Event

International event aims to empower people to drive sustainability

Climate Journal reporting — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 09:01:12 +0000

International event aims to empower people to drive sustainability

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Sustainable Business

Event

Sustainable Development Goals

Topic

Business Sustainability

The two-day live event, IMPACT FESTIVAL, will gather about 3,000 visitors from the business and investment sectors to provide inspiration and professional networking opportunities to embrace sustainability solutions on 13-14 September in Frankfurt, Germany.

Besides the conference format with over 80 speakers on three stages, 200 start-ups and companies will showcase their work in sustainable transformation at the exhibitor area to engage with attendees.

The annual Impact Festival takes place for the third time on 13-14 September in Frankfurt, Germany.

Discussions will include transformation researcher Maja Göpel, mobility expert Katja Diehl, and experts from well-known companies such as Google, Bosch and Salesforce that will take place on-site and online.

The event's content is spread across six innovation areas rooted in the EU Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, with an additional Investor Conference embedded into the agenda.

Visitors will have the chance to engage with the IMPACT ART exhibition as part of the program that will feature the work of artist Verena Kandler using previously used materials from last year`s Impact Festival and can visit the photo exhibition "Dry Tears" by Frank Bayh and Steff Rosenberger-Ochs focused on water.

One of the highlights of the event is expected to be the Impact Award ceremony that honours companies committed to contributing to a more sustainable economy in various categories.

Tickets are available on the organiser`s website to join the gathering in person or online.

This annual event is taking place for the third time thanks to a strong support network, including StartHub Hessen, Commerzbank AG, Deutsche Telekom, EY and adelphi.

The IMPACT FESTIVAL is a project of the neosfer GmbH, the early-stage investor and innovation unit of Commerzbank Group, that investigates future technologies relevant to business and society and promotes and develops sustainable and digital solutions.

In addition to the annual two-day event, the project acts as a platform for key stakeholders of the sustainable transformation to network and exchange ideas year-round through the IMPACT COMMUNITY.

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September 2023

Impulses on the path to accelerating sustainability in business

Business Spirit News reporting — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 08:49:24 +0000

Impulses on the path to accelerating sustainability in business

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Business Sustainability

Event

Sustainable Development Goals

Topic

Business Sustainability

Europe's largest B2B annual event for sustainable transformation, the IMPACT FESTIVAL, is returning for its third edition on 13 and 14 September in Germany with top-class speakers to provide visitors with inspiration, knowledge and concrete solutions for embracing a sustainable economy.

The two-day event will present keynote speeches, panel discussions, start-up pitches and performances on three main stages focusing on the six innovation areas derived from the EU Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Speakers will include Dr Med. Eckart von Hirschhausen, delivering a keynote on "Healthy Earth - Healthy People. What we can now achieve with assets - and what it costs us to do nothing".

Sustainability expert Maja Göpel will discuss the meaning of value in the 21st century, while Godo Röben, former managing director of vegan food production company Rügenwalder Mühle will share his vision on the future of food.

The IMPACT FESTIVAL offers knowledge exchange, networking and inspiration to innovators to embrace sustainability.

Visitors can also expect networking sessions, the next edition of the IMPACT AWARD, music performances, and how an artist will create a live art object from banners and signs used in the previous two IMPACT FESTIVALs.

Different tickets are available for students, businesses and investors to join the event.

The event first took place in 2021 and has grown into a movement that offers opportunities and content all year round as a platform for key stakeholders of the sustainable transformation to network and exchange ideas.

The IMPACT FESTIVAL is a project of the neosfer GmbH, an early-stage investor and innovation unit of Commerzbank Group that investigates future technologies relevant to business and society while promoting and developing sustainable and digital solutions.

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June 2023

Europe's largest business event for sustainable transformation is back for its third edition

Business Spirit News reporting — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 14:36:05 +0000

Europe's largest business event for sustainable transformation is back for its third edition

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Sustainability solution providers, users and investors are coming together for networking and knowledge exchange.

The IMPACT FESTIVAL offers targeted networking and knowledge exchange for start-ups, investors and companies to accelerate sustainability innovation on 13-14 September 2023 in Germany.

For the third annual event, organisers aim to highlight innovative solutions provided by start-ups and scale-ups that can contribute to sustainable development and economic growth.

“We offer companies the opportunity to be at the forefront of current developments, learn about the latest innovations, and take away concrete starting points for their own business,"

said Co-Lead, Linda Köpper about the focus of this year’s event.

Attendees will have the chance to visit an extensive exhibition area and connect with innovators while learning about specific application possibilities.

