Business Environment Council’s Post

【Event Promotion︱活動宣傳】Invitation to Post COP28 Hong Kong Forum (21 Feb 2024)   The three words "Unite”, “Act”, and “Deliver" were posted everywhere in the COP28 venue to remind delegates, especially the negotiators, to come together and deliver a successful outcome. The agreement was to move from phasing down of coal to numerous measures for transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems and for reducing energy consumption. This significant change underscores greater acceptance by governments worldwide of the need for a sustainable energy future.   Co-organised by Business Environment Council, Civic Exchange, and HKUST Institute for the Environment (IENV) and ENVR HKUST, this event will provide a platform to discuss the implications of this landmark agreement and the critical role of different sectors in driving this transition. We will also explore the specific implications and opportunities for Hong Kong, particularly in the context of the city's role as a global financial hub. 【Event Details】 Date: 21 February 2024 (Wednesday) Time: 9:30a.m. – 12:30p.m. (Registration starts at 9:10a.m.) Venue: BEC Auditorium, G/F, 77 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong Language: English Fee: Free of charge but registration is required Read More and Register Now︱在此閱讀詳情並登記 https://lnkd.in/g2rJDngV   #CivicExchange #HongKong #climatechange #Sustainability #COP28 #energy #fossilfuel #GreenFinance #SustainableFinance

The Green Digital Action initiative of COP28 aims to promote collaboration among companies, governments, and civil society to advance green and digital transitions. Read the full article: Digital Sustainability COP28 ▸ https://lttr.ai/ANkj7 #COP28 #GreenDigitalAction #Digital #DigitalCarbon #SustainableWeb #DigitalTechnologies #WebsiteCarbonFootprints #DigitalSustainability #SustainableWebDesign #Sustainability #GlobalChallenges

COP29 CONTRADICTIONS: A FORETELLING OF WHAT IS TO COME? Eco-Business' 2 May Newsletter We are still half a year away from the next United Nations climate talks. But COP29 host Azerbaijan is already raising questions over its credibility in overseeing negotiations for how the world can slash emissions and avoid dangerous plantetary heating. COP29 president-designate Mukhtar Babayev, who is Azerbaijan's natural resources minister, has promised that the Paris Agreement would be the “guiding compass” of the talks. But the oil-rich country’s president Ilham Aliyev recently defended the right of petro-states to continue funding fossil fuel expansion. Climate groups say this contradiction could be a “horrible foretelling” of what is to come in November. Meanwhile, corporate interests are being scrutinised in Singapore as the city-state’s drinks container return scheme has been pushed back yet again. Sources point to familiar industry stalling tactics that could delay a much-needed polluter-pays scheme by at least another year. In this newsletter, we also investigate the existential crisis facing communities living in the world's fastest sinking metropolis, and reflect on a good year for bringing you sustainability news and views from around the region. We are proud to share that Eco-Business won top honours for its revamped 'Insights' newsletter at this year’s Asian Digital Media Awards. We hope that our work bringing you the latest news and analyses from around the region on business and policy trends continues to keep you informed and engaged. Check out our range of newsletters here (https://lnkd.in/gphNAkS), and we'd love to hear from you in this readers' survey (https://lnkd.in/dj2nbpVk). 1. COP29 presidency reiterates commitment to Paris Agreement as Azerbaijan defends oil and gas expansion (https://lnkd.in/g5t_fhtM) 2. Stay or go? Jakarta's coastal communities mull adaptation or migration as the city sinks (https://lnkd.in/dmkDnxXn) 3. Singapore's polluter-pays scheme faces further delay amid concern over industry stalling tactics (https://lnkd.in/gh5cZjEn) 4. Philippine government split on joining coalition to cut plastic production: UN treaty participants (https://lnkd.in/gakvtG6s) 5. Tighten legal ambiguity, protect more forests: Singapore conservationists issue wishlist to government (https://lnkd.in/gsziycgT) 6. Eco-Business wins WAN-IFRA Asian Digital Media Awards for revamped 'Insights' newsletter (https://lnkd.in/g72__SFx) View the full newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/gUPhMZgq Sign up for our newsletters here: https://lnkd.in/gBsbUyev #LinkedInNews #EditorsChoice #EBNews Hannah Alcoseba Fernandez Adelia Dinda Sani Robin Hicks Liang Lei

