HEC Paris at ChangeNow 2024: Academics, companies and entrepreneurs join forces to build solutions

HEC Paris is proud to be the Academic Partner of ChangeNOW 2024, the largest solution-oriented event for the planet.

During 3 days (25-27 March), ChangeNOW brings together the most innovative solutions and impactful changemakers tackling our planet’s biggest challenges, to take action, together.

ChangeNOW builds bridges and creates opportunities for thousands of key actors of change, in an inspiring and action-oriented event.

Think and Act: Why has HEC teamed up with ChangeNow?

We’ve chosen to partner with ChangeNOW, because this global event strongly intersects with our mission to have an IMPACT, not only on business but on society as a whole, through research, education, and actions.

Our participation in ChangeNow aims to contribute to the understanding of the major environmental and social challenges of our time, which is why François Gemenne will be giving a talk on "Three misconceptions about climate change - and how they can lead our collective action astray" on the Eiffel stage, as a highlight.

We also aim to provide solutions for business leaders, entrepreneurs, citizens and the younger generation to reinvent business by promoting sustainability and unleashing human potential.

You'll discover innovative solutions developed by HEC Paris Changemakers at a pitch session for startups selected from the HEC Incubator, HEC's Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) -Climate Stream, and the HEC x HECTAR Incubator.

These contributions are based on the academic knowledge produced by our professors. It also exemplifies our pedagogical initiatives to maximize our students' and participants' awareness of climate change and the ecological transition, to prepare future generations of leaders for their responsibilities.

Full Program

Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Venue: Grand Palais Éphémère, 2 Place Joffre, 75007 Paris

12:00-13:30: Alumni VIP Cocktail (in the Champs de Mars salon 1)

13:30-14:00: PITCH SESSION ''HEC Paris Startups as changemakers'' (on the Garden Stage)

14:00-14:45: KEYNOTE with François Gemenne, Researcher, professor and academic director of the Master in Sustainability and Social Innovation (SASI), HEC Paris

Three misconceptions about climate change - and how they can misguide our collective action (on the Eiffel Stage)

14:45-15:30:  PANEL SESSION - The Alliance for the Decarbonization of Road Transport. A novel initiative to tackle the elephant in the room (on the Eiffel Stage)

Moderated by François Gemenne, Researcher, professor and academic director of the Master in Sustainability and Social Innovation (SASI), HEC Paris, with:

• Stéphanie Clément-Grandcourt, Director General, Fondation pour la nature et l’homme
• Martin Powell, Group Sustainability Director, AXA
• Elodie Woillez, Board Member of International Road Federation (IRF) et CSIO of Oris Connect.
• Pierre Coppey, Chairman, VINCI Autoroutes

Videos from ChangeNow 2023 x HEC Paris

The Regenerative Company

With Laurence Lehmann-Ortega, Professor of Strategy and Business Policy, HEC Paris

SPEAKERS:

• Antoine Denoix, Chief Ecosystem Officer (CEO), AXA Climate
• Sarah Dubreil, Entrepreneur & Researcher, Regenerative and Systemic Ventures
• Eric Duverger, Founder, Convention des Entreprises pour le Climat
• Christophe Sempels, Director General, Lumia

How Can Europe Accelerate the Energy Transition?

With Igor Shishlov, Executive Director of Climate and Business Certificate (HEC Paris) and Head of Climate Finance (Perspectives Climate Group)

SPEAKERS:

• Yamina Saheb, Senior Researcher at OFCE and IPCC Lead Author
• Camille Defard, Head of the Jacques Delors Energy Center and Research Fellow in EU Energy Policy
• Shedy Guiga, Project Manager for Energy Transition, a student and alumni association at HEC Paris
• Gilles Vermot Desroches, Chief Corporate Citizenship Officer and Institutional Affairs Senior VP at Schneider Electric

The role of trust in the economy, well-being, and democracy

With Yann Algan, Professor of Economics at HEC Paris and winner of the Impact Professor Prize, which recognizes the most influential research projects.

How Can Business Contribute to Peace?

SPEAKERS:

• Pascal Lamy, Vice-President, Forum de Paris pour la Paix
• Adrien Nussenbaum, CEO, Mirakl, Imagine Fellowship program creator
• Charles Autheman, Consulting journalist, ONU and Professor, HEC Paris
• Lima Safi, Student, HEC Paris student, recipient of Imagine Fellowship program

MODERATORS:

• Nicolas Chatelais, Student, vice president of HEC Imagine
• Louise-Gala Quentin, Student, HEC Paris Imagine