Linda Köpper, Co-Lead of IMPACT FESTIVAL, the biggest B2B sustainability event in Europe.

Talks, discussions and workshops will take place, including experts, visionary innovators and practitioners from related fields such as sustainable finance, circular economy, clean tech and more.

Maria Steinbrenner, the other Co-Lead of the event, highlighted:

“This year, more than ever, we want to focus on companies that are looking for concrete solutions and best practices for their challenges or want to network and position themselves in the field of sustainable transformation.”

IMPACT FESTIVAL provides opportunities for enterprises to directly promote their sustainable products and services to potential clients, users and investors to advance their business ambitions further.

IMPACT AWARD winners in 2022 received recognition and supports. Image: IMPACT FESTIVAL

The IMPACT AWARD will be awarded to European start-ups addressing the most pressing societal challenges through sustainable technology and innovation.

This two-day annual event first took place in September 2021 and has grown from strength to strength ever since developing an extensive all-year-round supporting program, including IMPACT WEEK, webinars, podcasts and an online magazine.

The registration of interest to purchase tickets is available on the event`s website.

IMPACT FESTIVAL is a project of the neosfer GmbH, the early-stage investor and innovation unit of Commerzbank Group, aiming to accelerate sustainable transformation.

Its purpose is to investigate future technologies relevant to business and society while promoting and developing sustainable digital solutions.

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January 2023

State of the world investigated at global sustainability event

Business Spirit News reporting — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 11:44:48 +0000

State of the world investigated at global sustainability event

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“Society has an illness, which is over analysing everything," said leading environmentalist Professor Gunter Pauli at global sustainability event opening.

The opening of the Planetiers World Gathering (PWG) has kicked off with a passionate speech by Sérgio Ribeiro, Co-founder of this leading global sustainability event, taking place in Lisbon, Portugal, between 24-26 October.

Addressing attendees, Ribeiro highlighted the urgent need for finding a balance across the world's environmental, social and economic sectors and dedicating this summit to inspire action on pressing challenges of our time.

“So many amazing speakers and participants have come to Lisbon this year, amidst such difficult conditions.

They believe in the power of cooperation and the importance of cooperation to achieve the goals of an effective sustainable transition."

Sérgio Ribeiro, Co-founder of the Planetiers World Gathering; Image: Planetiers

Topics covered during the first day included the current energy crisis, the impact of the pandemic, and the growing global social, environmental and economic instability, among others.

Professor Gunter Pauli, entrepreneur and author of The Book Economy book, also took the stage and enthusiastically expressed his views on moving forward, learning from nature and nurturing talents, so they dare to seek knowledge and use it for good.

“Society has an illness, which is over analysing everything. When your house is on fire, you do not go and start writing a strategic plan,”

Prof. Pauli referred to the pledges of becoming net-zero by 2050, which will come too late in his opinion.

Professor Gunter Pauli pointed out that we have no time to waste to act at Planetiers World Gathering 2022; Image: Planetiers

He also shared eye-opening examples occurring in nature that we can take inspiration from to design innovative sustainable solutions.

One of them was the case of dolphins using water bubbles for hunting without harming female fish carrying eggs since they are too heavy to be forced to the surface by the bubbles.

He pointed out that this method can help us find ways for sustainable fishing in a way that would not risk the regeneration of fish species.

A forum on the day focused on the role of the United Nations in building a new global development model, the roadmap for humanity, and the strategies to ensure peace to mark the celebration of the 77th anniversary of the UN.

On Tuesday, October 25th, the event continues with more leaders sharing insights, such as Satya Tripathi, Secretary-General of the Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet and Ali Tabrizi, Director of Seaspiracy documentary.

Green Tourism, Sportainability, and Techceleration for Sustainability will also be among the topics explored at PWG on the second day.

The Planetiers World Gathering was founded in 2020 and has become a leading global sustainability-focused innovation event, bringing together key stakeholders in climate action and innovation from across the globe.

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October 2022

Celebrating social and circular enterprises in Dublin

Business Spirit News reporting — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 12:15:49 +0000

Celebrating social and circular enterprises in Dublin

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Social Entrepreneurship

Topic

A new initiative led by Dublin City Council aims to shine a light on social enterprises and circular economy players.

The SoCircular event will take place in Dublin on 5th October to bring together social and circular enterprises and other stakeholders to connect, learn and build connections.

This new initiative is driven by Dublin City Council in collaboration with strategic partners from various sectors and will be hosted at a prime venue, The Mansion House.

The event aims to facilitate the transformation of Dublin's economic ecosystem to become more resilient and competitive by better integrating enterprises and innovators with strong sustainability and social values.

