Programme

Circular economy strategies can significantly contribute to COP 29’s climate objectives by advancing sustainable economic growth and resource efficiency. Even so, the development of circular business practices grows slowly, and in global contexts, such as the COP-negotiations, the barriers to a circular economy are rarely highlighted.   
This seminar will highlight how addressing policy, financial, regulatory, and organizational barriers to circularity can facilitate resource efficiency, extend product lifecycles and contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement. It will showcase circular solutions already on the market and emphasize the need to integrate circular strategies within COP 29’s policy agenda.

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