OECD COP29 Virtual Pavilion

Agenda

COP29 Virtual Pavilion Agenda

Please note that this agenda remains a work in progress and will be updated on a rolling basis in the lead-up to COP29. 
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Day

1 : November 4, 2024
11:30 - 13:00
Governing green to deliver the next round of nationally determined contributions (NDCs)
With the next round of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) on climate due by 10 February 2025, these new NDCs need to be both more ambitious than current efforts and advance the implementation of climate actions to keep the Paris Agreement’s goals within reach. Drawing on insights from countries experiences, this session will discuss how whole-of-government approaches to the preparation and implementation of NDCs are a prerequisite to their success. We will also examine how robust governance arrangements and structures for institutional coordination across government, including Ministries of Finance, Economy, Planning and sectoral line ministries, can help to anchor NDCs in national development strategies, budget planning cycles, procurement processes and sectoral policies, helping to increase buy-in from across government and support the delivery of the next NDCs.
RobertAddison (OECD)EdBeard (National Infrastructure Commission, United Kingdom)ErikaBozzay (OECD)SiriniJeudy-Hugo (OECD)VirginieMarchal (OECD)AlexMulisa (Taskforce on Access to Climate Finance (TACF), Rwanda)Sumedi AndonoMulyo (Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas))ElsaPilichowski (OECD)DagStrømsnes (Public Procurement Agency, Norway)AndrésTomás Pica Téllez (Ministry of the Environment, Government of Chile)

Day

2 : November 5, 2024
13:00 - 14:30
Greening emerging markets: Unlocking private investment
According to the IEA, achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 requires an unprecedented deployment of clean energy technologies. In this context, the rising trend of commercial investment in climate action highlights a growing awareness that the traditional "business as usual" approach is no longer viable. However, governments must play a pivotal role to fully harness private sector expertise and accelerate the adoption of green technologies in emerging and developing markets. This includes creating a supportive regulatory and policy environment, building stronger institutional capacities, and reducing trade barriers to enhance access to low-carbon technologies. Such efforts are crucial for facilitating technology transfers and advancing the green transition, particularly in less technologically advanced countries. This session will discuss how the private sector can provide actionable solutions to drive the green transition in emerging markets, as well as the policy reforms needed to boost green investment to make this transition possible.
JohnBabalola (Verisk Maplecroft)Anne-FrançoiseChivot-Gain (Orange MEA)OliviaCuq (OECD Development Centre)MarioGiordano (Signify)LorenzoPavone (OECD Development Centre)Lucia MoraRuiloba (ENAGAS)AmanpreetSingh (MUFG Bank)
15:00 - 16:30
Data-driven climate action: Empowering the advocacy of civil society organisations
Civil society organisations (CSOs) are a crucial link between citizens and governments to ensure that climate action is both effective and responsive to the needs of the public. Access to accurate climate change data and statistics is essential to help CSOs understand climate change trends and impacts in order to provide reliable information to the population. Data use in advocacy also cultivates a robust culture of data-driven decision-making within countries, helping to drive effective investment in climate action. This session will explore best practices for leveraging climate change data to advocate for better government action. The Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century (PARIS21) and CSO representatives will discuss lessons learned and how collaboration between CSOs and national statistics systems can promote data-driven climate action. This session will be livestreamed in English, French and Spanish.
MomathCissé (Senegal National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD))SekonyelaMapetja (Lesotho Council of NGOs)MamourNgalane (Conseil des organisations non gouvernementales d’appui au développement (CONGAD))PazPatiño (PARIS21)FlorenceSyevuo (Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Kenya Forum)MargaritaYépez Villareal (Datalat)Holger EdissonZambrano Loor (Ecuador Ministry of Environment)

Day

3 : November 6, 2024
10:00 - 11:00
Harnessing private sector adaptation
The widespread impacts of climate change are pushing businesses to think about climate adaptation in order for their operations to continue running smoothly. This also presents an opportunity for some businesses to contribute to climate adaptation solutions in terms of innovation, technologies, and services for both domestic and international markets. This session will explore the challenges and opportunities that businesses of various sizes are – and will be – confronted with in the face of climate change.
MadelineOjakaovoh (World Business Council for Sustainable Development)WalidOueslati (OECD)MikaelaRambali (OECD)SwenjaSurminski (Marsh McLennan)YukoYoshida (Ministry of the Environment, Japan)