Organisers will provide a forum for discussions, exchanging ideas and gaining insights while showcasing exhibitors and cultural programs.

Besides networking and learning, the goal is to encourage businesses, organisations and government departments to buy from these organisations to empower this sector's growth.

“This event will raise awareness of these innovative enterprises.

Buying from them will bring about many benefits, such as shorter supply chains, creating resilient local employment, improving social and environmental impacts, and supporting fairer, greener and thriving communities,”

says Mary MacSweeney, Deputy Head of Economic Development and Enterprise.

Mary MacSweeney, Deputy Head of Economic Development and Enterprise highlights the importance of integrating social and circular enterprises into supply chains.

Pointing out the role of businesses and government in strengthening social and circular enterprises is one of the core messages of the event.

Buying from these companies could add to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and department strategies while helping them raise their profile by walking the talk and filling slogans with actions.

At the event, participants can meet with innovative entrepreneurs embracing sustainability and circular economy in their business model and join panel discussions to learn more insights about available supports and key players.

Attendees can find the detailed program and register online free of charge.

Cultural performances and a trade expo with more than 50 local social and circular enterprises will allow people to connect and network.

Lord Mayor of Dublin, Caroline Conroy, expressed how much social and circular enterprises can help counteract the impact of environmental and economic crises.

Another element of the program is to raise awareness about how socially driven businesses can address environmental challenges and, the other way around, how environmentally focused projects can easily solve social problems.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Caroline Conroy, emphasised the importance of this sector in helping the city fight upcoming challenges associated with the impacts of climate change and economic crises.

The event is being hosted as part Dublin's involvement in the European Social Economy Regions project of the European Commission.

Various stakeholders and organisations have rallied behind this initiative, including the Department of Rural and Community Development, CRNI, EMWR, Dublin Place Brand, Social Enterprise Dublin, and Dublin Regional Skills Forum, among others.

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October 2022

Festival to bring together Berliners for Green Cities

Business Spirit News reporting — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 10:10:39 +0000

Festival to bring together Berliners for Green Cities

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Two days for entrepreneurs and citizens in Berlin to discuss and discover impactful solutions for green cities.

The third edition of the Zero Waste Berlin Festival takes place from the 16-17th of September at Engelnest, Berlin, to present impactful solutions for green minds.

The two-day event aims to bring together entrepreneurs and citizens to discuss and discover new solutions to build sustainable and zero waste cities.

Topics covered by over 60 speakers focus on the main aspects of creating future cities, such as sustainable food systems and urban lifestyle, mobility and technology, among others.

“We want to create a space where entrepreneurs, companies and people can meet, learn from each other and find resources – Berlin is the perfect place for it,”

says Coral Ruz, Founder of the Zero Waste Berlin Festival.

On the first day, entrepreneurs, companies, institutions and investors will gather to connect and exchange ideas helping the shift to make cities more sustainable.

Coral Ruz, Founder of the Zero Waste Berlin Festival, has started an international zero waste community in Belrin in 2019.

Keynote speaker of the event, Kilian Kaminkski, co-founder of Refurbed, the fastest growing online marketplace for refurbished products, will address attendees with a presentation focusing on why „The future is Circular Economy’.

The second day will focus on citizen engagement in transforming cities and zero waste movements.

Participants can attend conferences, and masterclasses, meet with brands, enjoy an immersive networking experience with the Green Networking Party and meet with local artists thanks to the collaboration with the Berlin Music Commission.

Zero Waste Berlin Festival 2021; Image: Ana Torres

“In curating this year’s programme, our aspiration has been to highlight inspiring and solution-oriented projects across the private, public, and civic sectors,”

shared Therese Sivertsson, Program Manager of the festival.

Speakers include Franziska Voß from BSR, Frieder Söling from Noch Mall, Ana Milhazes from Zero Waste Portugal and many more.

The day will close with Positive Planet Kino; a full program of short films and documentaries addressing the future of the planet with a positive approach.

Tickets and the entire program are available on the event’s website.

The first edition of the Zero Waste Berlin Festival was launched in 2019 as a passion project of founder Coral Ruz and has grown into an international movement ever since, reaching more than 40,000 people.

Headline image: Ana Torres

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September 2022

Open call for innovators who want to shape the future of cities

Business Spirit News reporting — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 16:30:58 +0000

Open call for innovators who want to shape the future of cities

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The Urban Future international gathering of changemakers is looking for impact entrepreneurs with projects making cities greener and more accesible.

