
Addressing the global climate emergency requires more than just reducing our negative environmental impact. It also calls for new and innovative ways to repair the damage we have done to our planet. The theme of Earth Day 2023, ‘Invest in our Planet’ highlights the importance of dedicating our time, resources, and energy to solving climate change and other environmental issues.
Join us for an event with Christos Stylianides, Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection of Greece, in a conversation moderated by Ioannis Ioannou, Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at LBS and hosted by Julian Birkinshaw, Vice-Dean and Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship at LBS.
They will discuss the initiatives that are being undertaken for the prevention, preparedness, and resilience in terms of natural disaster management both in Greece, as well as at a European level to fight and adapt to climate change, with a particular focus on the link between the climate crisis and civil protection and what this means for natural disasters management such as forest fires. Building on Mr. Stylianides’ prior experience as the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, they will also discuss the impact of climate change on developing countries and the role that business can play in humanitarian crises.
Date: Thursday 20 April 2023, 18:00 – 19:00 BST
Location: Sammy Ofer Centre, London Business School, LT18-19 (Check-in from 17:30 BST)
or virtual via Zoom
This event is being hosted in collaboration with London Business School’s Social Impact Club.

Christos Stylianides, Minister for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Greece
Christos Stylianides became the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection of the Hellenic Republic in September 2021. He previously served as the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management from 2014 until 2019 and is well known for leading the transformation and upgrade of the European civil protection system, by establishing the rescEU mechanism which allows European countries to request and receive fast and effective help in times of emergencies. Prior to this, Mr Stylianides was the EU Ebola Coordinator with the main responsibility to coordinate the European response to the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa. In May 2021, he was appointed EU Special Envoy for Freedom or Religion or Belief (FoRB). In recognition of his work, Christos Stylianides received important honorary awards from governments and international organisations and institutions.

Ioannis Ioannou, Associate Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, London Business School
Professor Ioannis Ioannou is a leading strategy scholar whose research focuses on Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). More specifically, he seeks to understand whether, how, and the extent to which the modern business organisation contributes towards building a sustainable future. He graduated magna cum laude from Yale University, majoring in Economics and Mathematics and holds a Ph.D. in Business Economics from Harvard University and the Harvard Business School.