ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, December 22, 2023/ — Twenty-four-year-old Josias Idani is looking forward to his career with confidence. Following his studies, which led to a design engineer diploma in June 2023, he now nurtures his goal of expanding the company he formed with two classmates in November 2022. The first steps look promising.
“We specialize in energy audits. Since we started the business, we have worked for the local office of a maritime transport company and an international NGO. They’re small steps, but it’s a good start,” says the delighted young man.
Josias Idani can rely on the solid training he received over five years at the Higher Institute of Electrical Engineering (ISGE) in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.
Created in 2003 at the instigation of the country’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with the Higher School of Engineers in Electrical Engineering (ESIGELEC) in Rouen (France), the institute is managed jointly by 17 businesses and public-sector institutions interested in electrical energy and its use. It specializes in industrial electricity and renewable energies, IT and telecommunications networks, and industrial maintenance. For several years, it only trained senior technicians (two years of post-secondary education) and works engineers (with three years).
In 2016, in response to the needs expressed by businesses, it created a “design engineer” program (five years of post-secondary education), with two options — “electrical systems engineering” and “digital systems engineering”.
“The mining boom in Burkina Faso encouraged us in our plans because meant people with these skills were highly sought after. Some mining companies were even poaching engineers from other firms,” explains ISGE’s Director General, Innocent Compaoré.
Two laboratories at the ISGE funded by the African Development Bank Group
This strategy received a warm reception at the African Development Bank, which donated 555 million CFA francs (approximately EUR 845,000) to support two laboratories at the ISGE as part of the capacity-building component of the Northern Spine Project. “This support was aimed at training people in electrical engineering, so that they could ensure the long-term viability of structures and the sustainability of the project. More generally, it is perfectly aligned with the importance that the African Development Bank places on skills development and young people’s employability,” comments Daniel Ndoye, head of the Bank’s Country Office in Burkina.
The first laboratory, which was for electrical systems, has been operating since 2019. It has 15 workstations and prepares students to design, programme and repair a variety of installations, including lifts, traffic lights, solar-powered water pumps, wind energy systems and industrial production lines. “We have latest-generation teaching materials ranging from industrial automation to renewable energies and industrial processes. A few years ago, you had to go to the Maghreb or Europe to access training of this kind,” says Innocent Compaoré.
The quality of the facilities decided Christine Naba to enrol at the ISGE. “The training is excellent. Thanks to the available equipment, there is a lot of practical work allowing students to move from theory to practice so you don’t feel at a loss when you do a placement in a business. I did mine at the Burkina National Electricity Company and in firms specializing in industrial electricity and renewable energy. We also did modules on entrepreneurship and leadership that prepare you to set up a business,” she explains. She also points out her current pre-recruitment placement in a firm specializing in rural electrification and designing power networks.
Josias Idani is also satisfied. “I’m excited about the energy mix, which involves optimizing a site’s production by using several energy sources to lower its energy bill as far as possible. I now feel capable of doing that for an administrative building.”
If the opportunity of a job in a business operating in the sector came up, he would only take it to build up his address book to advance his plans as a business owner.
The second laboratory funded by the African Development Bank was inaugurated on 27 October 2023, coinciding with the commemoration of the ISGE’s 20th anniversary. It has 22 workstations that will help significantly modernize the training process for electrical engineering students.
The African Development Bank’s support is helping to forge a stronger reputation for the ISGE, which can now welcome students from several African countries, bring foreign teachers on board and award qualifications recognized by the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES), which brings together 19 French- and Portuguese-speaking African countries.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Humza Yousaf, First Minister, Government of Scotland, during a panel discussion noted the COP 28 agreement to operationalize the loss and damage fund, saying that though many in the Global South have expressed concern about it, “let’s not allow perfection be the enemy of the good,” noting that progress is important.
He emphasized the responsibility of the Global North to “repair the damage” caused by climate change, calling tackling the climate crisis “fundamentally an issue of justice.”
In a keynote speech, former US Vice President Al Gore underscored that “political will is itself a renewable resource.”
Gore compared the climate movement to the “great moral-based” movements of the past, such as the US Civil Rights and Women’s Suffrage movements, noting that the clarity of what’s right and wrong bolsters these types of movements even when those involved feel despair.
He underscored the need to end fossil fuel subsidies and to fight back against the power of fossil fuel interests to stop climate change. “Don’t ever doubt that we can do this.All those movements had one thing in common: When distractions and underbrush were cleared away and the central issue was revealed as a choice between right and wrong, the outcome became foreordained.”
