A new-look Living Planet Conference will bring together business leaders, government officials and international sustainability thought leaders to find actionable ways to address some of the biggest climate and biodiversity challenges facing South Africa. The conference will be held in Johannesburg on 29 November 2022.

Register now.

For eight years, WWF South Africa’s Living Planet Conference has provided youth voices and leaders in business, science, and government with an opportunity to explore the ways in which three of the most pressing crises currently facing South Africa – energy, water and food – might be addressed. While governments around the world are implementing robust policies and introducing bold initiatives to line up with some of the 2050 net-zero commitments, the corporate sector has a vital role to play.

For the first time since its inception, the Living Planet Conference, which takes place in Johannesburg on 29 November 2022, will offer a complete business-facing conference agenda that highlights the interconnected nature of the current sustainability landscape.

The event sessions are focused on unpacking the 2022 WWF Living Planet Report and exploring climate and biodiversity issues and topics through a business and sustainable finance lens. Attendees from across all sectors are encouraged to join and engage in conversations around:

Biodiversity: The interconnected nature of economic and environmental challenges is evidenced by the rate at which the planet is experiencing biodiversity loss. Sustainable consumption, sourcing and production have never been more important than they are today. This session will look at unpacking the findings from the most recent WWF Living Planet Report, which was released on 13 October, sharing case studies on sustainable sourcing and production, and discussing what the business response to biodiversity loss should look like.

Climate: Businesses face mounting pressure to lead the charge in the fight against climate change. The climate crisis is reshaping the way businesses are run. From transport to retail to property, sectors are pivoting and adapting, but is it enough? This session will explore ‘net-zero by 2050’ as the new business-as-usual standard for South African companies, the tools needed to get there, and practical steps businesses should be taking to address climate change.

Sustainable Finance: Climate change and biodiversity loss are inseparably linked with human futures, and it is impossible to address these challenges without looking at the role of the finance sector and the need for more sustainable economies. This session will explore nature-positive investment, ESG risks, and green bonds. 

What to expect from the 2022 Living Planet Conference:

Thought leadership and keynote addresses by trailblazing speakers from across the business sector and the globe, that provide pathways to innovative and cutting-edge sustainability concepts and expose planet-centred ways of working.

Networking opportunities with sustainability professionals who share a similar appetite for forward-focused, resilient business practices.

Interactive panel discussions focused on:

• ESG, sustainable finance and greening economies

• Sustainable consumption, sourcing and production

• The role of business in the climate crisis and biodiversity loss

• Innovative approaches to biodiversity conservation

To purchase tickets, please visit – https://www.quicket.co.za/events/183457-2022-living-planet-conversations-sustainability-conference/