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COP28 events listing

Browse our COP28 Business Pavilion events, hosted in collaboration with We Mean Business Coalition sponsors and supporting partners. Those events listed with (*) take place outside the Business Pavilion.

Join us in-person at Business + Buildings Pavilion, Blue Zone, Zone B7, Building 88, Thematic Arena 3: Energy, Finance, Urbanisation & Indigenous Peoples TA3 – Pavilion 240 (Level 1). Watch the auditorium livestream and view previous sessions at the pavilion here.

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56 results

Climate Leadership in 2024 - Collaboration Through Disruption

Hosted by: Climate Leaders Coalition (Australia)

An interactive panel session with leading Australian CEOs discussing their journey on transition planning, including the transformation-like thinking required for execution. The discussion will touch on the relationship between climate and nature, as well as the role of scope 3 and circularity. The session will highlight ensuring a just and equitable transition, surfacing commercial opportunities, and fostering cross-value chain and international partnerships.

Speakers:

Speakers pending confirmation

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Friday, 1 Dec
08:30 GST to 09:30 GST
Auditorium

Intelligent Home Energy Management for Net Zero

Hosted by: Carrier

Moderator: Paula R. Glover, President, The Alliance to Save Energy

More than half (51% in 2015) of the annual US home carbon footprint comes from space heating and air conditioning. To be successful in addressing climate change, we need to transform the way we address household energy usage. The panel will focus on how public and private partnerships and coordinated policies can help deploy integrated active energy solutions at scale to facilitate the decarbonization of US homes.

Speakers:

Hakan Yilmaz, Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Carrier
Katherine Neebe, Chief Sustainability and Philanthropy Officer, Duke Energy
Eric Oliver, President, Association of Energy Engineers

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Friday, 1 Dec
10:00 GST to 11:00 GST
Auditorium

Charting the Corporate Climate Course – Looking ahead from COP28 to COP30​

Hosted by: Unilever

Moderator: Roger Harrabin, Independent Journalist, former BBC

How can corporates use the time between now and COP30, and utilise the Global Stocktake to keep 1.5 degrees alive? Today, we are confronted with pressing environmental and social challenges that demand urgent solutions. Yet there's been a collective failure of businesses, governments, and society to address these issues effectively. Yet, competitive global markets dynamics make collective action essential. As the issues we face, are global and know no geographical boundaries. Large-scale systemic shifts must be initiated through national and international policy changes.This panel will explore, how corporate leaders can break this deadlock and how we collectively make it happen?

Speakers:

Thomas Lingard, Global Head of Sustainability – Environment at Unilever​
Rachel Kyte​, Dean Emerita, Fletcher school
Dr. Valerie Hickey, Global Director of Environment, Natural Resources, and the Blue Economy at the World Bank​
Anita Otubu, Senior Director at SE4ALL​
Dylan Tanner, Co-Founder at Influence Map​
Ester Baiget , CEO of Novozymes (TBC)​

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Friday, 1 Dec
13:00 GST to 14:00 GST
Auditorium

Decoding G20’s Green Development Pact: Unlocking climate action

Hosted by: Climate Group, Sattva, Columbia University CGEP, ClimateWorks Foundation, India Climate Collaborative

India's G20 Declaration, supported by all leaders, emphasizes collaborative efforts in today's global landscape. The Green Development Pact aims to reconcile growth, development, and climate concerns, fostering a just and inclusive transition. Beyond shaping G20 actions in Brazil, the Declaration sets the climate agenda for the COP in Dubai. The upcoming session will scrutinize India's G20 Presidency outcomes, the role of G20 nations in the Green Development Pact, and propose solutions in anticipation of the Global Stocktake at COP 28, highlighting the significance of international cooperation in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development.

Speakers:

Alok Sharma, Hon. Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom, and President of COP26
Nandan Nilekani, Co-Founder and Chairman, Infosys Limited & G20 Task Force on DPI
Helen Mountford, CEO, ClimateWorks Foundation
Helen Clarkson, CEO, Climate Group;Rathish Balakrishnan, Co-founder, Sattva
Seema Arora, Deputy Director General CII (B20 India Secretariat)
Romy Chevallier, Climate Lead & Senior Researcher, South African Institute of International Affairs
Lucas Padilha, G20 Brazil Senior Rep, President of G20 Committee, City of Rio de Janeiro
Andrew Prag, Managing Director, Policy, We Mean Business Coalition

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Friday, 1 Dec
14:30 GST to 16:00 GST
Auditorium

Leveraging NbS for Net Zero, Nature Positive, and Business Resilience

Hosted by: BSR

There is no net zero without nature, yet concerns about integrity in the carbon credits market make companies hesitant to invest in nature-based solutions (NbS). This session aims to clarify global business expectations for NbS investment, addressing controversies in the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM). It will also review guiding principles and best practices for NbS investment, emphasizing a net-zero and nature-positive approach. Through examples, the session explores how nature can serve as a climate solution within and beyond the value chain, providing insights into incorporating NbS effectively into climate strategies.

Speakers:

Speakers pending confirmation

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Friday, 1 Dec
17:30 GST to 18:30 GST
Auditorium

Waiting for the unexpected

Hosted by: ACCIONA S.A.

ACCIONA's initiative seeks to cultivate the momentum behind collective climate negotiations and actions in an environment that encourages the exchange of ideas and collaborative efforts looking at COP28. The event will be shaped in a closed-door atmosphere, in a cocktail-style format, enabling high-level individuals to partake in casual yet impactful discussions.

Invitation only

Speakers:

Maria Mendiluce, We Mean Business Coalition, CEO
Patricia Espinosa, Former Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change
José Manuel Entrecanales, Acciona, CEO

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Friday, 1 Dec
18:45 GST to 20:00 GST
Auditorium

Mastercard Panel discussion – Closing the Value-Action Gap for Sustainable Consumption

Hosted by: Mastercard

Moderator: Tom Rivett-Carnac, Global Optimism

The latest IPCC report highlighted the critical role that consumer choice and demand will play in accelerating the transition to a low carbon global economy. Although consumers are increasingly expressing interest in sustainable products and services, this has yet to translate into more sustainable purchasing habits at scale. This panel will explore how payment technology companies, merchants, and marketplaces can leverage consumer behavior insights, collaborate, and innovate to create products and solutions that inspire, inform and enable a new movement of sustainable consumers.

Speakers:

Moderator: Tom Rivett-Carnac, Global Optimism
Ellen Jackowski, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mastercard
Craig Hanson, Managing Director of Global Programs, World Resources Institute
Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer, Google

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Saturday, 2 Dec
08:00 GST to 09:30 GST
Auditorium

*We Mean Business: Taking stock of the power sector transition

Hosted by: We Mean Business Coalition

The power transition is well underway in many markets, driven by the underlying economics of low-cost renewables. But there remain significant barriers to investment.

Given the length of asset lifetimes, ensuring consistent market frameworks, the bankability of projects, and reducing non-market barriers such as permitting are essential to enable the next wave of renewables build out.

Fortunately, public-private coordination and international collaboration is improving, but progress is uneven. In developed markets, governments need to work together to more rapidly resolve structural market issues and supply chain bottlenecks; to better integrate markets across borders; and to consider the broader incentives on capital flows. Outside the OECD, the JETP model has enabled a step change in coordination and implementation of technical assistance in several countries.