Addressing participants, Gore called for enhanced collaboration across all governing bodies at all levels. “I am deeply inspired by the collective efforts of local communities, by mayors and elected leaders, and by the residents that support you in your leadership,” he concluded.
Frank Cownie, of the Local governments for Sustainability(ICLEI), the organizers of the Multilevel Action & Urbanization Pavilion at COP28, noted how Al Gore’s 2006 film introduced so many people to the “inconvenient truth” that climate change is, in fact, occurring and poses risks today and for future generations.
Delegates at the COP28 climate talks in Dubai formally adopted a loss and damage fund Thursday to transfer finances to countries hit hardest by the climate crisis. The details had already been agreed earlier this month at a pre-COP session, when it was decided that the World Bank would host the fund.
Natural resources rich Africa’s continuous growing economic competiveness within the context of a globalized economy, has for decades attracted and continues to attract international investor attention.
Africa’s Unique Selling Points
Aside accounting for over 60 percent of the world’s total arable land served with more than abundant surface and ground water resources,the continent also holds a huge proportion of the world’s natural resources, both renewables and non-renewables. In addition, the continent is home to some 30 percent of the world’s mineral reserves with particular reference to critical minerals needed for powering electric vehicles, eight per cent of the world’s natural Gas and 12 percent of the world’s oil reserves.
Africa’s population as a whole is very young, with 60% of the entire continent aged below 25, making it the youngest continent in the world, in relation to its population makeup. All of the world’s top 10 youngest countries by median age are in Africa and household incomes and consumption are projected to rise.
Share of World’s Fastest Growing Economies.
Africa has some of the fastest-growing economies in the world, African nations are playing an increasingly significant role in the global economy.
Africa’s pre-Covid-19 top five performing economies are projected to grow by more than 5.5% on average in 2023-2024 and to reclaim their position among the world’s 10 fastest-growing economies. These countries are Rwanda (7.9%), Côte d’Ivoire (7.1%), Benin (6.4%), Ethiopia (6.0%), and Tanzania (5.6%).
Returns On Investments
A report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development states that between 2006 and 2011, Africa had the highest rate of return on inflows of Foreign Direct Investment: 11.4%. This is compared to 9.1% in Asia, 8.9% in Latin America and the Caribbean
According ECA sources, the African continent could become the most profitable region in the world for foreign direct investment (FDI), with a rate of return of 14%, compared to a world average of 7.1%.
Some popular sectors for investment include primary agriculture and agro processing, mining, oil and gas, real estate, technology, tourism and hospitality and infrastructure. The mining industry in Africa is a major contributor to the continent’s economy, with abundant deposits of precious metals and minerals.
African policy makers believe FDI can help to provide technology, marketing and management skills, make up for domestic capital shortfalls, generate both efficiency and technology transfer in local firms, and facilitate access to foreign markets
The importance and relevance of Africa’s leading global Investment event, “Investing in Africa” could therefore be best appreciated against this background.
Scheduled to take place from the 8th-10 October,2023 in London, UK, the event seeks to draw over 1,500 delegates worldwide. In participation are thirty-two (32) African countries, thirty-six (36) other countries five hundred and ninety-nine (599) African delegates, six hundred and fifty-nine (659) delegates from other countries, three hundred and forty-one (341) Speakers and Chairs, twenty-seven (27) Media Partners, fifty-two (52) Sponsors and thirty-five (35) networking stands.
The Managing Director, Rupert McCammon in an interview earlier this year noted that, AFSIC now in its 10th year, is believed to be the largest African investment event taking place annually outside Africa and has become one of the most important conduits of investment into Africa.
Over the past ten years AFSIC, Mr. McCammon intimated, has been entirely focused on bringing together Africa’s business leaders and Africa’s most interesting investment opportunities with the continent’s most important investors and dealmakers to facilitate new investment into Africa.
Wide ranging support from exceptional partners and sponsors AFSIC, over the past ten years, he noted, has led the way in profiling investment opportunities from Africa and providing an excellent forum and associated platforms to showcase these opportunities to investors.
AFSIC is a conference that is very focused on networking and delegates attend year on year as they feel the variety of interactions and the superb content delivered all contribute to getting deals done and investment secured.
Networking Opportunities
Supported and sponsored by some of the leading Africa-focused corporates, AFSIC 2023 will build upon the last ten years’ successes.
