COP17 & Sustainable Business

COP17: The 17^th UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

Why participate?
Opportunities
Who represents business?
Who will be exhibiting?
What's on the calendar?
Sector implications 

Why should South African businesses participate?

In 2002 South Africa hosted the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg. Now, over a decade later the debate has broadened, the issues have accelerated and South Africa has proved itself more than up to the task of hosting another dynamic, world class event focused on global solutions for sustainable, low carbon development. Government has already stated that failure is not an option, Africa wants to unlock funding sources but is also seeking resolution on the whole package including progress on the Climate Fund, technology sharing and implementing the Cancun agreement and, crucially, securing and defining the second period of the Kyoto Protocol. In addition, the outcomes of COP 17 can assist Government’s local climate policy ambitions, particularly with respect to meeting its carbon budget and to supporting the transition to a low carbon, climate resilient economy.

These are ambitious expectations that will require solid commitment from all stakeholders. Business has a vital role to play in both the event itself and, more importantly, in the adoption and implementation of the commitments of COP 17, as these global agreements will manifest in local policy. For this reason, as well as the fact that environmental and sustainability issues have to become a reality for business, private sector professionals should seriously consider taking advantage of the rare opportunity of participating in a COP held on our shores. 

Opportunities before and during COP17

COP 17 is a government-to-government process, and only accredited organisations can attend the official UN negotiations. However, the process does make provision for business and civil society to engage in the local and global debate pre-COP and there are side events during COP in which business can participate.

Businesses interested in participating in COP17 should consider the following;

• Understand the issues and how these will impact your specific sector; define the objectives for your business and determine how to engage in the process so as to influence the outcome. More about sectors at COP17.
• External stakeholders are now being engaged in a participative process which forms part of the preparatory government negotiations. Business should aim to have its voice heard by participating in the consultations being held by various organisations, including WWF, as well as the national committee on climate change, a government forum for consultation with stakeholders).
• Organisers are currently finalising details for COP 17 side events but there is still opportunity to engage the organisers and influence the agenda, including securing speaking slots at high level events. Businesses are also free to hold events in private venues. Click here for a calendar of events during COP 17.
• Seek opportunities for unique collaborations required for accelerating and scaling up implementation of low, or zero, footprint products and services across sectors. WWF is offering limited invitations to the B4E Durban Dialogue which aims to facilitate this, bringing stakeholders together to forge new partnerships and take real action on climate change.

 

Who represents business?

Local organised business representatives include Business Unity SA, the National Business Initiative and the CEO Forum, comprising 60 top CEOs, initiated by Sasol, Eskom and Impala Platinum. Internationally, business input is mainly channelled through the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).  

Who will be exhibiting?

The Expo that is accessible to the general public is divided into sectors:

• Government and Local Municipality: Government will host a climate change response exhibition including a business pavilion showcasing SA business action on climate change
• Business South Africa – Business Unity South Africa and the National Business Initiative will have a joint pavilion
• Science and Technology, Water, Greening Solutions and Environment
• Energy
• NGO, NPO, International, Faith and Agriculture (development partners to be included in this)
• Outdoor – Still to be finalised

What's on the calendar?

Pre-COP

2 November: COP 17 Webinar: Risks and Opportunities for Companies, Samantha Smith, Leader of WWF Global Climate and Energy Initiative, will talk about COP 17 and the possible implications for business. (9.00 to 10.00 CET and from 17.00 to 18.00 CET)

8-9 November: WWF Green Growth SA Symposium, Prospects for COP17, JHB

15-16 November: WWF media launch of report on impacts of coal mining and SA dependency on coal (final date to be confirmed)

COP17

(Durban November 28 to December 9)

Business relevant WWF events outside formal precinct

29 November, 18.30 – 20.30, Nedbank Building, Durban: WWF Green Growth SA launch of the WWF-SA publication "Towards a Green Economy: Envisaging success at COP17", featuring panel speakers Jeremy Cronin, Tasneem Essop, Emily Tyler and Deon Nel.

1 December, 14.30 -17.30: Business response to climate variability in Southern Africa: focus on adaptation and water stewardship by major corporations. (WWF, NBI and WWF partners SABMiller and Nedbank) WWF-SA’s Dr Deon Nel and Dr Mao Amis speaking.