But much more political will is needed to make the hard reforms required to accelerate the transition to a decarbonized power system. Please join power sector leaders at 10 am 2 December to discuss the implications of We Mean Business Corporate Climate Stocktake and what business needs from government to go faster.

The Corporate Climate Stocktake (CCST) led by the We Mean Business Coalition and supported by the Climate Champions Team and Bain & Company, represents the most ambitious, forward-looking review to date of private sector progress, obstacles and opportunities for achieving net zero. Looking in detail at eight sectors – power, road transport, concrete & cement, steel, shipping, hydrogen, aviation and agriculture – the research presents progress against international or national targets, and identifies the barriers faced by businesses that are rapidly decarbonizing to meet their climate targets.

To read the summary conclusions and full power sector analysis go to https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/corporate-climate-stocktake-2023/

Speakers:

Speakers pending confirmation

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Saturday, 2 Dec
10:00 GST to 11:00 GST
IRENA Pavilion

Accelerating Progress on Private Sector Net-Zero Commitments

Hosted by: World Economic Forum

Moderator: Feike Sybesma, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Royal Philips

The latest report from the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders shows that without much more dramatic action, 1.5°C will slip out of reach and even “well under 2 degrees” is at high risk. Every fraction of a degree matters and now, more than ever, corporate and public-sector leaders must demonstrate credible near-term mitigation action to close the climate action gap.

How are leading CEOs working to decarbonise their value chains and what public-private action and policy solutions could help them deliver the outsized impact needed to reach critical 2030 net zero milestones?

Opening remarks by Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director, Centre for Nature and Climate, World Economic Forum
Remarks by Rich Lesser, Global Chair, Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Speakers:

Panelists: Jesper Brodin, CEO, Ingka Group (IKEA); Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO, Majid Al Futtaim; among others.

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Saturday, 2 Dec
10:00 GST to 11:15 GST
Auditorium

Fossil to Clean Campaign - Flagship Event

Hosted by: We Mean Business Coalition

Moderator: Justin Worland, Senior Climate Correspondence, TIME

The Fossil to Clean campaign is a global movement of businesses going from fossil fuels to clean solutions. Those that take action to phase out fossil fuels will help send a clear market signal that will lead energy suppliers, capital providers and governments to accelerate the provision of affordable and clean alternatives.

Join us at this event, which will bring together business leaders, policymakers, and wider stakeholders to hear how businesses are taking climate action – and why businesses are calling on all political leadership attending COP28 to take this historical opportunity and seek outcomes that will lay the groundwork to phase out fossil fuels and ramp up clean energy solutions at pace.

Followed by lunch reception in Pavilion open space

Speakers:

María Mendiluce, CEO, We Mean Business Coalition
Jesper Brodin, CEO, Ingka Group/IKEA
Jennifer Morgan, State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action, Federal Foreign Office of Germany (TBC)

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Saturday, 2 Dec
11:30 GST to 12:30 GST
Auditorium

Advanced Clean Electricity Techs for Grid Decarb Google

Hosted by: Google

Moderator: Katherine Dixon, Partner, Global Energy Transition Policy Centre, Bain

Advanced clean energy technologies are crucial to complement the global expansion of solar and wind power, meeting rising electricity demand with clean and affordable solutions. Academic research emphasizes the significance of "firm" carbon-free electricity technologies and advanced energy storage for cost-effective grid decarbonization, addressing gaps in renewable energy production. These technologies include next-gen geothermal, advanced nuclear, carbon capture and storage, clean hydrogen, and long-duration energy storage. Corporate clean energy buyers can support these advancements through long-term purchase agreements, early-stage project capital, and advocacy for favorable policies, reducing costs and market risks. This approach ensures communities benefit directly from clean and affordable energy.

Speakers:

Michael Terrell, Senior Director, Energy and Climate, Google
Avi Zevin, Principal Deputy General Counsel, Office of General Counsel, U.S. Department of Energy
Michelle Patron, Senior Director of Global Sustainability Policy, Microsoft
Tim Latimer, CEO, Fervo Energy

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Saturday, 2 Dec
13:00 GST to 14:00 GST
Auditorium

Principal-Level Roundtable on CPAS

Hosted by: WBCSD

At COP28, WBCSD will present an “Action Agenda for the Climate-related Corporate Carbon Performance and Accountability System (CPAS)”. The Action Agenda will serve as a starting point for work in 2024 to strengthen corporate performance and accountability on climate-related topics. This effort would seek to trigger a process of greater alignment for the system’s standards, frameworks and tools across net-zero target setting, transition planning, carbon accounting, and disclosure, and inform how best to align corporate performance and accountability systems in other impact areas, for example, nature, circularity and equity.
The high-level, principal roundtable convened by WBCSD will bring together leading businesses and actors in the climate-related corporate performance and accountability system to discuss this ambitious agenda and how best to begin a process in 2024 for achieving greater alignment of key standards, frameworks and tools.

The roundtable is a closed-door session, by invitation only. For more information, please contact Lewis Hill ([email protected]).

Speakers:

Speakers pending confirmation

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Saturday, 2 Dec
14:30 GST to 15:30 GST
Auditorium

Business & the Just Transition: how can credible corporate leadership enhance governance models and support implementation of the new UNFCCC work programme on just transition pathways?

Hosted by: The B Team, We Mean Business Coalition, BSR

Moderator: Deborah Gallagher, Climate Director, BSR

At COP27, Parties agreed on the creation of a new work programme on just transition to “discuss pathways to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement”.1 A decision was also made to convene an annual high-level ministerial roundtable on just transition, starting at COP28. This emphasizes that people-centered climate action is essential to ensure social cohesion and increase the societal buy-in required for an accelerated and sustainable transition to a net-zero economy—within planetary boundaries and at a pace aligned with science.
The new work programme can be instrumental in advancing and maximizing business contributions to the just transition if it is inclusive and allows for transparent stakeholder participation, including workers, business and civil society. By doing so, it can also help improve governance of just transition at national level – including in JET-P context.

In July 2023, BSR, The B Team and We Mean Business Coalition published the Just Transition Resource Platform, a framework with clear actionable steps for companies and signposts to the best available guides, tools and standards. The Platform outlines what companies should do on just transition across the 4As of Climate Leadership: Ambition, Action, Advocacy, and Accountability.

During the panel event, each speaker will speak to one of the A’s (Ambition, Action, Advocacy and Accountability), explaining what it means in practice for business, especially in a developing context. We will show how business credible engagement on the just transition can support better governance models at national level, and why it is important that business has a seat at the table and can participate in the new work programme on just transition pathways.

