Welcome to the conference and discussion forum addressing on how business can help and on what kind of policies are needed to achieve climate neutrality. The event will be in Hilton Kalastajatorppa Hotel, Helsinki from 14:00 to 21:00 on October 7^th, 2019.

In November 2018, the European Commission published A Clean Planet for all – a strategy proposal with pathways to a climate neutral economy by 2050 through a socially-fair transition in a cost-efficient manner. According the strategy, the overall economic impacts of the transformation have been estimated to be positive despite significant additional investments.

Ursula von der Leyen, the new President of the European Commission is now preparing European Green Deal and has proposed to set the first European Climate Law to enshrining the 2050 climate neutrality target and wider use of emission trading system (ETS), as well as improvements for supporting the transformation financially and for a level-playing field for competition.

In addition to EU and national targets and plans, there is a large business support for ambitious climate targets in EU. BusinessEurope supports EU climate neutrality objectives and as well the Confederation of Finnish Industries and the Central Union of Agriculture Producers and Forest Owners . Here is the summary of other initiatives supporting the EU climate neutrality target. Climate Leadership Coalition has also published a call on more systemic solution for EU.

California is committed to achieve carbon neutrality in 2045. California has established successful climate action programs that engage every sector of the economy and the cap-and-trade program will play a key role. In addition to emissions reductions, the incomes from the cap-and-trade are used to support the transformation and significant share is destined directly for the benefit of lower-income neighborhoods. California has a cooperation agreement with EU on carbon markets.

One of the top priorities for Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union is to strengthen the EU’s position as a global leader in climate action. Finland’s Presidency Programme was published on Wednesday 26 June. The new Government of Finland has set a target that Finland will achieve carbon neutrality by 2035 and become carbon negative soon after that.

Climate Leadership Coalition, the Confederation of Finnish Industries and the Central Union of Agriculture Producers and Forest Owners with the Haga Initiative from Sweden and CLG Europe from Brussels have invited representatives from the EU Commission, the State of California and the Government of Finland to present transformation plans and to discuss with business leaders, on how to achieve climate neutrality while creating new business opportunities in parallel. One of the key topics will the need and plans for a more systemic solution – to increase the investments for emission reduction and carbon capture, to improve the predictability of the climate policies and means and to utilize market mechanisms more effectively in domestic markets and internationally.

Agenda

14.00-15.30 Keynote presentations

• Status of climate change and next steps after UN Climate Summit, Petteri Taalas, Secretary General, WMO
• How to achieve climate neutrality within EU by 2050 – Key results, policies and open questions, Elina Bardram, Head of International Relations Unit, DG Clima, European Commission
• California – lessons learned and way forward with wide Cap-and-trade Implementation, Richard Corey, Executive Officer, California Air Resources Board
• Carbon neutral Finland by 2035, Leena Ylä-Mononen, Director-General, Ministry of the Environment

15.30-16.00 Coffee break

16.00-17.00 Panel – Achieving climate neutrality in industry

• Elina Bardram, Head of International Relations Unit, DG Clima, European Commission
• Richard Corey, Executive Officer, California Air Resources Board
• Jyri Häkämies, CEO, Confederation of Finnish Industries
• Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO, Fortum Corporation and Chairman of the Board, Confederation of Finnish Industries
• Sirpa Pietikäinen, Member of European Parliament, EPP
• 1-2 business leaders (TBC)
• Moderator: Nina Ekelund, Executive Director, Haga Initiative

17.00-18.00 Panel – Achieving climate neutrality in consumer goods and land-use

• Elina Bardram, Head of International Relations Unit, DG Clima, European Commission
• Richard Corey, Executive Officer, California Air Resources Board
• Lauri Lehtonen, SVP Innovations, Biomaterials, Stora Enso
• Juha Marttila, Chairman, Central Union of Agriculture Producers and Forest Owners, Finland
• Pekka Pesonen, Secretary General, Copa and Cogeca
• N.N, Member of European Parliament
• 1-2 business leaders (TBC)
• Moderator: Martin Porter, Executive Chair – Brussels for CISL and Senior Strategic Advisor, CLG Europe

18.00 Summary and key messages – Jouni Keronen, Executive Director, CLC

18.10-21.00 Reception and Dinner

Fees: No fee for the event or the dinner. (max. 200 participants)

Register: The registration is open until 20th September

Event name: Business and policies to achieve climate neutrality

Address: Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa

Accomodation : Hotel Hilton has made special offer for participants. Link here.
Or you can call or email the hotel directly. Tel. +358945811 Email: 

Time: 7 October 2019 14:00-21:00

Registration deadline: 20.9.2019 15:00 (EET)

More information: Jouni Keronen, , tel. +358 50 4534881
Anna Taimisto, , tel. +358 40 73414