The world’s largest event dedicated to responses to the climate crisis kicks off. ChangeNOW opens its doors this Monday, March 30, at the Grand Palais in Paris. This 9th edition focuses on the topic of planetary boundaries. With seven out of nine boundaries identified by scientists already crossed, the world is in dire need of concrete actions. Decision-makers, researchers, representatives of civil society, and economic actors come together to exchange ideas and generate solutions.
Over 100 conferences and workshops bring together 500 change leaders. Among the prominent names are the artistic director of the opening and closing ceremonies of Paris 2024, Thomas Jolly, and the leading figure in French health, Michel Cymes. Circular economy, decarbonization, biodiversity—over 1,000 impactful solutions are showcased for the public to explore. A unique display to discover firsthand the innovations shaping a sustainable future.
Professionals and families can participate in various workshops, conferences, and educational activities. The goal is to raise awareness among people of all ages about climate issues. Climate, ocean, and AI murals provide a fun way to understand the impact of global warming. The Family program engages visitors in a large scavenger hunt throughout the exhibition, uncovering solutions and artists dedicated to the planet.
These innovations cover various fields: agriculture, energy, industry, cities, etc. Among the showcased initiatives is the company HOURRAIL!, which offers low-carbon travel itineraries without airplanes. More advanced is the biosafety platform Resistomap, which uses environmental DNA to detect bacterial threats. These projects demonstrate the diversity and increasing maturity of solutions to environmental challenges.
While innovation is at the core of the event, employment is also a key factor in the transition. ChangeNOW organizes, on April 1st, the largest impact recruitment event in Paris to conclude the exhibition. Over 5,000 candidates will meet with employers for short interviews for positions ranging from interns to experts. A structured format to accelerate connections and meet the needs of committed companies. This time also reflects the rise of impact professions, now at the core of organizational strategies.
On a larger scale, the exhibition aligns with the trend of corporate social responsibility (CSR). More and more companies are integrating climate issues into their economic model. According to a report by the KPMG firm, this theme has now become a strategic priority within companies of the CAC 40 and Next 40. An essential momentum to accelerate the ecological transition on a large scale. One thing is certain: solutions exist. The challenge now is to deploy them on a large scale.