Speakers:

Themba Mkhwanazi’s, Regional Director for Africa & Australia, Anglo American
Pauliina Murphy, Engagement & Communications Director, World Benchmarking Alliance
Eyal Weintraub, Climate Activist, Argentina

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Saturday, 2 Dec
16:00 GST to 17:00 GST
South Africa Pavilion

Energy Transition & Fragility

Hosted by: Economist Impact

Moderator: Phillip Cornell, Global Practice Lead for Energy & Sustainability, Economist Impact

As world leaders meet to discuss pathways for transitioning to a low-carbon economy, conflict, weak governance, and distrust of institutions dominate the agenda in many countries and regions around the world. While much attention is rightly given to making the transition more just, we want to dive into how the energy transition looks amidst conflict or where governance is otherwise limited. Renewable and distributed technologies are providing energy where central authorities cannot, and with it many basic services. How can fragile and weakly-governed communities navigate the challenges and opportunities of transition? How does the resilient delivery of energy and associated services empower local communities, drive development, and orient political power? How will energy transition affect state legitimacy, and will it serve as a force for peace? What role can the private sector and international finance play where government reach is limited?

Join this key conversation with Economist Impact at COP28 together with business leaders, policymakers and experts to discuss the specific shape and impacts of energy transition in fragile states and regions.

Speakers:

Anna Bjerde, Managing Director, World Bank Group
Ala Qasem, Presidential Advisor, Yemen
Angela Homsi, CEO, Ignite Power
Gautam Narasimhan, Global Lead on Environment, Energy & Disaster, UNICEF
Sergio Pimenta, VP for the Africa Region, IFC

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Saturday, 2 Dec
17:45 GST to 18:45 GST
Auditorium

We Mean Business Coalition Inauguration Reception

Hosted by: We Mean Business Coalition

Join Maria Mendiluce and guests for the launch of our activities and events program at COP, discussion, drinks and canapés.

Speakers:

Keynote address from Patricia Espinosa, Former Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change

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Saturday, 2 Dec
19:00 GST to 20:00 GST
Auditorium

The economic case for sustainable healthcare: How can sustainability improve hospitals’ bottom line?

Hosted by: Royal Philips

Moderator: Roger Harrabin, Independent Journalist, former BBC

The potential economic opportunities resulting from more sustainable healthcare are tremendous. From development of ground-breaking energy efficient technologies to better use and re-use of products, to more effective green procurement approaches, we can transform healthcare to have a lower environmental footprint, greater societal benefit, and stronger financial value.

But it requires large scale change: better policy and regulatory frameworks to deploy and commercialize sustainable healthcare technologies, and smarter investments to achieve wide-ranging impact. This session will explore the barriers and opportunities to realizing the economic benefits of sustainable healthcare.

Speakers:

Lauren McKown (Managing Director, Seed Global Health)
Robert Metzke (SVP, Global Head of Sustainability, Philips)
Ilias Iakovidis (Advisor Green Transformation, European Commission)
Roger Harrabin (Independent Journalist, former BBC)

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Sunday, 3 Dec
08:00 GST to 09:30 GST
Auditorium

Advancing corporate disclosure for climate action

Hosted by: CDP

Moderator: Pietro Bertazzi, Global Director, Policy and External Affairs, CDP

The event will showcase the global collaboration between CDP and ISSB, supporting the adoption of the ISSB Climate standard to alleviate the reporting burden for companies. Further, it will deep dive into plans to enhance collaboration at a regional level and explore the role of climate-related financial disclosures in enhancing accountability to drive action.

Speakers:

Mardi McBrien, Chief of Strategic Affairs & Capacity Building, ISSB  
Nicolette Bartlett, Chief Impact Officer, CDP
Sarah Bloom Raskin, Colin W. Brown Distinguished Professor of the Practice of Law, Co-Chair RAF consultation 
Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh, Vice Chair of the IOSCO Board and Chair of the Growth and Emerging Markets Committee (GEMC)  
João Paulo de Resende, Special Advisor on Climate Change Economics, Ministry of Finance, Brazil 
Jamie Fergusson, Director for Climate Business, International Finance Corporation (IFC)  
Hendrik Rosenthal, CLP Director - Group Sustainability  

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Sunday, 3 Dec
10:00 GST to 11:00 GST
Auditorium

*Leveraging Data to Reduce Scope 3 Emissions

Hosted by: The Climate Pledge and WBCSD

Moderator: Anna Stanley-Radiere, Director for Climate Transparency at WBCSD

Join The Climate Pledge and the Partnership for Carbon Transparency (powered by WBCSD) for an engaging panel delving into how top businesses are utilizing innovative methods to measure and manage their Scope 3 emissions. Panelists include Jon Creyts (CEO, RMI), Daniel Schmid (CSO, SAP), John Powers (VP of Global Cleantech and Renewables, Schneider Electric), and Chris Roe (Director of Worldwide Carbon, Amazon).

Speakers:

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Sunday, 3 Dec
12:00 GST to 12:45 GST
Shared Presentation Hub

From Dubai to Brazil: Building Ambition on the Road to COP30

Hosted by: We Mean Business Coalition

Moderator: Jennie Dodson, Senior Director, Policy, Advocacy and Member Mobilization, WBCSD

This discussion will consider the COP28 conference in the context of the longer term objective of raising climate ambition in line with the 1.5°C objective by COP30 in Brazil in 2025. It will bring together leading government and business representatives to exchange views on how the private sector can work with governments to urgently raise ambition, and consider the critical role of Brazil, and its business community, in its Presidencies of both the G20 in 2024 and COP30 in 2025.

Speakers:

María Mendiluce, CEO, We Mean Business Coalition
Marina Grossi, President, Conselho Empresarial Brasileiro para Desenvolvimento Sustentável – CEBDS
André Corrêa do Lago, Secretary of Climate, Energy and Environment (Brazilian Government)
Izabella Teixeira, IRENA, Former Minister of the Environment of Brazil; Co-President of the International Resource Panel – UN
Keyvan Macedo - Sustainability Director, Natura & Co.
Madalena Calle Lucas, Head of Climate, EDP

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Sunday, 3 Dec
13:30 GST to 14:30 GST
Auditorium

Adaptation now: Bridging the gap between business action and the global agenda

Hosted by: PwC

The UN High Level Climate Champions team, supported by PwC, have been working together to explore how business can accelerate progress towards the Sharm el Sheikh Adaptation Agenda (SAA). Their forthcoming paper aims to bridge the gap between business action and the SAA outcome targets, by highlighting the role of businesses in supporting their delivery. Using examples of existing action across the SAA systems, it also explores how achieving system level resilience will in turn support business resilience. This session will share and reflect on emerging findings, discuss the vital role that businesses play, and explore how to accelerate progress.

Speakers:

Bob Moritz, Global Chair, PwC
Emma Cox, Global Climate Leader, PwC UK
Roman Roehrl, Climate Change Specialist, EIB
Sanjay Wagle, Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Lightsmith Group
Michael Okoroafor, Chief Sustainability Officer, McCormick
Marisa Drew, Chief Sustainability Officer, Standard Chartered

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Sunday, 3 Dec
15:30 GST to 16:30 GST
Auditorium

Building Resilient, Adaptive, and Disaster Ready Communities: Innovations in digital financial inclusion to address humanitarian and climate crises

Hosted by: Visa

Moderator: Dr. Chelsea Clinton , Vice Chair of the Clinton Foundation and Clinton Health Access Initiative

Oxfam and Visa are scaling up B-READY, an innovation uniting parametric forecasting with community inputs and digital financial inclusion to provide humanitarian assistance to individuals and businesses in the crucial window before a disaster strikes, saving lives, building resiliency, and drastically decreasing the impact of emergencies on communities. Together we will stand up B-READY in 4 high-risk countries, reaching 1.1 million individuals and micro-small enterprises. We invite business leaders, policy makers, funders, strategists, journalists, and humanitarian and climate groundbreakers to join us in a fireside chat, exploring ways to accelerate impact through technology, innovation, and financing.

