United to make sustainable development a reality
The 12thedition of CleanEquity®, the sustainable technology innovation forum, which ran from March 14-15, 2019 at the Fairmont Hotel in Monte-Carlo, is gaining in reputation year after year. Prince Albert II of Monaco & Mungo Park, Chairman of Innovator Capital, founded CleanEquity Monaco to advance cleantech innovation & implementation. The guest of honor this year was Ban Ki-moon, a South Korean politician, and diplomat who had been the eighth Secretary General of the United Nations from 2007 to 2016, at the time of the COP21 and the Paris Agreements that fixed the sustainable development goals for 2030.
Prince Albert II welcomed and thanked all delegates for their concern about the world’s sustainable future. He pointed out that CleanEquity’s origins are to bring together scientists, investors, and media to one platform. At a time when multilateralism is under threat of various uncoordinated factors, the platform will help strengthen global partnerships, bring international communities together, the private sector and a stable society.
Prince Albert II went on to say that we are all subject to the same risks. As long as each acts, our voices will be able to hold governments responsible for implementing affirmative, sustainable policies. United, we can make these positive consequences to sustainable development a reality.
Every year over 600 sustainable technologies are sourced and screened by Innovator Capital’s team, with the best in class then invited to attend the conference.
Over the two days, CleanEquity® featured around 180 high-level delegates who were introduced to up to 26 of the world’s best in the field next-generation technology companies, and take part in interactive, thought-provoking, inspirational and engaging plenary/workshop sessions. Each company presented its vision and had the opportunity to network with prominent financial, strategic, sovereign, corporate and family investors, established industry representatives, government officials, end users, and international trade media. Thus reaching the objectives of the conference to create an environment where delegates were able to engage actively with key opinion leaders, strategic investors, financiers and entrepreneurs of the cleantech industry.
As demonstrated by the recent youth climate change demonstrations across the world, an ever-increasing number of young people are actively raising their voices and gathering to pressure governments to implement environmental protection policies without further, as the time for action has come.
The Nobel Sustainability Trust Award
The Nobel Prizes are a set of annual international awards bestowed in several categories by Swedish and Norwegian institutions in recognition of academic, cultural or scientific advances. The will of the Swedish scientist Alfred Nobel established the six Nobel prizes in 1895. They are awarded for outstanding contributions to humanity in chemistry, economics, literature, peace, physics, or physiology and medicine.
The Nobel Sustainability Trust, led by Professor Michael Nobel, great-grandnephew of Alfred Nobel, created the Award for Sustainability. During CleanEquity, it was announced that ZHU Huiye, Vice-President of the Investment Association of China, an official organization of the Chinese government, would provide support by establishing a subsidiary in Beijing, and hosting one of the first three ceremonies starting probably in 2020. The sourcing and selection process for winners will be independent.
China a consistent supporter of the green economy
During CleanEquity China proposed, through their spokesperson ZHU Huiye, to participate in the sustainable investment bank baptized SFIC (Sustainable Finance & Investment Corporation). No less than one billion U.S. dollars will be invested by the Chinese state over the next three to five years, financed by the local governments of the Chinese provinces and the larger SOE corporations in the country.
Mr. ZHU proposed to enter into negotiations immediately and to sign strategic cooperation agreements as quickly as possible. A steering committee will be set up to invite UN and state leaders to participate in this committee. Furthermore, he said also, that China would provide financial and regional support to the Nobel Sustainability Trust by hosting one of the first three sustainability award ceremonies in China and setting up a non-profit Beijing branch of the Trust.
Mr. Mungo Park said at the signing ceremony, “I am heartened and happy about China’s consistent commitment to combatting climate change and China’s demonstrable awareness of the need for innovation of technologies to achieve the UN SDGs and NDCs. The signing of this agreement today, I hope, will be a beacon, for all Parties to the Paris Agreement. Innovator Capital’s Sustainable Finance & Investment Corporation initiative provides the Parties with the vehicle they need to fulfill their obligations outlined in Article 10 of the COP21 Agreement.”
“The urgency and gravity of the threat to our planet call for close partnerships that lead to decisive action,” said Professor Michael Nobel, Chairman of the Nobel Sustainability Trust. “The Nobel Sustainability Trust appreciates China’s support for our vision to accelerate human ingenuity toward a sustainable future.”
China, at present the second largest economy that is on the way to surpass the US as the largest one in the next ten years, is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases and the largest consumer of various commodities in the world. It is often regarded as a significant concern for a global transition to cleaner energy and more sustainable use of natural resources. Nevertheless, with its essential investment in clean energy and support of the Paris Agreement, it is proactive in protecting the environment in various aspects – climate mitigation, green finance, and pollution control. For a real transition to a green economy to happen in China, it must continue to empower the private sector, unify the fragmented governance structure and increase public awareness of sustainable development.
CleanEquity 2019 Award Winners
The conference culminated on March 15 with its traditional awards ceremony H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, the event co-founder, presented the CleanEquity 2019 awards, created by London based, French artist, Samuel de Gunzburg, to three companies.
- RESEARCH: eggXYt – Represented by Yehuda Elram, Ceo and Gal Lin, Director of Business Development
- DEVELOPMENT: BL!XT – Represented by Charlotta & Trued Holmquist, CFO & CEO, respectively
- COMMERCIALISATION: SUN Mobility – Represented by Chetan Maini, Co-Founder, and Vice Chair Uday Kehmka
The Runners up were:
Today’s Quote
“Sustainable development is the pathway to the future we want for all. It offers a framework to generate economic growth, achieve social justice, exercise environmental stewardship and strengthen governance.” Ban Ki-moon
Monaco Reporter 