2016 Green Growth & Business Forum: Making a low carbon future a reality
Taking place in Singapore from 12-13 July, the Green Growth & Business Forum will see South East Asian businesses, researchers, entrepreneurs and government agencies network, and forge new partnerships in green growth.
Scott Wightman, the British High Commissioner to Singapore speaking at the forum
How is the Mayor of Copenhagen getting more people to use bicycles and take public transport? What role do multinationals like Mott MacDonald, DHL and EY play in moving to a low carbon future? What expertise does the UK have in low carbon solutions? This year’s Green Growth & Business Forum is addressing these questions and more.
Taking place in Singapore from 12-13 July, the Green Growth & Business Forum will see South East Asian businesses, researchers, entrepreneurs and government agencies network and forge new partnerships in green growth. The global market for low carbon goods and services is estimated to be worth over £3 trillion and is projected to grow by 4% per year.
South East Asia is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change such as increased flooding, droughts and typhoons. The Asian Development Bank predict the economic impact of climate change in the region could be twice the world average owing to the low-lying coastal areas where most of South East Asia’s 600 million people live and economic activity takes place.
Just as it will bear the impact, the region also matters to global efforts to combat climate change. Studies have shown that economic growth and action on climate change can be achieved together and the Green Growth & Business Forum seeks to create a platform to enable this.
Speaking at the forum, Scott Wightman, the British High Commissioner to Singapore, said:
By 2030, alternative energy industries could support up to 20 million jobs worldwide and South East Asia provides significant opportunities. I’m delighted that a number of prominent UK companies in the green, sustainable and low carbon development sectors have a significant business presence here in Singapore or in the region.
The Green Growth & Business Forum is organised by the UK Government, Singapore’s National Climate Change Secretariat, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Environment and Water Resources, said:
Climate change provides significant opportunities for businesses. There is tremendous growth potential for entrepreneurship, R&D and creative problem-solving among communities and businesses in mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
This, the second Green Growth & Business Forum, is being held in conjunction with the CleanEnviro Summit, World Cities Summit and Singapore International Water Week. There is a strong UK showing at each, in addition to 24 UK companies exhibiting at Singapore International Water Week.
As an emerging hub for world-class low carbon expertise and innovation, the UK is helping global businesses to shift to a low carbon future through smarter, more sustainable solutions. The low carbon industry already involves over 11,500 business in the UK that are investing in a wide range of solutions – from more efficient buildings and resource-efficient manufacturing to low-emission transport, power and heat solutions.
UK companies can provide a unique combination of traditional industrial expertise and scientific excellence, combined with strong innovative approaches to technology, policy and regulation.
Find out more about the Green Growth & Business Forum by visiting www.ggbf.sg.
Watch highlights and snippets of panel discussions here.