Ecocentric Journey conference in Cape Town to address ecological and economic resilience
The first-of-its-kind eco conference for businesses, with a specific focus on the role of businesses in climate change and related environment risks, will take place at Sanlam head office, Bellville in Cape Town from Tuesday, September 15 to Thursday, September 17, 2009. Called the Ecocentric Journey, it aims to raise awareness of climate change, environmental risk management and long-term business sustainability. The conference will be hosted by Santam, the University of Cape Town’s Centre for Criminology and a research-based consulting firm, Partners for Change. The conference is open to any individual with an interest in climate change, environmental risk and the insurance industry.
The conference follows three themes over the course of three days:
1) Understanding climate change;
2) The need for resilience and;
3) Business success and its role in climate change.
Topics range from expert updates on climate change to specific industry response case studies. On the third day, invited keynote speakers will specifically target the impact of climate change and the associated risks, including the business opportunities as it relates to the sustainability of the insurance industry.
The conference will include a mix of local and international speakers who will discuss the following topics:
- The rising Cape sea level and the impact on the City - Darryl Colenbrander from the City of Cape Town;
- A local perspective on climate change - Leonie Joubert, freelance science journalist, columnist and author;
- The role of changing ecosystems and fundamental changes in production systems in the local agricultural industry - Johan van den Berg, Santam Agriculture climatologist;
- The environmental risk of management of fire in South Africa - Marcel Wood from Etana Insurance;
- Next steps from business, a new climate deal, beyond Copenhagen - Dr. Goddwell Njamo, senior researcher in the Waste and Society Research Group;
- The role of clean tech industries and global economic recovery - Dr. Iraj Abedian, CEO for the Pan African Advisory Services.
International speaker, Andrew Voysey, secretary of ClimateWise which is a global insurance industry organisation, will share the ClimateWise success story.
For more information on this please call Santam on (021) 915-7000 or visit http://www.santam.intersustainability.co.za/.
