COP30 Hub | Sponsors and partners | Policy
Over the two weeks of COP30, We Mean Business Coalition delivered a range of events, alongside our sponsors and partners. These sessions helped spark cross-sector dialogue and turn commitments into action.
Below is the full list of events we delivered across the Business Pavilion, Delegations Pavilions, and the Blue Zone
Hosted by: Climate Group
Moderator: Nehmat Kaur, Director of the Under2 Coalition, Climate Group
Reaching net-zero by 2050 and meeting 2030 milestones depends on how effectively countries implement their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). While national governments set targets and policies, NDC delivery is ultimately realised in territories—cities, provinces, and regions—working in concert with private implementers and financiers. This session reframes electrification and the managed, equitable phase-out of fossil fuels as a practical NDC implementation agenda point, showcasing how subnational authorities and the private sector convert national pledges into bankable projects, jobs, and emissions reductions.
Open to delegates in the Blue Zone
Speakers:
Trevor Hutchings, CEO, Renewable Energy Association of the UK
Victoria Flores, Environment Minister, Buenos Aires
Nicholas Mazzei, Vice President of Sustainability, Europe at DP World
Ae-suk Kang, Director-General of the Climate Environment Bureau of Jeju Province, South Korea
Hosted by: BirdLife International
Moderator: Nina Mikander, Global Director of Policy and Business at BirdLife International
At COP28, governments committed to tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030. Amid unprecedented challenges in parts of the sector, this event will showcase how diverse stakeholders are advancing the renewable transition while delivering positive outcomes for business, climate, nature and communities.
The discussion will explore practical solutions to overcome deployment barriers and scale best-practice approaches at speed. Speakers will share insights on how to ensure the renewable transition supports net zero and nature-positive goals, and aligns with the ambition of the Paris Agreement and Global Biodiversity Framework.
Open to delegates in the Blue Zone
Speakers:
Opening remarks: Andre Andrade, CMS ETF Chair; Director, Brazilian Ministry of Environment
Panellists:
Gonzalo Saenz De Miera: Director of Climate Change and Alliances at Iberdrola
Joseph Onoja: Director General of Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF)
Odonchimeg Ikhbayar: Deputy Director, Economic Policy & Competitiveness Research Centre (EPCRC)
Eliot Whittington: Chief Systems Change Officer at CISL and Director of CISL's EU and UK Corporate Leaders Groups
Hosted by: Unilever, We Mean Business Coalition
Moderator: Andrew Prag, Managing Director - Policy, We Mean Business Coalition
This event will convene leading public and private sector voices to explore how we can accelerate progress on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Climate Transition Action Plans (CTAPs). With COP30 positioned as the implementation COP, this is a critical moment to rally ambition and action. As governments submit new NDCs for 2035, the private sector must play a decisive role—not only in implementation, but also in advocacy and accountability. The event will explore practical solutions that build toward systemic change, as well as corporate responsibility and advocacy to enhance policy ambition on the road to COP31.
Open to delegates in the Blue Zone
Speakers:
Dr Arunabha Ghosh - South Asia Envoy for COP30
Dr Crispian Olver – Deputy Chairperson, South Africa Presidential Climate Commission
Dr Valerie Hickey – Global Director for Climate Change, World Bank
Justin Perrettson – Head of Partnerships & External Engagement, Novonesis
Ilona Millar – Partner, Gilbert + Tobin
Fiona Duggan – Global Climate Advocacy Lead, Unilever
Hosted by: CEBDS
Moderator: Alessandra Fajardo, Executive Technical Director, CEBDS
The Brazil of Solutions session, hosted by CEBDS at the Business Pavilion (Blue Zone) during COP30, will officially launch a portfolio of over 130 corporate projects driving Brazil’s transition toward a low-carbon, regenerative, and inclusive economy. The panel will feature leaders from BNDES, PepsiCo, Philip Morris, RD Saúde, and Siemens Brazil, showcasing scalable initiatives in climate finance, regenerative agriculture, water management, circular economy, and green innovation. Through business cases and moderated debate, the session aims to highlight Brazil’s private sector leadership and foster partnerships that connect companies, investors, and government in advancing climate finance and territorial solutions.
