Global Research & Innovation Symposium

FGV Auditorium

18/06/2024, 08:00 - 18:00

The symposium has been co-designed in partnership with Mission Innovation Net-Zero Compatible Innovations Initiative, UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub, Open Earth Foundation, and Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM), and is being delivered as a complementary event to the Innovate4Cities 2024 Conference.

This event has been co-organized by São Paulo School of Management of Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV EAESP) and the University of São Paulo (USP).

Simultaneous Interpretation in English, Portuguese and Spanish will be offered.

An open gathering for furthering sustainable development and climate action

Ignite innovation, accelerate action: That’s the vision of ICLEI’s Global Research & Innovation Symposium 2024. Bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders for a full-day of collaboration and insights, the Symposium will champion the ethos of radical collaboration, bridging the gap and creating a nexus between research, innovation, and real-world application. The event strives to align the insights of researchers and the ingenuity of innovators with the pragmatism of practitioners and investors to ensure that initiatives are informed, disruptive, and actionable.

Participants will discuss the future of research with special consideration to the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities, agenda-setting innovation, and exploring emerging technologies, concepts, and perspectives essential for driving systemic transformation. Additionally, by popular demand, the Research & Innovation Marketplace will return, offering an interactive space for local and regional governments, researchers, thought leaders, innovators, and funders to bridge the gap between concepts and action, and between research and financial support.

All registered participants of the ICLEI World Congress 2024 are welcome to register and attend! Register for the Global Research & Innovation Symposium here.

Location: The Global Research & Innovation Symposium will be held at the FGV Auditorium (Auditório FGV), Avenida 9 de julho, 2029 Bela Vista, São Paulo, SP CEP: 01313-902 (entrance also through Rua Itapeva 432) in the morning and at the Noble Room (Salão Nobre) in the afternoon (4F).

2024 Symposium Agenda

08:00 – 09:00

Registration and check-in at venue, welcome coffee and cookie

09:00 – 09:30

Welcome, program overview, and objectives

Opening Remark and a welcome note from Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, ICLEI’s Research & Innovation Portfolio Holder and the Vice-Chair of the IPCC;
Welcome remark from Rodrigo Ravena, Secretary of Green and Environment, São Paulo;
Welcome remark from Goret Pereira Paulo, Head of Research & Innovation, FGV EAESP;
Keynote speech from Pedro Jacobi, President of the Board of Directors, ICLEI South America Secretariat, and Professor at the University of Sao Paulo;
Welcome note and Program Overview by Pourya Salehi, Head of ICLEI’s Research & Innovation.

09:30 – 10:30

Plenary I: Research, Cities & Sustainability: Insights from the IPCC Special Report

Hear expert insights from representatives from the IPCC and academic community regarding the upcoming IPCC Special Report on Cities and Climate Change. A highlight of the process being taken is the inclusion of urban practitioners alongside scientists to ensure the report is co-created by academia and urban practitioners/policymakers from the outset. This panel will discuss collaboration to enhance the policy relevance of the report, and ways forward for the report.

Notable speakers:

Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, Vice-Chair of the IPCC and ICLEI’s R&I Portfolio Holder

Amelia Clarke, Full Professor, University of Waterloo

Dennis Pamlin, Chief Executive Officer, The Net-Zero Compatibility Initiative, Mission Innovation

Martin Wainstein, Executive Director, OpenEarth Foundation

Pourya Salehi, Head of Urban Research, Innovation, and Development, ICLEI World Secretariat

10:30 – 11:00

Tea and coffee break

Taking place in the Knowledge Hall, a space where researchers, startups, innovators, companies, and local governments can showcase their projects or initiatives and disseminate their work to the other symposium participants.

11:00 – 12:00

Plenary II: Agenda-Setting and Human-Need-Centered Innovation

Step into the future with a panel of innovation experts exploring disruptive technologies and pioneering solutions that move beyond optimization toward redefining systems. As a catalyst for change, this session explores how a human needs-based approach can address global challenges, including the climate emergency, while providing flourishing lives for current and future populations. From exploring a full climate risk approach to action, the role of incubators, and thought leaders’ identified ways forward, the session will immerse the audience in how cities can leverage a demand-driven approach to become solution leaders turning global challenges into impactful opportunities for systemic change.

