Clean Technology Conference to focus on technologies that inhibit climate change

JOHANNESBURG - Viridis Africa, the clean technology business and investment conference presents a matchmaking platform for African renewable energy, waste management, water conservation, and recycling businesses and investors on the 16^th and 17^th October 2012 at the Killamey Country Club, Lower Houghton South Africa.

The event is dedicated to entrepreneurs and corporate who seek funding to introduce clean technology solutions and services. Local and foreign investors will be in attendance within the event, seek strategic alliances, distribution partners and acquisitions. 

The event challenges participants and presenters at the conference to present and discuss African solutions to African problems, champion African economic growth, climate change adaptation and climate change mitigation measures.

The conference organizers is adamant the clean technology development in Africa should lead to poverty reduction, disease prevention through improved waste management and water treatment technologies, and higher literacy levels due to access to access to electricity.

Solutions to mitigate change mitigation will be articulated at the conference. Though at the moment, Africa emits barely 3% of the world’s green house gases, yet the continent is most affected. Experts agree that Africa is the most vulnerable continent and least able to adapt to present a new hurdle in the fight against extreme poverty and disease. Africa is also known to have the least capacity and ability to cope with the problems of climate change. For many sub-Saharan African countries, climate change means more frequent drought and floods, water scarcity, and increased health challenges such as under-nutrition.

Global warming could cause temperature rises double those elsewhere. The consequence would be dramatic declines in rainfall and a fall in crops. There are likely to be severe water shortages in many parts of the continent.

According to Suza Adam, managing director of Spindle Communications, and organizers of Viridis Africa, “it’s also imperative for those responsible for the emission of the greater percentage of green house gases to commit to reducing emission at home. The reluctance of greater emitters of green house gases to cutting down emission at home is questionable if we are all committed to global warning reduction.” 

Explains Adam, “buying emission rights abroad is good, but cutting down emission at home is better. And guess what, best is if you can do both.”

“We all have a responsibility to do research and come up with ways in which renewable energy can bring about sustainability to struggling communities. Since renewable energy applications most times takes power generation into the citizenry. It will help us lower our carbon footprint while gauging our energy barometer.”

Adam explains: “Our industries should be bolstered by sustainability initiatives and carbon finance should be used to scale up renewable energy and low-income household energy projects. It will amaze us if we sincerely cut our carbon emissions and implement strategies to adopt and mitigate the risk climate change has on the society.”

“We should undertake energy saving initiatives, e.g. replace your light bulbs with energy saving lights, install timers in various points and turn off all geysers, etc. 

“We should highlight how renewable energy can bring about poverty eradication and sustainable development; how it can bring about agricultural development, productivity and rural sustainability.

“Let’s be able to show the link between renewable energy and food security, sustainable agriculture and rural development. How renewable energy can bring about energy security, food security, quality and sovereignty. How renewable energy can foster gender dimensions in agriculture, rural employment and natural resource management.

Adam concludes: “Lets together reinvent the energy wheel for our planet, with the design and development of efficient renewable energy architectures.”

 Viridis Africa is inviting entrepreneurs to submit a business plan or investment proposal to the organizers of the event. Participating in the event will allow clean tech business owners to raise capital for expansion, acquiring new technology, opening new markets and upscaling production. Business plans should be send to suza@viridisafrica.com before 30 August 2012.

For more info on how to take part and presentation guidelines, please visit www.viridisafrica.com