For ChangeNOW 2023, Mirova Foundation supported the creation of a photographic exhibition entitled Extreme sport to raise awareness of glacier melt, featuring spectacular images by sportsmen and women from Riding to Explore and scientific commentary by glaciologist Jean-Baptiste Bosson from the Ice and Life project. Mirova Foundation also sponsored the Summit’s Youth programme. The twofold aim of the Mirova Foundation’s partnership with this major event is to raise awareness of environmental issues and include young people in the discussions.
Issues
To accelerate our adaptation to the consequences of climate change, economic, social, political and civic change must come from all of society’s stakeholders. Solutions to major economic, social and environmental challenges are emerging. But they can only be effective in speeding up the transition if they are shared and all aspects of society take ownership of them. To achieve this, financiers, entrepreneurs, artists, activists, public and private institutions, the media, etc. need to meet, talk and exchange ideas. Against a backdrop of generational divides, dialogue is also needed between the youngest members of society and their elders. Because teenagers and high school students are the future active members of society, they must be included in these exchanges. Their awareness of the issues facing the world today is vital and their voices must count.
Actions
Every year, the ChangeNOW Summit brings together agents of change who are tackling the challenges facing our planet. The aim is to build bridges between those proposing innovative solutions and those who have the power to decide and accelerate the movement (investors, political decision-makers, citizens, etc.). The event brings together over 33,000 French and international visitors over three days at the Grand Palais Ephémère in Paris, with conferences, round tables, art exhibitions, exhibitions of concrete solutions for the planet, evening events to bring people together…
For ChangeNOW 2023, Mirova Foundation supported two projects :
- The photo exhibition Extreme sport to raise awareness of glacier melt by Riding to Explore was presented as part of the Summit’s Art for Change programme. It retraces the kiteboarding adventures of Armelle Courtois and Martin Thomas on the world’s highest lakes, created by glacier melt. Their documentary One Degree° also received support from Mirova Foundation. The exhibition is commented on by glaciologist Jean-Baptiste Bosson, whose Ice & Life project, devoted to preserving new areas of biodiversity linked to melting glaciers, is also supported by Mirova Foundation, as part of a partnership with WWF-France.
- The ChangeNOW Youth Programme offered 246 young people from schools in the Paris region an opportunity to discover the Summit, take part in discussions and ask questions… The programme included inspiring visits and meetings with various figures, including a talk by Mirova CEO, Philippe Zaouati. Following the event, Mirova Foundation may also travel to meet them in their classrooms with Mirova employees.
Key figures

Our support
- Financial sponsorship: youth scheme and photographic exhibition
- Outreach and raising awareness of glacier melting with the photo exhibition “Extreme sport to raise awareness of glacier melt” on the Riding to Explore adventure and the Ice & Life project
- Promotion, visibility and networking: invitations to the endowment fund’s partner associations
Read more
ChangeNOW website