FAPESP/IOP/RSC Workshop on Climate Change and Entrepreneurship

26-27 February 2009
São Paulo, Brazil

The RSC was delighted to join the IOP and the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) in the organisation of this first, two day, symposium. 

The aims of the workshop were to stimulate interaction and exchange of ideas and experiences between the two countries on the topic of climate change and entrepreneurship. FAPESP is one of Brazil’s leading funding agencies for scientific and technological research. 

This Symposium forms part of a series of scientific events developed by British and Brazilian institutions in the context of the UK-Brazil Partnership in Science & Innovation. 

This partnership is a result of joint initiatives by both governments who, in 2006, during the official visit of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the UK, agreed a science, technology and innovation action plan. 

The three organisations wish to thank the many people who have made this possible, especially the British Consulate in São Paulo and the Royal Society for their interest in our activities and their financial support. In particular, we would like to express our sincere thanks to the Science and Innovation team at the São Paulo Consulate for their invaluable help. 

The workshop, which was held on the 26-27 February, took place in São Paulo with people travelling across the state to attend the conference and listen to the many varied presentations from both Brazilian and British Speakers.  

Carlos Nobre, Director of the newly created Earth System Science Centre at INPE applauded "this very interesting and thought-provoking workshop" adding that he felt "many scientific contacts were made which will likely grow into fruitful Brazil-UK co-operation." This may prove to be especially important given the government's ambitious targets for reduction of carbon emissions.