Day

4 : November 7, 2024
12:15 - 13:45
Aligning finance with climate goals: Assessing progress to net zero and preventing greenwashing
Finance plays a critical role in climate action, as recognised by the goal set in Article 2.1c of the Paris Agreement of making finance consistent with a pathway towards lowering greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development. Public and private actions to better align finance with climate goals need to be informed by robust assessments of progress. This session will launch the OECD Review on Aligning Finance with Climate Goals, which was released on 31 October 2024. It will include a panel discussion amongst policy makers and financial sector representatives to reflect on progress to date, further actions needed to support efforts to align the financial sector with climate goals, and how to enhance the evidence base to inform effective and impactful policy making and financial sector practices.
SimoneKramer (Bloomberg)YannMarin (Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS))JolienNoels (OECD)HenryRialdi (Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK))ThomasTayler (Aviva Investors)JoTyndall (OECD)NicoleWilke (German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action)
15:00 - 16:30
Climate Action Monitor 2024: Monitoring progress towards net zero
The OECD’s Climate Action Monitor, developed for policymakers by the International Programme for Action on Climate (IPAC), provides an annual comprehensive assessment of progress made by OECD and OECD partner countries towards their net-zero targets and Paris Agreement commitments. This year's edition presents an in-depth evaluation of net-zero-targets, major climate-related hazards, and key trends in climate action. Its findings suggest that current 2030 GHG emission commitments are not ambitious enough to meet the Paris Agreement temperature goals, and that countries will not meet the net-zero challenge without a significant expansion in national climate action. This session will discuss the Climate Action Monitor’s findings in the context of the evolution of global climate and current national emissions targets in the context of increasing climate-related hazards.
StefanoDe Clara (International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP))NathalieGirouard (OECD)KumiKitamori (OECD)StevenKnell (Wood Mackenzie’s Power & Renewables Consulting division for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Russia and Caspian)MauroPisu (OECD)AldoRavazzi Douvan (Italian Ministry of Environment & Energy Security - Sogesid TA)

Day

5 : November 8, 2024
09:30 - 11:00
Hydrogen horizons: The role of hydrogen in steel and shipping
This session will explore the critical role of hydrogen in advancing decarbonisation in transport and energy-intensive industries, specifically shipping and steel manufacturing. Key topics include the need to integrate hydrogen for the significant abatement potential it holds in these sectors, and how to stimulate investment in hydrogen infrastructure, e.g. by creating demand signals, enhancing competitiveness for hydrogen in steel production and alternative marine fuels, and addressing sectoral arbitrage while forming a supportive hydrogen ecosystem. Panellists will discuss how governments, industry and other stakeholders can best work together to establish a competitive and sustainable hydrogen market in transport and energy-intensive industries, while maintaining a level playing field.
JosephCordonnier (OECD)FaustineDelasalle (Mission Possible Partnership)AlexanderFichtner (MAN Energy Solutions SE)OlaHansén (Stegra)MinervaLim (Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore)JensLundsgaard (OECD)

Day

6 : November 12, 2024
05:00 - 06:00
Connecting the dots: Implementable and investment-ready NDCs
This event will explore how ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions underpinned by well-designed policies and robust investment plans can support economic growth and development. It will also highlight the approaches and common challenges faced in calculating carbon intensity metrics, especially for emission-intensive trade-exposed sectors. This event was livestreamed from COP29 Event Room 4 (Blue Zone) in Baku.
MathiasCormann (OECD)JoTyndall (OECD)
13:00 - 14:30
Adapting cities to water scarcity
Climate change is increasing the risk of drought-induced water scarcity around the world, especially in urban areas. Today, an estimated almost 1 billion people are exposed to urban water scarcity risk. This number is expected to at least double by 2050, affecting nearly half of the world’s urban population. This session is informed by recent OECD work on the importance of scaling up climate adaptation to build resilience to water scarcity in cities. The panel will discuss challenges for cities only beginning to confront this risk, and share lessons from those that have already had to manage water crises.
AzizaAkhmouch (OECD)KatrinBruebach (Resilient Cities Network (R-Cities))SophieLavaud (OECD)WalidOueslati (OECD)HenkOvink (The Global Commission on the Economics of Water)WinstonYu (World Bank)
15:00 - 16:30
Bioeconomy for sustainable development: The G20 High-level Principles on Bioeconomy in practice and in the Amazon region
The bioeconomy is gaining traction worldwide, highlighted by the recent publication of the “G20 High-level Principles on Bioeconomy” and the release of at least 30 dedicated national bioeconomy strategies, covering 75% of the global GDP. As nations seek sustainable solutions to foster economic growth and social inclusion while decarbonisng their economies and preserving biodiversity, the bioeconomy offers a pathway towards this dual objective. The Amazon region in Brazil serves as a model for the implementation of a new bioeconomy paradigm, where a rich biodiversity and natural resources co-exist with a diversified economic system, cultural diversity, a large population and social inclusion challenges in rural and urban areas. This session brings together government representatives, think tanks and international institutions to discuss how bioeconomy policies can promote sustainable development in practice. The case of the Amazon region in Brazil will be examined to provide lessons and pathways for action. The session will present preliminary findings from the OECD report on “Bioeconomy for Sustainable Development in the Amazon region”. Government representatives and experts involved with bioeconomy policies will share their experiences and provide insights for a future agenda to increase value generation, equity and environmental conservation.
João PauloBraga (OECD Development Centre)JoanaChiavari (Climate Policy Initiative, Brazil)BenDurham (Department of Science and Innovation, South Africa)DanielLodetti (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brazil)AdrianRodriguez (United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, ECLAC)ManuelToselli (OECD Development Centre)

