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Learning, connecting and restoring hope: my day at ChangeNow 2024

Learning, connecting and restoring hope: my day at ChangeNow 2024

As part of HEC Paris' partnership with ChangeNow, Emma-Louise Simon, a Sustainability and Social Innovation (SASI) Master's student, had the chance to attend the 2024 edition of the world's largest solutions event for the planet on March 27 at the Grand Palais Ephémère in Paris. In this blog post, she takes us through what she has learned from this experience.

A smiling woman pointing at a sign with the text 'ChangeNOW' and illustrations of nature and marine animals in the background, surrounded by greenery

My involvement with ChangeNow has been a valuable opportunity to explore topics of personal interest, such as ocean conservation, marine biodiversity, and sustainable agriculture, which are not typically covered in our academic curriculum. It has provided me with the chance to learn directly from industry professionals and gain invaluable insights from real-world experiences!

ChangeNow was an extraordinary journey of inspiration for me. Thanks to HEC, I had the privilege to immerse myself in a world brimming with innovative ideas across energy, water, education, and inclusion.
At every turn, I encountered remarkable individuals, from the remarkable 14-year-old climate activist Francisco Vera to influential figures like Laurent Fabius, President of the French Conseil Constitutionnel, and François Gemenne, IPCC author and HEC professor. They vividly illustrated how climate change transcends crisis; it's a transformative force. For the first time, I found myself filled with eco-hope, witnessing myriad initiatives aimed at water supply, marine conservation, mobility, and sustainable farming practices. Among the countless highlights, I discovered a startup facilitating land acquisition for farmers, significantly reducing their investment costs. Remarkably, I even secured a job opportunity at a biodiversity consulting firm founded by an HEC alumnus. It truly was an unforgettable experience.

Here's what I learned from the panel discussions I attended
 

The energy revolution has to be driven by innovation

Energy is the lifeblood of our existence, yet access to it remains unequal globally. The notion that everyone deserves access to energy is not just a right but a necessity.We don't need to replace existing solutions; instead, we must innovate to bridge the gaps. I was particularly struck by Nithya Menon's poignant statement, "we do not need to replace solutions, we need to add new solutions to fill the gaps."

Osmotic power emerged as a promising solution discussed during the conference, with the potential to provide 15 to 20% of the world's energy supply.

The Chief Corporate Citizenship Officer and Instutional Affairs Senior Vice-President of Schneider Electric, Gilles Vermot-Desroches rightly pointed out that we stand on the cusp of multiple energy revolutions, emphasizing the need to involve everyone in this transition towards cleaner energy.

Watch the panel discussion : The Clean Energy Revolution - ChangeNOW2024

From eco-anxiety to eco-hope

In an era dominated by distressing news about climate change and global conflicts, eco-anxiety is on the rise, paralyzing individuals from taking action.

Francisco Vera's impassioned speech about eco-hope was a beacon of light in this regard. It's imperative that we break free from this cycle of despair and embrace a mindset of eco-hope, inspiring action.

As HEC students, equipped with knowledge about climate change and access to influential spheres of power, we have a unique opportunity to effect meaningful change on a global scale.

Watch the Keynote address of Francisco Vera at ChangeNOW2024: Taking Care of Future Generations

About Emma

Hello everyone, I'm Emma, currently pursuing a Master's degree in Sustainability and Social Innovation at HEC Paris. Prior to joining HEC, I completed my studies at l'Institut Agro Montpellier, where I earned a Master's degree in Economy and Business Management from AgroParisTech.

At HEC, I'm involved in NetPositive, a student association committed to bridging the gap between HEC students and the professional sustainability sphere. Our initiatives include organizing scientific conferences on various ESG topics and collaborating with companies on sustainability consulting missions. Currently, we're engaged in four missions focusing on carbon scope 3 decarbonization, farmer-led renewable energy generation, CSRD compliance, and biodiversity conservation.

Additionally, I serve as a study trip representative for my SASI cohort, playing a key role in organizing conferences and visits during our trips. I've also contributed to two noteworthy HEC initiatives. Firstly, I participated in the Freedom of Mobility Forum in collaboration with Stellantis and Wavestone, where we analyzed new mobility business models to address the needs of a global population of 8 billion. Secondly, I was part of the ESSEC x HEC x ESCP sustainability initiative.