KPMG COP28 Agenda

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. GST | Transition finance as a vehicle for credible transition plans roundtable

Delivering a net zero world requires up to $250t of capital to be channelled into the low carbon economy by 2050. Whilst ‘green’ finance principles are becoming better understood, ‘transition finance’ is still emerging. Standardization is key to unlocking capital and the immense opportunity in financing opportunities that enable the transition or assets with a credible transition plan. At this roundtable, participants from Asset Owners, Asset Managers, Banks and Standard Setters will discuss: How they are thinking about defining ‘transition finance’ within their organization, what is missing to provide confidence to the market in deploying ‘transition finance’; and how they are assessing the credibility of transition plans in their activities.

Location: Renewable Energy Action (REA) Pavilion, Opportunity District, Thematic Arena 3 (Blue Zone)

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. GST | Solutioning digital and green inclusion for SMEs globally and in the lower gulf

Join KPMG International to discuss the viability of deploying and scaling global technology solutions to leapfrog sustainability reporting and financing for small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) across the globe. A case in point being Greenprint, a recently launched platform by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) , with ambitions to be the regional SME reporting and data aggregator solution for Southeast Asia. Join this audience interactive session with the MAS, Microsoft and other Greenprint partners,  to discuss the structural and implementation challenges of transposing solutions from one region to another, using SMEs in the lower gulf as a topical focus. 

Location: Digital Innovation Pavilion (Blue Zone)

3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. GST | The business case for change – how to create value through climate and nature, co-hosted with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) 

As the global economy continues to teeter, many organizations have an ambition to change and see the need for action. But connecting sustainability to a tangible business case can be challenging. KPMG International and the WBCSD have developed a ‘how to’ guide on creating the business case for sustainable change. In this session, KPMG International and WBCSD will present the principles of their approach and how companies can redirect the narrative on action on climate and nature. This short presentation will be followed by a panel discussion where major companies will share their stories of creating value via action on decarbonization and nature. 

Location: Shared Presentation Hub (Blue Zone) & Livestreamed

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. GST | Blue Zone | Carbon Insurance and dMRV: Managing Risk and Enhancing Transparency in the VCM

A fundamental issue that plagues voluntary carbon markets today is the lack of transparency and related trust in carbon credits. Digital measurement, reporting and verification technologies (dMRV) can build shared confidence across project developers, buyers, sellers, lenders, investors and intermediaries in the true environmental impact of carbon claims. These actors are also exposed to a myriad of risks that can affect project attractiveness and bankability. These include potential physical losses to carbon offset generating assets, environmental liabilities associated with project implementation, political and regulatory risks, and underperformance in / non-delivery of expected carbon emission reductions / removals.

Combining dMRV technologies with carbon insurance covers offers a potential means to support quality and high-integrity voluntary carbon markets and net zero targets. This industry panel will share perspectives about how dMRV and insurance together support the life cycle journey of the generation, monitoring, verification, insuring, and ultimate purchase and retirement of a high integrity carbon credit. 

Location: Digital Innovation Pavilion (Blue Zone)

3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. GST | Scaling Climate Finance and building capacities to address climate change driven vulnerabilities

There is a well proven science-based linkage between extreme climate events and associated vulnerabilities to large population base across the world. Climate change poses disproportionate and particularly significant challenges to the developing countries augmenting existing vulnerabilities and adding intensifying conflicts. The devastating impact of climate change also poses extreme threat to global food security by adversely affecting the yield of agriculture systems.

Climate finance has been at the front and center of the UNFCCC COP discussions where a substantial amount of pledged climate finance is yet to be materialized. COP28 Presidency has also made a clarion call for an improved climate finance for the vulnerable nations. Many of these vulnerable economies are poorly equipped to even measure the extent of loss and damages incurred to them due to climate extremities. COP28 presidency has also urged nations to ensure that food systems and agriculture are central to climate action efforts. Global climate finance is heavily focused towards mitigation. However, the scale of challenge is well beyond, warranting appropriate focus on mitigation and covering loss and damages. Climate finance must respond to countries’ demonstrated needs whilst building capacities and addressing vulnerabilities.