Day

7 : November 13, 2024
07:15 - 08:15
From climate policy to action: Closing the implementation gap
This session explores how international standards, comparable metrics and mechanisms for compliance (Quality Infrastructure systems) can effectively bridge this gap, reduce emissions and boost global trade. To provide a practical example of how these efforts can drive impact, the session will draw on the OECD’s Inclusive Forum on Carbon Mitigation Approaches (IFCMA) work on carbon intensity metrics in bolstering low carbon goods markets. This session will take place live from Baku at the Standards Pavilion (Blue Zone) at 11:15- 12:15 AZT and will be livestreamed here on the OECD COP9 Virtual Pavilion.
PeterBakker (World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD))FabriziaLapecorella (OECD)SergioMujica (International Organization for Standardization (ISO))
10:00 - 11:30
Advancing agriculture, forestry and other land use policies: A stocktake of greenhouse gas mitigation efforts
The agriculture, forestry and other land use (AFOLU) sectors have significant mitigation potential, as they are among the few sectors uniquely positioned to contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation through both emissions reduction and carbon sequestration. Public policies play a vital role in supporting mitigation efforts and enhancing the capacity to reduce emissions. Decision makers use diverse policy instruments to support AFOLU GHG mitigation efforts. To better understand current mitigation efforts, the OECD conducted a comprehensive stocktake of AFOLU mitigation instruments in OECD member and G20 countries, compiling over 1 300 instruments and strategies. This session will explore how policies can effectively drive mitigation in agriculture. By showcasing examples of policy measures, it aims to raise awareness of existing efforts and discuss additional policy actions needed to reduce the sector’s carbon footprint.
MadsDalum Libergren (Danish Ministry of Finance’s Green Policy Centre)HelenDing (World Resource Institute)AdaIgnaciuk (OECD)MarionJansen (OECD)KellyMaguire (United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service)SophiaMurphy (Ministry for Primary Industries – Manatū Ahu Matua)
12:00 - 13:30
Financing the transition to net-zero shipping
The shipping industry’s efforts to scale up the use of alternative fuels and low/zero-emission technologies and ensure the necessary port infrastructure face significant financing challenges such as high capital costs, diverse practices, and fragmented ownership in some shipping sectors. This session will explore financing solutions to support the maritime sector’s transition to net-zero, focusing on the critical investments needed to accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies, manage ship turnover, retrofit existing fleets, establish refuelling facilities, and build strong market demand for alternative marine fuels. It will discuss innovative financing strategies including adapting mechanisms such as export credits, carbon pricing, and port concessions to meet net-zero objectives, and how government action at various levels can support the net-zero transition while ensuring fair market competition.
PierreKarleskind (European Parliament)JariKauppila (International Transport Forum (ITF))RatnaNataliani (Hapag-Lloyd)AtinaSchutz (Micronesian Center for Sustainable Transport)TristanSmith (UCL Energy Institute)AnastassiaTcherneva (ABN AMRO Bank N.V.)
15:00 - 16:30
Sustainable bonds: State of the market and policy considerations
At the end of 2023, the global outstanding amount of sustainable bonds reached USD 4.3 trillion, up from USD 641 billion just five years prior. The rapid growth of the sustainable bond market is a reason for optimism. If the proceeds of all sustainable bond issuances are invested in projects that deliver environmental and social benefits for relatively small costs, investors and society at large will profit. However, the regulatory frameworks and relevant institutions must guarantee that markets work efficiently and that investors’ interests are protected. This session will focus on chapter 3 of the OECD Global Debt Report 2024: Bond Markets in a High-Debt Environment, which examines the state of the market and policy considerations around sustainable bonds.
SolangeBerstein (Financial Market Commission of Chile)CarmineDi Noia (OECD)VassilikiLazarakou (Hellenic Capital Market Commission, Greece)João PedroNascimento (Comissão de Valores Mobiliários, Brazil)NicholasPfaff (International Capital Market Association)MitchReznick (London Federated Hermes Limited)

