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The Bridge Tank is invited to the launch of the Hydrogen Council at the 2017 Davos Forum

Posted on 20 January 201727 July 2021 by the_bridge_tank

On the 17th of January 2017, the Hydrogen Council was launched as part of the Davos Forum, inaugurated by Dominic Waughray, Senior Director and Head of Environmental Initiatives of the World Economic Forum. The Bridge Tank, the only think tank to be invited to the event, was represented by out president Joël Ruet. Raphaël Schoentgen, board member and also Chief Technology Officer of Engie, was also present. This meeting was the first of its kind and at its level held to discuss challenges and opportunities ahead for hydrogen technologies. Among the influencers and CEOs present were Bertrand Picard, Chairman of Solar Impulse, as well as the CEOs of Total, Air Liquide, Kawasaki, Shell, Toyota, Linde, BMW, Engie, Daimler, Honda, Hyundai.

The first global initiative of its kind, the ‘Hydrogen Council’ aims to position hydrogen among the key solutions of the energy transition. Hydrogen, a versatile energy carrier with favorable characteristics, does not release any CO2 at the point of use as a clean fuel or energy source, rendering it therefore an important player in the transition to a clean, low-carbon, energy system. Hydrogen technologies and products have significantly progressed over past years and are now being introduced to the market. The Council will work with, and provide recommendations to, a number of key stakeholders such as policy makers, business and hydrogen players, international agencies and civil society to achieve these goals.

During the launch, members of the ‘Hydrogen Council’ confirmed their ambition to accelerate their significant investment in the development and commercialization of the hydrogen and fuel cell sectors. These investments currently amount to an estimated total value of €1.4 Bn/year*. This acceleration will only be possible if the key stakeholders increase their backing of hydrogen as part of the future energy mix with appropriate policies and supporting schemes.

The Bridge Tank at COP21

Posted on 15 December 201619 September 2021 by the_bridge_tank

The Bridge Tank team participated in a series of events during COP21, from a meeting at the French Senate with Moroccan Environment Minister Hakima el Haite on the position of developing countries, to the “COP of Solutions,” to the publication of a study at the Cercle Interallié that was conducted by The Bridge Tank for the French National Institute of Intellectual Property. These events took place between November 30 and December 12, 2015. For the first time in the history of the COPs, simultaneously with the Paris Agreements and the official discussions, a solutions forum was open to companies, influencers, researchers and think tanks.

Joël Ruet, President of the Bridge Tank and Guillaume Henry, member of the Bridge Tank’s steering committee, presented a report for the French National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI) at the Cercle Interallié. This report proposes ways to accelerate the transfer of green technologies and know-how from large multinationals to Southern countries. Also, the Bridge Tank presented the results of its work with the Institute for Sustainable Mobility of the Renault Foundation. Avenues for a resilient agriculture in Brazil and West Africa, including carbon capture by soils, were presented. In addition, this subject was the subject of a thesis that the Bridge Tank co-produced with the EHESS and the Ecole des Ponts. This topic is of particular importance to French President François Hollande, as well as to French government spokesman and Minister of Agriculture Stéphane Le Foll.

Other topics of discussion were the development of electric mobility and the acceleration of the greening of the energy mix of large countries such as China.

COP22 in Marrakech: “What innovations to face climate change?

Posted on 17 November 201615 September 2021 by the_bridge_tank

On 16th November The Bridge Tank organised in the COP22 in Marrakech a conference whose topic was: “What innovations to face climate change? The President of the Bridge Tank Joël Ruet moderated this conference accompanied by Jasmine Zerinini, former French diplomat and member of the Bridge Tank and Chatham House steering committee. The keynote speakers were Wang Yao, Secretary General of China’s Standing Committee on Climate Finance, Daniel Kammen, Special Envoy of U.S. Secretary John Kerry, Ajay Mathur (Executive Director, TERI-The Energy and Resources Institute).

The conference identified the best practices in adapting models to developing countries, mobilizing resources, and providing incentives for regulation. In addition, it promoted South-South co-innovation, the capitalization of intellectual property and know-how for innovative models around local ecosystems. Finally, the forum highlighted the value of behavioral and civic innovation on human capital, education and the valorization of intangible capital for public policies of inclusive deployment of green technologies.

From November 7 to November 18, 2016, The COP22 took place in Marrakech, Morocco. This year, the forum dealt with the following themes: North/South financing, the issue of loss and damage as well as specific issues of the African continent such as adaptation and agriculture. The objectives of this international meeting were numerous (defining the rules of transparency to limit the emission of greenhouse gases, financing the 100 billion dollars/year, rethinking agriculture (AAA – Adaptation of African Agriculture, take stock of the environmental progress), however, the practical executions of many resolutions still remain unclear, particularly, the issue of the financing of 100 billion dollars every year by 2020 from the most polluting countries towards developing countries. Currently, only 16% of climate financing is dedicated to adaptation (even though Germany, Sweden, Italy and Belgium have pledged $81 million in new contributions to the Adaptation Fund).

