Programme

What do we need to make meaningful, rapid progress in reducing global emissions?Supply chain transparency is one of the key bottlenecks on businesses’ journeys to achieving net-zero emissions. To overcome it, however, we need to foster collaboration between the private sector, policymakers, and finance.In this session, you will hear from thought leaders in the space about how we can create the required infrastructure, policy frameworks, and incentives to get our economy on a net-zero trajectory and keep the 1.5 ambition alive.

The electrification of transport, heating and industrial processes, combined with the massive influx of renewables is transforming the power system. Not only is more grid capacity required, but this evolution is also increasing complexity across the system. From managing the variability of renewable generation to handling new types of load such as electric vehicles or data centres, the power system needs more flexibility. Source of flexibility include supply and demand as well as storage, active grids and interconnectors. However, the application and integration of these solution will be unique depending on the market.  Additionally, the scaling of digital technologies and power electronics can further enhance the ability of the power grid to make cost-effective use of flexibility sources, but also introduces higher degrees of complexity. Panellists at this discussion will explore strategies and technological solutions to address the grid complexity challenge.

The race to a sustainable future and the urgent need to mitigate climate change hinge on breaking free from fossil fuel dependency. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global renewable energy capacity must triple by 2030—reaching 11,000 GW—to meet Net Zero targets. However, this transformation can only succeed with the integration of robust energy storage systems into the grid. Energy storage plays a pivotal role in balancing the grid by smoothing out the variability of renewable sources like wind and solar, ensuring their full potential is harnessed while maintaining stability. Moreover, energy storage and grid flexibility offer a smarter, more efficient path to building a resilient energy infrastructure. This session will delve into the critical role of energy storage and flexibility in enabling tomorrow’s energy system, and address the barriers that must be overcome to realize this vision.

Discover how data can power decarbonization in fashion’s supply chains, with solutions already available today. Industry experts will explore the current state of Scope 3 emissions, innovative data-driven initiatives, and the trillion-dollar investment opportunity needed to scale these efforts. Learn how fashion can draw insights from other industries, overcome scaling barriers, and leverage data and financing to accelerate its journey to net-zero. This is a must-attend session for those committed to sustainable fashion and effective climate action.

This panel will dive into the findings in the newly published paper “Durable Carbon Removal & Corporate Claims in the Era of Article 6” written by Oxford Sustainable Finance Group in collaboration with AFRY and Nasdaq. The panel will delve into the important question of corresponding adjustments - a corresponding adjustment is a mechanism to avoid double counting when countries trade carbon credits between each other under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

At COP28, Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Ulf Kristersson launched the India-Sweden Industry Transition Partnership (ITP) as part of the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT). The Prime Ministers committed to return to COP30 in Belém to deliver tangible results under this partnership. With one year to go, this panel discussion provides an opportunity to take stock on progress made under the India-Sweden ITP and highlight the links to its sister partnership, the Brazil-UK Industry Decarbonisation and Hydrogen Hubs.Co-Organizer: Lead ITModerator: Dominic Waughray, Executive Vice President, WBCSD

Only 11 per cent of the world’s treated wastewater is reused, and half of the untreated wastewater enters natural water bodies, posing significant health and environmental threats. Sustainable wastewater management can recover energy and nutrients, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide alternative water and energy sources. Despite its potential, only 32 of 195 NDCs recognise wastewater treatment as a mitigation measure, highlighting a missed opportunity in global climate strategies.

Carbon pricing is essential for enabling the long-term transformation of our societies - and soon a requirement for certain industries to be able to trade with the European union.  This event will explore how increasing the number of emissions priced globally can create a case to phase out fossil fuels, make climate solutions more attractive and in a relatively short timeframe enable more economies to trade with Europe as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is phased in over the coming years. It will also highlight the challenges – and opportunities – that carbon pricing may have on the business sector in emerging economies.  The seminar will gather policymakers and business organisations and serve as a collaborative platform to discuss necessary partnerships ahead to support the implementation of carbon pricing mechanisms.

The backbone of the energy transition is the grid, while storage adds essential flexibility. By enhancing both, we can create a resilient, decarbonized, and cost-effective energy system that benefits society as a whole. By investing in modern infrastructure, we ensure that everyone can enjoy the advantages of a clean and reliable energy supply (and that we achieve global net-zero emissions by 2050).

Phosphorus is essential for feeding the growing global population and is increasingly critical for LFP battery production. Currently, phosphorus for fertilisers and batteries relies on virgin mining, with major producers being China, Morocco/Western Sahara, and Russia, but by 2100, the world may depend almost solely on Morocco/Western Sahara. Urban flows contain significant phosphorus that, if not managed, can harm marine ecosystems, but existing technologies can recover phosphorus from sources like sewage sludge, creating a circular value chain.

Transforming our food systems is high on the climate agenda. At COP28, more than $2.5 billion was pledged by the global community to support the food-climate agenda, and over 130 world leaders endorsed the declaration on food and agriculture. However, the global community faces the challenge of reaching the last mile; ie. the small-hold food producers. This interactive session aims to take the food system agenda beyond discussions to a proven and scalable model based on building resilience and creating socio-economic value for every actor in the value chain, starting with the last mile; ie. The small-hold farmer. 

The urban poor are disproportionately affected by climate change and more likely to live in disaster-prone areas, yet they can also crucial agents of transformative change. However, without adequate climate finance, local and global climate goals are out of reach, indicating the need for enhanced cooperation and climate action, locally led by the most vulnerable as well as increased financial support.This event will launch a new publication by the Cities Alliance “Climate Finance for the Urban Poor: A Review of the Global Climate Funds” and highlight the insufficient amount of climate finance targeting the urban poor. The discussion will highlight some of the challenges in accessing finance, the effectiveness of locally-led climate action for addressing poverty and how we can catalyze more finance for this critical population. 

Master of Ceremony: Richard Ali - Director Corporate Affairs, Strategy and Stakeholder Relations at Tetra Pak Panelists:Charles Brand, Executive Vice President Processing Solutions & Equipment at Tetra PakGilles Froment, President at IDFPiercristiano Brazalle, Honorary Member, former President at IDF

In this session, early movers in the international carbon markets will discuss the challenges and opportunities for mobilizing carbon finance to enhance climate action in Asia and the Pacific. Representatives from Asian Development Bank’s developing member countries and development partners will share insights and plans on leveraging carbon market mechanisms under Article 6 to enhance climate action, as part of their national strategies to achieve Paris Agreement goals. 

COP29 in Baku has been named the “finance COP” as it provides an opportunity for parties to align climate finance contributions with global needs. While climate finance serves as a crucial foundation to reach the Paris Agreement objectives, it is clear that climate finance alone will not be enough to close the financing gap. In this context, carbon markets and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement have an important role to play in mobilizing additional finance for increased climate ambition as well as accelerated achievement towards the sustainable development goals. This side-event will gather representatives from governments and multilateral organizations that have started implementing Article 6 carbon markets to share their views on the important role carbon finance can play in closing the finance gap.