Michael Sippitt, Chairman
About us Forbury Investment Network and the Royal Commonwealth Society Forbury Investment Network (London, Cardiff) Ghana Nigeria South Africa (Durban and Cape Town) Canada Sri Lanka Maldives Seychelles
About us Pan-Commonwealth platform to create a shared community of business interest in the environment Encouraging low carbon economic growth through connecting entrepreneurs, investors and sustainable businesses in the environmental goods and services sector Sharing sector and entrepreneurial knowledge, contacts and experience across Commonwealth markets A network of hubs that serve their national markets but also connect members across other Commonwealth markets
Opportunity for SMEs and new jobs Why? New technologies and services hugely SME based SMEs need funding, good management, and a supportive environment CEIP model is to help fill the gap of finance and international cooperation which limits growth of SMEs Mechanism to facilitate technology transfer needed
How? Develop stakeholders around hubs in each country Connecting with investors and business angel networks Investor briefing and training workshops Sharing knowledge and expertise on sustainability, entrepreneurship, technology Linking SME s with mutual interests General stakeholder awareness
Outcome Connecting stakeholders to achieve sustainable economic growth whilst addressing urgent social, economic and environmental issues Entrepreneurs, investors, SMEs, universities, governments all benefit uniquely Opportunity through Enterprise (2013 Commonwealth theme)
Why the Commonwealth? Common legal frameworks and existing business, governmental, linguistic and cultural links make it the ideal international forum As a global network the Commonwealth has a head start and huge business potential Combined GDP of Commonwealth now exceeds Eurozone Most of the 53 member states of the Commonwealth are developing countries
Why the Commonwealth? Combined workforce of the Commonwealth 1.4 billion Total Commonwealth population of 2.2 billion citizens - over 60% of these are under the age of 30 Progress turns on exchange of ideas, trade and people the role of the Commonwealth
The Commonwealth Focus on Africa As of 2013, there are 53 fully independent countries on mainland Africa and its surrounding islands - 18 countries part of the Commonwealth Africa is now the fastest growing continent in the world Africa's population represents approximately 14.72% of the world's total population with about a billion inhabitants in more than 60 territories Africa is so big it geographically could absorb all of the US, India, China, and most of Europe It is estimated that 60% of the world s uncultivated arable land is located in Africa
The Commonwealth - a platform for business Home to citizens of all faiths and ethnicities and includes some of the world's largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries Smaller nations benefit greatly from Commonwealth support and links Over the last twenty years, the importance of Commonwealth members to one another as their mutual trade in imports and exports has grown by almost a third If the Commonwealth did not exist we would need to invent it
The Commonwealth - a platform for business Commonwealth provides scope for innovative long term investing and risk spreading Special role for UK as the main facilitator of EU/Commonwealth enterprise Cardiff as excellent and competitive bridge for Commonwealth to UK and EU market?
Sustainable Cities Initiative The 19th century was a century of empires, the 20 th century was a century of nation states and the 21st century will be a century of cities. (Wellington Webb - former mayor of Denver)
Sustainable Cities Initiative Cities now host more than half of the world s population They generate 80% of global GDP and contribute to 70% of the world s CO2 emissions It is expected that by 2050 the global proportion of people living in cities will rise to about 70% Rapid urbanisation poses big challenges - many cities do not have a strategy to cope with this high growth
Sustainable Cities - challenges Socio- Economic Growing population Ageing population Health and inequality Crime and safety Infrastructure stress Lack of capital Environmental Climate change Resource scarcity Energy resilience Sea level rise
Sustainable Cities - challenges Ageing and urbanization are also closely related One-quarter of urban populations in less developed countries will be over the age of 60 by 2050 In developed countries, 80% of older people already live in urban areas Attractive environment, proximity of nature, access to health care, transport, amenities and community
Sustainable Cities Initiative Cities are experimenting with new approaches to planning, energy production, traffic management, building infrastructure etc The global renewable energy market had total revenues of $474.9bn in 2012 and it is expected the market will grow to a value of $632.8bn by the end of 2017 This provides a fertile ground for innovation, testing of technologies and implementation of proven technologies
Sustainable Cities Initiative Knowledge gap constrains growth There are recognised barriers to the implementation of changes and technology - knowledge sharing can help to overcome some of these barriers Knowledge sharing is key to implement a strategy effectively
Sustainable Cities Initiative Cities around the world are facing similar challenges There is huge potential for the sharing of experience of technology and innovation between the developed and developing countries of the Commonwealth Cities can greatly enhance the growth and efficiency of environmental innovation and trade on an international scale
Sustainable Cities Initiative Linking sustainable cities - opportunities: Share expertise and know-how. Cities that share specific interests and challenges can come together to learn from each other and identify shared resource needs Problem solving Technology transfer Eliminating barriers to procurement Greater access to SME s and investors/funding
Sustainable Cities Initiative Opportunities for Cardiff: Cardiff could provide a bridge between Europe and the Commonwealth Cardiff to provide leadership in sustainability - define a vision of a more sustainable future and to inspire developing cities Collaborate with cities, industry, and citizens to share ideas and to leverage proven solutions Cardiff as a top European and Commonwealth sustainable city
Contact Michael Sippitt Chairman, Forbury Investment Network msippitt@forburyinvest.com