(MENAFN- Mid-East.Info) Dubai, United Arab Emirates: 3M (NYSE: MMM) has concluded its participation alongside other global corporations, governments, and non-governmental organizations at COP 27, which took place from 6th to 18th November 2022 at Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. As a globally diverse materials science company, 3M aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its entire business by 2050. 3M provides scientific expertise to help customers achieve their sustainability goals and strongly believes in collaboration with public and private entities to reimagine what's possible, a path to reduce carbon footprints. 3M is also developing new technologies for tackling some of the world's most significant environmental issues.
The global conference saw 3M's global and regional senior executives in attendance – including Dr. Gayle Schueller, Global Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, 3M, Laszlo Svinger, Vice President, and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, 3M and Maxime Bureau, Director Government Affairs and Sustainability, Europe Middle East & Africa, 3M.
Laszlo Svinger, Vice President, and Managing Director, Middle East and Africa, 3M, said,“We were pleased to attend and participate at COP 27 and would like to thank the Egyptian authorities, the leadership at COP 27, UNFCC, and all those involved in the success of this landmark event. At 3M, science is part of our DNA, and we were thrilled at the focus on science at COP 27.”
At COP 27, 3M participated in and sponsored two-panel discussions. The first panel discussion,“Creating Energy Security for All: Technology and Policy Opportunities,” took place on November 15, 2022. During the interactive panel discussion, the panelists emphasized the urgency that needs to be placed to elevate technologies and policies to ensure that the balance between energy security, supply chain, and grid stability is vital for the successful integration of green and sustainable technologies into the digital grid as a response to the global climate change initiatives been undertaken. The panel discussion also highlighted technologies being innovated to contribute toward the companies' sustainability value commitment. Outcomes included agreement on the importance of digitalization to ensure ESG milestones and targets are being met. The importance of streamlining operational efficiencies into business practices to rapidly deploy green technologies across the board was also discussed extensively.
The second-panel discussion on November 17, 2022, focused on the important subject of“Collaborating for Climate Solutions: How can we accelerate partnerships?”. The panelists in attendance discussed the importance of partnerships between private sector investors and global connectors to drive climate change innovation and create a more sustainable future. They also discussed the areas with more potential for collaboration, such as mobilizing and aligning financial flows with the objective of the Paris Agreement and engaging the public and private sectors in an open policy dialogue with clear commitments and output.
Laszlo Svinger added:“Today, and in the future, we remain deeply committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. In our view, a continuous collaboration between all entities worldwide is imperative. We must work together to ensure we achieve our sustainability goals and, of course, the common goal of saving our planet.”
On the sidelines of COP 27, 3M hosted an 'AmCham Egypt Special Dinner' on November 12, 2022, where the U.S. government addressed the Egyptian private sector as a show of support for the country's green transition agendas. High-level Egyptian government officials, U.S. government officials, and global CEOs of AmCham member companies attended the event.
In 2021, 3M announced plans to invest approximately $1 billion over the next 20 years to accelerate new environmental goals: achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, reduce water use by 25% at its facilities, and return higher-quality water to the environment after use in manufacturing operations.
3M confirmed participation at COP 28, scheduled in the United Arab Emirates from November 30 to December 12, 2023.
'Creating Energy Security for All: Technology & Policy Opportunities' panel discussion attendees:
Moderator: Shelly Trench, Global Climate & Sustainability Strategy Lead, BCG.
Panelists:
Dr. Gayle Schueller, Global Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, 3M Afif Al Yafei, Chief Executive Officer, Transco, TAQA Miguel Setas, Executive Board Member, Group Chief Sustainability & Risk Officer, EDP Luiz Augusto Figueira, Chief Management & Sustainability Officer, Electrobas Shelly Trench, Global Climate & Sustainability Strategy Lead, Managing Director & Partner, BCG
'Collaborating for Climate Solutions: How can we accelerate partnerships' panel discussion attendees:
Moderator: Lesley Mitchell, Associate Director, Sustainable Nutrition at Forum for the Future
Panelists:
Dr. Gayle Schueller, Global Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, 3M Kristen Siemen, VP of Sustainable Workplaces & Chief Sustainability Officer, General Motors Walaa El-Husseiny, Executive Director, UNGC Egypt Network
Diana Acconcia, Director, Directorate-General for Climate Action, European Commission
About 3M
3M (NYSE: MMM) believes science helps create a brighter world for everyone. By unlocking the power of people, ideas, and science to reimagine what's possible, our global team uniquely addresses the opportunities and challenges of our customers, communities, and planet.