Coping with Change: Global Warming and Decarbonization

4th International Symposium on Sustainability

VENICE, Italy–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#Alcantara–“Global Warming and Decarbonization” was the focus of the fourth
International Symposium on Sustainability organized by Alcantara in
partnership with Venice International University (VIU).

The intensive two-day program recently held on Venice’s San Servolo
Island (March 1-2) brought together scientists, economists, academics,
corporate executives and journalists from around the world, as well as
representatives from leading governmental and public interest
organizations. Discussion centered on the impact global warming is
having on corporate behavior and the way people live, as well as the
role that technology and innovation can play to bring about positive
change.

Speakers and panelists included:

Prof. Massimo Inguscio – President of the Italian National Research
Council noted: “Science and researchers have a key leading role to
create the correct background and awareness to share knowledge and
address future choices and behaviours for citizens, policy makers,
institution and business leaders and other stakeholders involved.”

Dr. Georg Kell – founder and former executive director of the UN Global
Compact and chairman of Arabesque, said: “To overcome the current
dilemma of inaction in facing global warming and decarbonization, we
have to create convergent goals between business and society.”

Onorevole Giovanna Melandri – Founder and chairman of the Human
Foundation and chairman of the MAXXI Foundation said: “The achievement
of ambitious goals in terms of decarbonization and reduction of global
warming requires close collaboration between policy makers, companies
and investors.

Dr. Hermann Pengg – Head of Project Management e-fuels, Audi AG, said:
“Cradle-to-grave analysis shows sustainable transport needs sustainable
electricity, green hydrogen, or green gaseous or liquid fuels.”

Mr. Alex Kasprak – Science writer and digital expert at Snopes.com,
noted that miscommunication is a problem that “is growing within the
internet age. I suggest an effective way to fight scientific
mis-communicators and combat their fake news: present and explain actual
science … going into details in order to educate the public.”

Alcantara’s Chairman and CEO Andrea Boragno concluded that it was clear
that there is a major gap between what science and research have shown
and what society at different levels understands about climate change
and decarbonization.

“The world is not on track to meet the two-degree goal and unilateralism
is growing,” he said. “For this reason, Alcantara and Venice
International University have decided to launch a project aimed at
closing the gaps in understanding.”

Alcantara S.p.A. – www.alcantara.com

Founded in 1972, Alcantara® is a prime example of
Italian-produced quality. As a registered trademark of Alcantara S.p.A.
and the result of a unique and proprietary technology, Alcantara is a
highly innovative material, offering an unrivalled combination of
sensory, aesthetic and functional qualities. Since 2009 Alcantara has
been certified “Carbon Neutral,” having defined, reduced and offset all
of the CO2 emissions derived from its activities.

NOTE TO EDITORS: High-resolution photos from the symposium are
available from AutoCom Associates or the Alcantara website.

Press Material: http://www.alcantara.com/en/press_area/index.do
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Venice International University (VIU) – www.univiu.org

Venice International University is a consortium of 17 universities from
all over the world with an autonomous campus on the island of San
Servolo, Venice, Italy. The VIU TEN Program on Sustainability develops
research and capacity-building activities to promote Sustainable
Development at a global level.

Contacts

Alcantara Company Contact:
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E-mail: [email protected]
or
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relations: [email protected]