Day

8 : November 14, 2024
07:45 - 09:00
Accelerating credible net-zero transitions: From planning to action
National and international frameworks on climate transition plans developed by corporations and financial institutions have significantly increased in recent years. This increased guidance and focus on transition planning at the company level has helped fuel a recent surge in activity among corporates and financial institutions, particularly in advanced economies. This session brings together key international stakeholders to discuss what is needed to accelerate the development of transition plans, review the progress made to date and address merging challenges and potential solutions.
KimiyoHirowatari (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.)SatoshiIkeda (Financial Services Agency, Japan)PamelaLee (Monetary Authority of Singapore)YutakaMatsuzawa (Ministry of Environment, Japan)MathildeMesnard (OECD)YasutoshiMiyamoto (Nippon Life Insurance Company)CarmenNuzzo (Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI) Centre, London School of Economics (LSE))
12:00 - 13:00
Accelerating investment in adaptation: Launching the OECD’s Climate Adaptation Investment Framework
Climate change impacts are increasingly being felt and are projected to become more extreme. Investment in climate adaptation can reduce losses, protect lives and livelihoods, and contribute to sustainable development. Yet, current levels of investment are insufficient: developing countries will require an estimated USD 215 billion per year to adapt to climate change, and investment needs in high-income countries are likely to be in a similar order of magnitude. Current recorded finance flows for adaptation are only in the tens of billions of dollars per year. Private sector investment remains largely untapped, with annual average recorded flows of USD 4.7 billion between 2019 and 2022. This session will launch the OECD Climate Adaptation Investment Framework, developed to help governments put in place the policies needed to increase public and private investment in climate change adaptation. It will include a panel discussion on how governments, multilateral development banks (MDBs) and the private sector can help to unlock adaptation investment at scale.
Mary BethGoodman (OECD)IrisMantovani (OECD)MichaelMullan (OECD)SabrinaNagel (Atlantic Council)NicolaRanger (University of Oxford)Arghya SinhaRoy (Asian Development Bank)
15:00 - 16:30
Planning for the next phase of emissions reduction efforts: Setbacks and developments in carbon pricing
The recent energy crisis, exacerbated by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, has set back the pricing of carbon emissions as government provided energy price relief efforts, but modest increases in explicit carbon rates (carbon taxes and emissions trading systems) demonstrates that, even with these concerns, countries have continued to pursue their efforts to price emissions. Though the share of emissions covered by a positive carbon price has not changed since 2021, governments are planning for expansions of current emission pricing measures or the introduction of new ones – particularly emissions trading systems. At the same time, governments are preparing for the next phase of emissions reduction efforts through support for investments in clean energy and are planning for the consequences of climate policy asymmetries on international trade. During this session, the discussion will be informed by the results of a new OECD report Pricing Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2024: Gearing Up to Bring Emissions Down, which tracks the trends and developments in carbon rates and energy taxation across the globe – the highlights will be presented at the start of the session.
EmmaAisbett (Australian National University)StefanoDe Clara (International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP))AssiaElgouacem (OECD)MilanElkerbout (Resources for the Future)JesseScott (Hertie School and the German Economic Research Institute DIW in Berlin)JacobSmith (OECD)

Day

9 : November 15, 2024
12:00 - 13:30
Global changes and local contexts: Skills and jobs for an inclusive green transition for mining regions
Impacts of the net-zero transition are being felt strongly at the local level and vary significantly between regions. Resource-rich mining regions will need to diversify their economies and manage the structural adjustment costs of phasing out activities linked to fossil fuels. At the same time, some will benefit from the growing demand for minerals critical to green technologies, which is expected to more than double by 2030. This session will discuss how place-based policies can prepare local labour markets and raise workforce skills levels to facilitate long-term sustainable economic development. What skills and training policies are needed for mining regions to prosper in the green and digital transition? How can mounting skilled labour shortages be sufficiently addressed? How can government and the private sector best work together to boost local economic growth?
FionaHaslam McKenzie (University of Western Australia)LukasKleine-Rueschkamp (OECD)PhotinieKoutsavlis (Mining Association of Canada)LarsLindblom (AB Samarkand2015)FrederikMoch (German Trade Union Confederation (DGB))JesusPortillo (Regional Government of Andalusia, Spain)AndresSanabria (OECD)
14:00 - 15:30
Managing competing sectoral demands for renewable energy resources in the transition to sustainable transport
Decarbonising the transport sector will increase demand for new energy resources, such as renewable electricity, low-carbon hydrogen, biogenic resources, and CO2 capture. This demand must be balanced with the available supply, which needs to be scaled up at an unprecedented rate to meet climate goals. Potential bottlenecks in supplying these energy resources could place the transport sector in direct competition with other sectors of the economy, such as buildings and industry. There may also be competition for renewable energy supplies between different modes within the transport sector. To manage such scarcity and guide markets to prioritise and allocate scarce energy resources, governments should develop regulations based on cross-sectoral merit. This session aims to support governments in their long-term energy system planning to decarbonise the transport sector alongside the rest of the economy, accounting for supply bottlenecks and facilitating international co-operation where appropriate.
AndreasKopf (International Transport Forum)FalkoUeckerdt (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK))

