This second panel discussion on Day 1 of the two-day COP30 event, Delivery on Human Needs in the 21st Century, brought together representatives from five Brazilian cities, the Swedish city of Umeå, and Tata Power to discuss human-needs-driven innovation and climate solutions. Moderator Dennis Pamlin emphasised shifting climate discussions from compliance and emissions reductions to enabling cities to deliver better lives while exporting solutions globally. Brazilian cities described complex social and environmental conditions, expanding innovation ecosystems, and sector-specific challenges such as mobility, agriculture, and energy. Umeå showcased its senior-focused “Senior Plaza,” a co-creation model for health, inclusion and digital engagement. Tata Power highlighted large-scale efforts in distributed energy, electric mobility, smart grids and startup incubation. Overall, the discussion underscored cities as emerging global solution providers capable of shaping climate action through innovation, collaboration, and citizen-centred development.
Speakers
· Mário Muniz, Secretary of Innovation and Economy Development, São José dos Campos, Brazil.
· Adriana Flosi, Secretary of Economy Development, Technology and Innovation, for the Municipality of Campinas.
· Maurício Guedes, Superintendent of Innovation and Sustainability, for the State Secretariat for Economic Development, Industry, Commerce, and Services, Rio de Janeiro
· Alessandro Bender, General Coordinator, Secretaria Executiva de Mudanças Climáticas de São Paulo (SECLIMA)
· Camilla Jägerving Isaksson, Strategy Officer for Development, Umeå, Sweden
- Ganesh Das, Chief - Collaboration & Innovation, Tata Power, India
- Daniel Cabral, Deputy Secretary of Economic Development, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, for the Municipality of Viçosa
Chaired by Dennis Pamlin, Executive Director, FL4ALL & Senior Advisor, RISE.
Dennis Pamlin
· Framed the session around cities as global solution providers rather than solely emission reducers.
· Highlighted a new report showing 100 Brazilian startup solutions with potential gigaton-scale global emission reductions.
· Argued for shifting climate narratives from “getting to zero” toward delivering positive human outcomes.
· Emphasised the export potential of Brazilian innovations.
· Linked city innovation to international collaboration with companies.
Adriana Flosi
· Spoke about Campinas’ strong innovation ecosystem across technology parks and universities.
· Highlighted the city’s role in technological and economic development.
· Noted Campinas’ international projects and ESG-driven initiatives.
· Emphasised the city’s agricultural and agro-innovation strengths.
· Reinforced the relevance of integrated ecosystem development for startups.
Alessandro Bender
· Described São Paulo’s extreme complexity: dense population, varying microclimates, and contrasting urban–forest zones.
· Explained new climate-monitoring systems and data-driven regionalised solutions.
· Detailed efforts to align budgets with climate justice and assess climate-related spending effectiveness.
· Provided insight into São Paulo’s transport-sector emissions and the large-scale transition to electric buses.
Mauricio Guedes
· Highlighted Rio’s historic research institutions and significant petroleum-based economy.
· Presented major environmental initiatives.
· Stressed Brazil’s scientific strength but limited conversion of research into innovation and jobs.
· Reiterated the need for a responsible transition away from petroleum.
Daniel Cabral
· Represented a smaller Brazilian city with strong digital innovation activity.
· Noted projects involving digital transformation and local startups.
· Highlighted the city’s engagement in climate-related initiatives through tech ecosystems.
· Contributed to discussion on collaboration across municipalities of different scales.
Camilla Jägerving Isaksson
· Presented the “Senior Plaza/Senior Torget,” a co-creation model for healthy ageing.
· Showed how the concept includes physical spaces, digital platforms, and intergenerational programmes.
· Highlighted user-centred service-design methods involving seniors throughout development.
· Described lessons learned, including diversifying reference groups and engaging underrepresented men.
Dr. G. Ganesh Das
· Presented Tata Power’s goal of becoming net-zero by 2045.
· Outlined the company’s extensive footprint across distribution, generation, transmission, EV charging and solar manufacturing.
· Discussed behavioural demand response, home automation and customer-participation programmes.
· Showcased Tata Power’s Clean Energy International Incubator and ongoing work with hundreds of startups.
(Audio translations and summaries by ChatGPT 5.1)