Prince of Wales launches CPI Programme in USA

The event was held on November 7 in San Francisco, and marked the launch of the Prince of Wales’s Business & the Environment Programme on the West Coast, with Senior Executives’ Seminars planned for the region from 2006 onwards.

Twelve Californian leaders from the private and public sector took part in a round table dialogue on Peak Oil, Climate Change and Business Action before an invited audience of 300 distinguished guests from the region and around the world. The Prince of Wales delivered a keynote address on the environment at this event, and afterwards hosted a private reception for supporters of the Programme. The event was held in the Ferry Building, San Francisco, and included an exhibition showcasing Californian excellence in sustainability.

The event took place just a few days before the visit by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alison Richard, to the US and contributes towards the University of Cambridge’s major initiative to increase its influence and reach to the West Coast and beyond.

The Business & the Environment Programme is widely recognised as the pre-eminent international forum for senior leaders to explore and debate the business case for sustainable development, and to exchange ideas and best practice on sustainability.

Polly Courtice, Director of the University of Cambridge Programme for Industry and Co-Director of the Business & the Environment Programme comments: “The launch event of the Business & the Environment Programme on the West Coast presented an opportunity to introduce and to engage senior organisational leaders in the region in the business and sustainability debate in general. The event itself focussed on the business implications of climate change and the emerging energy situation. I am delighted that this event coincides with the Vice-Chancellor’s visit to the US and I believe it will further serve to highlight Cambridge University’s important contribution on the international stage.”