Speakers

Vint Cerf, Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist, Google 

Tamara Singh, Board Member, People-Centered Internet 

Justin Rice, Vice President of Ecosystem, Stellar Development Foundation 
 

Background

Green technology has contributed tremendous environmental benefits as it helps reduce emissions, conserves water, reduces waste and consumes less energy than conventional technology. Green buildings also use materials more efficiently. Green technology encompasses energy efficiency, health and safety concerns, recycling, renewable resources in which its ultimate goal is to prevent climate change. Although green technology seems to be a completely new concept, renewable energy has been around for thousands of years.  

The greening of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is an essential component of the green recovery. SMEs constitute the majority of businesses throughout the world, and they face unique challenges in adopting greener practices. Some of these challenges are those that SMEs face more broadly – access to finance, regulatory barriers, and information deficits. 
 
The transition into green technology will not only reduce production costs and but also increase productivity gains for SMEs. Promoting a new green business model is crucial for SMEs and entrepreneurs to successfully engage in greener value chains. Beyond the economic and environmental benefits of greener practices, this green transition also brings entirely new opportunities for SMEs to become leaders in fields such as green consulting, green service provision, etc... Small firms have fewer resources, however, they often have greater flexibility than larger firms and can sometimes incorporate these new green technologies more quickly.