Christiana Figueres to deliver opening address at BusinessGreen Leaders Awards 2017

BusinessGreen staff
clock • 3 min read

Former UN climate chief confirmed as guest speaker for UK's most prestigious green business awards

BusinessGreen is delighted to announce that Christiana Figueres will be guest of honour and opening speaker at this year's BusinessGreen Leaders Awards in London on the evening of June 28th.

This year's awards promise to be one of the high points of BusinessGreen's 10th anniversary year, bringing together over 500 top executives, entrepreneurs, and investors from across the UK's green economy to celebrate the many achievements of the country's leading green businesses.

Figueres, the former head of the UN climate change secretariat and one of the key architects of the historic Paris Agreement, will open proceedings with an address on the crucial role businesses and technological innovation can play in tackling escalating climate threats.

Figueres was executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change from 2010 to 2016 and played a critical role in building the consensus that helped deliver the crucial Paris Agreement in 2015.

A long-standing champion of clean technology and green businesses, she is currently convenor of the Mission 2020, a global initiative bringing together political, business, and civil society leaders to accelerate efforts to "bend the curve on greenhouse gas emissions by 2020".

She is also Vice Chair of the Global Covenant of MayorsClimate Leader for the World BankDistinguished Fellow of Conservation International, Board member of Climate Works and the World Resources Institute, member of the Rockefeller Foundation Economic Council on Planetary Health, and member of the Leadership Council of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.

"We are delighted to welcome Christiana Figueres as our guest of honour at this year's awards," said BusinessGreen Editor-in-Chief James Murray. "Her insight into how the green economy has evolved in recent years and the work that needs to be done to take the sector to the next level is second to none and we all look forward to hearing from her on the evening."

Green businesses and executives shortlisted for the prestigious BusinessGreen Leaders Awards have just a few weeks left to reserve their place at this year's glittering awards ceremony.

All shortlisted organisations have until Tuesday June 6th to register their attendance ahead of the annual judging day, when our expert panel of judges will assess the entries from our highly competitive finalists.

This year's awards promises to be bigger and more influential than ever, with a raft of Blue Chip firms already confirmed to attend and a host of leading politicians set to join us on the night.

The awards will also be preceded by an al fresco networking drinks reception, ahead of a welcome speech from BusinessGreen Editor-in-Chief James Murray and the opening address from Christiana Figueres. The speeches will be followed by a three course gala dinner, an awards ceremony hosted by one of the UK's foremost comperes, and an after party.

All shortlisted organisations that confirm their attendance will receive their tickets for the evening, as well as the rights to use the BusinessGreen Leaders Awards logo in marketing material.

BusinessGreen also has a number of sponsor packages available for companies that are keen to promote their services and messaging to leading players across the green economy.

"The BusinessGreen Leaders Awards are always a great opportunity to celebrate and promote the best the green economy has to offer," said BusinessGreen editor-in-chief James Murray. "But places are going fast, so all shortlisted companies would be advised to book early to avoid disappointment."

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