Day

10 : November 18, 2024
08:30 - 10:00
Accelerating the use of green and climate bonds in the European Union's Eastern Partner Countries
Capital markets can supply significant green funding needed. Putting in place necessary regulatory frameworks and clear incentives can encourage new issuers and investors to come to the market. Despite being slow to tap into capital markets, EU Eastern Partner countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine) there are signs that green bonds are becoming an asset class in its own right and have begun gaining traction in the region. To grow the green bond market further these countries need more demonstration issuances, particularly by the sovereign but also by municipalities. These can serve as examples for other market actors to follow as well as reassure investors. Central Banks and financial regulators have a particularly important role to play in this context. The EU and partner international players are ready to help these countries to accelerate the uptake of green bonds. The panel will aim to present progress so far in using green bonds to mobilise capital finance for green investments and identify key elements of a roadmap for accelerating the use of such instruments, taking into account EU experience and national regulations.
GéraldAudaz (Directorate General for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), European Commission)MehdiBary (BlackRock)NathalieLarrousé (EBRD)AdrianLupusor (Independent Analytical Center “Expert-Group”, Moldova)MathildeMesnard (OECD)IsabellaNeuweg (OECD)NellyPetkova (OECD)
12:30 - 14:00
Industrial strategies for the competitive development of renewable energy ecosystems
The global transition to net-zero emissions requires the rapid and large-scale deployment of renewable energy. However, this shift faces complex challenges, including supply chain vulnerabilities, a critical shortage of specialised skills, and the urgent need to develop new technologies for cost reduction, improved recycling, and the use of alternative materials. These multifaceted issues call for an "ecosystem" approach to developing effective industrial strategies. As countries strive to build competitive renewable energy capacities while maintaining strategic autonomy, key questions arise. How can we design industrial policies that foster innovation without distorting markets? What strategies can effectively address the skills gap in the renewable energy sector? How can we leverage international collaboration to accelerate technological advancements and cost reductions while ensuring fair competition? Moreover, how can existing frameworks be strengthened to support the urgent need for climate change mitigation? Building on new OECD analysis of the Renewable Energy Ecosystem, this session will explore these critical issues and examine the role of international co-operation in improving policymaking in the renewable energy ecosystem. By bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts, we aim to identify effective strategies that can accelerate the renewable energy transition while balancing economic competitiveness, energy security, and global climate goals.
José MiguelBenavente (CORFO (Chilean Economic Development Agency))JosephCordonnier (OECD)AntoineDechezlepretre (OECD)AnneHøjer Simonsen (Dansk Industri)JensLundsgaard (OECD)JacekTruszczynski (European Commission DG GROW)
15:00 - 16:30
What works? Global evidence on effective mitigation strategies
To achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, significant emission reductions will be needed in the coming years. Policymakers need to know which policies and policy mixes work. However, there is a gap in policy evaluation; most empirical research only focuses on the effects of a few prominent policies, leaving many others under-evaluated or overlooked. This session discusses ways to close the evaluation gap and provides evidence-based policy recommendations to enable better climate policies for better lives.
PennyMealy (World Bank Group)MathildeMesnard (OECD)DanielNachtigall (OECD)AldoRavazzi Douvan (Italian Ministry of Environment & Energy Security - Sogesid TA)H.E. MichaelaSpaeth (Permanent Representation of the Federal Republic of Germany to the OECD in Paris)AnnikaStechemesser (The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK))YvesSteinebach (Institutt for Statsvitenskap, Faculty of Social Science, Department of Political Science, University of OSLO)

