5 key events for business at COP23 climate talks

Marking the two-year anniversary of the historic Paris Agreement on Climate Change concluded at COP21 in 2015, the Summit is taking place in Bonn, Germany under the presidency of the island nation of Fiji. The talks will run over the course of two weeks and are an important opportunity for the private sector to engage with governments and other stakeholders to maintain momentum towards achieving the Paris outcomes.

With more companies committed to leadership on climate action than at any other time in history, COP23 will also showcase the many ways in which businesses worldwide are already taking action to build the prosperous, low carbon economy of the future.

But with more needing to be done for the private sector to fully realize its potential in the climate challenge, here are 5 key events for business at COP23.

1. The Presidency’s Open Dialogue
   Wednesday, 8 November

The open dialogue offers the private sector and other stakeholders a chance to enhance the openness, transparency and inclusiveness of engagement in the official United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process. As the world business organization, ICC will underscore the vital need for governments to engage the private sector as a constructive partner in the development of global and local climate frameworks.

2. ICC-led Business and Industry Day
   Thursday, 9 November

ICC is the global Focal Point for business and industry to the UNFCCC and each year leads the Business and Industry Day demonstrating private sector commitment to the implementation of the Paris Agreement.

Business and Industry Day showcases private sector leadership and action and provides constructive policy input from business to the negotiations.

Featuring speakers including Heinrich Hiesinger, CEO of thyssenkrupp and Bernhard Schwager,  Head of Sustainability at Robert Bosch the day will see much sharing of expertise and best practices in technology cooperation, development and deployment, climate finance, and research and development.

3. Industry Day
   Sunday, 12 November

Leading companies get a chance to reaffirm commitments to the Paris Agreement on Industry Day which takes place during week one of COP23.

Business has a significant role to play in enabling the global economy to achieve – and exceed – its climate goals. That’s why we can expect participants of Industry Day to be urging negotiators to ramp up their ambitions and call on governments to keep climate action high on the agenda.

Industry Day will showcase action across key industry sectors and reveal how industry is creating a low-carbon economy through innovative solutions and what barriers there are to overcome.

Industry Day will also feature discussion on determining a structured approach for the private sector to engage in the Facilitative Dialogue as a partner in the ambition and implementation of the Paris Agreement.

4. High-level Engagement on Climate Action
   Monday 13 – Tuesday 14 November

High-level Engagement on Climate Action will take place during week two of COP23. While business is committed to doing its part to drive innovation and mobilise financing to combat climate change, the private sector is looking for ambitious and forward-looking policies from government—both national and international—that will help more companies take low-carbon solutions to scale.

5. Supporting the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement through Dispute Settlement
   Wednesday 16 November

This side event will look at the various options contained within the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement – as well as the agreements, decisions and contracts used to implement them – that enable State Parties and other actors to make use of dispute resolution mechanisms to promote and support the work of the Parties to the Paris Agreement.

Wendy J. Miles QC, Partner at Debevoise & Plimpton and a Vice-President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, takes part in this panel discussion which is hosted by the International Chamber of Commerce, the International Bar Association the International Bar Association, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce Arbitration Institute.