BCC Reps Fully Engaged at COP 29

The BCC's representatives at COP29 have been in the thick of the action as the event in Baku, Azerbaijan, has got fully underway.

This included a BCC event, today, where former UK energy minister, Chris Skidmore, announced a global expansion of regional centres to support companies developing sustainable and low emission technologies.

The move, to help businesses in this sector to scale up and meet growing demand, was welcomed by East Lancashire CEO, Professor Miranda Barker, who chaired the session.

She said: "Developing and delivering fully commercialised low carbon technologies is a global endeavour - and as such the funding must work without borders and constraints. 

"[East Lancashire Chamber], through our low carbon innovation agency RedCAT, are delighted to work in partnership with Desmos, and to bring our fast-commercialising, low carbon innovators to an international base of funding expertise."

In his speech to the BCC event, which featured a cohort of worldwide attendees to COP29, Chris Skidmore, said

"[We] wanted to help support and grow companies that share our vision that there is no future economy without a net zero economy, and no future business without sustainable businesses that put our future first and commit to being part of the solution. Not only by reducing emissions, but also in supporting emerging economies and their rapidly developing needs."

Chambers who have been involved in the planning for COP29 from the BCC include East Lancashire, Netherlands, Abu Dhabi. Glasgow, Israel and Azerbaijan. They have also been meeting with UK ministers and officials from departments, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan.

The final day of the BCC's involvement will include discussions on the role of science, technology and innovation in reaching Net Zero.