The Urban Future event, the largest meeting for ‘City Changers’ will return as a live event in Helsingborg, Sweden, on the 1-3 June, bringing together thinkers and doers shaping the future of cities.

Organisers are calling innovators and entrepreneurs with an idea to transform cities to become more sustainable and accessible. They are looking for projects that are tackling environmental or social issues in an urban space, touching the lives of citizens and passionate about driving change.

The application is open until February 6, and 10 selected businesses will receive two complimentary conference tickets and have their travel and accommodation expenses covered.

Gerald Babel-Sutter co-founded the Urban Future global gathering in 2014 with the aim to bring together the brightest minds who strive to make their cities more sustainable and livable.

“We usually choose our topics based on the main struggles City Changers go through when driving sustainability in cities,”

said Babel-Sutter about how they decided on the focus of this year’s event.

Gerald Babel-Sutter, co-founder of Urban Future

The 2022 conference tracks combine the expertise of more than 450 leading urban shapers and will be structured around the following topics: Leadership; Changing Structures; Impact Entrepreneurs; Revitalising Neighbourhoods; Building New Districts; Skills for CityChangers.

One of the highlights of the agenda will be the transformation story of the host city, Helsingborg and how they managed to fundamentally change their operation within ten years to become a top-class hub for innovation.

“We immediately liked the fact that Helsingborg was so open with what it had tried and what worked and what didn’t,” Gerald continues.

“Helsingborg has understood that to reach their goals, they need to experiment and make mistakes along the way. In Sweden’s first municipal innovation hub Hbg Works, any idea to improve the City can be tested. A no-strings-attached vision fund invites residents to join in and realise their city development dreams.”

The Urban Future event takes place in different countries each year, offering a place for urban impact innovators to connect and exchange ideas.

Headline image: Urban Future

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February 2022

Artists joined charity auction to promote and support sustainability agenda

Business Spirit News reporting — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 08:30:42 +0000

Artists joined charity auction to promote and support sustainability agenda

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Artists are contributing to an auction to amplify the message of The Sustainability Summit Earth virtual event focusing on pressing environmental and social issues.

Visual artists have offered their artworks to be part of an online auction brought to life by The Sustainability Summit Earth virtual event to support the overall ethos of the conference.

The 3-day online broadcast event, which takes place 21-23 September 2021 with keynotes, panel discussions, fireside chats, spoken word performances and other sessions, is hosted by the Irish production team SX21.

Adam’s Auctioneers will manage the online auction where people can buy artworks of 21 artists from across the globe until 23rd September.

Featured artists include Jim O’Farrell, Robert Shaw, Fiona Kelly and Norman McCluskey, to name a few.

Gavin Downes from the SX21 team says:

“We have 21 artists and photographers from across the world taking part to raise vital funds for our three chosen Not-For-Profit partners of SX21.”

Mo Kelly, Nick Munier and Morgan, showcasing their stunning works of art on Sandymount Strand, Dublin. Image: SX21

These pieces of visual art of the earth and mother nature have been created with an eco-conscious framework, featuring a range of paintings, printmaking, drawings and photography.

All proceeds raised will go directly to the Not-For-Profit partners of The Sustainability Summit Earth event like FoodCloud, Trees, Water & People and 1% For the Planet.

Iseult Ward, CEO of Irish social enterprise FoodCloud, and three contributing artists, Mo Kelly, Nick Munier and Morgan, joined forces with the SX21 team to showcase their stunning works of art on Sandymount Strand in Dublin.

This exciting artist-driven charity initiative champions the sustainability agenda and reflects on the overall ethos of The Sustainability Summit Earth event hosted by SX21.

The online event connects the greatest minds, industry champions, start-ups, investors, public sector officials, NGOs, and the academic sector to collaborate, share, learn and create for the long-term benefit of society, purpose, and the planet.

Student tickets are €29, while general admission tickets are €59 including fees.

Headline image: SX21, featuring artist, Mo Kelly

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September 2021

A week dedicated to celebrating and promoting Circular Economy across Europe

Business Spirit News reporting — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 15:22:19 +0000

A week dedicated to celebrating and promoting Circular Economy across Europe

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Circular Economy

Conference

Event

Sustainable Development Goals

Topic

Series of events will be held as part of the fourth Circular Week, an international congress promoting sustainable solutions and Circular Economy.

The fourth edition of the Circular Week will be held 11-17 October 2021 to raise awareness and bring together stakeholders from the field of sustainable development and circular economy.

This year's congress will be held under the motto "Together for a sustainable future".

It will include a series of expert panels, webinars, workshops and networking sessions where representatives of businesses, start-ups, think tanks, and public administration can learn and connect.

