Organized by the United Nations Global Compact, Rabobank, and Global Compact Local Networks in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, How European SMEs can Contribute to a Green Recovery will bring together a diverse group of European SMEs to catalyze engagement with the Business Ambition for 1.5C campaign, and use the new streamlined route for small- and medium-sized businesses by SBTi to set science-based climate targets.
Twenty years ago, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan founded the United Nations Global Compact to promote shared values and principles to give a human face to the global market. Now SMEs are increasingly called to join efforts with the UN Global Compact on the issue of climate change. As countries work on economic aid and recovery packages in response to COVID-19, and as they prepare to submit enhanced national climate plans under the Paris Agreement, we are calling on European SMEs to contribute to a Green Recovery. The EU aims to be climate neutral by 2050. This is an opportunity to discuss what restructuring the economy means.
AGENDA
11 a.m. – 11:05 a.m. CEST | Opening
Moderator: Mr. Steve Kenzie, Executive Diretor of GCUK |
11:05 a.m. – 11:20 a.m. CEST | Keynote on the Role of Business in Combatting Climate Change
Mr. Wiebe Draijer, CEO Rabobank |
11:20 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. CEST | The Why & How of Setting Science-Based Targets for SMEs
Mr. Alexander Farsan, Global Lead Science Based Targets, WWF |
11:40 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. CEST | Engage with the Business Ambition for 1.5C Campaign
Ms. Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director, United Nations Global Compact |
11:50 a.m. – 11:55 a.m. CEST | Your Invitation for Making Global Goals Local Business 2021 Conference
Ms. Linda van Beek, Executive Director, Global Compact Network Netherlands |
11:55 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. CEST | Examples of European SMEs Stepping Up
TBC |
12:05 p.m. – 12:15 p.m. CEST | Q&A |
12:15 p.m. – 12:20 p.m. CEST | Closing
Moderator: Mr. Steve Kenzie, Executive Director GCUK |