We are of course delighted to be partnering with the UN on this event. I think that it will give us a unique opportunity to directly address an audience that, as the wind sector, I think we do not speak to enough: the business community. We tend to forget that there are many progressive companies out there looking to improve their environmental footprint, and as a result potentially interested in investing in wind power.
By celebrating Global Wind Day at this event, we will be able to demonstrate to the expected 2,000 companies attending the Forum how renewable energy can become part of their business and sustainability model. I am confident that this is a message that will resonate, especially as this event is focussing on sustainability.
Overall, the Corporate Sustainability Forum aims to strengthen the business contribution to sustainable development globally – seeking to bring greater scale to responsible business practices, to advance and diffuse sustainable innovation, and to stimulate broader collaboration between companies, governments, civil society and the UN.
As sustainability partner, WindMade’s role in Rio will be to to ensure that the environmental impact of the event is minimized through all phases of planning and execution. This includes wind power procurement to cover 100% of the Forum’s electricity footprint, making it the first ever UN event to be labelled WindMade. In addition, special efforts will be made to reduce waste, use sustainable materials and recycle products. Participants at the Forum will also be encouraged to contribute to offsetting the carbon emissions caused by their participation and travel.
By Angelika Pullen, Communication Director, WindMade, http://blog.ewea.org