Day

11 : November 19, 2024
10:30 - 12:00
GHG emissions accounting and reporting for transport
The transport sector significantly contributes to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, posing substantial environmental and economic risks. As commitments to achieve net-zero carbon emissions increase, the need for robust tracking and reporting of GHG emissions is even more crucial. The accounting and reporting landscape is rapidly evolving, not just within the transport sector but across all areas of sustainability to support global goals such as the Paris Climate Agreement. This session aims to demystify the complex landscape of emissions calculation and reporting in the transport sector, which is often characterised by a plethora of methodologies, standards, and regulations. While efforts have been made to link these interventions, more transparency is needed to enhance mpact and efficiency, to ultimately enable disclosure of transport emissions, assess risks related to climate transition and define ways to mitigate those risks. For the private sector, an in-depth, consistent, and transparent GHG inventory is essential to identify and manage climate-related risks. Understanding the source of its emissions and how they can be reduced allows companies to optimise processes, reduce environmental impact, and demonstrate responsibility to investors. This session examines current GHG accounting and reporting practices in the transport sector, identifies key challenges, and outlines ways to overcome them, providing a roadmap to improve transparency and consistency and ultimately helping the industry to reduce its environmental impact and move towards more sustainable practices.
DiegoBotero (International Transport Forum)KatharinaBryan (Amazon)FrançoisCuenot (UNECE)VerenaEhrler (IÉSEG School of Management)AlanLewis (Smart Freight Centre)SharonMasterson (International Transport Forum)NiccolòPieri (European Commission – Directorate General of Mobility and Transport)ParnikaRay (International Transport Forum)AmirSafaei (GHG Protocol)
12:30 - 14:00
Implementing sustainability reporting requirements that work for SMEs
To finance their green transition, small businesses need access to external financing, financial and non-financial support, as well as frameworks and tools for bridging sustainability-related data and reporting challenges. Yet many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) struggle with complex and resource-intensive emerging reporting requirements that hinder their ability to effectively communicate their sustainability performance to finance providers and supply chain partners. This session will explore how reporting frameworks can be made more accessible and practical for SMEs, including micro-enterprises. It will feature new work by the OECD Platform on Financing SMEs for Sustainability on sustainability reporting, highlighting the importance of capacity building to help SMEs navigate emerging requirements and monitor progress in their sustainability performance. This session marks the launch of a new global multi-stakeholder dialogue hosted by the OECD on fostering convergence in SME sustainability reporting.
NadimAhmad (OECD)CyntiaAzevedo (Banco Central do Brasil (BCB))NavinaBalasingam (Capital Markets Malaysia)Ana FiorellaCarjaval (World Bank Group)GerhardHuemer (SMEunited)MiriamKoreen (OECD)
14:30 - 16:00
Climate change and health: Policies for Africa's urban future
This event will bring together academics, government representatives, and international institutions to discuss how climate mitigation policies can further shape health outcomes across cities in Africa, and how a systems thinking approach can contribute to these efforts. During the event, the OECD Development Centre will present key results and insights of a series of case studies in African cities that address the root causes of carbon lock-in, and kickstart the discussion on how climate policy can help reshaping urban areas, while addressing health outcomes. Panellists will bring different perspectives to respond to the following questions: • What are the key challenges African cities face in implementing policies that address the twin goal of avoiding carbon lock in and improving health outcomes? • How can local governments and international organizations collaborate to overcome these barriers? • How can systems thinking help in enabling and enlarging synergies between climate and health policies?
AiméeAguilar Jaber (Hot or Cool Institute)NurudeenAlhassan (African Institute for Development Policy)Manuelde AraujoElisabethLambrecht (OECD Development Centre)VicenteRuiz (OECD Development Centre)JaneneTuniz (United Nations)SarahWhitmee (London School for Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)

