What motivated you to become a member of the jury?
The Climate Group's mission is to stop global warming by advancing the technologies and policies that will create the better, greener economy of 2020 and beyond. Almost all the technologies the world needs to do this are available today. The research and development is done; the challenge is to find the entrepreneurship, finance, policy support and communications to help them become mainstream. The Green Challenge is a great way to support the development of new ideas and businesses that can create this new vision of the future. I was privileged to be a member of the jury last year and I'm delighted to be invited back!

What do you hope to see in the finalists' entries?
Low-carbon innovation with the potential to reach scale quickly, together with clear plans for the first steps to take.

What is your biggest achievement in helping the planet more sustainable?
I am proudest of co-founding The Climate Group four years ago and having played a role in growing its influential international coalition of leaders from business and government. I think we, along with many others, have helped to get people focused on the opportunities associated with solutions to climate change. Support from the DOEN Foundation in the Netherlands was also instrumental in getting the idea off the ground. And we’re delighted to be working with the Postcode Lottery on two of our main programmes.

What is the best idea for fighting climate change that has been executed so far?
Technology has a huge role to play in helping us to be smarter about how we live and do business. It could help cut global emissions by 15 percent by 2020. Technologies like variable-speed drives, building insulation, super-critical coal-fired power stations and efficient car engines have probably played the biggest part in curbing greenhouse gas emissions to date. I believe the biggest idea specifically developed to fight climate change has been carbon trading. It's still in its infancy, but it has great potential to create a price for tonnes of carbon avoided. Renewable energy technologies, carbon capture and storage, and electric vehicles are also very promising.

What is the biggest challenge we face with respect to climate change?
The need for leadership. A limited number of business and government leaders have a great responsibility to address climate change over the next few years. It's easy for us all to pass the buck – for businesses to say responsibility lies with government and customers; for governments to say it lies with business, voters and other governments; and for individuals to say it's government and business that need to act. The challenge is to break through this deadlock and get government, business and consumers all working together now to reduce emissions.

What is your favorite colour?
Red, the same as our logo!

How many low-energy bulbs do you have at home?
Eight. I am excited about the new generation of LED bulbs being pioneered in the Netherlands by companies like Lemnis and Philips.

Photo of Jim Walker

Click here to download a high-res JPG of Jim Walker