COP28 programming

03 December 2023 | Sunday, 14:00 - 15:00 GST

Session Description:

Amidst the conflict or more broadly understood crisis, some areas stand at the crossroads of reconstruction. This panel discussion focuses on the actionable strategies that can infuse sustainability into the recovery process. By aligning its efforts with ambitious global climate goals, discussed regions can not only rebuild their foundations but also emerge as leaders in the transition toward sustainability locally and internationally. This session will offer concrete insights into attracting investments for a greener future.

Key topics:

• Tangible green strategies: in-depth exploration of practical measures to integrate climate resilience and sustainability into post-crisis reconstruction, spanning policies, infrastructure and industry initiatives, with a special focus on decarbonization.
• Potential role model: in-depth analysis of how countries and regions’ green recovery can position them as frontrunners in the global and regional pursuit of carbon-neutrality, with lessons to inspire and guide other countries affected by conflict or crisis in general.
• Resilience drives investments: in-depth discussion of how investing in climate-ready solutions can safeguard the future of discussed countries, attract sustainable investments and foster economic stability. The event will feature key factors that enable green recovery.

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04 December 2023 | Monday, 14:00 – 15:00 GST

Session description:

By valuing and integrating diverse perspectives, driving greater social equity and allowing a voice for all, we can:

• Build resilient communities
• Promote environmental stewardship
• Foster a just and prosperous future for all

Embracing these principles is not only a moral imperative but also vital for the effectiveness and long-term viability of sustainability efforts.

Moderated by Amy Brachio, EY Global Vice Chair - Sustainability, this interactive panel session will focus on the importance of embedding inclusion and equity across all aspects of sustainability initiatives to ensure long-term change.

Key sports figures, climate action entrepreneurs and private sector leaders, who are all raising their voices and mobilizing their networks for inclusive climate action, will bring different perspectives to the conversation.

Key topics:

• Creating environment or processes that are equitable
• Developing skills or training needed
• Building equity into entrepreneurship
• Developing inclusive business framework
• Enabling inclusion (gender, disability)

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05 December 2023 | Tuesday, 13:30 – 14:30 GST

Session description:

The panel will discuss concerns around cost of energy, energy security and accelerating sustainability, and how many organizations are looking to decentralized energy systems as the answer to their complex energy challenges. 

Governments are recognizing the challenges posed by EV adoption and the electrification of heat, especially in areas with constrained centralized grids or inadequate infrastructure, which can lead to energy poverty.

This comes at a time when new energy technologies and the utilization of AI mean that distributed systems will have the potential to be more predictive and effective than ever, with the potential of attracting better and more cost-effective capital. 

The panel will cover how decentralized distributed energy can play a major role in delivering the energy transition while creating a secure, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative solution.

Key topics:

• We will be addressing some of the most important questions, including:
• Are decentralized solutions expected to accelerate?
• Which markets need these solutions most and why?
• Which technologies work best together?
• How much will the solutions vary across sectors – are the drivers different?
• How much of GenAI’s design, operation, and cost of capital will be improved?
• What models are we expecting to emerge, and do we expect the ESCO model to re-emerge?
• What funding models are going to be best suited, and do we expect the source of capital to be more dynamic?

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06 December 2023 | Wednesday, 14:00 - 15:00 GST

Session description:

In this panel discussion on AI and sustainable infrastructure, industry professionals will come together to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in building a greener and more resilient future.

Key topics:

• Intersection of artificial intelligence and its potential contribution to creating more environmentally-friendly and resilient infrastructure
• Changing customer patterns and its impact on green infrastructure
• Optimization benefits from AI in the fields of energy, transport and waste that impact infrastructure

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08 December 2023 | Friday, 14:00-15:00 GST

Session description:

As family businesses all around the world go through the greatest generational transition in history, the new generation of owners take the lead in transforming their businesses to meet the demands of tomorrow in a rapidly changing world.

