At COP28, for the first time, all nations formally agreed to move away from fossil fuels and rapidly ramp up renewable energy, while our cities and food systems took centre stage like never before. As we look ahead to COP29 and COP30, attention turns to the next essential task of turning the commitments into action. 

• As a global community, what are the key actions we need to take in advance of COP30?

• In what ways can we enhance collaboration across governments and non-state actors to speed and scale implementation?
• More than 60 countries will hold elections in 2024. How will the political context present barriers to implementation, and what can be done about this?
• Recognising we are in a race between tipping points, economic transition versus climate tipping, how can we de-risk these to deliver a resilient net zero transition?

The outcome of COP28 signalled ‘the beginning of the end’, with commitments to triple the world’s renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030. The urgency now lies in translating these promises into tangible actions. 

• How do we ensure a demand-led transition, with businesses, cities and civil society thriving in our new clean energy system?
• Can we truly foster a safe and just transition, placing people at the centre of the process?
• When and in what manner will further policy frameworks be effectively designed and implemented to incentivise the transition? 
• From smart grids to battery energy storage systems, how can we harness cleantech innovation and technology to accelerate the transition?

From IFRS to EU taxonomy to CSRD, the international standards landscape is constantly evolving. This proves overwhelming for companies, particularly SMEs. To enhance climate action, greater coherence is required to strengthen implementation, create incentives, and ensure transparency. 

• What role do formal international standards have in helping achieve our climate commitments? 
• What do businesses need from standard-setters?
• Can we alleviate the reporting burden for corporations, while recognising the importance of open, transparent data?
• What is required to harness cooperation between standard-setting frameworks and businesses to streamline processes and combat fragmentation?

To move at speed and scale to meet our climate goals, we must embrace cutting-edge technologies. Both private and public sectors play an important role in accelerating cleantech innovation, through investment and technical expertise. 

• What are the current barriers in scaling up cleantech innovation?
• How can we stay ahead of the curve in cleantech investment? 
• How can public-private sector collaborations be harnessed to enhance the efficiency and rapid deployment of cleantech?
• How is the public sector nurturing clean technology development and deployment? 
• What role will data and AI play in accelerating and scaling climate tech?

With extreme weather events, resource scarcity, and changing environmental regulations, supply chains are increasingly vulnerable to disruptions. Sustainable practices, such as renewable energy adoption, circular economy principles, and ethical sourcing, are becoming imperative for resilience in the face of the climate crisis. 

• How can technology be used to create more transparent, traceable supply chains?
• What can businesses do to incentivise stakeholders throughout the value chain?
• How should big corporates work with SMEs in their supply chains to build sustainability?
• Can we derisk the decarbonisation of supply chains to accelerate action and resilience?

The voluntary carbon markets landscape is evolving and has recently been under scrutiny, with criticism of it being unregulated or considered greenwashing. Establishing a high-integrity voluntary carbon market is essential, as it holds the potential to unlock effective climate solutions. However, it is crucial that such a market complements ongoing mitigation efforts to ensure a comprehensive and impactful approach to addressing climate challenges.

• What actions can buyers and sellers of carbon credits take to increase trust in voluntary carbon markets?
• Utilising financial and legal innovation, how can we build voluntary carbon markets with an emphasis on integrity?
• How can voluntary carbon markets be used in tandem with decarbonisation projects, to reduce emissions?

Insurance plays a critical role in all areas of economic activity. But is the industry doing enough the support the transition?  And are we taking it for granted that affordable insurance will always be available? In this conversation, Jo and Rowan will explore these issues, within the context of Howden’s recent work on de-risking the transition.

The transition away from fossil fuels demands an unprecedented scale of investment, with approximately 35 trillion dollars needed by 2030. Accelerating progress toward our climate goals necessitates urgent and substantial scaling-up of investment. Establishing a robust financial sector aligned with sustainable practices is essential to facilitate the massive influx of capital required to propel the global shift to cleaner, more environmentally friendly investment opportunities.

• What systemic change is required in the financial system to unlock capital flows? 
• What can be done to support and scale transition finance plans?
• How can financial institutions, banks, and the private sector work together to create mechanisms that de-risk investment?
• How can we leverage financial opportunity to finance innovative green initiatives? 

As the climate crisis intensifies, businesses must strive to mitigate its environmental impact in the hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, aluminium, chemicals, shipping, hydrogen, agriculture and the built environment. To achieve our 2030 goals, decarbonisation of these industries is pivotal. Clean technologies must move from pilot to commercialisation and be made readily accessible and affordable.

• How can we accelerate and scale clean tech deployment from pilot plant to commercialisation?
• What do the private sector need to create concrete advance purchase agreements for low carbon materials and services?
• How can we build net zero clusters and green corridors to establish critical infrastructure?
• What needs to be done to close the international collaboration gap? 

Philanthropic organisations are increasingly playing a crucial role in advancing climate solutions. In this session we explore the merits and challenges of global philanthropic initiatives versus localised, context-specific strategies in effectively addressing climate change.