This side event, moderated by Yvo de Boer, GGGI, aimed to demonstrate how Intended Nationally-Determined Contributions (INDCs) can be translated into real, meaningful and successful implementation on the ground beyond 2015. Panelists addressed cross-sector collaboration and public-private partnerships to deliver scalable solutions to the global climate challenge.
Bertrand van Ee, CEO, Climate-KIC, reminded the audience that we are already experiencing a 1°C increase, which is having impacts on the economy. He explained that Climate-KIC is Europe's biggest climate public-private partnership organization, and underscored that their biggest challenge is to educate, engage and empower more innovators to get on board with climate action.
Renat Heuberger, CEO, South Pole Group, talked about corporate action on climate mitigation and adaptation, noting there is now a clear business case for taking action, meaning it is no longer just good citizenship but rather an opportunity to invest for present and future profits.
Changmo Sung, President, Green Technology Centre Korea, (GTCK), talked about GTCK's work developing green technologies and strategies for developing countries, outlining projects in the Philippines, the Dominican Republic and Mongolia on issues such as urban transitioning, waste-to-energy systems and green buildings.
Barbara Buchner, Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) provided an update on the Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance, which aims to catalyse climate finance in emerging economies. She explained their methodology for crowd-sourcing ideas from NGOs, private sector and research institutions, before selecting finalists to develop and scale up projects.
Santanu Roy, GAIL India Ltd, presented a natural gas perspective, noting India's aim to increase renewables by a factor of ten between 2015 and 2030. He highlighted efforts to increase energy efficiency in gas power stations, as well as deliver co-benefits for human development, such as providing local communities with their own gas pipes to reduce leakages from unsolicited pipe tapping.
Renat Heuberger, CEO, South Pole Group, emphasised that "as policy makers are talking about sharing the climate burden, business are talking about sharing the opportunity."
The following discussion focused on whether the set-up of UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP) is helping improve dialogue between state and non-state actors; how to nurture talent and leadership for climate innovation; and the need for action on scalable ocean solutions. On the top two challenges faced, panelists mentioned shortsightedness, and convincing the private sector that climate action can be profitable. Heuberger said that the sheer existence of a Paris agreement where all the world's countries take climate change seriously "will have a major impact on the private sector."
Paul Simpson, Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), closed the session by underscoring that "never before have we seen such momentum in the private sector to address climate change," with more and more global corporations disclosing their climate actions and pledging mitigation commitments that "are actually in line with the science."
Read Earth Negotiations Bulletin's (ENB) full coverage of selected side events at UNFCCC COP21 here