Speakers:

Rajiv Garodia, Senior Vice President and Global Head, Government and Public Sector Solutions at Visa
Abby Maxman, President & CEO, Oxfam America
Attorney Melchor Mergal, Provincial Board Member, Eastern Samar province, Philippines

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Sunday, 3 Dec
17:00 GST to 18:00 GST
Auditorium

Navigating the Frontiers of the Green Transition: Encouraging Private Sector Investment in Emerging Markets

Hosted by: Temasek

Moderator: Kyung-Ah Park, Head, ESG Investment Management & Managing Director, Sustainability, Temasek

Emerging markets (EMs), representing 80% of the global population, play a crucial role in achieving a net-zero future. To reach this goal by 2050, an estimated $2 trillion annually is needed by 2030 for EMs, yet only one-fifth of this amount is currently planned. The discussion focuses on strategies for innovative financing, including tailored financial instruments and public-private partnerships, to scale decarbonization technologies. Esteemed speakers will present a roadmap to unlock the private sector's potential in funding the green transition across diverse emerging markets, with a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring no communities are left behind.

Speakers:

Audra Low, CEO & Executive Director, Clifford Capital
Amit Bando, Chief Economist & Senior Advisor for Just and Inclusive Economies, Ceres
Helge Muenkel, Chief Sustainability Officer, DBS Bank
Kitty Bu, Vice President, Asia ex-India, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP)

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Monday, 4 Dec
08:30 GST to 09:30 GST
Auditorium

Centering Health Equity in Climate Ambition

Hosted by: BSR (Business for Social Responsibility)

Moderator: Deb Gallagher, BSR

As corporate actors are working to decarbonize operations to address critical climate change impacts. the link between climate and health is increasingly placed at the top of the climate change agenda. Communities at the frontlines of climate change impacts should have equitable access to health co-benefits from climate action.

This roundtable will explore approaches to place health equity at the center of corporate climate ambitions and build on conversations initiated at the collaborative Initiative, “Centering Health Equity in Climate Action”, facilitated by BSR. Community organizations, corporate leaders from all sectors and others are invited to join in a lively discussion.

Speakers:

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Monday, 4 Dec
11:00 GST to 12:00 GST
Boardroom

Africa Investment Earthshot: Realising Opportunities for People, Climate and Nature

Hosted by: Climate Action Platform - Africa (CAP-A)

The Africa Investment Earthshot (AIE) aims to accelerate the growth of climate-positive growth economic opportunities that serve both Africa and the world – by unlocking investment into viable opportunities, supported by trade, climate, and industry policy support. Situating Africa as the only long-term climate transition investment destination to decarbonise the globe and enable the region to receive its just share of the $10 trillion opportunity for a growing global green industrial economy. This panel discussion will be facilitated by the AIE Core Team and will explore the conditions required to realise these opportunities

Speakers:

Keynote: Ali Mohamed, Climate Envoy in the Office of the President of Kenya
Wanjira Mathai, Managing Director for Africa and Global Partnerships at WRI
Carlijn Nouwen, CAP-A Co-Founder
Timothy Afful-Koomson, Regional Director GFANZ Africa

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Monday, 4 Dec
12:00 GST to 13:00 GST
Auditorium

*Transition Finance: From Transition Plans to Transactions

Hosted by: RMI

While a focus on reducing financed emissions has helped drive capital towards low-carbon solutions, ‘transition finance’ is needed to accelerate and account for financing emissions reductions in carbon-intensive companies and sectors with credible transition plans. However, the topic of transition finance faces concerns over greenwashing, carbon lock-in, and a lack of market standardization. To move from plans to transactions at scale, safeguards are necessary to ensure transition capital is deployed credibly.
This panel will share best practices and reflect on actions outlined in an open letter from global NGOs identifying how to overcome barriers to transition finance, ensure credibility, and achieve real-world impact.

Speakers:

Jon Creyts
CEO, RMI

Bob Wigley
Chairman, UK Finance

Laura Barlow
Group Head of Sustainability, Barclays

James Close
Head of Climate Change, NatWest Group

Masayuki Takanashi
Group Chief Sustainability Officer, SMBC Group

Heather Zichal
Global Head of Sustainability, JP Morgan Chase

Celine Herweijer
Group Chief Sustainability Officer, HSBC

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Monday, 4 Dec
13:00 GST to 13:45 GST
Shared Presentation Hub

The Role of Innovative Policymaking in the Energy Transition, Business and Buildings

Hosted by: SSE

Moderator: Rachel McEwen, Chief Sustainability Officer, SSE

Achieving the clean energy transition globally will require $35 trillion of investment by 2030. Yearly investments will need to more than quadruple from 2022 levels.The scale of this acceleration will demand significant investment from governments but they cannot do it alone and leveraging private capital will be key. With a step change in ambition and delivery now needed, innovation in policymaking to help unlock private investment is critical.

Speakers:

Ed Miliband, Shadow Climate Secretary, Labour Party

Lord Adair Turner, Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission

Giles Dickson, Chief Executive, Wind Europe

Martin Pibworth, Chief Commercial Officer, SSE

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Monday, 4 Dec
15:30 GST to 16:30 GST
Auditorium

Mobilizing corporate climate action through high-integrity voluntary carbon markets

Hosted by: We Mean Business Coalition & Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI)

Moderator: Rachel Kyte, VCMI Co-Chair

On 4th December 2023, VCMI is proud to showcase climate leadership by the companies who are pioneering action in a new era of high-integrity voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) to help keep 1.5 alive.

High integrity VCMs hold potential to deliver additional mitigation and sustainable development impacts at speed and scale. VCMs with integrity can help finance urgent climate action, such as the protection and restoration of forests and nature, as well as bring benefits for indigenous people, local communities, and national economies.

Followed by reception

Speakers:

Welcome address from Maria Mendiluce (CEO), We Mean Business Coalition

Panel discussion:
Salesforce - Tim Christophersen, Vice President of Climate Action
Natura - Fernanda Facchini, Head of Climate Change and Circularity
Netflix - Emma Stewart, Chief Sustainability Officer

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Monday, 4 Dec
16:45 GST to 17:45 GST
Auditorium

Policy strategies for creating low-emissions hydrogen demand

Hosted by: WBCSD

Moderator: Dominic Waughray, EVP WBCSD

The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) are jointly organising an event to find ways to address the challenge of demand creation for low-emission hydrogen. Based on the latest findings from the IEA’s Global Hydrogen Review 2023 and WBCSD’s sector-specific recommendations on Policy Strategies to Grow Decarbonized Hydrogen Demand, this event will delve into the policy support mechanisms that stimulate demand for low-emissions hydrogen in hard-to-abate sectors. From this discussion, the audience will be able to concretely identify how to design and implement policy measures to scale up low-emission hydrogen demand and accelerate investment decisions on the supply side. This event will bring together high-level government representatives and industry leaders to identify concrete recommendations for sector-specific and cross-sector mechanisms. These solutions will contribute to the discussions on the Global Stocktake, establish long-term price visibility, and drive systemic transformation to meet international energy and climate goals.

