AGENDA

Registration & Breakfast

Welcome Remarks

Balancing Innovation and Sustainability: Navigating AI's Impact on Climate Change 

AI could revolutionise the fight against climate change, from predicting extreme weather patterns to optimising waste management. However, its vast energy demands risk increasing carbon emissions, with some multinational corporations reporting up to a 30% rise. What measures can the private and public sectors take to ensure AI does not lead to a significant rise in carbon emissions? This session explores how to harness AI’s power for climate solutions without undermining decarbonisation efforts.  

The Fossil Fuel Dilemma: To Exit or Engage? 

Since COP28 heralded the "Beginning of the End" for fossil fuels, the specter of stranded assets looms larger than ever. While 75% of investment companies are engaging with high-emitting industries to drive sustainable transformation, a growing cohort of conscious investors is shifting towards divestment. Is engagement or divestment the best strategy to phase out fossil fuels and ensure a just transition? This session will delve into the rewards and risks of both approaches and identify concrete strategies that investors are using today to accelerate the transition. 

Coffee Break & Networking

Carbon Confidence: Unlock Carbon Market Potential with Insurance 

The voluntary carbon market is set to grow from $2 billion in 2020 to $250 billion by 2050, but recent slowdown and complex risks threaten this forecast. Could insurance mitigate diverse risks and unlock the market’s full potential? This session features market leaders discussing how businesses can leverage carbon credits for sustainability and explore insurance's critical role in building confidence and driving growth in this evolving market. 

Seizing the Biodiversity Opportunity 

Biodiversity is in crisis, yet funding is scarce. This year, COP16 delegates are tasked with operationalising commitments to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030 despite a $700 billion annual funding gap. Can biodiversity credit markets and natural capital accounting help bridge this gap? The session will explore innovative mechanisms for channeling capital flows towards nature positive outcomes and consider the risks, opportunities and regulations around financing the fight against biodiversity decline. 

Unlocking Private Investment for Climate Adaptation in Emerging Economies 

Emerging economies face dire climate impacts despite contributing little to global emissions. However, critical adaptation funding falls short, with just $63 billion mobilised in 2021-22 despite an annual investment need of $212 billion by 2030. This session tackles the barriers to adaptation finance, exploring innovative models and successful public-private partnerships that can close the funding gap and build long-term resilience in vulnerable regions. 

Lunch

Small Businesses, Big Impact: Driving SMEs Toward Sustainable Actions 

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for 90% of global businesses and 40% of business-sector emissions, but lag in the net-zero transition. Rising costs hinder their sustainability efforts, and both financing and support remain underdeveloped. Why aren’t private and public sectors prioritising SME decarbonisation? Join us to tackle barriers preventing SMEs from embracing sustainability and to explore innovative solutions that can accelerate their journey to net zero.