During this panel session, we will discuss how the most visionary family businesses go beyond what’s forced by legislation, recognizing the need to innovate and thus invest in ESG as something fundamental to their existence.

This panel session will convene:

• Visionary world-class next generation leaders
• Transformers of industry at the leading edge of technological transformation
•  Companies with international recognition

Key topics:

• What’s next for family businesses to become true champions in sustainability?
• What is the role of R&D, and how can corporate entrepreneurship be used as a pathway to sustainable ventures?
• Can the adaptation of climate-linked disruptive technologies build competitive advantage?
• How can family businesses successfully align their wealth, governance, philanthropy, and investment strategy to ESG-principles and subsequently deploy capital toward green technologies and innovations?
• What’s the ideal role governments should play in incentivizing green transformation?
• How can positive societal impact be achieved? 

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09 December 2023 | Saturday, 14:00-15:00 GST

Session description:

Biodiversity loss challenges humanity and the planet, similar to climate change and its impact. Addressing this challenge will require all the innovation and capital the private sector can bring.

EY teams will host a diverse panel of TNFD, UNEP and private sector representatives, regulators, and independent professionals to discuss how the TNFD framework works and how it can drive corporate strategies focused on preventing biodiversity loss and accelerating its conservation.

Key topics:

• TNFD framework and its implications
• Progress made so far by the private sector when it comes to developing biodiversity-focused strategies
• How these biodiversity-focused strategies feed into their analysis of long-term environmental risks (including climate risk)
• How can the TNFD frameworks accelerate these efforts
• Tangible actions the private sector can take going forward

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10 December 2023 | Sunday, 14:00-15:00 GST

Session description: 

The COP28 Water Agenda identifies three priority areas: conserving and restoring freshwater ecosystems, enhancing urban water resilience and bolstering water-resilience food systems.

Today, climate change is felt primarily through a change in water and is considered by the World Economic Forum Global Risks Report as one of the top five risks in all of reports since 2015.  Most SDGs involve having access to adequate and safe water. The IPCC AR6 report has assessed observed impacts on different sectors and concluded that without adequate adaptation, future water-related impacts of climate change on various sectors of the economy are projected to lower the global GDP by mid-century, with higher projected losses expected in low- and middle-income countries.  

In this session, we will discuss perceived impacts, successful adaptation, and mitigation strategies. Speakers include the CEO of Sabesp, the world's 4th largest water and waste management company and only UNFCCC official partner from Latin America.

Key topics: 

• New models of water governance
• Digital transformation and sharing data points
• Empowering women
• Innovation in water finance 

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11 December 2023 | Monday 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. GST                          

Session description:

In this panel discussion, we will explore both the challenges as well as the opportunities faced in scaling up transition finance in MENA. In doing so, we will delve into the complexities and nuances specific to the region, as well as the strategies required to enable MENA’s financial industry to drive credible transition plans. In particular, we will look in depth at important regional dynamics, including the ambitions of the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) as well as the emphasis given to supporting the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE).

Key topics: 

• Transition finance as defined in the context of MENA, such as aligning strategies and investments that address economic diversification, energy security and energy affordability
• Understanding the role of the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) framework and how this requires partnerships with the financial industry to drive finance at scale
• The potential for MENA to evolve as the global hub for carbon markets and what this would entail to get there
• The role of MENA’s financial institutions in driving a just and fair transition to address specific regional challenges, and the extent to which regulators are pushing this forward
• Understanding the need for MENA-focused climate data analytics and how this could be potentially the missing piece of the jigsaw in MENA for accelerating financing transition

Speakers

• Jessica Robinson, EY MENA Sustainable Finance Leader
• Dr Miray Zaki, Managing Director, Gulf Capital
• Nili Gilbert, Chair, Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) Advisory Panel of Technical Experts
• Jennifer Chammas, Regional Head of Sustainability and Sustainable Finance, CMB MENAT HSBC

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