Open to delegates in the Blue Zone
Speakers:
To be announced
Hosted by: America Is All In
America Is All In will host a spotlight event with U.S. local leaders at COP30 in Belem, showcasing the breadth and potential of climate action by U.S. subnational actors. The event will feature a diverse group of speakers including Governors Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Gavin Newsom of California, Mayor Gavin Buckley of Annapolis, Maryland, Mayor Van Johnson of Savannah, Georgia, and representatives of higher education and the private sector in the United States. The discussion will underscore the credibility and impact of American subnational leaders as global partners, highlighting examples of concrete climate action across the country and opportunities for greater collaboration with international partners.
Open to delegates in the Blue Zone
Speakers:
Welcome and Opening Remarks: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
Inside the 2035 Roadmap: Nate Hultman, Director Center for Global Sustainability at the University of Maryland
Panel Discussion
○ Moderator: Tim McDonnell – Semafor Climate Reporter, Host of Semafor Energy Newsletter
○ Mayor Van Johnson (Savannah, GA)
○ Dr. Mary Rice, Director of the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment, Harvard Chan C-CHANGE
○ Lou Leonard, Dean, School of Climate, Environment & Society at Clark University
Fireside chat:
○ Governor Gavin Newsom
○ Christiana Figueres
Emcee: Taryn Finnessey
Hosted by: We Mean Business Coalition, CEBDS
Join us at the Business Pavilion in the Blue Zone for drinks and canapes. Meet with our team on the ground and network with our sponsors, supporting partners and wider business community.
Open to delegates in the Blue Zone
Speakers:
Key guests and speakers to be announced.
Hosted by: We Mean Business Coalition
This session will outline opportunities, and practical examples, of how the private sector can continue to accelerate the global shift that is underway to realize more productive, resilient land use systems that are deforestation-, forest degradation-, and conversion-free, and that regenerate rather than deplete nature.
Open to delegates in the Blue Zone
Speakers:
Keith Tuffley, CEO, Race to Belem
Malu Paiva, Chief Sustainability Officer, Suzano
Onel Masardule Arias, Co-Chair, IP&LC Engagement Forum
Frances Seymour, Senior Policy Advisor, Woodwell Climate Research Center
Pete Garbutt, Sustainability Director, Nature and Climate, McDonald’s
Natália Renteria, Director, Brazil, Race to Belém
Hosted by: The Sunrise Project, We Mean Business Coalition, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)
Moderator: Global Strategic Communications Council (GSCC)
While coal remains central to India’s energy mix, renewables are advancing fast. In July 2025, India surpassed 50% non-fossil electricity generation — a milestone the government celebrated globally. With only around 192 GW of renewables installed toward its 500 GW goal by 2030, rapid acceleration is essential. Corporates will play a decisive role by shifting investments from coal, aligning with global standards, and ensuring a just transition. Building on India’s strong policy commitments, business leadership can drive ambition, unlock international finance, and set an example for the Global South’s clean energy transformation.
Open to delegates in the Blue Zone
Speakers:
Mr. Ankit Todi, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mahindra Group
Mr. Shantanu Srivastava, Research Lead, Sustainable Finance and Climate Risk, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), South Asia
Ms. Nehmat Kaur, Director of the Under2 Coalition and Subnational Governments, The Climate Group
Mr. Shitiz Jha, Research Associate (Climate Finance and ESG), Climate Trends
Ms Sakshi Balani, Director, Steel Decarbonisation, Climate Catalyst
Mr. Flipe Saliba, Chief of Unit - Knowledge Management and Institutional Development, International Solar Alliance
Hosted by: Business Council for Sustainable Energy, Ceres, C2ES, and Edison Electric Institute
How does the United States meet rising energy demand, reduce GHG emissions, strengthen resilience and ensure clean, reliable and affordable energy for its citizens? Hear from U.S.-based NGOs and business leaders on the near-term solutions that can improve energy efficiency, optimize existing infrastructure, and scale clean and distributed energy resources to meet increasing energy demand and maintain affordability for customers. Panelists will also explore where policies and technology advances can reduce emissions and enable greater resilience to climate impacts.
