PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME

Tuesday, 10 October 2023
Venue: Table.Media GmbH: Wöhlertstraße 12-13, 10115 Berlin

15:00 Registration and Welcome Coffee

15:30 Opening Remarks

• Dr Holger Bingmann, Chairman ICC Germany

15:45 High-Level Keynotes

• H.E. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE President for COP28 (tbc)
• Jennifer Morgan, State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action, Federal Foreign Office
• Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC (tbc)

16:15 Panel Discussion: Global stocktaking between Paris and 2030 – How can governments and global business accelerate climate action?

• H.E. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE President for COP28 (tbc)
• Jennifer Morgan, State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action, Federal Foreign Office
• Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC (tbc)
• Judith Wiese, Chief People and Sustainability Officer (CPSO) and Member of the Managing Board, Siemens AG (tbc)

moderated by Dr. Benedikt Herles, EMEA Head of ESG Insights and Innovation, KPMG

17:30 Spotlight: Children’s Rights & Just Transition

Presentation of White Paper by the national chapters of UNICEF, UN Global Compact and ICC

18:00 Closing Remarks

18:15 Evening Reception

PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME

Wednesday, 11 October 2023
online

9:30 Welcoming words & Recap

9:45 Looking Ahead to COP35: The business sector as a trailblazer in climate protection

Can global companies be a part of the solution, rather than part of the problem? The 2021 IPCC report emphasizes the urgency of achieving a „minimum“ net-zero emissions target by 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5C. This calls for halving global emissions by 2030 compared with 1990 levels as an interim goal. Consequently, numerous businesses and non-party stakeholders have adopted net-zero emission reduction targets, many of them along circular economy strategies. Companies that successfully curtail emissions in their operations and supply chains and transition to net-zero will not only meet investor and consumer expectations but also maintain their social license to operate, enhance competitiveness, and protect their bottom line.

In this session, we will discuss with experts what companies can do to further reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and how they are strengthening the resilience of companies and their supply chains in order to address and adapt to climate change, including impacts on the work force, communities and the environment, to achieve a sustainable transition.

11:05 Break

11:10 Hydrogen: The key to a successful energy transition?

To achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2045 in Germany and by 2050 in the EU, large amounts of CO₂-free or climate-neutral energy will be needed. As a versatile energy carrier and storage medium, hydrogen can be used in all sectors. In addition, the cost of electricity has fallen sharply in recent years due to the expansion of renewable energy in many regions of the world, and green hydrogen can already be produced at competitive prices in some regions.

In this session, we will delve into the factors critical for establishing hydrogen as a central element in our energy landscape. Together with experts we will explore the possibilities, challenges, and necessary conditions to unlock the full potential of hydrogen as a driving force towards a sustainable and decarbonized future.

12:40 Lunch Break

13:40 Article 6: How can voluntary carbon markets contribute to climate change mitigation?

Article 6 of the Paris Agreement has major implications for the entire global ecosystem of voluntary carbon markets, and in particular for the potential role of voluntary markets in the implementation of NDCs. Since its approval in 2016, Article 6 has provided significant impetus to voluntary markets and the carbon offset model, reaffirming their crucial contribution to global emissions reduction targets. However, the full realization of Article 6 necessitates the establishment of standardized certification for credits, a transfer registry, and a facilitative market for these transfers. But what we actually have is a highly fragmented global market with different mechanisms at different institutional and legal levels.

Regrettably, the current reality presents a highly fragmented global market, characterized by disparate mechanisms across various institutional and legal levels. This session will convene experts to discuss the factors behind the impasse in Article 6’s implementation details and how voluntary carbon markets can play a pivotal role in achieving reduction goals. Moreover, it will explore the potential to unlock new finance and expedite the delivery of low-carbon projects.

15:10 Break

15:15 Sustainable change through sustainable financing

Unlocking a sustainable future: Paving the path for sustainable economies and supply chains by Sustainable Finance. Directing capital flows into sustainable activities, projects and companies that have embarked on their transition journey as a whole, is the pivotal role of sustainable finance. Next to decarbonization, also other environmental aspects like circularity, protecting water or biodiversity, but also social topics around human rights or occupational health and safety gain significance. In a very dynamic landscape where finance more and more converges with these environmental and social considerations, banks strive to innovate responsible financial solutions that drive not only decarbonization but also foster positive environmental and social impact along companies‘ whole value chains.

In this session, we will engage with experts to explore how Sustainable Finance can support companies in their transition journey and thus actively contribute to realizing the Paris Agreement’s goals by 2030 by facilitating and incentivizing required investments essential for transitioning towards a climate-neutral, green, and inclusive economy as committed by the European Green deal.

16:45 Closing Remarks

Speakers to be announced.

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required.

High-level discussions and networking
on 10 October from 15:00 to 18:00 followed by reception
at Table.Media GmbH, Wöhlertstraße 12-13, 10115 Berlin

Virtual deep dives with business and policy experts
on 11 October from 9:30 to 17:00

Should you have any queries or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at events@iccgermany.de.

This event is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors KPMG, Siemens and HSBC, network partners BDI, econsense and USCIB and media partners F.A.Z.-Institut and Table.Media: