The Virtual Climate Summit, which took place over the 22nd and 23rd November, was the world’s first virtual political summit. The Summit was hosted by President Hilda Heine of the Marshall Islands, in her capacity as Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum. The Forum is made up of 48 frontline nations tackling global warming to survive and thrive in the face of climate threats.

This entirely online carbon free event brought together leaders from around the world to commit to acting on climate change. The Summit was an opportunity for government officials, NGOs, scientific experts and the public to share their stories and ideas on how to tackle climate change issues facing our planet.

Highlights from the Summit included statements from Aotearoa’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern and Minister of Climate Change, James Shaw, as well as Australian Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Anne Ruston. It also featured prominent climate change activists such as Former US Vice President, Al Gore and Former Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg as keynote speakers. See the full agenda.

The groundbreaking and globally-reaching Summit had a strong call to action for people to understand what they can do to address climate change. Big problems require big thinking, reaching across political and geographical divides and working together across all levels, from individual up to government. Watch the Summit closing statement compilation.

This was the first project undertaken by Ackama’s new consulting business, led by Head of Consulting, Kimberly Brabazon. Kimberly says, “the Summit encouraged a level of inclusivity that we haven’t seen in previous political summits – such as United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change where the Paris Agreement was signed. The virtual element not only meant that it was better for the environment, but also made it easy for people across the world to become involved in the conversation.”

The Ackama Group built the technical platform for the Summit and project managed the event, supported by partners Plot Media who produced the event as well as N-Tech/i-Film who provided live streaming capabilities.

The entire 24-hour Summit broadcast is now available on-demand through www.virtualclimatesummit.org.

For further information, please contact:
Kim Partridge
Account Manager
Ackama
kim.partridge@ackama.com
021 588 251

Ackama is a software design, development and delivery company, with offices in Auckland and Wellington.
https://www.ackama.com/

Squareweave is a strategic design and web development agency based in Melbourne.
https://squareweave.com.au/

Plot Media deliver film and digital media for forward-thinkers.
http://www.plot.net.au/

The Climate Vulnerable Forum is organised as part of the Talanoa Dialogue, which serves as an agreed mechanism for the promotion of enhanced national action by all nations party to the Paris Agreement by 2020.
https://www.virtualclimatesummit.org/