The AFSIC 2023 networking opportunities include: matchmaking sessions facilitated through the sophisticated Event and Meeting App which goes live one month prior to the event ,a networking exhibition with key sponsors and partners offering enhanced opportunities to meet with them, numerous sessions dedicated to meeting a wide range of representatives from investor groups including: DFI’s, Impact Investors, Private Equity Investors and Venture Capital Investors, the regularly sold-out Meet African Dealmakers event – this year to be jointly sponsored by the European DFIS,country investment summits focused on the fastest growing African economies with informal networking at the end of each session ,various evening social functions hosted by our partners and sponsors
Speakers and Panel events
The event is broken down into Industry Streams and this year these will include Advancing Agriculture, Building Africa, Banking on Africa, Fintech Innovation, Power Africa, Sustaining Africa and Informed Investing in parallel to country-focused investment summits and quick-fire sessions highlighting exceptional projects.
Speakers are from a wide pool of exceptional African business leaders who are looking to promote their Africa-focused company from an investment perspective as well as some of the leading institutional investors and dealmakers focused on driving investment into Africa.
AFSIC 2023 welcomes British International Investment, FSD Africa, Executives in Africa, 27Four, Icecap, RMB, Fitch Ratings, Bank One, Alpha Morgan, Benchmark International, Pearlbridge Capital Managers, Mitco, Carey Olsen, Proparco, FMO, NIDP and DEG to date and negotiations are still ongoing with many other exceptional companies who see the value of the association with AFSIC in October and the all year round exposure via the digital platforms.
The event media and partners are also critical in raising the profile of both our sponsors and the conference itself.
Digital Presence and Reach
AFSIC has exceptional digital reach with a network of over 140 000 mailable contacts including institutional investors, investment bankers & financial intermediaries, African business leaders, providers and executives. The Group’s 3 websites capture 7,5 million impressions annually with impressive top 10 SEO ranking for over 1600 keywords relating to business, trade and investment in Africa. In addition, AFSIC 2023, like AFSIC 2022, will have all content recorded and live streamed enabling AFSIC to have an exceptional Pan-African reach.
AFSIC Digital platforms
AFSIC boasts two award-winning digital dashboards focused on matching business, trade and investments opportunities across all African countries and all business sectors.
The Africa Business Community provides a vast network of African businesses, global businesses, government agencies and service providers. In 2023 AFSIC is working closely with Prosper Africa, a US Government initiative, to substantially enhance US-Africa trade.
AFSIC’s sophisticated matching algorithm ranks and matches business opportunities and “calls for business” posted on our Africa Business Opportunities Dashboard, allowing interested parties to connect through this free and open access platform.
There is also a closed AFSIC African Investments Dashboard which is catered to matching institutional investors and African companies seeking capital with investor-ready documents.
Expected Traction from Business Opportunities Posts
In 2022 over 2 million personalised business matching emails were sent and AFSIC database sees 30 000 new contacts joining annually, all with an interest in business, trade and investment opportunities across Africa and all business sectors.
AFSIC African Investments Dashboard has a network of 25 000 investors. AFSIC’s recommendation is that, all business opportunity owners make their descriptions as detailed and clear as possible to appear attractive to interested parties and investors.
Business Opportunities Dashboard versus AFSIC African Investments Dashboard
The Africa Business Opportunities Dashboard offers free registration, access and connections for all users using automated matching algorithms and individually customised e-communication strategies. The AFSIC African Investments Dashboard is a closed dashboard only viewable by registered investors and uploads are only available for high quality projects seeking equity, debt or hybrid investment capital. We also offer additional bespoke introduction services for our AFSIC African Investments Dashboard clients.
Country Investment Summits and Networking Sessions
AFSIC 2023 will offer country investment summits for the larger economies in Africa and these sponsored comprehensive summits will comprise: •a panel discussion led by in-country experts sharing their insights on how to successfully navigate the investment ecosystem in each country, Quick fire Pitch Sessions on specific investment opportunities across business sectors in each country, informal business networking to meet some of the countries’ business leaders, government representatives and investors Angola Nigeria Rwanda Egypt Morocco country networking.
Informal country networking sessions at AFSIC 2023 will provide delegates with an opportunity to meet other interested investors and in-country experts to discuss the investment climate
Raising capital for your own fund?