COP22 in Marrakech: “Structuring the new climate change markets: The South-South Business Models for after COP22”

Posted on 2 November 201615 September 2021 by the_bridge_tank

This conference entitled “Structuring the new climate change markets: TheSouth-South Business Models for Post-COP22”, was held on November 16 in the COP22 “Green Zone” (civil society) as the third of four conferences hosted by the Bridge Tank during the COP22 summit in Marrakech between November 7 and 18, 2016.

It proposed a new analysis of globalization after COP21 and COP22, built on a global, regional and local ecosystems approach. The question of tomorrow’s markets for sustainable technologies and services was addressed: several innovations can be deployed and profitable provided they meet the needs of emerging and developing countries. In this respect, the idea that only the economies of the North must move towards a green economy is simply no longer valid.

This conference brought together different business representatives and policy makers, who were able to discuss the challenges, develop a common understanding of the consequences of future regulations and assess the impact of COP21 and COP22 on their own areas, with a clear vision of future opportunities.

The Bridge Tank was present at this event, represented by Joël Ruet the President and Abdeldjellil Bouzidi, Managing Partner at Emena Advisory and member of the Bridge Tank’s Steering Committee. Abdeldjellil Bouzidi argued that green finance has focused too much on mitigation and not enough on adaptation. He also argued that “Debt for Climate Swaps” would be a viable financing solution for countries with large amounts of debt. He added that green bonds with an interest rate linked to environmental performance can attract virtuous investors. JoëlRuet argued that in Morocco, these green bonds with a variable interest rate should get the attention of the MASEN New Energies Group.

The speakers were Catherine Girard, energy and commodities expert at Groupe Renault, Thomas Eymond-Laritaz, executive director of APCO Global Solutions. Catherine Girard stated that electric vehicles, despite their obvious advantages, require the establishment of a new “ecosystem”.

Report: Sustainable Development & Intellectual Property: Access to Technologies in Developing Countries

Posted on 1 November 20166 August 2020 by the_bridge_tank

Sustainable development, this meta-project that aims to secure development without harmful consequences for humankind and the environment, is of great necessity as our planet is threatened by climate change. In developing countries in particular, it requires the large-scale deployment of “clean” or environmentally sound technologies. The role of industrial property is often evoked in this deployment, either as a catalyst or a hindrance to the development of environmentally sound technologies. One aim of this study is to answer the question of the role of industrial property in the adoption of environmentally sound technologies in developing countries. Read more …

The Bridge Tank at COP22 : Programme of our Side-Events

Posted on 21 October 20161 June 2020 by the_bridge_tank

The COP 22 marks the beginning of a new cycle of COPs: COPs of action. For all stakeholders, today’s challenge is to identify the tools that will permit the implementation of the commitments made last December. Thus, this will also be the COP of innovation: innovative ideas, tools, and solutions. This is why we are organising multiple side events in Marrakesh on the sidelines of the COP 22, as a part of our InnovaCOP initiative, a platform of action and interaction for innovation. Continue reading “The Bridge Tank at COP22 : Programme of our Side-Events”

New York – Opening Week of the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly

Posted on 14 October 20161 June 2020 by the_bridge_tank

On the sidelines of the opening of the 71^st session of the UN General Assembly, Joël Ruet, chairman of The Bridge Tank, participated in a number of events in New York City, organized by the African Union and the IDLO (International Development Law Organization).

Continue reading “New York – Opening Week of the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly”

Insights into Emerging Economies n°7 : Moving Towards Sustainable and Concrete Solutions for the South

Posted on 5 October 201628 June 2023 by the_bridge_tank

The green light from the European Union for the ratification of the Paris Agreement has just been given. This is good news after 62 states have already ratified the text, including China, India, and Morocco. And an assurance that we will see the December 2015 agreement enter into force.

Continue reading “Insights into Emerging Economies n°7 : Moving Towards Sustainable and Concrete Solutions for the South”

Inaugural Dinner for the Launch of the InnovaCOP Platform in the Presence of Madam Minister El Haite

Posted on 4 October 20161 June 2020 by the_bridge_tank

On September 28^th, The Bridge Tank organized a dinner to launch the InnovaCOP platform at the Maison des Polytechniciens, in the heart of the 7^th Arrondissement of Paris. Ms. Hakima El Haite, Deputy Minister of the Environment in Morocco, was present at the event, which brought together several renowned guests: presidents and representatives of foundations, members of the management team of companies, investment funds, lawyers, and experts. Continue reading “Inaugural Dinner for the Launch of the InnovaCOP Platform in the Presence of Madam Minister El Haite”

On Europe, the UN Security Council and the race for next UN-SG

Posted on 12 September 20166 August 2020 by the_bridge_tank

The UN Security Council vote on Friday and the events of this weekend have suddenly turned the UN Secretary-General election from a marathon race into a sprint finish, with more twists and turns to come. Contrary to Ban Ki-moon’s election ten years ago, the race remains vivid. But the running league of candidates seems to be now consolidating, put aside some -hopefully ephemeral- confusion that has arisen this weekend in Eastern Europe, the legitimate region of origin of the next UN-SG…”

Read this OpEd written by Joel Ruet in The Diplomatic Courier on https://www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/europe-un-security-council-race-next-un-sg