Action Speaks Summit 2023

Are we letting myths cloud our judgement in the face of climate action?

This session aims to break down barriers such as misconceptions and stereotypes that often surround climate action and holds us back from acting upon existing solutions. Does business growth come at the expense of climate goals? Do sustainable products need to come at a premium? Is climate change solely the domain of certain sectors and a concern for the future? In this session, we will confront these, and other myths head on with leading voices who have first-hand experience in tackling them.

Join us as we debunk myths and strive towards a clearer understanding of what it takes to act. We have no time for excuses.

Moderator:

Dr Katharine Hayhoe, Chief Scientist, Distinguished Professor, Author The Nature Conservancy | Texas Tech University

Speakers:

• Aileen Lerch, Senior Manager of Sustainability, Allbirds
• Jennifer Holmgren, CEO, LanzaTech
• Jesper Brodin, CEO, Ingka Group
• Kate Marvel, Ph.D., Senior Scientist, Climate, Project Drawdown

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Co-hosted by Regeneration.VC and Project 17.

Multinational corporations have relied on imperfect offsetting programs while pending international policy requires bold action to address increasingly complex supply chains. In response, corporations are rapidly adopting Consumer ClimateTech, hardware and software innovations that directly address scope 3 emissions, material resources and biodiversity within the consumer value chain. 

Regeneration.VC is ‘Insetting Consumer ClimateTech’ within the corporate value chain to generate positive impact on surrounding communities and ecosystems to unlock a multi-trillion-dollar business opportunity with outsized benefit for people and planet.  

Join us for an interactive panel exploring the innovations, investors, and global corporates future-proofing global supply chains.

Moderators:

• Gail Gallie, Founder Project 17 and Co-founder Project Everyone
• Michelle McEvoy, Associate Director, Project 17

Speakers:

• John Felts, CEO, Cruz Foam
• Martijn Lopes Cardozo – CEO Circle Economy
• Michael Smith, Co-Founder and General Partner at Regeneration.VC
• Yael Shemer, Co-Founder and Chief Customer Officer, TULU

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How might we use our financial resources to promote actions based on climate evidence?

We have the tools and know-how to keep global warming below 1.5°C, and we have options in all sectors to at least halve emissions by 2030 – but to make it happen we need to align our capital with our climate goals. IPPCC estimates that an annual $3 trillion investment in climate solutions will be needed. Interest in financing climate action is growing, however, are we investing wisely and how can we speed up action? ​In this session, we’ll explore a big opportunity to link financial tools with climate science to take significant action on a large scale.

Join us to explore the exciting potential of accelerating science-based climate action through innovative finance and investment together with pioneers who are choosing to invest in the future of our planet.

Speakers:

• Emrah Durusut, Senior Partner, Xynteo 
• Karen Pflug, CSO, Ingka Group 
• Kirsten Love, Director of Market Development, Tradewater 
• Stephan Nicoleau, Managing Director, FullCycle

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How might ESG reporting standards and guidelines be a competitive advantage and accelerate climate action?

Regulation is often viewed as a hindrance to business, a requirement to meet or a report to submit. However, frameworks such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards are so much more. They provide businesses with the certainty they need to make decisions, invest in the future and create competitive advantages by leading the world to impactful action. ​

Join us as we delve into ESG’s journey from a checklist protocol to an integral part of organisational culture, hearing from leaders why and how this is driving real and measurable impact in their organisations.

Moderator:

• Lindsey Hall, Head of ESG Thought Leadership, S&P Global

Speakers:

• Ellen Jackowski, Chief Sustainability Officer & EVP, Mastercard
• Morten Enggaard Rasmussen, EVP People, Sustainability & Brand, Novozymes
• Sasha Dichter, Co-founder & CEO, 60 Decibels
• Simon Henzell-Thomas, Global Director Climate and & Nature, Ingka Group

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(Invitation only) The Corporate Leaders Group Europe will hold a dinner with Chief Sustainability Officers and Senior sponsor-level representatives from leading companies across different sectors

Speakers:

• Karen Pflug, CSO, Ingka Group

How can we ensure that the transition to a net zero economy is a just one? 

The science is clear: we need to scale up climate action to keep the 1.5°C limit within reach and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. At the same time, we need to ensure that the transition to a net zero economy is just, and that the benefits and challenges of moving away from fossil fuels towards clean energy are shared equitably in society. This is needed to create buy-in for climate action, allowing governments and business to act at the scale and pace demanded by science.

Join the We Mean Business Coalition, BSR and The B team in a discussion on the importance of incorporating just transition considerations into transition plans to ensure that the net zero transition brings shared prosperity and more equitable societies. Panelists will articulate the business case for a just transition, outlining the material risks for business of an unjust transition, and share challenges and success stories.

