The 2018 Global Risks Report highlights the fact that climate-related risks have grown in prominence over the years. Some are slow in their onset (such as changes in temperature and precipitation resulting in droughts or agricultural losses), while others happen more suddenly (such as storms and floods). It is now widely recognised that climate-related impacts are not just a future threat. As a result, words like ‘sustainability’, ‘circular economy’ and ‘energy efficiency’ have been increasingly in the mouths and thoughts not only of policymakers in China, but also of investors and society at large. The EU, considered to be a global leader in combatting climate change and in promoting sustainability, has a relatively long track record when it comes to the promotion of a green and sustainable economy both internally and in the global arena. This has been reflected in the expertise of a number of its companies, including SMEs. As a matter of fact, some of these entered early the Chinese market and have been operating successfully and growing ever since.
Seeing the recent policy and regulatory changes in China, the question now is how do climate risks and China’s push towards greener solutions provide opportunities for European SMEs? How can these businesses respond to growing demands from investors and create sustainable, long-term value while ensuring that they also address climate-related risks from regulatory and legal perspective?
The EU SME Centre and the European Chamber are thus delighted to invite you to join our next Inter-Chamber SME Working Group Meeting, where Key Expert for the EU Project Europe-China Eco-Cities Link and Advisor at GIZ Gianluca Ghiara, and Asia Managing Director at Terao and Sustainability and Environmental Working Group Chairman at the French Chamber, Manuel Ramos, will address these and other issues.
The event will take place on the 27th June from 10:00 to 12:00 at the German Centre in Beijing and the European Chamber office in Shanghai. If you would like to attend this meeting, please send your information to Ms. Olivia Liu (oliu@europeanchamber.com.cn) with subject line and your information by Wednesday, 26th June COB. You will receive a confirmation email.
Agenda
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9:30-10:00
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Registration & Networking
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10:00-10:10
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Opening Remarks by EU SME Centre Director Peter Pronk
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10:10-11:20
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Presentation by Mr. Gianluca Ghiara and Manuel Ramos
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11:20-12:00
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Discussion and Q&A
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About the speakers
Gianluca Ghiara
Gianluca is the Key Expert for the EU Project Europe-China Eco-Cities Link and Advisor at GIZ. In the past, he was Vice Chair for the Renewable Energy and Environment WG at the European Chamber and he has acted as senior expert on environment and sustainability-related topics for the EU SME Centre.
Manuel Ramos
Manuel is the Asia Managing Director at Terao, a global consulting and engineering company involved in energy efficiency and green building engineering. He is also the Sustainability and Environmental Working Group Chairman at the French Chamber. In the past, he was the board member of EUCCC Shanghai Chapter.
About the EU SME Centre
The EU SME Centre helps European SMEs to get ready for China. Financed by the European Union, the Centre provides practical information, confidential advice, training and business tools to better equip SMEs to develop their business and tackle challenges faced in the Chinese market. The Centre is implemented by six partners - the China-Britain Business Council, the Benelux Chamber of Commerce, the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, the French Chamber of Commerce in China, EUROCHAMBRES and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. To learn more about the EU SME Centre, visit www.eusmecentre.org.cn.