BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt

Is Europe’s path to a sustainable future 'dematerialization'? As Kirsten Dunlop, CEO of Climate-KIC, shared at the Responsible Leaders Innovation Forum, we must decouple #decarbonization from resource use and prioritize demand reduction. This shift requires moving beyond individual ventures to building new industrial ecosystems that leverage Europe’s resources and infrastructure. It’s time to think big and transform how we innovate for a sustainable future. On February 13 - 15, 2025, we’ll gather global experts and leaders at the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt Pavilion during Munich Security Conference 2025 to discuss Europe’s role in advancing the transition. We'll also explore the need for new incentives and mechanisms to mobilize investment, as well as the competitive policy frameworks necessary to foster sustainable models of reindustrialization that benefit society. Watch the full panel discussion with Kirsten Dunlop, Alessandra Pasini, and Roland Roesch 👉 https://lnkd.in/dq9F6TD2

Is Europe failing? Yanis Varoufakis delivered a sobering wake-up call - Europe has "failed spectacularly" to collaborate. According to Varoufakis, the harsh reality is that without true collaboration, Europe is "doomed to stagnate for a century." The solutions are there, if we have the courage to pursue them. It's time to put aside our differences, pool our resources, and invest boldly in renewable infrastructure, efficiency, and energy security for all. At the 2025 Munich Security Conference, European leaders will face this pivotal decision head-on. The focus on energy transition and security will be crucial, as we chart a course towards a sustainable, resilient future. A collaborative, innovative Europe can emerge as a global leader, fulfilling our immense potential. The choice is ours - stagnation or a prosperous, #SustainableFuture. What's your take? Watch the full speech 👉 https://bit.ly/frm24vrks

Re-experience the Responsible Leaders Innovations Forum! These are our highlights from the #RLIF24, where we brought together a group of visionary leaders, industry experts, and trailblazing innovators from across sectors and borders. Watch all the thought-provoking panels and lively discussions on various topics with speakers, among them: Yanis Varoufakis, Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Kirsten Dunlop, Ann Mettler, Dr. Martin Frick. Dive in 👉  bit.ly/FORUM24REWATCH Paula Schmidt Selma Cafferty Rhoda Zuendorf Calvin Rall ☀️ Katie Gallus Dominik Wichmann #ThePowerofCollaboration

📣 This is your last call to join the RESPOND Accelerator Cohort #6 and show us how we can respond to the challenges that define our future! Why you should join: 🤝 Personalized growth coaching 🤝 Global network & connections 🤝 Purpose-driven community 🤝 Visibility boost 🤝 Impact-first, no strings attached Are you in? Apply here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e2VP5asM Learn more about RESPOND 👉 bit.ly/RESPOND_ #HowWillYouRESPOND

Last week we were at COP29 Azerbaijan, where we've been exploring the complex connections between climate action, geopolitics, and global trade. Through a series of insightful events, two roundtables and a panel, with our partners Energy Resilience Leadership Group, UNFCCC, Future Cleantech Architects and Columbia Universities Center on Global Energy Policy, we've gained the following key take-aways: 🔋 Electrifying Industrial Heat: Innovative technologies like thermal energy storage can significantly reduce emissions, but high costs remain a barrier. Policies supporting low-cost, clean electricity are crucial. 🌏 Geopolitics Driving Energy Transition: ongoing global tensions have increased pressure for energy independence, pushing countries to accelerate clean tech development. Europe faces a balancing act, seeking to secure supplies while staying true to its values. 🌐 Aligning Trade and Climate Policies: Green industrial policies aim to foster sustainability, but also contribute to geo-economic tensions. 🤝 Addressing carbon leakage and promoting equity for developing economies requires collaborative approaches and action. The path to a sustainable future demands that we navigate these complex, interconnected challenges. The BMW Foundation is committed to driving innovative solutions for societal and economic resilience, and fostering strategic partnerships to unlock the opportunities ahead. #COP29 #ClimateAction #Collaboration #Geopolitics #GlobalTrade #Sustainability #IndustrialDecarbonization