AFSIC provides opportunities for fund executives to attract investment into new funds through introductions to Fund of Fund, DFI, SWF Investors can share their funds’ metrics, mandates and past performance through formal presentation sessions, investor panels, formal and informal networking sessions and B2B meetings supported by the AFSIC African Investments Dashboard digital database of investment opportunities and the sophisticated Event and Meeting App
PRESS RELEASE
From Africa to the World: Landmark Event Presents Circular Economy Solutions for Green Growth, Climate and Biodiversity
The WCEF2022 will challenge many shortcomings and destructive consequences of the predominant wasteful linear economy and introduce the concepts and opportunities of the circular economy
KIGALI, Rwanda, November 29, 2022/ — The 6th World Circular Economy Forum WCEF2022 (www.WCEF2022.com) will take place 6–8 December in Kigali, Rwanda. This year’s forum will focus on how the circular economy can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support climate change adaptation, safeguard biodiversity and bring benefits to our societies.
One of the world’s leading circular economy events, originating in Finland, WCEF2022 will bring together business leaders, policymakers and experts from Africa and around the world to present circular economy solutions and examine how businesses can seize new opportunities. An online briefing for the media will take place on the eve of the Forum, 5 December 2022.
For the first time on African soil, the World Circular Economy Forum will be a platform for Africa and the world to share lessons to shape more resilient and greener economies.
The WCEF2022 will challenge many shortcomings and destructive consequences of the predominant wasteful linear economy and introduce the concepts and opportunities of the circular economy. Politicians, policymakers, business-leaders, journalists, researchers and the public will learn about the many benefits of circularity.
“As a founding member of the African Circular Economy Alliance we are very pleased to host the World Circular Economy Forum in Rwanda. This is the first time the event is taking place in Africa,” says Rwanda’s Minister of Environment, Dr Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya. “The circular economy represents the single greatest opportunity to supercharge green growth and job creation in Africa, and we look forward to sharing Rwanda’s experience and learning from others.”
The WCEF2022 will address a wide range of challenges in the transition from a linear to a more resilient and resource-efficient circular economy including trade, value chains, policy and technology. Circular economy actors and start-ups from the continent will present their business models and share their stories, particularly looking at opportunities for collaboration, growth, job creation and development.
“Transitioning to a circular economy is a way to make our economies wiser, resilient and future-proof”, says Jyrki Katainen, President of Sitra, the Finnish Innovation Fund. “These past years’ tragedies have shown that we are not resilient. The impacts of the pandemic, shifts in the global security environment, energy and food security are exacerbated by a fossil fuel dependent, wasteful and unfair linear economy. Now, we need to challenge the old model and build a new one, fit for today and for the centuries to come – the circular economy. Many solutions are already right in front of us, and we look forward to learning more about circular solutions from Africa in Kigali.”
The circular economy is an alternative to the traditional linear economy (make, use, dispose) in which resources are kept in use for as long as possible, maximum value is extracted from them whilst in use, then materials are recovered and products are reused at the end of their life.
Diverse and home-grown African circular solutions: from agriculture and waste management to the built environment
Under the theme From Africa to the World, the WCEF2022 will present a wide range of circular solutions from Africa and globally for different industries and sectors, with a particular emphasis on harnessing the opportunities to improve livelihoods and end poverty, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate change and safeguard biodiversity. Some examples include:
Regenerative agriculture and nature-based solutions that help to mitigate and adapt to the consequences of climate change.
A scalable, affordable and sustainable built environment that is based on repurposing, renovation and the use of secondary raw materials.
Different circular policies and practices in water management, transport, infrastructure and food security in Africa’s rapidly growing megacities.
In the transition from a linear to a circular economy waste management and recycling are key components and need to be improved and scaled rapidly. Africa already imports vast amounts of electronic and other waste, and with a rapidly growing population, will produce more waste. Circular economy approaches provide solutions for reducing waste by investing into modular product design, reduced packaging, life cycle extensions and product-as-a-service business models where using a product does not require ownership.
Overcoming the challenges of circularity: policies and finance
Africa’s vast natural resources and its young and entrepreneurial population can help it play a lead role in driving the circular economy transition and its contribution to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Yet, two main challenges will need to be overcome: legislation and finance.
First, many existing laws and regulations need to change to allow for more circularity. That is why WCEF2022 will facilitate policy dialogues and knowledge sharing as a circular economy transition requires lawmakers, governments and others to inspire and learn from each other.
Secondly, new financing models for circular businesses are urgently needed. The current capital flows into sustainable businesses and circular ventures are far too low. Circular economy companies need to develop bankable businesses that attract venture capitalists willing to take a risk. Development banks and other institutions can de-risk such investments with grant financing and technical assistance.