Moderator:

• Aron Cramer, CEO, BSR

Speakers: 

• Andrew Prag, Managing Director of Policy, We Mean Business Coalition
• Miguel Muñoz, Head of Climate Policies and Alliances, Iberdrola
• Jennifer Horning, Head of Corporate Engagement and Partnerships, Solidaridad
• Rob Cameron, Global Head of Public Affairs, Nestlé
• Shameela Soobramoney, CEO, National Business Initiative
• Sharan Burrow, Former General Secretary of International Trade Union Confederation

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How might we increase knowledge and implementation of existing climate solutions by being more transparent?

Climate change is happening, and we all need to step up. Many of the solutions needed to keep global warming below 1.5°C already exist. However, the scale and speed of us acting on these solutions is too slow, and the clock is ticking. We know that every degree matters, but how do we move from discussions about the long-term to real action in the here and now? What could we achieve if we chose optimism, openness and collaborative action upon existing climate solutions?

In this invitation-only session, high-level contributors from business, government and civil society will discuss what we can do to raise awareness about existing solutions and the actions being taken to implement them with the goal to spread optimism and initiating action and collaboration by many more stakeholders.

Moderator:

Yalda Hakim, Journalist, Documentary filmmaker & Philanthropist

Panellists:

• Jesper Brodin, CEO, Ingka Group
• Dr. Ilham Kadri, CEO and President of the Executive Committee, Solvay
• Dr. Johan Rockström, Director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
• Michaël Bäcklund, President, ClimateScience

How can we best use the power of “Communications” to confront the climate crisis and inspire climate action with the urgency required?  

Join us for the launch of the digital white paper “A new era in climate communications” an unparalleled effort of 55+ contributors, which proposes a novel strategy for effective climate change communications across institutions and sector, enabling organizations, companies, campaigners and policymakers to access reliable, accessible and evidence-based information on how to engage different audiences on climate issues.  

During this inclusive and participatory event, we will continue to build together, envisioning our shared future and making the case for a new Earth Public Information Collaborative (EPIC)   

Speakers:

• Catherine McKenna, Chair, UN High-Level Expert Group on Net-Zero Commitments
• Dr. Emma Stewart, Sustainability Officer, Netflix
• Joao Talocchi, Network Director, Global Strategic Communications Council
• Mike Fleisch, Managing Member, Global Commons Alliance
• Natalia Vega-Berry, Founder & CEO, Net Zero World
• Staci Roberts-Steele, Managing Director and Executive Producer, Yellow Dot Studios
• Tim Kelly, Executive Director EarthHQ, Global Commons Alliance

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Investing in green accountability – new analysis shows how to avoid 3GT emissions and unlock $100bn a year for climate action  

Join us for the launch of new analysis which shows how a more transparent and inclusive financial system can avoid emissions and unlock capital for climate action.  Hear from inspiring leaders as they make the case for investing in green accountability and identify mechanisms to ensure a more equitable design and deployment of climate finance.  

Speakers:

• Aly Rahim, Program Manager, Global Partnership for Social Accountability, The World Bank
• Bogolo Kenewendo, Africa Director, Climate Champions
• Jamie Drummond, Founder, Sharing Strategies
• Kate R. Finn, Executive Director, First Peoples Worldwide
• Katherine Stodulka, Partner & Director, Blended Finance Taskforce, SYSTEMIQ
• Nazmeera Moola, Chief Sustainability Officer, Ninety One
• Nigel Topping, Co-Chair, Capital Mobilisation Commission
• Sandra Guzman Luna, Founder, Climate Finance Group for Latin America & the Caribbean

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(Invitation only) exhibition visit from the UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub, aiming to promote transformative innovations for a low-emission and climate-resilient future. Participants to the 2-day system innovation workshop will celebrate workshop achievements and get further inspiration for climate action in the exhibition space. 

 Speakers:

• Massamba Thioye, Project Executive UNFCCC Global Innovation Hub, UN Climate Change Secretariat 
• Ludvig Liljeqvist, Global Strategy, Innovation and Development, Ingka Group 

How can innovative climate solutions from the Global South translate into a global climate strategy?

Climate change will impact all of us, yet it is those that have contributed the least that will be impacted the most. The Global South has been seeing the impacts of climate change first hand and is therefore driving dynamic and nuanced climate initiatives. From adaptation amid resource constraints to community-led conservation and sustainable agriculture, these initiatives offer transformative possibilities for the Global North. What if we could use these rich insights as essential parts of a truly global climate solution strategy?

Join us to learn more about these success stories, and to reimagine a collaborative, equitable climate future with shared wisdom and collective action.