Speakers:

Tiffany Vass, Energy Technology Analyst, IEA
Celine Le Goazigo, Senior Manager, Energy, WBCSD
Michel Heijdra, Vice Minister of the Netherlands
Tom Reichert, ERM, CEO

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Monday, 4 Dec
18:00 GST to 19:00 GST
Auditorium

*Fossil to Clean Cocktails & Dinner Event, Dubai Business Bay

Hosted by: We Mean Business Coalition

A private reception for Business Pavilion sponsors, partners, and Fossil to Clean signatories.

Invitation only

Speakers:

Speakers pending confirmation

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Monday, 4 Dec
19:30 GST to 22:00 GST
Dubai Business Bay

Fireside chat: Asia and Middle East as the Epicentre of Global Energy Transition

Hosted by: Bain & Company

Moderator: Akram Alami, Partner, Bain & Company

This fireside chat is aimed to be a thought-provoking exploration of the pivotal role that the Asia and Middle East corridor would play in the ongoing global energy transition. Global energy demand is expected to increase by ~50% over the next three decades; allowing for growing energy demand while reversing the trend on emissions presents a “Decoupling Challenge” and forms the rationale for energy systems transition and growth of new energy pathways. Middle East would play an intricate role in this march towards energy transition. Bain & Company is honored to invite Raad Al Saady to delve into the intricate dynamics of the region’s energy supply, demand, and sustainability and its implications on global energy transition economics.

Speakers:

Raad Al Saady, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, ACWA Power

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Tuesday, 5 Dec
08:30 GST to 09:30 GST
Auditorium

Renewable energy positive for biodiversity: building alliances to move forward

Hosted by: Iberdrola

Moderator: Nina Mikander, Global Director of Policy, BirdLife

The goal of tripling renewable capacity by 2030 will be one of the key outcomes of COP 28 and is at the centre of a successful just energy transition in the run up to a net zero economy.
This ambitious goal requires significant action and collaboration from governments, private sector, and civil society as a whole. Some of the key drivers to succeed are policy support and adequate market incentives, international cooperation among all stakeholders, investments in energy infrastructure, an accelerated electrification process, community engagement and local initiatives as well as renewable procurement.
Advancing towards an energy model based in renewable energies will offer a competitive advantage to ensure secure and affordable energy that will drive industrial growth, prosperity, and positive value for biodiversity, climate, and people.

In order to contribute to the Global Goals, the energy transition needs to be done in a way that is compatible with the need to preserve and restore nature. The good news is that this is possible thanks to an increasing number of tools and solutions available to ensure that the renewable deployment is properly located and managed, thus contributing to enhance biodiversity and socio- economic development benefits.

In this context, this event will convene a high-level conversation among key actors and global alliances aimed at showcasing successful experiences on positive biodiversity impacts from an accelerated renewable transition and setting the scene for potential partnerships and collaborations to contribute to a nature positive future.

Speakers:

Welcoming remarks by Maria Mendiluce, CEO of We Mean Business coalition.

Opening remarks
Ignacio S. Galán, Executive Chairman, Iberdrola
Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.

Roundtable discussion:

o Ms Kristen Panerali, Head, Clean Power, Grids & Electrification, World Economic Forum
o Tbc - Ursula Woodburn – Director CISL's Europe office and the Corporate Leaders Group Europe
o Tbc - Alicia Montalvo, Manager of Climate Action and Positive Biodiversity, CAF (Development Bank of Latin América)
o Tbc - Diane Holdorf, Executive Vice President - WBCSD
o Gilles Vermot-Desroches, SVP Corporate Citizenship, and Institutions - Schneider Electric
o Tbc – Policy Director, Global Renewables Alliance Concluding remarks: Nina Mikander, Global Director of Policy, BirdLife

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Tuesday, 5 Dec
10:00 GST to 11:00 GST
Auditorium

*Accelerating Logistics Decarbonization and Greening Corporate Fleets

Hosted by: The Climate Pledge

With Smart Freight Centre, CALSTART, and the Netherlands government

Speakers:

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Tuesday, 5 Dec
11:00 GST to 12:00 GST
World Green Economy Organization Pavilion

*Climate Adaptation & the Just Transition

Hosted by: WBCSD

The impacts of climate change are hurting the world’s most vulnerable populations first and hardest. As businesses transform their existing practices, we must ensure that these communities are not left behind. Responsible business action on climate adaptation must include managing physical risk beyond the value chain and developing new adaptation opportunities in partnership with local communities.
This event will unpack what it takes to ensure a just and equitable climate transition whereby communities are able to adapt and safeguard their resilience. Alongside global leaders across the agricultural and food, built environment, and energy sectors we will be investigating what it takes in these three sectors to ensure climate adaptation agendas are effective and just.

WBCSD will share an insights from two of these frameworks: the flagship Business Commission to Tackle Inequality (BCTI) report and the upcoming Climate Adaptation & Resilience Guide for Business Leaders.

Speakers:

Carolien de Bruin, Senior Director for Equity Action, WBCSD
Alexander Nick, Senior Director for Climate Action, WBCSD
Alexis Haas, Chief Sustainability Officer, Arcadis
Veronica Scotti, Chairperson Public Sector Solutions, Swiss Re
Samiya Selim, Center for Sustainable Development, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
Sally Uren, CEO Forum for the Future

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Tuesday, 5 Dec
12:00 GST to 12:45 GST
Shared Presentation Hub

Transforming energy demand

Hosted by: PwC

Moderator: Will Jackson-Moore, Global Sustainability Leader, PwC UK

Transforming energy demand is the fastest way to get the global energy transition back on track, while also driving accelerated business and national growth. Companies in all sectors have untapped potential to mitigate emissions, accelerate the energy transition, and build competitive advantage by prioritizing their energy intensity. Businesses can spearhead this shift through value chain and public/private collaborations. This presents a tremendous opportunity for the wider energy system to bring both economic and social benefits. The panel discussion will explore several pathways for businesses to drive change, as well as practical examples from business and policy interventions.

Speakers:

Rob Turner, Energy Transition Partner, PwC UK
Pim Valdre, Head, Climate Ambition Initiative, World Economic Forum
Ankit Todi, Lead, Group Sustainability Strategy & Partnerships, Mahindra

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Tuesday, 5 Dec
13:30 GST to 14:30 GST
Auditorium

*Creating inclusive jobs through a circular economy

Hosted by: Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

This event will launch our short paper examining how a just transition can be achieved through the shift towards a European Circular Economy. This will include views of the business community.

Speakers:


Martin Porter, Executive Chair, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, Europe
Sergio Menendez, President for EMEA Region, CEMEX
Ramon Arratia, Chief Sustainability Office, Ball Corporation
Erin Leitheiser, Associate Director, Nature, BSR
Diandra Ni Bhuachalla, Youth Delegate, European Economic and Social Committee

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Tuesday, 5 Dec
14:30 GST to 15:30 GST
GCCA Pavilion

*Implementation Lab ‘The power of demand signals & policy enablers to accelerate exponential systems transformations’

Hosted by: We Mean Business Coalition

This event is co-organized by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, We Mean Business, Global Optimism, and the Climate Champions.
The Lab will showcase how the transition is happening faster than we think for solar, wind and electric vehicles. In a roundtable setting, participants will explore how the policy levers and enablers behind these success stories can deliver a more targeted and effective Global Stocktake response in other sectors. The discussion will focus on the critical action needed over the next two years to mobilise the combined demand for new products from businesses, cities and governments to further unlock exponential systems transitions.