The last installment of the event series "Werkstatt des Wandels", on Friday 15 November, focused on #DigitalTransformation and #ValueCreation Potentials of Artificial Intelligence. The discussion, organized with the Bundespräsidialamt and our partners, Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO, and Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung, highlighted the need to leverage Germany's strengths, like trust in industrial expertise, quality and data privacy, to drive AI's societal purpose with the necessary sense of urgency. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ AI must create tangible value for society AND business through a holistic, purpose-driven strategy. 2️⃣ Germany/Europe's data privacy trust is a strategic asset, but an "ecosystem approach" with diverse actors - not a few giant players - is crucial. 3️⃣ Interdisciplinary collaboration between science, business, policy, and civil society is key to link AI's economic and societal impact. 4️⃣ Leveraging Germany's engineering and Industry 4.0 expertise can drive this by further bridging academic and applied research. 5️⃣ We need to embrace a culture of error and risk-taking, not just focus on regulation. With the right mindset and speed, Germany can still become a trailblazer in #ethical, #impactful AI innovation. This dialogue showcased AI's immense potential to address real-world challenges. Thank you for your forward-thinking ideas, Dr. Michael Bolle, Chair of the Foundation Board, Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung; Vanessa Cann, Managing Director & Data/AI Innovation Lead at Accenture; Prof. Dr. Gisela Lanza, Institute for Production Systems, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT); Dr. Michael Fausten, SVP AI and Systems at Robert Bosch; Prof. Dr. Michèle Finck, University of Tuebingen; Prof. Dr. Boris Otto, Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering ISST and Professor of Industrial Information Management at TU Dortmund University; Prof. Dr. MartinaSchraudner, Fraunhofer Institute IAO; and Philippe Souidi, Vice President at SAP; as well as Dr. Heba Aguib Aguib, Member of the Board, BMW Foundation. We would also like to thank the German Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier; Winfried Kretschmann, Primeminister of Baden-Württemberg; and Dr. Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Board of Management at Bosch, and Dr. Tanja Rueckert, Member of the Board at Bosch, who hosted us at their campus, for their participation in this critical dialogue. It was an appropriate conclusion of the event series and we are excited to see what the future may bring. As the President said, "To do something is like to want something - but more extreme." ("Machen ist wie Wollen - nur krasser") - therefore, Germany must turn vision into action to harness #AI for the greater good. 📷 Nico Kurth

We are honored to have been a partner of German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier's "Werkstatt des Wandels" event series. Over the past year, we had the privilege of experiencing many inspiring examples of forward-looking solutions from various sectors, including industry, healthcare, energy supply, and smart farming. These promising solutions are further developing our society and making it more future-proof. As this impactful series comes to a close, with todays last installment on the topic “Digital transformation and the value creation potential of artificial intelligence”, we’re very grateful to President Steinmeier and all the innovators, experts, and engaged citizens who contributed to these important dialogues on the transformative changes facing our society. The "Werkstatt des Wandels" helped to shine a light on the places where positive change is taking root, and has empowered people to embrace the opportunities presented by this pivotal moment.  A big thank you to the Bundespräsidialamt, Oliver Schmolke, Dr. Martin Mann, and the whole team at Bundespräsidialamt and our partners, Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung and Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO. Though the series has concluded, our work continues! We remain committed to supporting and amplifying the visionary ideas and collaborative efforts that will guide us for a more sustainable and prosperous future. 👉 More on the "Werkstatt des Wandels" https://lnkd.in/eMg2Y-sw #WerkstattDesWandels #Innovation #Transformation #Solutions #Future

How can countries and stakeholders effectively navigate the global energy transition to combat climate change? The global energy transition must be navigated carefully, balancing the need for a swift, efficient, and equitable implementation across regions. This requires fostering international cooperation to scale up clean technologies and ensure a just outcome for all stakeholders. Join our panel discussion as we explore how governments, industries, and global organizations can navigate the risks of protectionism while leveraging competition to spur innovation and investment with the following panelists Tony Agotha, Ambassador and Special Envoy for Climate and Environment, European External Action Service (EEAS) Nigar Arpadarai, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29 María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, Executive Director, GWL Voices; Former President, UN General Assembly; Former Minister of Foreign Affairs & Defence, Republic of Ecuador Amadou Hott, Candidate for the Presidency of the African Development Bank, Former Minister of the Economy, Planning and International Cooperation, Republic of Senegal Erik Solheim, Co-Chair of the Board, The Europe-Asia Center; Former Executive Director, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) By addressing these crucial issues, we aim to chart a path toward a more inclusive and sustainable global energy landscape, strengthening global security in the process. ➡ The panel is open to all visitors with accreditation to the Blue Zone. Seats are limited, so be sure to register now bit.ly/BMWFoundationCOP29 #EnergyTransition #ClimateChange #Sustainability #GlobalCollaboration #COP29

We look forward to being part of the solution-finding discussions on the global energy transition over the next two weeks as the world gathers in Baku for COP29 Azerbaijan. The BMW Foundation is committed to fostering open-minded dialogue that balances climate action with economic competitiveness to help shape a responsible economy and resilient society. We are hosting two exclusive roundtables: - Reconciling Climate and Trade: Principles and Practicalities in collaboration with Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy - The Future of Industrial Heat: How to Align Decarbonization and Competitiveness. A collaboration with the Energy Resilience Leadership Group and Future Cleantech Architects. If you are accredited, please stop by our open panel on Wednesday at the UNFCCC Pavilion in the blue zone: - Navigating the Geopolitics of Energy Transition: Trade Fragmentation, Global Competition, and Strategic Cooperation Find out more about our program 👉 https://lnkd.in/eGpic2Xj Join us at COP29 as we work towards a more sustainable future - we look forward to connecting with you in Baku! #COP29 #Baku #ClimateAction #EnergyTransition #ResilientFuture #Collaboration

🔊Shoutout to our RESPOND accelerator cohort #5 alumni Benjamin Droguet and Sparxell on winning the Falling Walls Foundation Sustainability Venture Award last week 👏✨👏 If you want to be part of the next cohort of inspiring start-ups - applications are open! 👉 http://bit.ly/RESPOND_