The Climate Change Summit returns with its third edition, being the largest event in Central and Eastern Europe focused exclusively on solutions for climate challenges. Expanded this year to include more days and locations, the Climate Change Summit will take place between October 15 and 17, at the National Opera in Bucharest and in other places in the capital and the country. The event brings together leading professionals who offer innovative and relevant solutions to pressing issues caused by climate change.
The Climate Change Summit returns with its third edition
The Climate Change Summit is open to the public on a space-available basis, and applications can be made on climatechange-summit.org.
For three days, dozens of climate innovation leaders, environmental policy experts, researchers, entrepreneurs and government officials will meet to find local and regional solutions for a sustainable future.
Under the motto “Solutions for a greener tomorrow on the horizon”, this year’s event promises a multidisciplinary approach, announcing the first six internationally renowned speakers who will bring diverse perspectives and innovative solutions to the challenges of climate change : Bas van Abel, promoter of sustainable design, founder of Fairphone – the most sustainable smartphone in the world – and De Clique; Julia Okatz, Director at Systemiq, specializing in urban planning and resilient cities; Barbara and Christoph Promberger, Executive Directors of the Conservation Carpathia Foundation, renowned for their pioneering work in wildlife conservation; Oliver Bolton, CEO of Earthly, focused on ecological regeneration; Pauline Grumel, founder of UNISOAP, which innovates hygiene solutions through recycling; Climate and Company’s Dr. Theresa Spandel, expert in sustainability governance (ESG); and Thomas Kolster, founder of the Goodvertising movement, which advocates ethical marketing.
“For the 2024 edition of the Climate Change Summit, we aim to take a few more steps forward on the path to a more sustainable world, debating concrete topics that touch our lives and helping to raise awareness in others. We designed this event as an opportunity to bring together, on the same stage, specialists, environmental activists, private companies, public institutions and international organizations to support collaboration and innovation in environmental matters and limiting climate change. We assure all those interested in the topic and the conference that the guests of this edition, whose first representatives we are now announcing, will be up to the mark, and we expect as many of them as possible on October 15-17.”, said Flavia Popa, Secretary General of BRD Groupe Société Générale, founding partner of the Climate Change Summit.
“2024 is likely to be the hottest year on record. The impact of accelerating climate crises requires rapid and science-connected public policy decisions and entrepreneurial solutions, as well as an integrated approach to financing. At the third edition of the Climate Change Summit, we bring solutions to many of Romania’s and Europe’s current and future challenges and continue to build a community that already counts several dozen organizations and thousands of people from the region. We also add a strong component of conversations about ESG and the impact of European legislation in the field to prepare the business environment for a more sustainable future. And, starting in 2024, we support financially and with young resources and SMEs that build solutions to Romania’s climate challenges”, said Ciprian Stănescu, President of Social Innovation Solutions, organizer of the event.
“We joined as a strategic partner the largest regional event on climate change, the Climate Change Summit, because only together can we work to find optimal solutions regarding the climate transition. Under the umbrella of the Climate Change Summit, we recently also organized the Climate Supplier Event, which has already mobilized numerous players to take a step forward in the decarbonization of their business, through our constant concern to have as little impact on the environment as possible, and we are grateful to have partners who share our vision”, says Corina Dospinoiu-Imre, Auchan Retail Romania Sustainability Director.
“Data shows that technology can help over 80% of the unbanked population in the most climate-vulnerable regions to become more resilient to financial shocks and the impacts of climate change. By integrating access to finance with programs that promote financial resilience, low-income people can reduce the financial burden of natural disasters. And we at Mastercard have taken on this mission – we use technology to create an inclusive digital economy. But only together can we have a greater impact. We are proud to partner with the Climate Change Summit, an event that promotes collaboration, knowledge sharing and idea development. In just three years, the summit has become a benchmark in the region for identifying solutions to the pressing climate change challenges facing our society”, said Cosmin Vladimirescu, General Manager Mastercard Romania and Croatia.
Speakers of the third edition
During the Climate Change Summit, the invited speakers will present various innovative solutions, from completely different fields, which reflect the multidisciplinary approach needed to solve the climate challenges. From conservation and regeneration, to ethics in design and advertising, solutions presented by leading professionals will cover topics such as:
Sustainable design smartphone – Bas van Abel, founder of Fairphone and co-founder of De Clique, is renowned for his revolutionary approach to sustainable design. With over two decades of experience in social innovation, Bas advocates for the transformation of economic systems through sustainable design. With Fairphone he has set new standards for ethical and sustainable smartphone production, proving that businesses can lead the way in creating a circular economy.
Reimagined Urban Spaces – Julia Okatz, Principal at Systemiq, specializes in creating resilient urban environments for people too. Her work focuses on efficient use of space, AI-based planning and financing solutions for sustainable city development. Julia’s extensive experience with public and private institutions, along with her role as Special Advisor to the International Resource Panel (IRP), positions her as a key voice in shaping the future of urban sustainability.
The Făgăraş Mountains – a Yellowstone of Europe: Barbara and Christoph Promberger are the founders of the Conservation Carpathia Foundation, one of the largest private forest conservation initiatives in Europe. Passionate about protecting natural landscapes and wildlife, they dedicated themselves to the conservation of the Southern Carpathians in Romania. Barbara, a biologist, and Christoph, a forester, came to Romania in the 90s to study large carnivores. In the face of massive deforestation that began in 2005, they founded the Conservation Carpathia Foundation to stop illegal logging and create a world-class national park. With over 100 million euros raised, Barbara and Christoph have taken important steps in the regeneration of natural ecosystems in Romania.
Regenerating Planet Earth – Oliver Bolton, CEO of Earthly and serial entrepreneur, has made it his mission to protect and regenerate over 1% of the planet by 2030. With an impressive number of sustainable and successful businesses, including the first drinks company certified healthy B-Corp from Europe, Waterbomb, Oliver is a leader in biodiversity credits and Business Advisor for Stop Ecocide International.
Recycling for global hygiene – Pauline Grumel, founder of UNISOAP, is transforming the hygiene sector with her pioneering soap recycling initiative. Established in 2017, UNISOAP collects and recycles hotel soaps to provide underprivileged communities with access to hygiene. Pauline’s commitment to social and environmental causes has expanded UNISOAP’s reach in the UAE, with plans to expand globally. Her work exemplifies how entrepreneurship and sustainability can intersect to create positive change on a large scale.
Transparency in Sustainability Governance Management – Dr. Theresa Spandel is an expert in environmental, social and governance (ESG) investigations and disclosures. Her work with Climate and Company, a leading think tank in the area of sustainable finance, focuses on increasing transparency and accountability in corporate reporting. Her experience with the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) and her contributions to global sustainability reporting standards make her a key figure in promoting ESG practices.
Advertising for Positive Impact – Thomas Kolster, founder of the Goodvertising movement, is dedicated to transforming the advertising industry to put people and planet first. With nearly two decades of experience, Thomas has advised a wide range of organizations, from Fortune 500 companies to startups. His books, Goodvertising and The Hero Trap, and his global engagements inspired the shift towards more responsible advertising.
After two successful editions, which brought together more than 2,900 participants, almost 2 million online viewers and more than 160 speakers, the summit adds the Climate Change Summit Awards under its umbrella. The competition will offer 6 prizes totaling 12,000 euros, the opportunity for crowdfunding, but also the recognition of innovative solutions and practical ideas to climate challenges presented by young people under 30, but also to small and medium-sized enterprises, with a minimum of 3 years of activity, from Romania and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Those interested can apply at https://climatechange-summit.org/ccs-awards/.
