $100 billion a year to tackle climate change by 2020, climate finance will be a crucial component of COP22. The Sustainable Innovation Forum, will convene many of the key investors in Climate Finance from organisations including: International Finance Corporation, European Investment Bank, Global Environment Facility and Amundi, to discuss adopting and mainstreaming innovative green finance products and embedding climate considerations across the entire financial system.

Of the expectations of COP22 and Sustainable Innovation Forum this year, Climate Action CEO, Nick Henry commented: ‘Climate change is not just the single largest threat to this planet; it also presents a new $3 trillion green economy which is creating millions of green jobs enabling us to transition to a low carbon economy. The Sustainable Innovation Forum is a key catalyst behind this exploding green economy bringing together Sustainable Innovators, Investors and over thirty Governments and policy makers for a dynamic two days during COP22 ’.

About Sustainable Innovation Forum

Convened by Climate Action, November 14-15 in Marrakech and with the official endorsement of the Moroccan Government, SIF16 will unite over 1,000 high-level delegates around topics including renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, climate finance and low carbon innovation in developing regions.

SIF16 will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel Marrakech, just outside of the UNFCCC Blue Zone, and is built upon year-round work from Climate Action and the UN Environment Programme. Convening cross-sector participants from the private sector, Government, Investors, UN agencies and international NGOs, a strong focus will be placed on discussions around national climate targets and the drive towards business innovations and solutions that need to be implemented in order to achieve these ambitious goals.

Registration for the Sustainable Innovation Forum at COP22 is now open, though soon to close. Last year’s event in Paris received over 6,000 registrations to attend, with over 5,000 following via live stream. Applications to attend are expected to be even higher this year, so registration is strongly advised as soon as possible. Obtain your delegate pass by visiting the website at http://www.cop22.org

Media Contact:

Dan Cole

Email: dcole@climateactionprogramme.org

Tel: +44 (0)20 7871 0123