Day

12 : November 20, 2024
09:30 - 11:00
Decarbonising aviation: Exploring the consequences
In October 2022, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) set a goal for net-zero carbon emissions in aviation by 2050. Achieving this requires significant emission reductions, with investments in Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), new aircraft technologies, and various policy instruments. The adoption of cleaner fuels and aircraft, along with regulatory measures, may raise costs and impact travel patterns, air route connectivity, and the broader economy. This session will discuss the consequences of decarbonising aviation and strategies to mitigate adverse effects, focusing on three key areas: • Addressing impacts on connectivity to maintain the global transport network for business, trade, and social wellbeing. • Promoting tourism within decarbonisation priorities by supporting shorter distance destinations, longer stays, and cleaner transport modes and fuels. • Ensuring a just transition that considers social and labour impacts.
AlejandraCruz Ross (International Labour Organization)SamuelGordon (Air New Zealand)SebastianHirsz (BP)MattIreland (International Transport Forum)SharonMasterson (International Transport Forum)SimoneRauer (Airbus)JaneStacey (OECD)
11:30 - 13:00
Channelling market forces towards steel decarbonisation
Based on recent OECD work, this session will look at how various policy enablers of steel decarbonisation are coming together to achieve net-zero emissions, and how companies are progressing on this journey. Starting with corporate strategies, this session will examine the market conditions that enable or hinder the advancements of companies. This includes taking stock of current market conditions and trends in the availability of raw materials needed for steel decarbonisation, such as scrap and hydrogen, and explore how policies are addressing eventual market shortfalls without distorting fair competition. While a supportive policy environment is essential, steel companies must play their part. By shedding light on what companies are currently doing or intend doing in the foreseeable future, this session aims to bring together these two perspectives and reflect on what else needs to be done on both sides to achieve carbon neutrality in the sector by mid-century.
TaghareedElgoweily (Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)Piljin (PJ)Moon (POSCO)DanielPietlkainen (Bureau of International Recycling)MicheleRimini (OECD)JerrySheehan (OECD)HiroyukiTezuka (JFE Steel Corporation)
14:00 - 15:30
Jobs, skills and ensuring a just transition to a green economy
The transition to net‑zero emissions by 2050 will profoundly impact the labour market. While the overall effects on employment are estimated to be limited, many jobs will be lost in high‑emission industries and many new jobs will be created in low‑emission sectors. Moreover, climate-related events are increasingly disrupting economies and societies worldwide. The challenge for policymakers is to design policies that help workers adapt to new tasks and secure employment in growing sectors of the economy. Moreover, policies must also enhance the resilience of the labour market to the increasing severity of extreme weather events. This session will explore the implications of the transition to net zero on the labour market and discuss some of the initiatives countries and companies are taking. These initiatives include equipping workers with relevant skills through adult learning and vocational education, and training programmes, as well as supporting displaced workers with income support measures and active labour market policies.
CameronBaker (South Australian Skills Commission)HannuMäntymaa (Wärtsilä Corporation)EmmaNelsonBarbaraPraetorius (HTW Berlin)StefanoScarpetta (OECD)

Day

13 : November 21, 2024
11:30 - 13:00
Addressing obstacles to sustainable consumption
Many consumers concerned about the environment aim to make more sustainable choices, such as eco-friendly buying and repairing, reusing, sharing or recycling products. However, a number of obstacles – e.g. misleading environmental claims, insufficient or unclear information on the environmental impacts of products, lack of convenient and affordable sustainable options – are obstacles to them doing so. This session will present the latest OECD research on sustainable consumption, including a 2024 survey of 35,000 consumers across 18 countries incorporating behavioural experiments, and outcomes of the October 2024 Consumer Policy Ministerial Meeting on Protecting and Empowering Consumers in the Digital and Green Transitions. It will include a panel discussion on how to protect consumers against greenwashing and support them in making greener choices.
CamilaCosse Braslavsky (Consumers International)JorgeLaguna Celis (United Nations Environmental Programme)JensLundsgaard (OECD)CeciliaParker Aranha (Competition and Markets Authority, United Kingdom)AmbroisePascal (Ministry of Economy, France)LuciaReisch (University of Cambridge)KyleWiens (iFixit)
13:30 - 14:30
Gender inclusion strategies in climate-responsive transport
Acknowledging gendered travel patterns and the accessibility challenges women face is essential for creating sustainable, decarbonised transport systems. The “mobility of care", such as travel associated with caregiving, household errands and schools, disproportionately falls on women. These trips often involve multiple stops and routes yet are frequently overlooked in transport planning. This session will explore the important connection between accessibility and sustainability in transport. It will highlight policy tools including the "International Transport Forum’s Gender Analysis Toolkit", developed to help integrate data-driven, gender-sensitive approaches into transport planning.
KarlaGonzalez Carvajal (The World Bank)NaomiMwara (Flone Initiative)MagdalenaOlczak-Rancitelli (International Transport Forum)JorgePatiño (OECD/SWAC)JohnPritchard (International Transport Forum)
15:30 - 17:00
Towards a green and digital future
Digital technologies and digital infrastructure play a key role in shaping policy pathways to achieve net-zero targets, helping to advance solutions that can significantly accelerate the green transition across economic sectors. However, they also carry an environmental footprint that must be measured and minimised across their life cycle. As digital transformation progresses, the dual impact of digital technologies on sustainability – both positive and negative – is gaining increased policy attention. This session will launch the forthcoming report on the Review of the Relevance of the OECD Recommendation on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and the Environment, as a first step towards revising the Recommendation. It will analyse key trends in the environmental impact of digital technologies, discuss challenges to measure and assess their direct, enabling, and systemic effects on the environment, and identify policy priorities and challenges to align the green and digital twin transitions and accelerating action for environmental sustainability.
GarrettBlaney (Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg))RobertDawson (OECD)AntoniaGawel (Google)AlexiaGonzález Fanfalone (OECD)GeorgeKamiya (GSMA)JohannesKirnberger (OECD)GrazynaPiesiewicz (European Commission)

