The inaugural 1.5 Degrees Conference and Exhibition aims to inspire action towards achieving net-zero emissions and limiting global warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels.

The conference will take place at the Century City Conference Centre and Precinct, in Cape Town, from March 28 to 30.

The conference will showcase innovative solutions and strategies, foster collaborations, and provide a platform for dialogue to inspire stakeholders to contribute towards a more sustainable future, says 1.5 Degrees exhibition director Lynn Chamier.

The event is a business-to-business event and a consumer event with a mission to bridge the gap between high-level climate change conversations and civil society.

Sponsors of the event include diversified miner Exxaro, insurance and investment management firm Old Mutual, retailer Pick n Pay, State-owned power utility Eskom and the City of Cape Town municipality.

Chamier explains the conference aims to achieve its mission by exposing visitors to electric vehicle mobility, recycled material artists, green economy startups and sustainable technology. The conference will also offer delegates tours to view sustainable buildings and the Intaka Island wetlands and bird sanctuary situated in Century City.

“1.5 Degrees’ Africa net-zero conference exhibition and event is unique in that it is the only event that talks to all the pillars of climate change, including mobility, power generation, water and oceans, air, land, recycling, green finance and just energy transition.”

Chamier elaborates that the conference provides an opportunity to contribute to a sustainable future, network and collaborate with like-minded individuals and organisations.

It also serves as a platform to gain access to valuable information and insights, ensure regulatory compliance, and enhance reputation and brand image.

The goals, vision and mission of the event align with the broader global effort to address climate change and create a more sustainable future for all, she adds.

Amid the current climate-related challenges, the conference is important and timely.

Chamier adds that the conference also aims to create awareness of net-zero emissions, international commitments and policies, as well as the importance of collaboration and partnerships to facilitate resources and expertise sharing.

She asserts that achieving net-zero emissions is “essential to avoid catastrophic climate change impacts”.

Therefore, the conference will explore strategies and solutions to achieve net-zero emissions that can still meet energy demands for economic growth.

Further, the conference will serve as a platform to discuss commitments and policies made by countries and international organisations to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. It will also explore how these commitments and policies can be implemented in Africa.

African Take
The decision to host the inaugural event in Africa is largely owing to the continent’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.

The conference recognises the distinctive challenges and opportunities that Africa faces in addressing climate change.

“Africa is already experiencing the devastating effects of climate change, including droughts, floods and heat waves. These changes result in food and water shortages, the displacement of people and biodiversity loss,” she notes.

Further, Africa’s rapidly growing population and economic development rely on its ability to access and use energy.

As the world shifts towards low-carbon energy sources, African countries will need to find sustainable ways of meeting their energy needs while reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.

The 1.5 Degrees Conference and Exhibition in Africa provides an opportunity to discuss and showcase innovative solutions that can address these challenges.

“It can help African nations to learn from one another and the experiences of other regions, and forge partnerships and collaborations that can accelerate progress towards a low-carbon future,” says Chamier.

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.5 Degrees hopes that the conference will become a leading platform for stakeholders to discuss and advance the global effort to address climate change.

It is hoped that the conference will become an annual event that will inspire stakeholders and catalyse action towards a more sustainable future.

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.5 Degrees encourages all stakeholders to attend the event and assist in building “a groundswell of climate and sustainable conscious champions to drive real change”.

“It takes just one person to change a village, to change a city, to change a continent,” Chamier concludes.