Notable speakers:
Dennis Pamlin, Chief Executive Officer, The Net-Zero Compatibility Initiative, Mission Innovation
Smita Rakesh, Partner, Social Alpha/Clean Energy International Incubation Centre (CEIIC)
Gabriella Santanna, Head of Startups, CUBO
Heiko Buch-Illing, CEO, Outdoor Institute/Silkeborg
David Ekelund, CEO, Icebug

12:00 – 13:15

Lunch break

On-site.

13:15 – 14:00

Research & Innovation Marketplace - Part I: Make a Pitch!

Selected ideators will be given the opportunity to present their project or concept to the audience to win them over for further collaboration.

The marketplace is delivered in partnership with Innovate4Cities, and the outcomes will serve to complement the upcoming Innovate4Cities conference in September in Montreal, Canada.

Ready to pitch? Submit your pitch for review.

14:00 – 15:30

Research & Innovation Marketplace - Part II: Radically Collaborate

The audience will select a (thematic area) breakout room to collaborate with their desired pitchmakers on refining their project/concept both conceptually and in terms of implementation and potential finance. The aim of engagement is not only to refine ideas but to catalyze long-term collaboration on the project concepts beyond the symposium.

15:30 - 16:00

Tea and coffee break

Taking place in the Knowledge Hall.

16:00 - 17:10

Research & Innovation Marketplace - Part III: Dragons' Den style

Facilitators of the thematic rooms will briefly present the outcomes of the radical collaboration, and an expert panel will lend their expertise to explore how to take the projects from Concept to “Next Practices.”

Notable speakers:

José Valdi Coutinho, Mayor of Independência

Martin Wainstein, Founder and Executive Director of Open Earth Foundation

Randy S’ad, Executive Director, Flourishing Enterprise Institute and REFOCUS

Diego Manya Gutierrez, Data Scientist, Data Driven EnviroLab

Jeremy Eppel, Principal, NatureFinance

Urszula Kasperek, Senior Manager of International Advocacy, Climate Group

Cassia Moraes, Partnerships Manager (Strategic Programmes), EIT Climate-KIC

Facilitated by:

Pourya Salehi, Head of Urban Research, Innovation, and Development, ICLEI World Secretariat

Benjamin Jance, Head of Research and Innovation, Global Covenenat of Mayors for Climate and Energy (GCoM)

17:10 - 18:00

Closing Plenary

Leading experts and city representatives will reflect on the Global Research & Innovation Symposium 2024 and identify their key takeaways to inform the future of sustainability and climate action that addresses present and future human needs not only within planetary boundaries but through regenerative actions enabled by systemic approaches.

Notable speakers:

Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, Vice-Chair of the IPCC and ICLEI’s Research & Innovation Portfolio Holder;
Dennis Pamlin, Chief Executive Officer, The Net-Zero Compatibility Initiative, Mission Innovation;
Martin Wainstein, Founder and Executive Director of Future Earth Foundation;
José Antônio Puppim de Oliveira, Prof. at Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV EAESP);
David Corbett, Research & Innovation Officer at ICLEI World Secretariat;
Cassia Moraes, Partnerships Manager (Strategic Programmes), EIT Climate-KIC

Master of Ceremony:

Pourya Salehi, Head of Urban Research, Innovation, and Development Department, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainablity

We invite all the participants of the Research & Innovation Symposium to join the Opening Celebration at 19:00 at the Pavilion of Brazilian Cultures (PACUBRA).

Address: Av. Pedro Álvares Cabral, s/n – Vila Mariana, São Paulo – SP, 04094-050.

To travel from the FGV Auditorium to the Pavilion of Brazilian Cultures in the Park Ibirapuera you have several convenient options:

(Most convenient option) By taxi or Uber, the journey takes approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic. If ordering an Uber, please select the taxi option since taxis have a preferential line.

By using public transport

1. You can take the bus 6358-10 at the bus stop Getúlio Vargas C/B 2 (direction: Jardim Luso)

2. Get off at Av. Pedro Alvares Cabral

3. Walk about 5 minutes and enter Ibirapuera Park through Gate 10

4. At Gate 10, walk about 3 minutes to the Pavilion of Brazilian Cultures