Connecting the dots to empower cleantech innovations and climate solutions (UNIDO)
There is enormous potential for the development and deployment of impactful cleantech solutions for climate and energy in emerging markets and developing economies. Success of cleantech enterprises is key to fulfilling this potential, yet multiple layers of challenges slow down innovative climate and energy solutions from reaching the market with attractive prices. Hurdles include lack of supporting legislative frameworks, insufficient funding and connections with corporate partners and customers, few tools and instruments supporting business development, restrictive policies and barriers especially for women and youth.
Organized as part of Cleantech Days 2023, the annual celebration of cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship hosted by – the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP) and the Private Financing Advisory Network (PFAN), this session brings together key experts from 16 countries that are working to accelerate cleantech innovations and climate solutions from idea to market. They understand that success of cleantech enterprises and climate SMEs almost always depends on robust ecosystems that systematically support innovators and entrepreneurs at each step of the business growth journey. They also recognize that a healthy ecosystem is a cobweb of intimate interactions and synergies among diverse range of actors and institutions. The experts are invited to present the challenges and gaps of the ecosystem they observe and experience, and also share experiences of successes and failures in the efforts to strengthen ecosystem that supports cleantech enterprises and climate SMEs to commercialization.
Session speakers and contributors include representatives and practitioners from the private sector including investment funds, large corporations, SMEs, and start-ups, as well as governments, donors, non-profit organizations, and the civil society. UNIDO experience will also be shared by representatives from entrepreneurial support programmes implemented by UNIDO.
When we connect the dots and join our forces for success of climate and energy solutions, we have a strong potential to change the status quo and bring forward a cleaner, greener and more equal future.
Session flow
To maximize interactivity of the discussion, a diverse range of experts are invited to make initial interventions to set the scene collectively in response to the guiding questions. Main purpose of the “scene exploration” is to lay out the key challenges and gaps in strengthening the ecosystem. Contributors will continue the dialogue during “connecting the dots” by sharing their own experiences and insights to find solutions the challenges and gaps identified through the “scene exploration”. Participation from the audience will be very welcome.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
H.E. Hisham Badr, Ambassador, Assistant for Strategic Partnership, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Egypt
Olga Rataj, Associate Industrial Development Officer and GCIP Lead, UNIDO
Introduction to the session
Sunyoung Suh, Cleantech Expert, UNIDO
Rebecca Ottmann, Senior Project Manager, Siemens Stiftung
Scene Exploration
Filippo Berardi, Senior Climate Change Specialist, Global Environment Facility
Gabriele Tatzberger, Head of Startup Services, Vienna Business Agency
Gerswynn Mckuur, GCIP Global Coordinator, UNIDO
Ion Muntean, Director, Energy Efficiency Agency Moldova
Isabelle Laurencin, Global Lead Climate Tech VC, International Finance Corporation
Peter Schniering, Founder and CEO, Future Cleantech Architects
Connecting the dots
Moderated by Sunyoung Suh and Rebecca Ottmann
Akash Agarwal, CEO, New Leaf Dynamic Technologies
Asetila Koestinger, CEO, Koestinger Consulting
Christian Hoffmann, Head of Geopolitics & International Relations, Siemens AG
Jussi Viding, Fund Manager, EEP Africa at Nordic Development Fund
Kevin Braithwaite, Vice President, Network for Global Innovation
Lucy Chatburn, Principal Consultant, Cleantech Group
Marorisang Patricia Matkutusa, National Technical Expert and Project Coordinator, GCIP Lesotho, UNIDO
Miroslav Polzer, Executive Director, Global Challenges Action Empowerment Consortium (GloCha)
Nicolae Soloviov National Technical Expert and Project Coordinator, GCIP Moldova, Energy Efficiency Agency Moldova
Peter A. Bruck, Chairperson, World Summit Awards
Peter Warren, A2D Facility Manager and Chief Technical Advisor, UNIDO
Rabia Bukhari, Program Management Specialist, USAID Pakistan Office
Ramaness Parasuraman, Managing Director, Free the Seed
Sandiswa Qayi, Managing Director, AET Africa (GCIP South Africa alum)
Se Hoon Ghim, CEO, aweXome Ray
Silvia Emili, Gender lead, Value for Women
Sungbong Tae, Co-founder, GreeNERDs
Closing remarks by Marko van Waveren Hogervorst, PFAN Partnership Manager, UNIDO
