Sydney to Host First Global Summit on Accelerating Pathways to Zero Emissions

The Impact X Summit (IX) to present pathways to zero emissions for five industry sectors, and promote decarbonisation technologies and investment for more ambitious targets.

BESydney has announced its successful bid to bring the Impact X Summit on Climate Growth to ICC Sydney. Scheduled for 21 September, world Zero Emissions Day, the Summit will be jointly hosted with Singapore-based Blue Impacts and will promote accelerated pathways to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Expected to gather over 2,000 business leaders, technology innovators, investors and international agencies, the Summit aims to better position NSW and Australia as a world leader in clean energy, decarbonisation technologies and carbon services.

As the global race towards zero emissions gains momentum – led by the US, China, the UK, and EU – NSW, with its ambitious net zero plan, is poised to take the lead position as Australia’s regional hub for renewables and industry climate innovation.

NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, said the state is home to 43 percent of Australia’s Environmental Goods and Services (EGS) businesses and 44 per cent of its ‘innovative’ EGS businesses, classified as those with a strong digital model, active research and technology partnerships and a global focus.

“NSW is leading the way in industry innovation and investment to reduce emissions. We welcome the IX Summit as a platform to generate new ideas and commitments for accelerated pathways to zero emissions and showcase our state’s technologies and innovation to the rest of the world,” said Minister Ayres.

Announcing the win, BESydney CEO, Lyn Lewis-Smith (cover photo), said: “Sydney and NSW are already home to some of the world’s leading innovators in the development of clean technologies, sustainable transport and buildings, and future energy solutions. The IX Summit will be a catalyst for bringing these emerging technologies to scale and driving greater collaboration to achieve the zero emissions goal.”

The Impact X Summit will provide a roadmap to zero emissions for five industry sectors – agriculture; built environment; energy; industry and manufacturing; and transport and infrastructure, and promote investment in and scaling of technologies that will help decarbonise the world.

Held on 21-22 September, coinciding with Climate Week and the UN General Assembly in New York, the Summit will produce a statement of actionable recommendations and commitments to accelerating pathways to zero for presentation at the UK COP26 climate negotiations.

The Summit is supported by the NSW Government and a global coalition of climate action partners that includes PwC, ANZ, Deloitte, Bluescope, Woodside, WWF, BCSD Australia, the Climate Group, Beyond Zero Emissions, ClimateWorks and more than 30 organisations who are committed to net zero by 2050 or sooner.

Founder and CEO of Blue Impacts, Tony Gourlay, said: “We look forward to presenting more than 100 emerging low emission technologies and connecting innovators and founders with the investors, buyers and partners they need to accelerate development and commercialise. With participants expected from more than 20 countries, the IX Summit will be a future platform for global collaboration and innovation in the race to zero”.