Open to delegates in the Blue Zone
Speakers:
Welcome – Maria Mendiluce, CEO, We Mean Business (5 minutes)
Fireside Chat with Sen. Henry Stern, Nat Keohane and Clinton Britt (20 minutes)
Sen. Henry Stern, California Senate
Nat Keohane, President, C2ES
Moderator: Clinton Britt, President, SEEC Institute Board of Directors
Panel: U.S. Private & Public Sector Panel (30 minutes)
Helen Walter-Terrinoni, Director, Global Climate Policy, Trane Technologies
Charles Hernick, Head of Environmental Policy, Amazon
Justin Saia, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Schneider Electric
Max Frankel, Executive Director, SEEC Institute
Moderator: Clinton Britt, President, SEEC Institute Board of Directors
Hosted by: We Mean Business Coalition
Electrification is a critical yet often overlooked lever in accelerating the clean energy transition. This dialogue will explore how targeted incentives and greater global alignment can help move from ambition to implementation – placing electrification at the heart of an affordable, competitive, and just clean energy transition. The event will discuss the opportunity that electrification brings to economies, business and consumers, consider whether a global goal on electrification is needed, and how progressive incentives, such as clean subsidies, power market reform and regulations, can accelerate electrification.
Open to delegates in the Blue Zone
Speakers:
Prince Jaime de Bourbon de Parme, Climate Envoy of the Netherlands
Sebastian Salter, Director, Clean Energy Industry Exports
Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Karen Pflug, Chief Sustainability Officer, Ingka Group
Gonzalo Saenz de Miera, Global Director of Climate Change and Alliances, Iberdrola
Maria Mendiluce, CEO, We Mean Business Coalition
Lord Adair Turner, Chair, Energy Transitions Commission
Hosted by: KfW
From Innovation to Scale in Nature Finance: This event explores successful nature funds, emerging trends, and pioneering innovations shaping the future of nature finance. By showcasing innovative approaches and models, it highlights opportunities that can inspire new ways to fund conservation at scale. The discussion also delves into the challenges of scaling projects to ensure long-term impact and resilience, addressing key barriers and strategies to achieve greater scalability in nature finance.
Open to delegates in the Blue Zone
Speakers:
Stefan Wintels, CEO
Hosted by: BCG
Heavy industry lies at the core of the net zero challenge and opportunity. Cement, steel, and chemicals are advancing breakthrough technologies, but large-scale deployment remains constrained by financing, demand, and policy gaps. At COP30, this session, co-hosted by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) and Boston Consulting Group (BCG), will bring together leaders from industry, finance, and government to explore how to mobilize capital at scale. Discussions will center on real progress across essential sectors, aligning finance with industrial transformation, moving from pilots to commercialization, and identifying near-term levers in policy, demand, and blended finance to accelerate impact.
To register your interest in this event, please reach out to the BCG COP Team at [email protected]
Speakers:
Cornelius Pieper (Managing Director and Senior Partner)
Hosted by: We Mean Business Coalition, IRENA, GRA, ITA
Together with our partners, WMBC co-hosts the joint COP30 Reception: Jobs. Security. Growth. This reception will bring together private sector leaders, government officials, and key stakeholders in an evening to celebrate how renewables and decarbonisation are driving jobs, energy security, and economic growth – the Return on Action.
Guests have been invited by email
Speakers:
To be announced to registered guests