24 November 2022
COP27 came to a close at the end of last week. Reactions to the outcomes of the conference have been mixed. Unfortunately, proposals to phase out fossil fuels didn’t make much progress this year, with a number of countries looking to use the concept of ‘low-emissions energy’ as a loophole for further fossil gas exploration.
However, there were also a handful of really exciting historic milestones reached. Among the most notable outcomes of COP27 was the agreement to establish a loss and damage fund for developing countries that are being disproportionally affected by the impact of climate change. Next steps are to figure out where the money for the fund will come from, and New Zealand is leading the way, having already pledged $20m towards that fund.
Here’s a good synopsis from RNZ about this milestone, and a full rundown on the key international outcomes from COP27 from Carbon Brief.
Keep an eye out over the coming weeks for post-COP27 events taking place in New Zealand, such as the below:
- This event on 7 December in which Climate Change Commission Chairperson Rod Carr will share his reflections on the conference
- Toitū’s COP27 webinar: A Q&A debrief with Newsroom’s journalist Rod Oram and Dr. Belinda Mathers on their first-hand experiences at the climate summit
Looking forward to COP28
COP28, taking place next year in Dubai, is set to be a business-centric conference — SBC is planning to have boots on the ground alongside some of our members, with the aim of bringing a strong Kiwi business presence and highlighting the mahi New Zealand is doing in the climate space.
Among other things, there are hopes that the phasing out of fossil fuels (including gas) will be back on the table at next year’s COP and that we’ll have a better sense for whether 1.5 degrees is still achievable. Check out this Reuters podcast to learn more about what we might be able to expect from COP28.
17 November 2022
The second week of COP27 is well underway, and there have been another handful of exciting developments emerge from the discussions.
- Aotearoa New Zealand has announced a five-fold increase in its contribution to global efforts to support climate change adaptation
- New Zealand has joined an international call for countries to re-affirm their commitment to reform fossil fuel subsidies
- The U.S. and China (the world’s two biggest emitters) resume climate talks
- Mexico to raise climate emissions target for first time since 2016
- U.S. climate envoy Kerry launches carbon offset plan to help developing countries speed their transition away from fossil fuels
COP27 event at DLA Piper
SBC and DLA Piper held a breakfast panel discussion on 16 November to reflect on the implications of COP27 for New Zealand, and how as businesses we can continue to take steps towards decarbonisation. The discussion covered the decarbonisation steps, both incremental and significant, that leading corporates across a range of sectors are taking internationally, including DLA Piper’s own journey to being the first law firm in the world to sign a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) in the UK.
SBC Executive Director Mike Burrell had some invigorating words for the audience:
“[Businesses] make a difference – you really do. We would not be where we are now in terms of reducing the risk to the planet if it hadn’t been for the actions of businesses working with governments to roll out solar at massive scale. That single thing will go down in history as the thing that saved our lives. It’s really up to us to continue the momentum as businesses and continue doing what we do best – action – to make sure we bring that curve right back down to 1.5 degrees. We can do it. We owe it to ourselves, we owe it to our neighbours in the Pacific. If we go over 1.5, they go under. Simple as that. Your actions matter.”
New Zealanders on the ground at COP27
Here are some updates from member organisations and other New Zealand bodies from the last few days of activity at COP27.
- Dave Rouse from CarbonClick
- Belinda Mathers from Toitū Envirocare
- Rod Oram describes the indecision at COP27
- Climate Ambassador Kay Harrison speaks to Aotearoa NZ values underlying our climate finance and calls for significant increases in adaptation finance
- Cook Islands Prime Minister Hon. Mark Brown shares his tips with other world leaders
10 November 2022
COP27 kicked off earlier this week with a number of sobering and thought-provoking opening addresses from world leaders, including a speech from former Vice President Al Gore and one from UN Secretary General António Guterres.
News and resources from COP27
We’re only a few days into the conference and there have already been a number of significant developments and new resources shared, including the below.
- New Zealand has offered $20m to developing countries for climate change damage
- In doing so, we’ve become one of only a handful of other countries to take this step, showing our support in particular for Pacific priorities. The money for this will come from revenue from the emissions trading scheme.
- Check out this video from Newsroom columnist Rod Oram discussing loss and damage from Sharm El Sheik
- High-Level Expert Group on the Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities releases a ‘how-to guide’ to ensure credible, accountable net-zero pledges
- This report contains 10 recommendations designed to help businesses, investors, cities and regions develop stronger and clearer standards for net-zero emissions pledges.
- UK taskforce launches ‘gold standard’ for net-zero transition planning
- The proposal aims to ensure companies’ transition plans are ‘meaningful, unified, and would deliver the emissions reductions they tout.’
- WBCSD launches ‘The Business of Climate Recover: Accelerating Accountability, Ambition and Action’
- This business implementation agenda, developed with member companies, sets out interventions for accelerating the global decarbonization of business, supporting business leaders in close collaboration with governments, to sharpen accountability, raise ambition, and deliver action at speed and scale.
What are SBC members up to at COP27?
There are a handful of SBC member organisations with boots on the ground in Egypt, and we’re looking forward to getting more updates from them to share with you as the conference unfolds. In the meantime, here are a few pieces they shared with us in the leadup to COP27.
- Dave Rouse, CEO at CarbonClick
- Read the insights Dave shared with SBC in the leadup to the conference
- Dave shared this post on LinkedIn outlining why he believes the emissions required to get to COP27 are worth it
- Belinda Mathers, GM of Technical at Toitū Envirocare
- Read the insights Belinda shared with SBC in the leadup to the conference
- Check out Toitū Envirocare’s explainer series on COP27
- Craig Weise, Chief Executive at NZGIF
- Read the insights Craig shared with SBC in the leadup to the conference
- Craig is also participating in this webinar on 16 November to discuss how and where real progress can be made through COP27
Stay tuned throughout COP27
There are a couple of ways you can stay on top of what’s happening at COP27, including the below two regular livestreams through SBC partners.
- COP27 Business Pavilion for Climate Leadership — the We Mean Business Coalition have a pavilion at COP27 and are livestreaming sessions, as well as sharing recordings for those that aren’t able to tune in for the livestreams.
- G’day Sharm el Sheik — this is a daily broadcast from Andrew Petersen, CEO of BCSD Australia, who is on the ground in Egypt. He will be livestreaming for 30 minutes each day from 8:00-8:30pm NZST.