It’s been already 3 months since COP28 and despite the lack of Art. 6 decisions we are advancing the discussions on corporate involvement in ITMO generation. In particular, earlier this month we had the pleasure to facilitate a second roundtable on the topic, this time in the virtual format.   Some key highlights and open questions from that session: 📢 Contribution claims, VCCs, ITMOs, Article 6-aligned credits – the carbon markets offers various instruments right now and it’s not always clear for corporates which instrument would best suit their needs; 📢 What should be the provisions of the letters of authorization to ensure the application of the corresponding adjustments? What should the buyers require? 📢 How may ITMOs buyers ensure that the host country provide the LoA and CA if the buyer only contracts with a project developer? 📢 Project developers are also looking for mechanisms that would ensure demand for the ITMOs they generate. For example governments buyers could guarantees payment on delivery as a buyer of last resort.   Many thanks to all participants for your contributions!   Also, sharing a short clip from our team's involvement in COP28.   Joost Vreeswijk, Michelle T. Davies (née Thomas), Dariusz Kryczka, Malwina Burzec, Leonie Schiedek, Zofia Roguska; Anne-Laure Pilat   #climatepolicy #ParisAgreement #COP28 #carbonemissions #betterworkingworld

The importance of incorporating sustainable practices has become paramount in today’s landscape. All businesses are looking to make their value chain “greener,” and according to MGG, now is the correct time to gain the first-mover advantage. If you are a beginner in sustainability or a firm that is thinking about going in that direction, we are here to help you out with our Sustainability Nuggets initiative. Through this initiative, we aim to break down complexities from the world of sustainability so that everyone can understand and hopefully adopt it. This resonates with our motto: Making sustainability accessible to all. #esg #cop28 #cop28uae #sustainability #sustainable #sdg #sdgs #scope3 #scope1 #scope2 #greenfuture #greenenergy #carbonfootprint #carbon #emissions #environment #world #unitednation #eu #emissionsreduction #climatechange #climateresilience #climateaction

Digital Sustainability at COP28: How to establish commitments & measurement mechanisms to promote green digital transitions among businesses, governments, and other actors. Read the article: ▸ https://lttr.ai/ANA31 #COP28 #GreenDigitalAction #Digital #DigitalCarbon #SustainableWeb #DigitalTechnologies #WebsiteCarbonFootprints #DigitalSustainability #SustainableWebDesign #Sustainability #GlobalChallenges

The first-ever global stocktake agreed at #COP28 includes sections on mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage. It recognizes the need for deep, rapid and sustained reductions in #greenhousegas #emissions and calls on countries to contribute to several different mitigation efforts. To learn more, read our Special Editorial Report – Incremental progress, adaptation, finance and #nature: COP28 key takeaways that will drive #sustainability discussions in 2024 - https://lnkd.in/ezDCXjzJ

Participating virtually in the 28th UN Climate Change Conference, #COP28, has been an interesting escape from my regular schedule in the past few days. I was immersed in the dynamic discussions and innovative initiatives at the Trade House Pavilion and the SDG7 Global South Pavilion. Engaging with diverse perspectives on trade, economic development, and global emissions was enlightening. Additionally, exploring the distinct roles of services trade for energy transition and the contribution of small businesses to enhancing local capacity in this context was empowering. These discussions created an avenue for reflecting on the intersection of global policies with corporate practices and reinforcing the crucial role of the corporate world in driving sustainable change. As an energy law expert deeply committed to sustainable development and energy transitions, witnessing trade as a central theme at the United Nations Climate Change Conference for the first time is a notable milestone. This prominent feature underscores the significance of trade in tackling global climate challenges. I look forward to the positive impact that this acknowledgment will bring, to more meaningful engagements, and to the translation of insights into actionable outcomes. International Chamber of Commerce UNCTAD World Trade Organization International Trade Centre Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) #COP28 #SustainableDevelopment #EnergyTransition #ClimateAction

Read S&P Global Sustainable1's Special Editorial Report on the COP28 key takeaways that will drive #sustainability discussions in 2024

Excited to be invited by illuminem - one of the world’s largest networks of sustainability experts - to write a short piece on one of the many important topics being covered at COP28 in Dubai! Given my work at the intersection of trade and environment here is a short piece on how trade can work for the climate. It serves as a reminder of and aims to highlight (especially for those not working directly in these realms) some of the key areas where there is high potential for co-operation between two domains that transcend national borders. It also asks some probing questions on how the inherent conflicts between two significant policy domains may be reconciled, to ensure better alignment and co-operation. #tradeforclimate #tradepolicy #wto #climatepolicy #climatechange #cop28 #cop28uae #criticalminerals #renewableenergy #cleanenergy #sustainablesupplychains #climatejustice #climatecrisis https://lnkd.in/gf53ktf4