Speakers:

Peter Bakker, President, WBCSD
Maria Mendiluce, CEO, We mean Business
Kelly Levin, Chief of Science, Data and Systems Change, Bezos Earth Fund
Nigel Topping, High-Level Champions COP26
Fernando González, CEO, Cemex
Deeksha Vats, Chief Sustainability Officer, Aditya Birla
Anders Karrberg, Head of Global Sustainability, Volvo

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Tuesday, 5 Dec
16:30 GST to 17:30 GST
Lab 1 (Al Shaheen)

Trading Green Hydrogen to Bolster Energy Security

Hosted by: RMI

Moderator: Oleksiy Tatarenko, Senior Principal, Climate Aligned Industries, RMI

To prioritize energy security, we need to rapidly transition to green energy sources. At COP28, RMI is hosting a panel on the value of renewable hydrogen exports in promoting global energy security. Featuring Green Hydrogen Catapult member CEOs and policymakers from Europe and Southeast Asia, the discussion will span topics from the need for expanded public support to the unique opportunity that green hydrogen presents to match supplies in regions with ideal renewables capacity to end users in resource-constrained areas: a “win-win” situation with great potential to decarbonize heavy industry.

Speakers:

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Tuesday, 5 Dec
16:45 GST to 17:45 GST
Auditorium

Unexpected allies – Accelerating food systems solutions through partnerships

Hosted by: Bain & Company Co-hosted with WBCSD

Moderator: Jenny Davis-Peccoud, Sustainability Practice Founder, Bain & Company

More sustainable food and agriculture offers one of our best means of reversing climate change and environmental degradation while improving health and livelihoods around the world. But complex transformations require unprecedented partnerships, including between private sector players who may be more used to competing, and with non-corporate actors like NGOs. What are lessons learned from partnerships that are already driving significantly different results at scale and priorities for enabling more such action?

Speakers:

Rob Cameron, Vice President Global Head of Public Affairs and ESG Engagement, Nestlé 
Abanti Sankaranarayanan, Chief Group Public Affairs Officer and Member Group Executive Board, Mahindra 
Max DuBuisson, VP and Head of Sustainability Policy & Engagement, Indigo
Berry Marttin, Member of the Managing Board (former), Rabobank
Diane Holdorf, Executive Vice President Pathways, WBCSD
Murilo Parada, CEO Brazil and Global Chief Sustainability Officer, Louis Dreyfus Company

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Tuesday, 5 Dec
18:00 GST to 19:00 GST
Auditorium

*Taking stock – Bain & We Mean Business Coalition networking reception to advance the global climate agenda

Hosted by: Bain & Company & We Mean Business Coalition

We are delighted to welcome you for a networking reception hosted by Bain & Company and We Mean Business Coalition at the Business Pavilion. We will bring together a diverse group of global leaders in a social setting to forge new connections and hold candid discussions on the actions required to unlock systems transformations across energy, industry and finance in service of net zero

Speakers:

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Tuesday, 5 Dec
19:00 GST to 20:00 GST
Pavilion open space

*Freight to Zero: Decarbonizing Urban Freight Transportation

Hosted by: The Climate Pledge and C40 Cities

Demand for urban last-mile delivery is expected to grow 78% by 2030, resulting in a 36% increase in delivery vehicles in the world’s largest 100 cities. An expected tripling in the demand for freight by 2050 could double its 8% share of global GHG emissions. Transitioning to electric freight vehicles is among the key ways to lower these emissions. Join The Climate Pledge, C40 Cities mayors, and others as they discuss their experiences advancing freight electrification. This event is recommended for those interested in identifying and proposing opportunities to accelerate the roll-out of electric fleets in cities worldwide.

Speakers:

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Wednesday, 6 Dec
10:00 GST to 11:00 GST
Global Climate Action Lab 2 (UNFCCC space)

How the Building Materials Industry Contributes to the Circular World of the Future

Hosted by: Cemex

Moderator: Gonzalo Muñoz, UN Climate Change, High-level Champion

Explore what’s possible when the building materials industry leverages societal and industrial waste to substantially reduce CO2 emissions, conserve valuable natural resources, and build circular economies globally. Experts will discuss how waste can be reimagined to build a more sustainable world, how existing circular industrial practices are progressing, and how we can further advance circularity solutions at scale across the built environment. Understand where we are advancing circularity and what important breakthrough solutions, regulatory changes and other enablers are still needed to fully unlock a circular economy.

Speakers:

Fernando A. González, CEO, CEMEX
Dr. Marianne Kuhlmann, Co-Founder and Lead Circularity
Renae Kezar Global VP, Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs Johnson Controls
Ramon Arratia, Chief Sustainability Officer, Ball Corporation

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Wednesday, 6 Dec
10:45 GST to 11:45 GST
Auditorium

COLLABORATING ACROSS SECTORS TO ACHIEVE SYSTEM-WIDE RESILIENCE, WITH KEYNOTE FROM ALI ZAIDI, WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL CLIMATE ADVISOR

Hosted by: National Grid

Moderator: Sarah Muckerjee, CEO, IEMA

The importance of cross-disciplinary partnerships and looking at resilience through a systems-based lens. In other words, in order to truly build resilience, we must work together across all levels of government, with local and vulnerable communities, academia, and across industries.

Speakers:

Keynote: Ali Zaidi, White House National Climate Advisor
Nat Keohane, President, C2ES
David Wright, Chief Engineer & Risk Officer, National Grid
Seth Schultz, CEO, Resilience Rising
Anjatiana Radoharinirina, President & Co-founder at AIKA, One Young World
Eva Hinkers, Europe Chair & Board Member, Arup

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Wednesday, 6 Dec
12:00 GST to 13:00 GST
Auditorium

*Tech Meets Climate Empathy: Leveraging Digital Finance and AI to Support Climate Victims

Hosted by: Mastercard

To address the climate adaptation financing gap between developed and emerging and developing economies, urgent multisector collaboration is needed. This presentation will showcase successful prototypes and innovations that offer practical solutions, specifically CIFAR Alliance's UCARE product. UCARE is an example of how multisectoral actors from the financial sector, climate think tanks and development entities are collaborating to deliver much-needed direct relief financing for vulnerable communities to increase resilience before climate disasters even occur.

Speakers:

Ellen Jackowski, Chief sustainability officer, Mastercard
Jacqueline Musiitwa, Senior climate finance advisor, USAID
David del Ser, Chair and chief innovation officer, BFA Global

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Wednesday, 6 Dec
12:00 GST to 12:45 GST
Shared Presentation Hub

Flexibility: The missing link in the clean energy transition?