1 December, 18:30- 21:00: NBI Roundtable: Responses to future water challenges in a changing climate, Nedbank Building (SABMiller, Nedbank) WWF-SA’s Christine Colvin and Dr Mao Amis speaking

3 December, Durban / Johannesburg: Global Day of Action, WWF participating in march.

5 December, 07.00 – 19.00: WBSD/NBI/ICC Global Business Day: Keep Moving - Climate, business and growth for all. WWF Director General Jim Leape to speak.

6 December, 8.30 – 21.30: Business for the Environment (B4E) Durban Dialogue, accelerating and scaling up implementation of low, or zero, footprint products and services across sectors. WWF-SA’s Ms Malango Mughogho and WWF International’s Mr Bruce Haase speaking. (Partners include WBCSD and WWF, invite only.)

6 December, 9.00 – 12.00: NBI Roundtable with WWF, Energy seminar: Clean coal, Coal and water nexus, renewable energy. WWF-SA’s Christine Colvin and Saliem Fakir speaking

7 December, 9.00 – 12.00: NBI Roundtable Responsible Investment, sponsored by Sanlam.

7 December, 6.30 (TBC): SARI (South African Renewables Initiative) MOU signing.

7 December, 7.00 (TBC): WWF Climate Savers partners’ dinner.

WWF events within official precinct

7 December, 15:00, Levubu River: WWF celebrates 50 years of work on the African Continent. Climate Change has immense impacts on people and ecosystems. We will highlight the key lessons from our work in 5 regions in Africa and highlight, through case studies, how we can build food, water and energy security for all in Africa.

How does COP17 impact on WWF’s focus business sectors

Financial Sector

• The insurance sector is already recognising the growing implications of climate change in their actuarial modelling and insurance premiums, moving towards a model of risk management.
• Forward looking lending institutions take the climate change risk exposure of a company into account when deciding on a loan to that company, to improve their own risk management.
• One of the big ‘asks’ of this COP will be that governments agree on standardised ways to measure, report and verify (MRV) carbon reductions. Should this important step be achieved it will, fairly quickly, have implications for the accounting and auditing profession, which is already responding to integrated reporting. Auditing professionals should now begin to engage in the debate around accounting and auditing carbon emissions, which will be further influenced by MRV.
• The Green Climate Fund is expected to come on line in 2015 and South Africa will get a portion of this money to fund mitigation efforts that will, support our transition to a low-carbon economy. It is expected that these funds will be channelled through the formal banking sector or developmental finance institutions such as DBSA. It is vital that, as funding opportunity arises and a viable project pipeline develops, financial institutions understand the complexities, both in terms of policy and technology, of the renewable energy sector.
• The issue of innovative sources of financing to fund the Green Climate Fund with no net effect to developing countries will be addressed in Durban: WWF and others are seeking for levies on maritime transport, and a financial transactions tax (FTT) that impact the Financial Sector.

Food and Beverages Sector

• There is currently a drive to incorporate agriculture under the Convention. Agriculture is recognised both because of its role in feeding Earth’s population and because of the sector’s vulnerability to climate change. Agriculture ministers from every country in Africa are particularly keen to see this happen as agriculture is the most threatened sector but also a sector that could be part of the solution. There are triple wins; investments for increased yields, making those yields more resilient and finally the mitigation potential of sequestering carbon in agricultural soil and biomass.
• The challenge of developing climate smart agriculture does not fall only to the producer; it requires both government and business support. Early action can enable South Africa to take adaptation and mitigation measures which will help ensure food security and bolster developmental efforts.
• Changing agricultural practices to respond to climate change risks will require new technology and investment. There is an opportunity for strategic use of public funds to respond to this need.
• MRV will have implications for the sector and methods of measurement are already being developed. One example that looks beyond the farm is the new Product Life Cycle and Corporate Value Chain Standards launched by GHG Protocol. The Corporate Value Chain Standard allows companies to assess their full scope 3 emissions up and down the value chain and identify cost-effective ways to reduce emissions. The Product Life Cycle Standard enables companies to measure the greenhouse gas emissions of an individual product all the way from raw materials through use and disposal, and identify opportunities to increase efficiencies, improve product design, remove risks, and achieve emissions reductions.
• Also relevant for the food industry is the fact that South Africa’s carbon budgets will be finalised within two years and in the meantime a number of "flagship" programmes, both new and existing, are being intensified. These include waste management schemes to support the lowering of the country's current relative carbon intensity.

Find out more about WWF's Sustainable Business engagement.