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CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PAPERS

Sustainable Innovation 09  
 

Towards a Low Carbon Innovation Revolution

26^th-27^th October 2009

Farnham Castle , Farnham , UK  
 

Organised by: The Centre for Sustainable Design (www.cfsd.org.uk)

Part of the 'Towards Sustainable Product Design' series of conferences  
 

Background

The financial, food, fuel and climate crises are individually serious issues, but in combination their impact could be catastrophic for the global economy. Perhaps we stand at a crossroads. Even as we move into a global economic downturn there are growing calls for an accelerated transformation towards low carbon and resource productive economies. To move forward will require new and more efficient solutions, technologies and products alongside behavioural change. Climate change is now universally recognised as a significant global environmental challenge and as a consequence, debate over the measures needed to tackle climate change has moved up to the top of the agenda amongst civil society, business and government. The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009 will highlight the major challenges and opportunities associated with climate change as we move towards post 2012 carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction targets. In October 2008, the UK raised the bar by announcing a target of cutting CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050. Innovation will be a core part of the way forward. The Stern Review underlined that increased investment in R&D and innovation could significantly reduce CO2 emissions and we have seen more than $5 billion of venture capital invested in cleantech worldwide since January 2007 (Source: Ernst & Young).. However, we need to create much better international, national and regional structures and systems to adapt to climate change as well those to stimulate, nurture and progress new low carbon ideas through R&D to commercialisation and the marketplace. A new system is needed that fosters sustainable, low carbon and resource productive innovation - short, medium and long-term. Designers, innovators, investors, entrepreneurs, consumers and governments all have a role to play in the change that is needed.  
 

Concept
Sustainable Innovation 09 will provide a platform to discuss the future opportunities and challenges related to the design, development and commercialisation of low carbon innovation, technologies, products and services. Sustainable Innovation 09 will include invited and refereed papers from academics, consultants, entrepreneurs, investors, technology providers, designers, sustainability, environment and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) managers as well as other business functions. The event will be a unique learning experience, networking space and an opportunity to think. Delegates will come globally from large companies, entrepreneurs, as well as academia, government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The conference is supported by an international Advisory Board.

Conference topics

Sustainable Innovation 09 welcomes conceptual and research-based papers covering sustainable innovation, technology, product and service design and development. Papers focused on low carbon solutions and sustainable innovation related to the following topics are particularly welcomed: