Cambridge hosts inaugural 'Entrepreneurship for a Zero Carbon Society' summit

Held at the Sidgwick Site in Cambridge, it will provide a platform for international experts from the key fields involved in tackling climate change, to present the latest research and ideas in an open-minded and politically neutral forum.

The brainchild of Cambridge MBA (2007) student Marisa Teh, the summit has been designed in response to an urgent need to act now to promote the clean energy agenda on the scale required for a carbon free future. This requires a step-up in collaboration and understanding between senior policy makers, investors, business and leading academics on the issues surrounding current dependencies on fossil fuels.

“As Director of Clean Technology Affairs at one of the University’s entrepreneurship societies, I could see that despite an emerging awareness of climate change, and a flurry of events on the topic, concerted efforts to stimulate wider debate that resulted in the generation and investment of concrete solutions had to date been limited. I realised that Cambridge and its surrounding entrepreneurial ‘Silicon Fen’ could offer a unique opportunity. It could blend cutting-edge energy research and policy with entrepreneurial talent and investment, creating the optimum environment for the development of an integrated approach to achieving a low carbon society, and the actual innovation of new clean technologies to challenge the status quo,” said Marisa Teh.

Nick Butler, Chairman of the Cambridge Centre for Energy Studies and former Group Vice President, Strategy and Policy Development, BP, commented: "We are entering a period of transition in the way we produce and use energy. The transition will take us away from a carbon intensive economy in which we are dependent on supplies from difficult and unstable countries. The transition will require a unique combination of knowledge - science engineering but also commercial and business skills. Cambridge is well placed to be at the heart of the transition that is why this event is so important."

Among the other notable speakers making presentations over the three days will be Mr Bernie Bulkins, a venture capitalist from Silicon Valley and former Chief Scientist, BP; Mr Angus Norman, Managing Director Sustainable Solutions, EDF Energy; Dr Joachim Reiss from Q-Cells AG, a world leading photovoltaic cell producer and Professor Robert Watson, former Senior Scientific Advisor of The World Bank.

The conference will open by addressing the issues surrounding ‘Emerging problems and solutions’, including discussions on the global context of the impending energy crisis and the major causes of global warming, as well as the substantial role alternative ‘green energy technologies’ can play in ensuring a more sustainable society.

Entrepreneurial, venture capital and corporate participation in developing low carbon solutions, such as large scale deployment of solar technology, will be debated under the title of ‘Scaling-up lower carbon solutions’. During which, leading economists will also discuss the utility of subsidies, or ‘freedom tariffs’, in encouraging the efficient development of new entrepreneurial solutions.

The responsibilities which corporations, academics and policy-makers, in particular NGOs, face in educating and influencing public opinion towards low carbon technologies such as carbon sequestration, electric vehicles and green IT strategies, are a significant area for development and will be considered on the final day, themed ‘Investing in solutions, a way forward’.

The summit will also provide a showcase of ideas from current student projects several entrepreneurial presentations, and examples of pioneering technologies from both local and international businesses.