Highlights from the We Mean Business Coalition pavilion at COP29
We Mean Business Coalition
The We Mean Business Coalition’s Pavilion at COP29 in Baku was a vibrant hub for thought leadership, collaboration between businesses and government, and action on climate change.
With a rich program of 137 speakers presenting across 25 events, 6 receptions and 29 boardroom meetings, the Pavilion amplified the voice of business on key themes such as responsible policy advocacy, energy, finance, nature, industry and transport.
Over the two weeks of COP29 more than 5,700 visitors engaged with the Pavilion’s events and exhibitions, enjoying a grand total of 3,620+ cups of tea and coffee, which fuelled meaningful conversations and connections.
Highlights from the pavilion
Unleashing the power of women in climate leadership
The Pavilion opened with an inspiring flagship event, bringing together members of the Women Leading on Climate Network, highlighting the critical role of women in advancing climate action. This initiative, spearheaded by Catherine McKenna and María Mendiluce, gathered a global network of influential women to foster collaboration, uplift emerging leaders, and drive transformative change. The event celebrated leadership and collective action, setting the tone for an ambitious agenda at COP29. Watch the event recording.
Accompanying the event came an advocacy letter endorsed by 100 signatories across business, politics, and civil society, and called for immediate and ambitious action to address the climate crisis. The letter was presented to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the sidelines of the climate negotiations. Read the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/eXGwSZjX
Driving the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy
Another flagship event, From Fossil to Clean: How Ambitious and Investible NDCs Can Unlock the Power of Business, spotlighted the importance of countries bringing forward ambitious and investible Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). High-profile speakers discussed how clear policy frameworks can unlock private investment and accelerate the clean energy transition, including:
- Jennifer Morgan, State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action, Germany
- Bruna Luisa Cerqueira, National Secretary of Climate Change, Brazil
- Business leaders from Acciona, Fortescue, Iberdrola and Unilever
Accelerating sector-specific climate solutions
The Pavilion also hosted focused discussions on key sectors, such as the Nordic steel transition, energy storage, and sustainable aviation fuels. These sessions facilitated dialogue between policymakers and businesses to address challenges and opportunities in scaling sustainable solutions.
Lessons From the Film & TV Industry on Climate Storytelling
Organized by Futerra Solutions Union and BAFTA Albert and Sustainable Entertainment Alliance, this unique event bridged sustainability and global media. Industry leaders from Hollywood, Bollywood, and beyond shared insights into how film and television can inspire action on climate change. The session included content screenings and panel discussions, providing a space to connect policymakers, creatives, and advocates in conversations about the role of storytelling in shaping climate-conscious cultures. Watch the event recording.
Events Beyond the Pavilion and Auditorium at COP29
COP29 provided a rich platform for dialogue, advocacy, and collaboration, with several notable events taking place outside the main Pavilion space. These events expanded the scope of engagement, focusing on diverse themes and settings that fostered innovative discussions.
Engaging Business for an Ambitious and Investible South African NDC
Hosted at the South Africa pavilion, this dynamic session brought together private sector leaders to explore the potential for ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in South Africa. Framed within the We Mean Business Coalition’s “Call to Action for Ambitious and Investible NDCs,” the event highlighted the clean energy transition opportunities unique to South Africa. Business and government leaders discussed actionable strategies to enhance policy ambition and enable corporate transitions through robust frameworks and cross-border collaboration.
COP29 High-Level Champion Special Event: SMEs as Drivers of a Just Transition
This interactive roundtable spotlighted the critical role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in achieving a just and resilient net-zero economy. Featuring insights from global leaders, including the COP High Level Champion, Nigar Arpadarai, and the SME Climate Hub, the session focused on increasing access to finance, capacity-building initiatives, and innovative partnerships. Participants explored tangible solutions for empowering SMEs to act as key drivers of green economic transformation.
Nature-Focused Events at COP29
Several key events at COP29 highlighted the critical intersection of climate and nature, showcasing how biodiversity and ecosystems are essential components of climate solutions.
- “The Road to COP30 – A Pathway for Ambitious Biodiversity and Climate Action”: Hosted by Conservation International and KfW, this event emphasized the vital role of biodiversity in achieving climate goals. Stakeholders from policy, finance, and the private sector discussed the importance of integrating biodiversity and climate strategies, with a particular focus on the Amazon as a critical biome for combating climate change. Watch the event recording.
- “Cali to Baku: Forging Public/Private Partnerships for Investable NDCs and NBSAPs”: This session explored how businesses and governments can transform national biodiversity strategies and NDCs into actionable partnerships. Organized by Nature4Climate, the event showcased high-integrity nature-based solutions (NbS) and the alignment of public policies with business needs to mobilize private capital. Watch the event recording.
- “Positive Outcomes for Biodiversity in the Renewable Energy Sector”: Co-hosted by Iberdrola and BirdLife, this event addressed how renewable energy projects can align with biodiversity conservation goals. Watch the event recording.
These events underscored the importance of protecting and restoring nature as a cornerstone of effective climate action, fostering collaboration that advances both ecological and climate resilience.
The road ahead
As the world looks toward COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the insights and connections forged at COP29 will continue to shape the global climate agenda. Together, we can drive transformative change for people, nature, and planet.
See what business was calling for at COP29 and watch our thought leadership videos: https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/cop29-we-mean-business-coalition-pavilion/cop29-policy/
With thanks to our sponsors and supporting partners, without whom the pavilion would not be possible. Special thanks are also due to our We Mean Business Coalition staff both on the ground in Baku and all over the world for their support to deliver the We Mean Business Coalition Pavilion.