Hosted by: SSE


The debate on how we keep the lights on and ensure affordability in a renewables and nuclear-led energy system characterised by intermittency and inflexibility is needed. Historically, this role has been played by unabated coal and gas-fired generation – and there is now an urgent need to find lower-carbon solutions to avoid further carbon lock-in.
This roundtable discussion will bring together senior policymakers, developers, and OEMs to discuss how we can deliver the low-carbon flexibility solutions of the future at the required pace and scale to ensure the clean energy transition is delivered in a secure and affordable way.

Invitation only

Speakers:

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Wednesday, 6 Dec
13:30 GST to 14:30 GST
Boardroom

HOW BUSINESSES ARE ENABLING CONSUMER SUSTAINABLE LIVING

Hosted by: Visa

Moderator: Douglas Sabo, Chief Sustainability Officer, Visa

Transitioning to a net-zero economy necessitates both government and private sector commitment, but global consumers also influence this shift through daily decisions. Successful transition involves an evolution of traditional consumption patterns, encompassing behaviors, lifestyles and purchasing choices. This session explores recent global consumer research on aspirations and barriers, discussing the role of businesses in enabling millions -- if not billions -- of consumers to embrace sustainable choices in various aspects of daily life. The panel examines strategies and innovative content and solutions across the business ecosystem to inform and enable sustainable living, addressing areas such as food, mobility, travel, banking, apparel and household goods.

Speakers:

Brett Jenks, CEO, Rare.org
Emma Stewart, Ph.D., Sustainability Officer, Netflix
Karen Pflug, Chief Sustainability Officer, Ingka Group (IKEA)
Antonia Gawel, Director, Sustainability Partnerships and Engagement, Google
Friedrich Hubel, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Ecolytiq

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Wednesday, 6 Dec
13:30 GST to 14:30 GST
Auditorium

Fueling net-zero aviation: How can we clear the runway for Sustainable Aviation Fuels’ take-off?

Hosted by: Topsoe

Moderator: Christoph Wolff, CEO of the Smart Freight Center

Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), derived from alternative sources, are pivotal in achieving the flight industry's net-zero goal by 2050. Global airlines' blending mandates and voluntary commitments are driving demand, while production goals aim to bolster SAF supply. Ensuring sustainable feedstock sourcing is crucial to meet growing demand and minimize environmental impact. Addressing feedstock availability challenges and reducing costs requires significant investments and innovations. This side-event explores strategies for scaling up SAF production in the years ahead, facilitating carbon-neutral flying and navigating the intricate balance between demand, production goals, and environmental considerations.

Keynote speaker is U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider

Speakers:

Keynote: Jane Hupe, Deputy Director, Environment, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
Kim Carnahan, Founder & CEO, Neoteric Energy & Climate, SABA
Elena Scaltritti, Topsoe, Chief Commercial Officer
Keith Tuffley, Chairman, Clean Energy Transition & Sustainability, Citi
Brian Moran, VP for Sustainability Policy & Partnerships, Boeing international

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Wednesday, 6 Dec
17:00 GST to 18:00 GST
Auditorium

COP28 & SME Climate Hub for MENA: Cascading Climate Action in Supply Chains with Innovative Practices to Empower SMEs to Decarbonize

Hosted by: We Mean Business Coalition – SME Climate Hub

Moderator: Pamela Jouven, Director of the SME Climate Hub

Achieving net-zero goals and preserving the 1.5°C target hinges on addressing Scope 3 emissions, which typically contribute over 70% to a company's carbon footprint. The complexities of supply chains make tracking and reducing these emissions challenging. Recognizing the vital role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in large corporations' supply chains, this event explores innovative practices adopted by corporations to assist SMEs in reaching net-zero goals, particularly in the MENA region. The collaboration between COP28 UAE Presidency, We Mean Business Coalition, and the SME Climate Hub aims to elevate SMEs in climate action, by providing free emissions reduction tools in Arabic. SMEs comprise 90% of global businesses and contribute 60% of GDP in the MENA region, making them pivotal in driving climate action and enhancing regional resilience.

Speakers:

Introduction:
Pamela Jouven, Director, SME Climate Hub

COP28 & SME Climate Hub for MENA:
Hanan Sakr, Head, Private Sector Engagement, COP28

Innovative practices organizations have implemented to assist SME suppliers and clients in achieving their net-zero goals:
Emma Stewart, Sustainability Officer, Netflix
Elizabeth Sturcken, Managing Director, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
Kevin Rabinovitch, Chief Climate Officer & VP, Sustainability, Mars, Incorporated
Louise Rehbinder, Director, Exponential Roadmap Initiative

Key strategies, challenges and solutions in supply chain decarbonization in the MENA region:
Shargiil Bashir, Chief Sustainability Officer, First Abu Dhabi Bank
Arab Hoballah, Executive Director, Seed
Nadia Rouchdy, Head of Climate, Emirates Nature-WWF, UACA

Closing Remarks:
Chris Roe, Worldwide Director for Carbon, Amazon

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Friday, 8 Dec
12:00 GST to 13:00 GST
Auditorium

Building the Grid of the Future

Hosted by: National Grid

Moderator: Lisa Jacobson, President, Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE)

The energy future is reliant on a grid that is smarter, stronger, and cleaner. Keeping 1.5 degrees in reach will require coordination across the energy system and customer demand-side programs to optimize existing infrastructure. Governments can facilitate the transition through policy and regulatory support that enables building in advance of demand, leverages best practices (including international), secures a trained and skilled workforce, improves siting and permitting processes, and invests in innovation. Given the scope and scale of what is required to meet the needs of the energy transition, collaboration across the public and private sector is vital to our success.

Speakers:

Carla Frisch, Acting Executive Director and Principal Deputy Director, Office of Policy, U.S.
Department of Energy
Sandy Grace, Vice President of Policy and Regulatory Strategy, National Grid
John Powers, Vice President of Global Renewables and Clean Tech, Schneider Electric
Kellie Charlesworth, Associate principal, Australasia region - energy transition, Arup

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Friday, 8 Dec
13:30 GST to 14:30 GST
Auditorium

Leading in the Race to Zero: UK business action on meeting net zero emissions by 2050

Hosted by: UK Corporate Leaders Group

Moderator: Beverley Cornaby, Director, UK Corporate Leaders Group

Hosted by the UK Corporate Leaders Group and featuring leading UK businesses across sectors, this event will seek to showcase the actions UK businesses are taking to support the government in meeting its net zero by 2050 target and explore the opportunities and challenges for business and government to take further action.

The initial panel (5-6pm) will seek to feature a keynote speaker from the UK Government and to showcase the actions UK businesses are taking to support the government in meeting its net zero by 2050 target. It will also explore the opportunities and challenges for business and government to take further action. The panel event will be followed by a networking reception (6-7pm).

Speakers:

Key notes:
Matt Toombs, Director - International Climate Strategy and Finance, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Business panel:
Roy Bedlow, CEO, Low Carbon
David Roth, Director – Public Policy, Amazon
Lisa Wee, CSO, AVEVA
Rhian Kelly, Chief Sustainability Officer, National Grid
Tessa Ferry, Policy & Engagement Lead, Race to Zero, Climate Champions Team
Miranda Barker OBE, Lancashire Chambers of Commerce

Reflections:
Nigel Topping, UK High-Level Climate Action Champion

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Friday, 8 Dec
17:00 GST to 19:00 GST
Auditorium

Climate Policy Engagement: how can corporations be advocacy leaders?