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(Invitation only) This nature roundtable will bring together businesses and NGOs which are leading on nature positive futures. It will focus on two priority areas: placing nature at the heart of policymaking and regulation and integrating nature as a core component of business models and strategy setting. The session will reflect on progress made since the signing of the Global Biodiversity Framework and explore challenges and opportunities to accelerating business and policy action towards a nature positive future. 

How do we ensure that every voice, especially those most immediately impacted by the climate crisis (Black communities, Indigenous communities, and communities of color), is heard and valued in the climate conversation?  

Climate action isn’t just about science but also about embracing diverse narratives and experiences. Dive into Project Drawdown’s approach of amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities in climate, as exemplified through their Drawdown Stories program and the Drawdown’s Neighborhood climate solutions short documentary series. With Matt Scott, Jothsna Harris and Drew Arrieta at the helm, discover the authentic stories of climate heroes across the U.S. and in the local area. 

Join us, and let’s explore the rich tapestry of perspectives shaping our climate future. Adding to the event, will be musical performances by Clara Kitongo and Josh Benitez, talented artists and climate heroes who have been featured in Drawdown’s Neighborhood. Their music will provide a stirring and soulful backdrop to the panel, reflecting the heartbeat of communities engaged in building a better climate future. 

Speakers: 

• Jennifer Seda, Volunteer Program Assistant, Bronx River Alliance 
• Xóchitl Garcia, Community Leader, Save the Sound 
• Clara Kitongo, Tree Equity Manager, Tree Pittsburgh 
• Joshua Benitez, Co-Director, Common Ground Relief 

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WBA will launch its White Paper on Corporate Accountability in context of global agendas like the SDGs. The panel will bring together leaders across government, business, civil society and more, to better understand each of our roles in closing the corporate accountability gap, so that companies feel both included and obligated to meet the SDGs. The discussion looks toward solutions, particularly in context of next year’s Summit of the Future and opportunities to reinvigorate the multilateral system, ensuring that the 2030 Agenda is systemically relevant and consequential to the private sector. 

 Speakers:

• Gerbrand Haverkamp, Executive Director, World Benchmarking Alliance 
• Navid Hanif, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) 
• Marc-André Blanchard, Executive Vice-President and Head of CDPQ Global, and Global Head of Sustainability, CDPQ 
• Hindou Omarou Ibrahim, President of the Association, Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad (AFPAT) 
• Laura Clarke, CEO Client Earth

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How can Artificial Intelligence accelerate our progress towards a net-zero society?

We know the power of data and efficient technology in enabling science-based climate action. From predictive modelling that enhances our understanding of climate patterns, to optimising energy consumption and powering sustainable solutions, AI has the potential to supercharge efforts in implementing climate actions. Yet, there are questions about ethics and inclusiveness that remain unanswered. In this session, we will explore the potent role of AI in revolutionising our approach to climate action.

Join us as we demystify these cutting-edge technologies together with tech frontiers and learn how we might leverage AI to drive climate action.

Moderator:

• Florian Reber, Head of Partnerships, Chloris Geospatial

Speakers:

• Dr. Thomas Crowther, Lead Scientist & Lab Founder, Crowther Lab, ETH Zürich
• Sunya Norman, VP, ESG Strategy and Engagement, Salesforce
• Dr. Marc Zornes, Co-founder and CEO, Winnow
• Venkatesh Kini, Co-Founder, Ubuntoo

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How can we unearth sustainable climate actions from the roots of our own traditions?

Traditional practices and indigenous innovations have sustained cultures in harmony with nature for centuries. In this session, we will explore how these low-tech, yet highly effective solutions can be re-imagined within modern contexts, presenting opportunities for investment and widespread adoption. How can these time-tested methods unlock transformative potential in modern strategies?

Join us as we journey from tradition to transformation and uncover how our past can help secure our future.

Speakers:

• Åsa Skogström Feldt, Managing Director, IKEA Social Entrepreneurship BV
• Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, President, Association for Indigenous Women and Peoples of Chad
• Kevin J. Patel, Founder & Executive Director, OneUpAction
• Nara Baré, Indigenous leader and Brazil Representative
• Dr. Paul Roughan, Indigenous leader, researcher & strategic advisor, Nia Tero

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What’s next? At the end of a full week of climate talks, we take stock of what we have learned and the ideas shared for creating a better future, today.

In this session, we will reflect on the discussions of the past week, highlight the learnings and insights to accelerate climate action. What is keeping us optimistic and hopeful, and what gives us cause for concern? What more can we do to foster optimism and drive action?

Join this co-creative session to develop a prototype of an initiative that facilitates sharing of climate solutions and actions, driving action through hope and optimism.

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