WATCH: Powering Progress Together Forum 2016

MANILA, Philippines – After sealing the historic COP 21 deal, it’s time for nations to walk the talk.

How can we make the world more resilient amidst pressure on its vital resources? The answer lies in collaboration: brainstorming for ideas, laying down policies, then taking concrete steps to gradually lower carbon emissions in every single country.

Prospects on these issues took center stage at Powering Progress Together Asia, an annual forum by Shell that gathers hundreds of thought leaders from business, government, and civil society to discuss timely issues on resilient development.

This year’s forum was the last to be held in the Philippines, concluding PPT’s 3-year run in the country.

Speakers included industry experts such as Antonio La Viña, dean of the Ateneo School of Government; Atem Ramsundersingh of The Sabang Project; and Daan Roosegaarde, Founder of Studio Roosegaarde and creator of the Smog-Free Tower. 

See the program schedule below for the full list of speakers. 

Time	Session	Speakers
8:00-9:00	Registration
9:00-9:30	Forum Welcome by  Quintin Pastrana
9:30-10:30	Opening Panel Session: Energy Transitions & the Climate Challenge	–     David Hone, Chief Climate Change Adviser, Shell International Ltd. –       Dr. Aldrian, Vice-chair, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group 1 –       Dr. Antonio La Viña, Dean of the Ateneo School of Government –       Hon. Zenaida Monsada, Secretary of the Phils. Department of Energy
10:15-10:55	Case Study Presentations: Low Carbon Technologies	–       Mr. Atem Ramsundersingh, CEO of WEnergy Global –       Mr. Henry Abreu, CEO of TALINOev
10:55-11:15	Coffee Break
11:15-12:10	Collaboration in Action Panel: Solutions for Resilience	–       Mr. Edgar Chua, Country Chairman, Shell companies in the Philippines –       Mr. Rafael Lopa, Executive Director, Phil. Business for Social Progress –       Hon. Del De Guzman, Mayor of Marikina City –       Mr. Guillermo Luz, Private Sector Co-Chairman, National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines
12:10-12:35	Special Topic: The Dynamics of Innovation, Art and Entertainment	Mr. Daan Roosegaarde, Dutch artist & innovator, Founder of Studio Roosegaarde
12:35-12:50	Inspirational Keynote	Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, Trustee, The Manila Observatory; and President, Ateneo de Manila University
12:50-1:00	Word of Gratitude	Mr. Simon Henry, Chief Financial Officer, Royal Dutch Shell
1:00-1:10	Closing
1:10-2:00	Lunch at the Maynila Ballroom
2:00-3:00	Walking Tour: Shell Eco-marathon and Shell Energy Zone

Below are some segments from the Shell Powerting Progress Together Forum held last Thursday, March 3, 2016. Watch and learn about topics like reducing the effects of climate change, low-carbon technologies, and creating smarter cities.

Share your thoughts, win a prize

Rappler readers are also invited to share their own insights on topics such as the environment, sustainability, technology, and urbanization by writing about them on RapplerX. Every blog entry that includes the words “Shell PPT 2016” on the keywords section will be considered an entry for Shell PPT’s essay contest. Read the official contest invitation for more informaiton on the prize and a complete list of mechanics.

To give you a glimpse of what this year’s forum was like and to inspire you in writing your own essay, here’s a piece by Jeremy Bentham, head of Shell’s Scenarios Team, about how we can all work towards achieving a net-zero emissions world.

Towards net-zero emissions: An outlook for a prosperous world by Rappler Philippines

The Shell team will review each piece and choose a winner. Prizes will be announced in the coming days. – Rappler.com