Callum Provan
Content Strategist
Whether you’re in Dubai or joining virtually, deciding how to split your time at COP is no easy task. To help, we’ve listed some of the most relevant events to look out for as well as those with IIGCC speakers or affiliations.
The conference opens on 30 November and runs until 12 December, with an estimated 70,000 people attending. This article covers the first few days including the finance, trade, equality and accountability day on 4 December, but it’s worth noting that finance is also one of the four ‘cross-cutting’ themes across the event.
Read part two for more recommendations, covering 5 December to the end of the conference. All times listed are in Gulf Standard Time, which is British GMT or UTC +4. Some events are at unsociable hours for Europe but should be available to watch again on their respective video platforms.
In case you missed it, this overview outlines who’s on the ground from IIGCC and our objectives for the conference. We also shared a glossary to help break down some of the jargon.
30 November - 2 December: Opening ceremony and World Climate Summit
Thursday’s opening ceremony is followed by the first part of the ‘high-level segment’ for Heads of State or Government. World leaders will give national statements to begin the conference, highlighting their nation’s priorities, commitments, and actions being taken to respond to the first Global Stocktake (GST) and keep 1.5°C alive in line with the Paris Agreement.
💻 Both will be broadcast live and available to watch back on the UN Climate Change YouTube.
1 December
16:30-18:30 COP28 UAE: First Global Stocktake (GST): High-level event on adaptation
Researched over two years, results from the GST will inform much of the discussion at COP28. This session focuses on the technical assessment of adaptation, with world leaders set to discuss and consider the findings in the context of the Loss and Damage Fund.
Discussions will be framed by the IPCC’s sixth assessment, which warns that ‘3.3 to 3.6 billion people live in contexts which are highly vulnerable to climate change.’
💻 Watch via the UN Climate Change YouTube. IIGCC members can read our briefing on the GST.
3 and 4 December
re-NATURE Hub, Nature Day, Nasab, Wadi Al Safa 3 KOA Canvas
Lombard Odier and hollistiQ investment partners host this two-day event that aims to shine a spotlight on the crucial role that private capital, policymakers, and key financial actors in meeting the goals of the climate agreement.
✉ Lombard Odier has kindly offered a limited number of guest passes for IIGCC members – please get in touch with them directly if you would like to attend.
3 December - Health/Relief, Recovery and Peace Day
18:00 – 19:30 UNFCCC: Fourth public-private sector climate finance dialogue, Action Lab 2, Expo City Dubai, UNFCCC YouTube
Stephanie Pfeifer, IIGCC CEO will speak at this event which seeks to facilitate a conversation between public and private actors towards the achievement of the Paris Agreement goals. Commissioned by the UNFCCC Secretariat, past dialogues have discussed issues including the lack of a formal mechanism for engaging private sector stakeholders in climate finance discussions.
💻 This will be broadcast on the UNFCCC YouTube.
18:30 – 20:00 UNFCCC: Climate finance: the role of the climate funds in supporting developing countries, SE Room 8
H.E Sultan Al Jaber, UAE COP28 President, is rumoured to join this event with the CEOs of the four main multilateral funds: the Adaptation Fund (AF), Climate Investments Fund (CIFs), Global Environment Faculty (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
The GCF in particular is under scrutiny this year, considered the vehicle for the $100 billion a year target required of developed nations, which have so far fallen short.
💻 Watch via the UNFCCC YouTube.
20:30 – 21:00 EU side event: Designing transformative pathways to make finance consistent With the Paris Agreement goals, EU side events stage
This event will explore how best to make finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions, also considering climate-resilient development to help combat poverty. The goal is to share experiences and options to reorient finance towards climate action.
💻 Join via the EU Side Events portal or in person at the EU side events stage.
4 December: Finance, Trade, Equality and Accountability Day
10:00 – 11:00 UNFCCC: Marrakech Partnership Action Event – continuing progress: Transitioning finance and financing the global transition to a resilient, net zero future
Stephanie Pfeifer, IIGCC CEO, joins Sherry Madera, CEO of CDP, Jennifer Corpuz, Senior Policy Lead for Indigenous People’s Charity, Nia Tero, and Dr Mahmoud Mohieldin, the Egyptian UN High Level Climate Champion to showcase progress made in the finance community since COP26 in Glasgow.
The event also aims to call out roadblocks in the climate transition for finance and the real economy, moderated by Karishma Ansaram, Youth Fellow in Finance for the climate champions.
💻 This concept note outlines more information on the panel and its objectives - watch via the UNFCCC YouTube.
13:00 - 14:30 EU side event: Energy Days, the first fuel revolution: Accelerating energy efficiency for a sustainable future
Co-hosted by the IEA, speakers here will explore policy developments, financial support, and the challenges and opportunities of promoting energy efficiency in the EU and beyond. Speakers include Kadri Simpson, Deputy General for Energy at the European Commission, plus representatives from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, African Development Bank and more.
💻 Find out more and register via the EU side events page.
14:00-15:00 EU side event: European Sustainability Reporting Standards
Another EU side event will explore the latest developments in corporate sustainability reporting and its role in supporting the goals of COP28. This year saw the adoption of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards by the European Commission in July, which we inputted into, showcasing tangible commitments and new mandatory rules for investors.
💻 Live on the EU side events website and at the EU stage.
18:30 – 20:00 UNFCCC: Methane ministerial: Mobilizing action, financing solutions, and achieving reductions, SE Room 6
John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change joins Frans Timmermans, Executive VP of the European Commission, Inger Anderson, Executive Director of the UNEP and ministers from Global Methane Pledge nations for this discussion on methane action. Civil actors, businesses and philanthropy are also set to add their views across the energy, waste, food and agriculture sectors.
This ministerial will review progress on implementation, resource mobilisation and execution of projects, with methane reduction integral to this year’s negotiations.
💻 Join via the UNFCCC YouTube.
If you’d like to be the first to hear about IIGCC’s work at COP28 and access our webinars, insights and analysis, why not speak to our investor relations manager today to find out more about becoming a part of IIGCC?