These reforms require debate and innovation, which WCEF2022 will help provide.
“ACEN is delighted to be co-hosting WCEF2022 as we showcase to the world how circular principles are being applied across Africa. We are looking forward to engaging with delegates to accelerate the transition to a just and inclusive circular economy across the continent,” says Peter Desmond, Co-Founder of the African Circular Economy Network ACEN.
WCEF2022 everywhere: online participation and local live studios in Cameroon, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Rwanda
While the main event will take place in Kigali, Rwanda, stakeholders across Africa will be able to participate in parallel local events. At the WCEF2022 African Studios in Yaoundé, Lagos, Cape Town and Lusaka, participants will tackle specific national and regional challenges related to the shift from a linear to a circular economy. A fifth Studio in Rwanda will reinforce the main Forum in Kigali. In addition, Global Studios will be held in select locations around the globe.
The WCEF2022 Studios will live-stream the main forum’s content, discuss its relevance at a national level and give local experts the opportunity to meet and discuss face-to-face. The WCEF2022 African Studios are organised by ACEN, one of the Forum’s co-hosts.
To ensure easy participation from anywhere around the world, WCEF2022 will livestream all seven sessions of the main forum on 6–7 December free of charge to all registered participants. In addition, WCEF partners will organise more than 25 Accelerator Sessions on 8 December – outcome-oriented events that link WCEF with real action – in Kigali and Africa or online.
The Forum’s agenda is live at www.WCEF2022.com and anyone can register to follow all live-streamed sessions free of charge. Please note that the partner-led Accelerator Sessions require a separate registration.
Online briefing on 5 December
Want to learn more? Representatives of the co-hosts will share their thoughts and answer questions in an online press briefing on the eve of the forum, on 5 December at 15:00 (CAT/EET) / 12:00 (GMT). The briefing will take place on Microsoft Teams.
The speakers of the briefing include:
Ntobeko Boyana, Executive and South African Chapter Lead, ACEN
Kari Herlevi, Head of Global collaboration unit for sustainability solutions, The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra
Representative from the Ministry of Environment, Rwanda
Attendees are required to register for the briefing by 2 December 16:00 (CAT/EET) / 14:00 (GMT) via www.WCEF2022.com. Registered attendees will be provided with the link to join the Microsoft Teams meeting.
To follow the main forum, interested parties should apply for accreditation at www.WCEF2022.com
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Circular Economy Forum.
Media kit, logo and press photos:
A Media kit incuding facts & figures, FAQs and other components is available at http://bit.ly/3Ud22Mg
The WCEF2022 logo and press photos are available at Sitra’s material bank (http://bit.ly/3upriER).
Media Contacts:
The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra
Samuli Laita
email: samuli.laita@sitra.fi
phone: +358 294 618 277
About The World Circular Economy Forum 2022:
The World Circular Economy Forum 2022 is jointly organised by the Government of Rwanda, the African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA) (http://bit.ly/3gBwja5), the African Circular Economy Network (ACEN) (http://bit.ly/3XH1l0T), and The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra (http://bit.ly/3VfUjhP), together with other international partners. The World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) is Sitra’s global initiative that examines how businesses can gain a competitive advantage through a circular economy and how the circular economy contributes to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
About The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra:
The Finnish Innovation FundSitra is a future fund that collaborates with partners from different sectors to research, trial and implement bold new ideas that shape the future. Sitra is a nationally and internationally influential think-and-do-and-connect tank, a promoter of experimentation and new operating models, and a facilitator of co-operation. Its aim is a Finland that succeeds as a pioneer in sustainable well-being. Sitra was named the number one public-sector circular economy accelerator in the world when Sitra won the public-sector category of the Circulars Awards 2018 for its pioneering work to accelerate the world’s transition to a circular economy.
About The African Circular Economy Alliance ACEA:
The African Circular Economy Alliance ACEA is a government-led coalition of African nations with a mission to spur Africa’s transformation to a circular economy that delivers economic growth, jobs and positive environmental outcomes. It was conceived in 2016 during the World Economic Forum on Africa with the mindset of developing Africa’s circular economy ecosystem while capitalising on its development opportunities. The Alliance serves as a platform that supports the transition to a circular economy at the national, regional and continental levels through policy development, leadership and advocacy, and support in scaling circular businesses and projects.