“Last year, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Circular Week was attended by over 3,500 people from around the world.

We organized 56 events in cooperation with 17 countries - says Agnieszka Sznyk, president of the Board of the Institute for Innovation and Responsible Development INNOWO, lead organizer of the Circular Week.

This year's edition will focus on solutions addressing critical challenges of the modern economy, like extended producer responsibility, building circular cities, wise food management, development of bioeconomy, sustainable production in the fashion industry, and changes in the plastics industry.

Agnieszka Sznyk, president of the Board of the Institute for Innovation and Responsible Development INNOWO

During Circular Week 2021, daily thematic sessions are also planned for business representatives, such as Business Circular Matchmaking Sessions, devoted to circular industry issues, including textiles and food waste or sustainable agriculture and industry.

“Climate change, which we not only hear about in the media but also experience more and more often, requires decisive action.

Circular Week is an opportunity to exchange knowledge necessary for activities for the benefit of our planet,”

comments Cezary Ludwikowski from the National Centre of Climate Change, one of the partners of the Circular Week 2021.

Over 30 institutions, companies and start-ups, and embassies of European countries have been already joined as partners.

Partner organizations that want to get involved with the Circular Week can still submit their projects and events to be listed and promoted as part of the agenda.

Szynk adds: “This year we will be joined by partners from Scandinavia, Canada and Israel, which is why we focus even more on the topics of innovation that can be implemented and scaled to all markets.

I am pleased with the growing interest in the congress, which proves the growing need for implementing circular economy solutions.”

As every year, the Mazovia Circular Congress will be one of the highlights of the Circular Week 2021, which will take place on October 15 in Warsaw, Poland.

The week-long event is organized in partnership with the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform, an EU organization associating Circular Economy stakeholders from the European Union.

Headline image: Circular Week

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August 2021

Zero Waste Berlin Festival welcomes back eco-conscious attendees in September

Business Spirit News reporting — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 14:18:52 +0000

Zero Waste Berlin Festival welcomes back eco-conscious attendees in September

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Citizens and entrepreneurs interested in zero waste, circular economy and sustainability will get the chance to connect in Berlin.

The second annual Zero Waste Berlin Festival (ZWB Festival) will be back on 17-19 September 2021 at Malzfabrik in Berlin to welcome people interested in the Zero Waste movement, Circular Economy and Sustainability.

The ZWB Festival aims to provide a space for citizens, impact entrepreneurs and key players to create transformative changes in their everyday life and business.

Organisers are offering a great variety of programmes on-site and online, creating a space for citizens and professionals to learn and network, with the hope of building a greener future together.

All live events will take place at the iconic location of Malzfabrik in Berlin, a place shaped by creativity and culture, standing out through its environmentally conscious set-up.

The Zero Waste Berlin Festival will be hosted at the Malzfabrik venue in Berlin; Image: ZWB Festival

There will be seven main categories at the event, focusing on Green Cities, Green Tech, Sustainable Fashion, Lifestyle, Sustainable Food Systems, Activism, and Self-Care.

The schedule includes creative workshops, art displays, lively discussions, exhibitor area and many other formats with opportunities to learn and get involved.

“This year’s event will be an international meeting point for all the people interested in zero waste, circular economy and sustainability.

We aim to create an event where people can find practical solutions, make connections and enjoy this experience in a relaxed atmosphere.

We are excited that we can finally celebrate in person, welcoming attendees from Germany and also from other European countries,” says Coral Ruz, Founder and CEO of the Zero Waste Berlin Festival.

Early-bird tickets are already available online for citizens and professionals to purchase and join the movement.

The event will also host an extensive exhibition area and offering space for exhibitors who wish to reach a broader audience to accelerate the green transition.

Coral Ruz, Founder and CEO of the Zero Waste Berlin Festival

Ruz adds: “This year we will feature well-known inspirational speakers from different fields, such as Alina Bassi, Founder of a textile recycling company, Kleiderly and Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2020; Sophia Hoffmann, zero-waste chef and activist; David Johannes, co-founder of the first zero-waste restaurant in Germany; and Alexander Piutti, serial entrepreneur and angel investor committed to social impact.”

The ZWB Festival was founded by a Spanish project manager living in Berlin, Coral Ruz.

When she realised that no international zero waste groups were holding regular events in Berlin, she decided to create a Meetup group called Zero Waste Berlin International in May 2019.

The ZWB Festival grew from there as a result of this constantly growing movement.

Since then, the start-up has held ten events and reached more than 40,000 people.

Headline image: Malzfabrik

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June 2021