Ingersoll Rand Shines Sustainability Spotlight on Brazil During Economist Summit 2010
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Global Thought Leaders Brought Together to Discuss Sustainable Infrastructure -
November 18, 2010 - The Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability at Ingersoll Rand (CEES) recently sponsored the Economist's 2010 Brazil Summit, bringing together the best minds in Brazil to address some of the country's biggest opportunities to achieve sustainable growth and advance social development.
Ingersoll Rand, a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments, was one of the premier global corporations in attendance to help drive discussions around Brazil's future. Launched in 2010, the CEES at Ingersoll Rand is a global group of experts dedicated to enabling practices for the long-term use of energy and other resources.
Hosted at the São Paulo World Trade Center on November 9, the one day event included experts in policy, finance, healthcare, agribusiness, energy and infrastructure.
Focus on Energy Efficient and Sustainable Infrastructure
The economic rebound and investments in infrastructure for the upcoming World Cup and Olympic Games are driving business and government leaders in Brazil to understand how to best incorporate energy efficiency and sustainable practices into their strategies.
Global thought leaders from academia and industry, including banking, agribusiness and manufacturing, came together for a dialogue that addressed these issues. The discussion included growth and the global power of Brazil's agribusiness, Brazil's modernization and challenges in creating infrastructure, fostering education and protecting the environment.
In addition, there was a special session on reverse innovation that focused on how emerging markets are rivaling richer countries in business innovation.
"As Brazil prepares itself for the start of numerous high-profile infrastructure projects, the importance of choosing the right solutions, services and technologies that will help maximize energy and operationally efficient buildings and transportation, and reduce waste in Brazil's food supply are important considerations as the country prepares for mega projects," said William Sekkel, president of Latin America for the Climate Solutions sector (Trane, Hussmann, and Thermo King) of Ingersoll Rand. "This gathering offered a unique opportunity for policymakers, academics and business leaders to address some of these critical issues and solutions that can be applied so that our future generations will have a clear path for sustainable growth."
In addition to the lecture sessions, Ingersoll Rand's CEES and Economist hosted an executive networking dinner the night before the Brazil Summit. Invited guests had the opportunity to meet like-minded leaders interested in infrastructure issues, energy efficiency, and food supply chain management.
"The challenges and opportunities that Brazil will face over the next few years need to be addressed proactively through thoughtful planning by the public and private sector," said Scott Tew, executive director, CEES. "The CEES can play a critical role to help synthesize opportunities and increase the pace of environmentally sustainable innovation."
Making a Sustainable Promise to Buildings in Brazil
To further demonstrate its commitment to an energy efficient and sustainable Brazil, Trane, a business of Ingersoll Rand, announced its intent to introduce the first reduced emissions building system for Brazil in 2011.
"Finding new ways to air condition spaces and simultaneously minimize the impact on the environment is another dimension that is key to the long-term development of Brazil and all of Latin America," said Sekkel. "Energy consumption is an important consideration for Brazil -- it grew almost 10 percent during the first semester*. Energy use in buildings is the single greatest contributor to global warming. As Brazil expands, it needs to consider its impact on the environment."
