Ensuring humanity’s future in a changing climate presents unique challenges and opportunities to drive innovation. CCx: Business is a cross-industry conference that convenes business executives, entrepreneurs, climate scientists, and investors to explore solutions at the leading edge of climate resilience. It is the only conference in the world that looks at the role big data is playing in helping communities and companies adapt to the growing risks and impacts of climate change.
We will take look at the origins of the data in observations and modeling, hearing from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, AccuWeather, and a rapidly emerging Internet-of-Things sensor technology company. We will hear about the latest innovations and how they add value to the data. And, we will hear use cases and best practices on how corporations and investors are using the data to reduce risk and create opportunities.
CCx: Business is April 2-3, 2019
Session Overview
CCx: Business aims to tackle tough questions around climate data, tech, and business. Sessions include:
Data: Collection, Distribution, Access, Intelligence
The world’s largest repository of historical weather and climate data — housed at NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information here in Asheville, North Carolina — is comprised of information from sensors, gauges, radar, satellites, natural environmental recorders, and computer models. How we can translate this data, and our ever-developing understanding of it, into actionable intelligence? How do we make weather and climate data accessible to the private sector?
Scaling Technology with a Lens on Equity
Climate technology has the potential to be a powerful force for accelerating science-based adaptation. But how can we ensure that this technology will be wielded equitably and that it addresses the needs of underserved communities? How do we incorporate place and cultural identity in scalable technologies?
Finance, Risk, and Investment
Climate risk can be highly material to corporations and their investors, as the recent bankruptcy of PG&E underscores. But even if a company understands that climate risk must be addressed, they likely lack the information and tools to do something about it. Are we moving fast enough and committing enough capital to get climate solutions into the hands of corporations?
And, recognizing the value in developing climate risk solutions, more climate tech startups are emerging. How are investors evaluating these climate solutions as investments? Where do they want to be investing but not seeing investible solutions?
Corporate Decision-Making
Corporate leaders constantly juggle multiple priorities: profit maximization, risk minimization, reputation management, and value creation for customers and society, to name a few. Where does climate resilience fit, and how does one make the case for climate resilience at the corporate level? What are corporate drivers behind addressing risk, resilience, and adaptation?
Innovation
For an issue as pervasive and wicked as climate change, scalable technology holds unique promise as a way to rapidly disseminate intelligence and tools needed to inform and guide action on the ground. How is climate tech changing the landscape of climate adaptation and resilience? What new opportunities are arising due to emerging technologies, and where do we still need new innovation and investment?
Urban Transformations, Infrastructure, and Resilient Communities
As the global population continues to migrate from rural areas to cities, there is a growing need to ensure that cities are prepared for climatic effects like more intense heat waves and more frequent flooding. How do we build systemic climate resilience at the community level? How do we address both acute and chronic climate risks to our built environment? How should governments, communities, and corporations assess and prioritize future investments and retrofits to build climate resilient communities?
Check out the agenda for more details on sessions, speakers, and other activities.
Sponsorship opportunities for CCx: Business are available. Details below or contact us to learn more.
Learn more about the Asheville area and see which hotels are offering discounted rates for CCx 2019.
Connect with Our Team
Logistics Contact: Tatiana Rivest
Sponsorship Contact: Megan Robinson
Media Contact: Josh Dorfman
Testimonials
“The content was fantastic and varied. Assembling a diverse set of professional backgrounds that bridged business, scientific, financial, and public sector created a very collaborative feeling.”
— Greg Lowe, Aon
“I appreciated the opportunity to see the deep connection that Asheville has to climate issues and to interact with such a large group of innovation-minded folks. The collection of perspectives represented is not often present at other events.”
— John Frey, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
“At [CCx: Business] I was given the rare opportunity to exchange ideas with professionals in the academic, governmental, and non-profit sectors. Collaboration with a diversity of backgrounds and a unity of vision is a critical driver toward sustained, positive impact — [Climate City Expo] fosters that conversation.”
— Liza Schillo, Levi Strauss & Co.
CCx: Business Featured Speakers
Mark Kim
Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board
Chief Operating Officer