Day

14 : November 22, 2024
10:00 - 11:30
Resilience of secondary cities to climate change in Africa
West Africa is undergoing rapid urbanisation, a trend that is set to continue. With Abidjan surpassing 15 million inhabitants, Dakar nearing 8 million, and Ouagadougou reaching 7 million, what can be done to move cities towards resilient prosperous hubs that seize the opportunities of urbanisation? Regional actors and development partners are promoting industrialisation based on agriculture, improved connectivity between capitals and secondary cities, and key development corridors to favour greater integration. However, climate change poses a significant threat to these efforts if the risks are insufficiently integrated into decision-making. How vulnerable are these potential future hubs to climate hazards in terms of infrastructure, people and the territories? What are the existing policies? What can be done today to ensure the region’s development, especially with respect to governance? This session will explore the challenges and opportunities of fostering resilient, prosperous urban centres. Our panellists, each offering a unique perspective, will discuss strategies to ensure sustainable growth that meets the needs of future urban residents. Join us for a thoughtful discussion on the future of West Africa's cities. L'Afrique de l'Ouest connaît une urbanisation rapide, une tendance qui devrait se poursuivre. Avec Abidjan dépassant les 15 millions d'habitants, Dakar approchant les 8 millions et Ouagadougou les 7 millions, quels scenarios suivirent pour tendre vers des hubs résilients à même de saisir toutes les opportunités offertes par l’urbanisation ? Les acteurs régionaux et les partenaires encouragent l'industrialisation de l'agriculture pour répondre à une demande croissante, l'amélioration de la connectivité entre les capitales et les villes secondaires, ainsi que le développement de corridors maillant le territoire et favorisant l’intégration. Le changement climatique peut fragiliser ses efforts si ses risques sont insuffisamment intégrés dans les politiques. Dans quelle mesure les futurs hubs sont-ils vulnérables aux risques climatiques en termes d’infrastructures, de population et de territoires ? Quelles sont les politiques existantes ? Quelles options de gouvernance pour assurer un développement aussi bien économique que durable ? Cette session explore les défis et les opportunités liés à la promotion de centres urbains résilients et prospères. Nos intervenants, de leur perspective et expériences discutent de stratégies visant à garantir une croissance durable qui réponde aux besoins des futurs habitants des villes. Rejoignez-nous pour une discussion réfléchie sur l'avenir des villes d'Afrique de l'Ouest.
BriléAnderson (OECD/SWAC)CamilleLe Jean (Expertise France)ObléNeya (Enabel Niger)MattiasPiani (Enabel's Urban Economic Development initiative in Rwanda)Papa MadiawSeck (West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA))ZoéVauquelin (Grdr-Migration, Citoyenneté, Développement)
13:30 - 15:00
Mission-oriented policies for net zero: Combining technological and social innovations to deliver on ambitious agendas
As the negative impacts on climate change intensify, it is clear that the incremental and fragmented approaches of the past have failed to address the systemic nature of the problem. Since the mid-2010s, mission-driven policies have emerged as a promising tool to break down silos, promote collaboration, and drive systemic change. However, many Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) missions, led by relevant authorities in this policy field, remain overly focused on technology development, missing the broader changes needed for large-scale deployment. Beyond the STI arena, sectoral authorities in areas like water, transport, and energy are starting to recognise the value of missions in tackling societal complex issues. However, challenges remain to identify transformative policy packages, to engage relevant actors in the context of time and budgetary constraints, and to scale up efforts to reach their full potential. This session brings together OECD STI and climate experts, and policymakers, to discuss how to unleash the potential of missions: • What concrete and actionable forms of collective action could bring together actors in a real all-hands-on-deck approach?  • How to identify transformative policy packages and missions? How to make "innovation missions" more systemic? • What are inspiring examples of STI policies beyond technology?   • What are examples of missions initiated and led by sectoral authorities?  • Which governance mechanisms are needed to mainstream a mission approach and overcome the “full plate” effect (time and resources limitations)?
SabrinaDekker (Dublin Metropolitan Climate Action Regional Office, Dublin City Council)ElisaLanzi (OECD)PhilippeLarrue (OECD)JensLundsgaard (OECD)StephenO'Driscoll (Research Ireland)
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