Hosted by: We Mean Business coalition, the High Level Champions team, InfluenceMap & other partners

Moderator: Race to Zero

Corporates have an unique opportunity and capacity to tackle climate change, both in their operational actions to reduce their emissions and how they use their political influence in engaging policymakers. However only 27 corporates around the world have been identified as Climate Policy Engagement Leaders by InfluenceMap. With the fossil fuel lobby having an outsized influence on policy, we need to strengthen corporate climate advocacy and move more corporations from the sidelines into leading advocacy positions.

In this event, we will have a keynote presentation from Senator Whitehouse on the importance of climate policy engagement. We will then explore with leading businesses, financial institutions, and NGOs what advocacy opportunities lie ahead on the road to COP30. How can policy incentives ensure businesses and financial institutions go faster to cut emissions? What regulatory trends and policy wins lie ahead, to ensure we win the Race to Zero? What is the role of trade associations in advocating for policies consistent with a 1.5C future?

Speakers:

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (US Senate - Rhode Island) - key note
Followed by two panel discussions: the first chaired by Andrew Prag, Managing Director - Policy, We Mean Business coalition; and the second by Dylan Tanner, Executive Director, InfluenceMap

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Saturday, 9 Dec
12:00 GST to 13:00 GST
Auditorium

Managing the Nature-Business Nexus: From Understanding to Action

Hosted by: PwC

Moderator: Emma Cox, Global Climate Leader, PwC UK

Recognizing nature's pivotal role, PwC research highlights that 55% of global GDP, approximately US$58 trillion, relies on nature. With numerous ecosystems endangered, businesses must actively contribute to habitat restoration and nature preservation. This is vital in tackling the climate crisis, given the profound interconnection between climate and nature. The panel discusses actionable measures for businesses to create and implement effective nature and climate strategies, fostering value and resilience while instigating substantial positive change. The focus is on practical steps to align business practices with environmental sustainability, emphasizing the importance of addressing climate and nature challenges in tandem.

Followed by a reception

Speakers:

Dan O’Brien, Sustainability Partner, PwC Canada
Eva Zabey, CEO, Business for Nature
Rob Cameron, Global Head of Public Affairs and ESG Engagement, Nestlé
Professor Alexandre Antonelli, Director of Science, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Oliver Withers, Head of Biodiversity, Standard Chartered

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Saturday, 9 Dec
15:30 GST to 16:30 GST
Auditorium

U.S. Policy and Business Dialogue

Hosted by: Ceres

Hosted by – Ceres, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), and the We Mean Business Coalition

Invitation only

Speakers:

Speakers pending confirmation

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Saturday, 9 Dec
17:00 GST to 18:00 GST
Auditorium

Banking on the Ocean: Southeast Asia’s Role in Pioneering Blue Decarbonisation

Hosted by: Temasek

Moderator: Franziska Zimmermann, Director, Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy, Temasek

Ocean-based climate solutions could deliver up to a fifth of NDCs but seldom feature in national climate pledges. Southeast Asia, with its long coastlines and a territorial sea space three times larger than its landmass, could offer opportunities for the development of ocean-based mitigation solutions with significant ecosystem co-benefits. Research seeking to identify and scale ocean-based decarbonisation activities, alongside the development of robust MRV methods, is currently ongoing. What can be learnt from current research and pilots that could catalyse ocean-based climate mitigation projects, and spur investor confidence to unlock the ocean as a key pathway to net zero?

Speakers:

Dr Sali Bache, Climate and Ocean Specialist & COP28 Lead, Monash University
Prof Koh Lian Pin, Associate Vice President & Chief Sustainability Scientist, National University of Singapore
Benedict Chia, Director General (Climate Change), National Climate Change Secretariat, Singapore
Hoon Ling Min, Investment Director, GenZero

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Sunday, 10 Dec
11:00 GST to 12:00 GST
Auditorium

Carbon to Food: Shifting the Paradigm of Global Food Production

Hosted by: Topsoe

Moderator: Robynne Anderson, President, Emerging Ag, Inc.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Novo Nordisk Foundation are funding a new consortium that will utilize CO2 to produce proteins for human food. The consortium combines knowledge and expertise from Novozymes A/S and Topsoe A/S, two leading companies within biotechnology and chemical engineering, respectively, Washington University in St. Louis in the US and the Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center (CORC) at Aarhus University in Denmark. The panel will discuss this critical project and its significant potential impact on two of the world’s biggest challenges: climate change and food security.

Speakers:


Jessica Olson, Head of Global Affairs, Americas, Topsoe
Claus Crone Fuglsang, Chief Science Officer, Novozymes
Elysabeth Alfano, CEO, VegTech Invest
Carolina Carregaro, Director of Public Affairs, Nestle

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Sunday, 10 Dec
12:30 GST to 13:30 GST
Auditorium

Supply Chain Decarbonization: An Essential Step Towards Net-Zero

Hosted by: WOMEN ACTION SUSTAINBILITY

Moderator: Capucine Jeanet Dourdin, Sustainability Business Division Director - Middle-East & Africa Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric has partnered with Women Action Sustainability (WAS) and the We Mean Business Coalition to introduce a new report that spotlights the interconnectedness of supply chains and its ripple effect on decarbonization initiatives, highlighting the collective responsibility and impact that supply chain partners have in achieving carbon neutrality.The objective of this event is to highlight the importance of supply chain decarbonization to achieve carbon neutrality. To do so, we will explore the challenges and opportunities that organizations face in this process, identifying current best practices, the importance of digitalization and the need to involve SMEs in this transformation towards a sustainable supply chain. Based on these analyses, recommendations will be provided to maximize the impact and effectiveness of supply chain decarbonization.

Speakers:

Ana Peña, Head of Sustainability, Climate Change and Environment at Ferrovial, Vicepresident Sustainability at CEIM,WAS partner
Capucine Jeanet Dourdin- Sustainability Business Division Director - Middle-East & Africa Schneider Electric
Cristina Rivero Fernández, Director of the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Industry at CEOE
Jerusalem Hernández Velasco – Partner in Sustainability and Corporate Governance at KPMG Spain and WAS partner

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Monday, 11 Dec
09:00 GST to 10:00 GST
Auditorium

Harnessing the power of supply chain decarbonization through data, technology, and finance

Hosted by: CDP

Where to start? This is the question many companies have when they want to address the environmental impact of their supply chain. A more streamlined, pragmatic approach for corporates to access the tools required to begin engaging their supply chain on decarbonization is needed. This event will showcase innovative solutions that CDP is working on alongside key partners to help companies collate and manage their data, identify hotspots in their emissions, understand what their peers are doing to decarbonize effectively, and find ways to access the finance needed to fund the transition to a sustainable net zero economy.

Speakers:

Nicolette Bartlett, Chief Impact Officer, CDP (Moderator)
Mauricio Bermudez Neubauer, Carbon Strategy & Intelligence Global Lead at Accenture
Jennifer Chammas, Regional Head of Sustainability and Sustainable Finance, Global Commercial Banking, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited

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Monday, 11 Dec
11:30 GST to 12:30 GST
Auditorium

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