Global Cynergies Worldwide organized the first edition of the Net Zero Footprints Conference at the Hotel Le Labourdonnais in Caudan Waterfront, on Thursday, March 16, 2023. Global Cynergies Worldwide franchise is owned in Mauritius by Reshmee Chamroo, who also handles the portfolio of Africa and neighboring countries. Present at the function was the Minister of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, Hon. Kavydass Ramano, said he was proud of the initiative of this conference which aims to raise awareness among industry partners as well as bring together under one platform partners to collaborate towards a sustainable Mauritius.
The conference was kicked off by Mrs. Sarita Meeheelaul from the Ministry of Environment with a presentation on the outlook of the situation in Mauritius based on facts and figures. No one can deny that climate change is occurring at an alarming rate, leading to more devastating effects worldwide, but even more so in vulnerable countries like Mauritius,” she said.
The organizer of this event, Reshmee Chamroo made a point of emphasizing that “climate change is a global emergency that transcends national borders. It is a problem that requires international cooperation and coordinated solutions at all levels. “The conference was very informative on the net zero footprint and how each stakeholder brought solutions, suggestions, information and data that allow us to move forward and work on the basis of greater progress towards the net zero footprint,” said the director of Global Cynergies Mauritius.
The first session was on Net Zero Climate Finance and featured Sadna Gopal, 2nd Deputy Governor of the Bank of Mauritius, Jitendra Bissessur, CEO of Mauritius Investment Corporation (MIC), Mr. Ashvin Dwarka of Office of the Comptroller General of Mauritius, and Mr. Gopal. Ashvin Dwarka of Office Notorial de l’Isle-de-France, Manjula Basant Rai, CEO of Spaanda UK, Tanya Dos Santos Ford, Global Head of Sustainability of Investec Africa who came from South Africa and Shaarad Maharaj, CEO of Trade Brics who intervened virtually. This session was a very informed and constructive discussion. Bernard Theys, CEO of Phoenix Beverages Group as well as Quentin Thorel of Ciel Textiles and Kiera Pettersson of Big Circle Studios in Johanessburg were all on point with very enriching discussions. This round table was conducted under the supervision of Pami Kular, an expert and consultant in sustainable development.
The second discussion session focused on manufacturing and processing. This session was a very informed and constructive discussion. Bernard Theys, CEO of Phoenix Beverages Group as well as Quentin Thorel of Ciel Textiles and Kiera Pettersson of Big Circle Studios in Johanessburg were all on point with very rewarding discussions. This round table was conducted under the supervision of Pami Kular, an expert and consultant in sustainable development. Solutions were discussed so that industries in Mauritius can put in place more reporting measures, tools and adapted supply chain management in order to be more effective and efficient in reducing greenhouse gases and continue on the path to net zero by further reducing their footprints.
The third session focused on transportation and logistics and featured Das Mootanah, CEO of Metro Express Ltd, Avinash Rugoobur, Board Member of Arrival Ltd, Christ Appadoo of South African Airways as well as virtual interlocutors Captain Paul Wilson, Flight Captain and Technical Specialist of Airbus A320 and Samuel Kamunya of Basi Go Kenya presented very interesting points on how we can move with the light rail system, electric vehicles and airplanes in a sustainable manner with net zero emissions by reducing our footprint. Dynamism and transportation options were the highlights of the discussion.
The last panel, dedicated to green buildings, was addressed by Thierry Le Breton of Dynamia, building expert, Karveen Puddoo of Medine Group and Ashween Ramhotar, artchitect as well as with the online participation of Anne-Marie Thodsen, Managing Director of The Umbrella Institute UAE. Discussions revolved around the various renewable resources that can be implemented from the source of raw materials to the end of the supply chain for the construction of green buildings.
After a day of exchanges on the future of our ecosystem, multiple solutions were promulgated on stage for a greener and better future for tomorrow’s generation. The day was full of lessons and possibilities for a greener future. A report will be written with recommendations, and it will be made available to the Ministry of Environment as well as to the United Nations to share the conclusions of this conference.
The kick-off has already been launched. A second edition of the Net Zero Footprints conference is on the agenda for 2024. It will be held in Hamburg, Germany.
