WBCSD at COPs: Delivering business impact on the road to COP30
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the Brazilian Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS) partnered in April 2024 to deliver impactful business engagement and actionable outcomes toward UNFCCC COP30.
WBCSD has put in place an 18-month strategy that will mobilize the private sector in delivering a high-ambition climate-action agenda and to drive implementation.
At the heart of the WBCSD and CEBDS partnership and WBCSD’s COP engagement strategy is a commitment to support the COP Presidencies by mobilizing business action and developing major outcomes in key value chains that would not be achievable without business engagement, commitment and action.
By acting across all three COPS, WBCSD and partnering with CEBDS, WBCSD will drive private sector support of “Mission 1.5°C”, launched by the Troika of UNFCCC COP Presidencies.
WBCSD cross-cutting themes at COP
WBCSD is at the COPs to represent the voice of business and to make sure that policy and NDCs are translated into real business action. We are building a roadmap of engagement to scale impact across common COP themes, including:
- Accountability: We foster alignment on priority metrics, standards and targets that demonstrate accountability and enable action. We will build on the announcement of CPAS for Climate at COP28 and profile opportunities to develop consistent metrics and standards across jurisdictions that will help to unlock finance and business action.
- Business-to-business action and investment through supply chains: We will elevate and showcase Scope 3 action through demand aggregation and the building of capability to unlock action and finance for new solutions and suppliers.
- Driving implementation and investment of credible National and Business Action Plans: Businesses are increasingly working with governments to drive implementation and investment. We support and enable this by backing transition-planning norms for corporates and exploring the intersections between national and corporate transition plans.
- Business support for a just transition that delivers for people and planet: We will contribute to defining and shaping a just transition agenda with an emphasis on the role business and investors in enhancing green skills, championing inclusive community engagement and financing a just transition.
Driving business transformation
As a global organization of more than 230 businesses determined to drive systems transformation, WBCSD brings the voice of the business community to the heart of the trio of COPs (COP16 UN CBD, COP29 UN CCC and COP16 UN CCD) in 2024 and importantly towards COP 30 next year.
Joined by leading figures from the worlds of business, policy, science and academia, WBCSD offers a roadmap for business transformation to advance our collective goals within the framework of the global sustainability agenda. The COPs are a series of steppingstone events for driving outcomes and showcasing business action.
The opportunity
WBCSD will be present at all of this year’s COPs to drive outcomes by supporting the effective engagement of the global business community.
At the COPs we will drive outcomes and showcase action through:
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- Agenda-settings: Playing a key role in guiding an ambitious business agenda and demonstrating alignment with COP priorities.
- Advocacy: Influencing and shaping political outcomes toward a net-zero, nature-positive, just future for everyone.
- Collective action & accountability: Maintaining and building momentum around our collective efforts and demonstrating credible action and implementation by businesses.
- Capability: Convening members to accelerate action and collaboration within the WBCSD community.
Road to COP30 in Brazil
The three COPs in 2024 are crucial milestones on the road to COP30, which will be held in Belém, Brazil, in 2025.
- COP 30 is the deadline for countries to present updated – and ambitious – climate commitments, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), that are aligned with the 1.5°C temperature limit.
- COP 30 will underscore the critical connection between nature and climate action, showcasing how preserving natural ecosystems and respecting indigenous and local knowledge are essential for effective climate solutions.
It is critical that WBCSD and its members use the road to COP30 and opportunities to engage with governments and other leaders to advance progress toward a net-zero, nature-positive, and more equitable world.
Overview of COP engagement
UNCBD COP16
Cali, Colombia
21 October – 1 November
UNCBD COP 16 will be the first biodiversity conference since adopting the Kunming-Montreal Framework. Governments and parties to the Convention will review progress and show alignment of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), further develop monitoring frameworks and address resource mobilization.
WBCSD will focus on metrics and targets to enhance accountability and catalyze action for nature. We will also encourage businesses impact along supply chains and advocate for credible National and Business Action Plan implementation that contributes to a just transition.
UNFCCC COP29
Baku, Azerbaijan
11 – 22 November
UNFCCC COP29 will focus on advancing the Paris Agreement goals, enhancing transparency and setting new climate finance targets. High-level segments, key negotiations and side events will address global warming, adaptation and financing for climate action, emphasizing accountability and support for developing countries.
At COP29 WBCSD will showcase progress on Corporate Performance and Accountability, work to elevate Scope 3 business-to-business action and supplier transition, advocate for transition-planning norms and business-government partnerships to deliver climate and adaptation plans, and champion the just transition agenda emphasizing green skills, inclusive community engagement and finance.
UNCCD COP16
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2 – 13 December
UNCCD COP16 will unite leaders from governments, the private sector, civil society, and global stakeholders to accelerate progress in sustainable land management. We’ll explore the vital connections between land and sustainability during high-level sessions, including a Heads of States Summit and interactive dialogues.
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