This panel throw a spotlight on critical climate finance requirement areas and capacity building for the vulnerable countries around addressing climate extremities in a better way. Our stellar panel will deliberate upon key challenges and responses for a climate compatible development option. This panel will also shed light on how fast-tracking policies can attract relevant and appropriate green finance to countries. It will also highlight the impact of climate disasters on food security, businesses, livelihoods, etc. and the level of finance required to address identified vulnerabilities and augmenting recipient readiness.

Location: Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREE) Pavilion in Blue zone

4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. GST | Revitalizing Energy Landscapes: Middle East’s Path to Sustainable Electricity

Electrification, from sustainable sources, of the Middle East economies is crucial if we are to reach Net Zero. As of today, Renewable Energy penetration in the region electricity mix remain very low, despite the huge potential for solar and wind. In addition, the electricity infrastructure require significant investments to both support RE penetration and handle the increasing demand for electricity. In this high-impact panel leaders from Turkey and Arab Countries will discuss the fundamental role of innovation, financing and partnerships to pivot the electricity system in the Middle East towards a sustainable future.

Location: Side event in REA Pavilion

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. GST | Striving to ensuring resilience in renewable energy infrastructure, co-hosted with the International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (ICSI)

Renewable energy infrastructure sits at the nexus of climate mitigation and adaptation.  Join KPMG International and the International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (ICSI) for a comprehensive dialogue on the significance of resilience in clean and renewable energy infrastructure and systems. During this industry panel, specialists will explore financing, investment, and technical challenges, as well as innovations at both the asset and system-wide infrastructure levels.

Location: Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) Pavilion (Blue Zone)

1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. GST | Green transition for the cement industry

Cement industry plays a vital role in global infrastructure, with concrete ranking the second most widely used material on earth, right after water. However, cement industry grapples with critical challenges towards decarbonization as it forms the main ingredient where green transition is necessarily required.

Green transition by decarbonizing the cement industry involves vital strategies like developing alternative cement formulations, implementing carbon capture technologies, integrating renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, embracing circular economy practices, fostering policy support, and investing in research. These efforts are essential for reducing the industry's carbon footprint and advancing a sustainable and environmentally responsible future. Nevertheless, the adoption of these decarbonization measures will likely vary across countries based on the unique national circumstances, challenges and regulatory framework of countries that would play an important role in their uptake.

This panel will comprise of industry leaders who would draw attention towards latest technology, policy and circularity levers that can support the green transition towards low carbon cement plants across the world. It will also discuss Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) in the cement sector, and how it provides a realistic pathway for cement companies to transition to a net zero world. The panel will also discuss value creation opportunities for investments in the sector

Location: RCREEE Pavilion

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. GST | Energy transition in emerging markets - Imperatives for early retirement of coal power plants 

Join an exchange on the Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM) as a tool to facilitate the early retirement of coal power plants. During this session, the key stakeholders will share insights on primary objectives, considerations and imperatives for structuring and implementing early coal retirement. This panel comprising of utility, regulator, developer, and lenders will share the blueprint of effecting a successful ETM by best aligning the strategic objectives of all as the countries, territories and jurisdictions chart the pathways to meet their climate commitments. 

Location: Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) Pavilion (Blue Zone)

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. GST | Risks and renewables: addressing the modern slavery risks of scaling renewable energy 

The impacts of climate change will adversely affect a wide range of human rights. There are clear links between climate change, the energy transition and increased vulnerability to human trafficking and modern slavery. In 2023, for the first time, solar panels have cracked the top 5 most “at-risk” products for modern slavery globally1. How can we scale renewables and drive climate action in a way that protects the livelihoods, health and freedoms of the most vulnerable? 

The G20 accounts for over half of all people living in modern slavery and imports half a trillion dollars of products connected to modern slavery annually. How can we bridge the divide between Global North and South in eradicating modern slavery? What is the role of investors and asset owners and managers in reducing modern slavery risk in their value chains? What tools exist to embed modern slavery risk reduction in the scaling of renewable energy?

Location: Renewable Energy Action (REA) Pavilion, Opportunity District, Thematic Arena 3 (Blue Zone)

1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. GST | Supporting businesses on their nature journey, with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)  

Dive into an immersive workshop designed to guide businesses through the intricate landscape of environmental stewardship. In collaboration with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), this session offers a rare opportunity to tackle the complexities of integrating nature into corporate strategy, with a hands-on approach to overcoming hurdles and harnessing opportunities.

Location: Shared Presentation Hub  (Blue Zone) & Livestreamed