Conference Green Business Platform

#greenbusiness

27 March 2019

The third day of the Central Asian Week “Women in Science and Technology”, March 27, was devoted to innovative eco-technologies and participation of businesses, start-ups in the field of ecology, climate change, agribusiness, as well as environmental initiatives of domestic and foreign companies.

The sessions of the Green Business Platform with participation of the speakers from Silicon Valley, Great Britain and Central Asia were held in the conference hall of the cluster of innovations and scientific research on water resources management, CAREC and the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers.

Shahboz Akhmedov, the head of the innovation cluster, opening the Green Business Platform, emphasized that the mission of the cluster is exactly to strengthen the cooperation between science and application of the results of research scientists, which is consistent with the theme of the ongoing event.

 

 

Hans-Ulrich Im, Acting OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan, in his welcoming speech noted that the OSCE calls for the elimination of gender inequalities and welcomes the involvement of women in active socio-economic life, including in the field of innovation and green technologies. But this process should be accompanied by improving the system of business education for girls, increasing their legal and economic education.

Participants in the discussion on sustainable development and the importance of technology for environmental projects discussed the most effective practices for consumption of natural resources.

 

 

Letitia Maile Smith, the chief geologist at Northgate Environmental Management in California, told about state initiatives to use rainwater, about contaminated wastewater treatment to reduce soil erosion, and aimed to ensure consistent water sustainability. The California state projects, large and small, are not only implemented with governmental funding. Users of water resources, among which are various sectors of agriculture, industry and state residents, unite and implement the projects together.

 

 

Alexey Volkov, the National Coordinator of GEF SGP Project, shared his observations on the use of natural resources at the farm level of the country. The irrational use of “free” water resources that seem endless, their unproductive consumption leads, ultimately, to an environmental disaster that threatens not only the quality and quantity of the crop, but also the living conditions of people. The consumer attitude to water, when the maximum is taken from any available source, is caused, first of all, by the attitude to water and other natural resources as free of charge, the value of which is not recognized.

Shahboz Akhmedov noted that in order to effectively address the issues of careful consumption of natural resources, it is necessary to consolidate efforts with all the Central Asian countries. People’s thinking should be changed, only then will the widespread introduction of innovative solutions for effective environmental management become possible, which implies preservation of the natural cycle of nature.

 

 

Dr. Monika Tomecka, a scientist and entrepreneur, the executive director of uFraction8 Ltd., emphasized the relevance of involving science in achieving sustainable development goals, and stated that in the UK this goal is declared at the government level. It is necessary to look for new solutions, to use innovations, which will ensure not only saving consumption of natural resources, but also lead to a larger crop at a lower cost.

Nazira Sherali, the Economic Development Coordinator at Palladium International Consultancy from Kyrgyzstan, told about the need to create a “bridge” between the government, businessmen and people of science to exchange useful data that scientists obtained as a result of their research. To solve the problem of establishing a connection between science and the government, the connection of social mass media and social networks works effectively.

The participants in the discussion also spoke about the need to create an open platform for collaboration between representatives of business, science and government, through which business will be involved in the green sector, and the creation of innovations to solve business problems will be supported at the highest level.

The projects that have a positive impact on environmental issues were discussed in the discussion on startups in the field of climate change.

 

Rekha Pai‐Kamath, Silicon Valley Social Ventures Partner, Fast Forward Board Member noted: Silicon Valley investors are ready to focus on “clean” startups and invest in social projects that do not imply quick profits. Investing in projects devoted to human rights, solving environmental problems, gender equality is considered from the point of view of social benefits, which creates favorable conditions in the future today. “We prefer to use products with a clean social history produced in sustainable enterprises where there are no problems with the use of child labor, gender inequality and human rights are respected,” Rekha emphasized.

Ainura Sagyn, founder and CTO of Waste to Wealth startup, shared her experience in her project on waste management. The goal of the startup is to make the city clean, to reduce the amount of garbage, introduce a civilized model for the separate collection of garbage and improve its recycling.

 

 

Catriona McGill, Technical Development Manager of the clean technology startup Desolenator, told about the UN forecasts that by 2030 the majority of the world’s population will not have access to clean drinking water. The project that Catriona is developing has launched the production of solar panels, through which it is possible to desalinate salty sea water and make it suitable for human consumption.

Malika Zhanibek, the lead account manager of the project, spoke about the work of the Astana Hub International accelerator. The accelerator program is focused on environmental activities. The accelerator actively works with students, helping them to develop their ideas in the field of eco-technologies, the “Startup School” was launched on the basis of the accelerator, in which the work with projects is carried out “from scratch and to turn-key” – from an idea to result. Mentoring programs, various educational programs are conducted, young startuppers receive legal assistance and tax privileges. Astana Hub International is funded by the government, collaborates with major brands that actively support environmental initiatives.

 

The entrepreneur Nora Rakhimova made a presentation “Green Vector”, or Why business around the world began to support environmental initiatives. Green offices are the real embodiment of an eco friendly space, organized taking into account the economic benefits of people and respect for natural resources. Green offices use modern technology to provide buildings with heat, electricity, and water. As a bonus, the company receives an increase in productivity and sales due to creation of a comfortable working environment, and the image of an attractive employer for young professionals who will appreciate environmental management initiatives.

 

 

The entrepreneur Nora Rakhimova made a presentation “Green Vector”, or Why business around the world began to support environmental initiatives. Green offices are the real embodiment of an eco friendly space, organized taking into account the economic benefits of people and respect for natural resources. Green offices use modern technology to provide buildings with heat, electricity, and water. As a bonus, the company receives an increase in productivity and sales due to creation of a comfortable working environment, and the image of an attractive employer for young professionals who will appreciate environmental management initiatives.

 

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