Ben Verwaayen: "green is the way forward"
“There are three crises today: the financial crisis, a crisis in confidence and climate change. I believe green is the way forward - Let’s end the bickering and get things done."
Ben Verwaayen, World Economic Forum “Summer Davos”, Dalian Sept 2009.
With over 30 years of experience in the communications industry, Ben is a passionate believer that this industry needs to play a critical role in tackling the world’s climate change challenge. Chairman of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Climate Change Board, active member of the World Economic Forum, Ben has been an advocate of the low-carbon economy as a fundamental driver of innovation and growth with key business leaders, politicians and stakeholders around the world.
As CEO of Alcatel-Lucent since September 2008, Ben has reinforced the company’s commitment to eco sustainability around three areas: developing and providing low carbon communications technology solutions, reducing its own carbon footprint, and actively participating in key discussions worldwide geared to combating climate change.
Ben and Alcatel-Lucent have been signatories of some major commitments to the Low Carbon Economy including the World Economic Forum’s Letter to G20 Heads of State on the importance of public/private collaboration to tackle climate change, the B4E "The Green Imperative" Manifesto and the "Copenhagen Communiqué” on Climate Change.