About The Government of Rwanda:
The government of Rwanda is a founding member of the African Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA), together with Nigeria and South Africa. The country has an ambitious vision to be a climate resilient and carbon neutral nation by 2050 and is investing in the circular economy to bring this vision to life.
About The African Circular Economy Network ACEN:
The African Circular Economy Network ACEN is a registered non-profit company with a vision to build a restorative African economy that generates well-being and prosperity inclusive of all its people through new forms of economic production and consumption which maintain and regenerate its environmental resources. ACEN is a network made up of 100 Country Representatives in 30 Chapters, and 27 international partners. ACEN aims to support this acceleration by connecting people, sharing knowledge and disseminating opportunities throughout its network and beyond.
OIC Secretary-General Meets with Foreign Minister of Chad
Jeddah, 24 January 2023
The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), H.E. Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha, met today, January 24, 2023, at the OIC Headquarters in Jeddah, with H.E. Ambassador Mahamat Saleh Annadif, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chadians Abroad and International Cooperation of the Republic of Chad.
During this meeting, the Chadian Foreign Minister reiterated the importance that his country attaches to the role of the OIC, and its support for the efforts deployed by the Secretary-General to achieve the OIC goals.
For his part, the Secretary-General reaffirmed the OIC’s support for the efforts invested by the Republic of Chad to strengthen its stability and promote its development.
EEA and King’s Business School develop new ESG programme with and for senior hospitality industry leaders
28th March 2023
King’s Business School and the Energy and Environment Alliance (EEA) are to offer an executive education programme designed with and for senior hospitality industry leaders to help them embed Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) measures in their businesses.
It is estimated that hotels are responsible for 1% of global carbon emissions and with ESG moving from a voluntary marketing and investor relations tool to become a regulated, mandatory, accounting-based requirement, businesses across the industry will gain competitive advantage by fully understanding and embracing the opportunities ESG presents.
The programme, co-created in partnership with global industry experts, will give leaders the knowledge and insight they need to integrate ESG into their businesses.
Starting in September 2023, the course will combine in-person and online learning in small groups. It will give a thorough grounding in the scientific case for greater environmental sustainability, core concepts such as inclusive innovation, as well as in the regulatory framework and relevant reporting options. Through teaching, guest speakers, case studies and discussion, leaders on the programme will develop a personalised action plan that will enable them to lead and inspire complex, comprehensive change across many areas of their business.
The partnership will develop further through the creation of a complementary ESG course for general managers and hotel operating teams.
Dr Marc Lepere, King’s Business School Executive Education Lead on ESG & Sustainability said: “All businesses in the sector need to know how to report on their ESG measures and the best and most successful will understand how to use that type of data to drive sustainable transformation. Done well, ESG drives innovation, value and engagement across the whole business as well as mitigating risk. We are delighted to be partnering with the Energy and Environment Alliance to help asset owners, the leadership teams of brands, franchises and independent operators to understand the new demands on them and also the fantastic opportunity they have to lead the way to a sustainable future for us all.”
Ufi Ibrahim, CEO, EEA, concluded: “The EEA’s main ambitions is to forge a network of engaged and proactive industry leaders with the knowledge, skills and ambition to drive sustainable business practices forward across the sector. I’m absolutely delighted to announce that the EEA has signed a formal partnership with King’s College London and the King’s Business School to develop ESG Executive Education specifically for our industry’s leaders.”
King’s Business School, the ninth and newest faculty at King’s College London, opened in 2017. It is accredited by AACSB and EQUIS and was rated one of the top 10 business schools for research in the UK based on the Research Excellence Framework 2021. It is rated fifth in the UK for Business Studies by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.
Based in the heart of London, we are part of an internationally renowned research-intensive university with a track-record of pioneering thinking and the limitless energies of the city’s businesses, policy-makers, entrepreneurs and change-makers to draw on. We put our commitment to drive positive change at the heart of our research and education.
About the Energy & Environment Alliance (EEA)
The Energy & Environment Alliance (EEA) is a not-for-profit coalition of hospitality sector leaders, which is on a mission is to:
Pioneer the first universal, scientifically robust standards and metrics for sustainable design, construction and management of hotels and other hospitality assets
Initiate access to green finance, sustainability backed loans and improve asset values
Obtain energy at low cost and carbon free
Negate climate related risks and lead on environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices
ESG-proof legal agreements, corporate disclosure, and governance statements
Engage local authorities, government, and international institutions to ensure effective and fair legislation
