The Congress of Business (COB) will return to Glasgow on Tuesday, May 12 as part of Glasgow Climate Week.
Hosted at SWG3, COB aims to help organisations turn climate ambitions into practical action and commercial success.
It was established to build on the climate momentum generated at COP26.
Alison McRae, senior director at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: “Business resilience has become a defining priority for organisations today.
“To strengthen long-term resilience, businesses need to adapt and respond to climate change.
“Too often, the misconception is that sustainability is a cost, rather than an opportunity.
“Many of our Glasgow businesses, particularly SMEs, are proving the opposite and that by investing in climate and circular principles it reduces risk, drives efficiency, saves money and future-proofs organisations for the long term.
“COB moves that conversation forward by offering direct access to expertise from business leaders, real-world solutions, technology and guidance needed to accelerate progress and drive action.”
This year’s speakers include Dr Nicola Millard, principal innovation partner at BT Business; Professor Meric Gertler, former president of the University of Toronto; and Professor Andy Schofield, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Glasgow.
Dr Millard said: “Technologies such as AI can help save the planet, but they shouldn’t cost the Earth.
“To build a smarter future, we need to come together at events like COB to discuss how we can transform the way we work so that it is better for people, productivity, and the planet
“The real opportunity lies in developing working practices that are not just smart but are also sustainable.”
Other speakers include Professor Kirstine Dale, chief AI officer at the Met Office; Lolita Jackson, executive director of sustainable cities at Sustainable Development Capital LLP; Victoria Hollywood, director of sustainability at Edrington; and Vijay Tank, chief commercial officer at E.ON UK.
Vijay Tank said: “Delivering the benefits of the energy transition – whether that’s economic growth, new jobs and skills, or making energy more affordable for everyone – requires genuine partnership and innovation at scale.
“Glasgow embodies that mindset. Its determination to lead the energy transition mirrors our own, which is why supporting the Congress of Business is such a natural fit for E.ON.
“Here in Glasgow, our project with the city council to ease child poverty is already proving that by scaling up smart solutions like home batteries we can reach the families who need it most, cutting bills and giving them real control over their energy use.
“Together with our partners across Glasgow, I’m confident we can accelerate change, inspire new thinking and build a cleaner, more resilient future for the people and businesses who call this city home.”
Led by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, University of Glasgow, and E.ON, COB focuses on turning sustainability commitments into measurable progress.
Alison McRae, senior director, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: “Business resilience has become a defining priority for organisations today.
“To strengthen long-term resilience, businesses need to adapt and respond to climate change.
“Too often, the misconception is that sustainability is a cost, rather than an opportunity.
“Many of our Glasgow businesses, particularly SMEs, are proving the opposite and that by investing in climate and circular principles it reduces risk, drives efficiency, saves money and future-proofs organisations for the long term.
“COB moves that conversation forward by offering direct access to expertise from business leaders, real-world solutions, technology and guidance needed to accelerate progress and drive action.”
Two additional events have also been added to Glasgow Chamber’s Climate Week programme.
COB Futures, delivered by Developing the Young Workforce regional groups, aims to encourage young people to pursue sustainable careers.
Meanwhile, COB Inspires will support early-careers and recent graduates entering the sustainability sector.
