Successful Global Inter-company Exchange in Moscow

	We have now successfully delivered our Moscow Global Inter-company Exchange on 2nd - 3rd July, under the Global Leadership & Technology Exchange (GLTE) programme. An area that engaged and created enthusiasm with the audience (with senior leaders from General Motors, Gazprom, Yara, Wilh. Wilhelmsen, Acergy, DNV, StatoilHydro, SUEK, Nord Stream, General Electric, Deutsche Bank, NRK, Monday Morning and Pijikay present) was when the potential for low carbon business opportunities between GLTE members (eg General Motors & Gazprom or Shell and Wilh. Wilhelmsen) were shared. Alexander Medvedev of Gazprom set the tone of the whole event in his keynote address (click here for a transcript).
	Some examples of key points that emerged from the dialogue were: There needs to be a concerted and positive message sent to consumers regarding the road map for a transition to a low carbon economy on: cost/benefit, public awareness, regulation and markets and GLTE could act as a positive opinion former, building on its diverse membership. The consumer only reacts to new technology if there is a sound economic reason to do so - they do not switch just to be green. Green ($) trumps green (environment) There is a huge business potential in environmentally focused products with the proportion of revenues of major suppliers reflecting this: Siemens (23%), Philips (20%) and GE (15%). There are, though, ways to both PUSH and PULL change to encourage different and more environmentally positive choices. We are at a tipping point of NEED for low carbon growth opportunities, but NOT a tipping point of government/business interaction. We need to put CO2 efficiency at the focus of production planning, along with cost and other factors.
	Some of the key questions that face GLTE Members were discussed in plenary: What does the term, 'low carbon economy' really mean? What examples exist of organisations preparing for growth in such an economy? How is 'growth' defined in this context? What technologies exist which could be deployed now to reduce the carbon footprint of global business that will allow growth in the low carbon economy? What promising prototype technologies exist which could be accelerated? What are the benefits and obstacles to collaborating in new ways within existing value chains or creating completely new value networks, based on new business models? What role do/will key stakeholders play? What radical new leadership skills will be needed to visualise, create and maintain new business models that enable growth in the low carbon economy?
	The results of this event will be taken forward in the planning of the next exchange in Mumbai in November.
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