London Mayor Sadiq Khan is spearheading an ambitious plan for his city to reach net zero emissions by 2030 – well ahead of UN-backed calls for the world to hit the same target in 2050. Khan sets out his vision to tackle the climate emergency, reduce air pollution and cut congestion to create a greener, healthier city fit for the future.
• Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
As more companies make net zero commitments, it’s important to remember this is just the beginning. Courageous companies thrive by giving more than they take. It’s time we move beyond net zero to a net positive approach. Climate leaders share how they are driving a profitable business by giving back to society.
• Jill Duggan, Executive Director, Europe, Environmental Defense Fund
• Jonathan Maxwell, Founding Partner & CEO, Sustainable Development Capital, LLP
• Christian Rynning-Tønnesen, CEO, Statkraft
• Steve Malkin, Founder, Planet Mark
Moderator: Gail Whiteman, Founder, Arctic Basecamp
Consumer products firms are facing growing pressure to slash carbon emissions across the value chain – from raw material production to customers’ use and disposal of products. IKEA, which has pledged to be climate positive by 2030, is leading the way on several fronts, including electrifying its transport network and investing significantly in wind and solar projects. Jesper Brodin, CEO of the brand’s retail leg Ingka Group, talks about those projects and other plans that will push the furniture giant toward its climate goals.
• Jesper Brodin, CEO, Ikea
Moderator: Matt Scuffham, Breaking News Editor, Companies, Reuters
Building Design and Operations: Health, Wellbeing and Sustainability - In partnership with Honeywell
• Manish Sharma, VP & GM - Sustainable Building Tech, Honeywell
• Stephanie Hyde, Chief Executive, JLL UK
• Sarah Prichard, UK Managing Director, Buro Happold
Moderator: Peter Guthrie, Vice-President of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Professor of Engineering for Sustainable Development at the University of Cambridge
In recent years, the fashion industry has grown evermore reliant on petrochemicals to enable the production of affordable products at scale. With consumers growing increasingly concerned about sustainability, how can producers and brands manufacture more sustainable products without compromising price or performance?
• Mike Saltzberg, CEO, Covation Biomaterials
Moderator: Liesl Truscott, Corporate Benchmarking Director, Industry Accountability, Textile Exchange
Over a quarter of all global energy-related carbon emissions are linked to building operations. We look at how utilizing a holistic approach to building design is crucial for improving revolutionizing efficiency, reducing waste and improving the lives of the inhabitants.
• Kinya Seto, CEO, Lixil Corporation
Moderator: Liam Dowd, Industry Lead - Sustainable Business, Reuters Professional
Technologies Driving Tomorrow: Accelerating Society’s Transition to Cleaner, Safer and Smarter Systems - In partnership with STMicroelectronics
As our economy switches from fossil fuels to electricity, maximizing energy efficiency while preserving the environment has become central for driving growth and economic productivity. Innovative technologies are indispensable for energy-efficient solutions and renewable energy sources, enabling factories and industrial motors to increase energy efficiency, helping car manufacturers make driving greener and ultimately accelerating society’s transition to cleaner, safer and smarter systems.
• Jean-Marc Chery, President & CEO, STMicroelectronics
Moderator: Nicolas Lefevre-Marton, Managing Director, Sustainability Solutions-EMEAI, Engie IMPACT
According to the UN, food security means that all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. Yet, there are multiple challenges present in the world today that threaten food security. From mounting hunger, to a growing population and ongoing external pressures on supply chains as a result of security threats like war and climate change.
We are living in a world where food systems are unbalanced and wasteful. We need a radical new approach to the way we feed the planet, from how we source and produce our food, to its transportation, and the materials we use to package it. This must be a global shift towards healthier diets and sustainable food systems. And this transformation needs to happen whilst remaining within planetary boundaries.
• Eija Hietavuo, Vice President Public Affairs, Tetra Pak
• John Rockström, Director, The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
• Philip A Loring, Associate Professor and Arrell Chair in Food, Policy and Society, University of Guelph
• Robbert de Vreede, Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, Nutrition, Unilever
Moderator: Eva Goulbourne, Founder & CEO, Littlefoot Ventures
The transition to a circular economy demands radical, meaningful transformation centered around reducing waste, optimizing product lifecycles and changing consumption habits. Is a true circular economy possible? Hear from key climate leaders how they are driving business to take a systematic approach to make this a reality.
• Andrew Morlet, CEO, Ellen MacArthur Foundation
• Jo da Silva, Global Director of Sustainable Development, Arup
Moderator: Terry Slavin, Editor in Chief, Reuters Events Sustainable Business
Renewables are expected to account for 95% of the net increase in global power capacity through 2025 and electrification is the key to hit net zero targets. The world has made great progress in switching to greener options, but there remains an infrastructure gap to be addressed by governments, business and investors. In a rapidly developing market, which areas are showing the most promise? And what obstacles stand in the way of bridging the infrastructure gap?
• Alistair Phillips-Davies, CEO, SSE Plc
Moderator: George Hay, Financial Editor, Reuters Breakingviews
More than $2 trillion of transport infrastructure investments worldwide will be needed each year until 2040 to fuel economic development. National Governments are putting pressure on Businesses to step up the pace of infrastructure development. To achieve sustainable change, it is critical for both governments and investors to drive the economic development needed for businesses to embrace all modes of transport at every scale.
• Sean Donohue, CEO, DFW International Airport
Moderator: Øistein Jensen Chief Sustainability Officer, Odfjell SE
The world’s population is projected to reach 8 billion before the end of this year and 8.5 billion by 2030. This exponential growth, combined with land scarcity, raises the challenge for the agriculture industry of producing more with less. Discover how businesses are harnessing the power of technology such as cleaner biofuels, cheaper and easier ways to genetically modify plants and innovative new agricultural methods.
• Magi Richani, CEO, Nobell Foods
Moderator: Niall Mottram, Head of Industrial and Energy, Cambridge Consultants
Today’s business leaders face huge challenges in delivering on ambitious net zero and broader ESG commitments. Efforts need to be directed toward solutions and policies that can quickly transform the way we produce and consume resources. Climate pioneers share what a successful leader looks like, and how they are accelerating action towards a net-positive future.
• Halla Tómasdóttir, CEO & Chief Change Catalyst, The B Team
• Pamela Dow, Executive Director, Government Skills and Curriculum Unit, Cabinet Office, UK Government
• Magi Richani, CEO, Nobell Foods
Moderator: Laura Citron, CEO, London & Partners
Water scarcity has been identified as one of the most important environmental concerns for the global consumer goods sector. Diageo, the world's biggest spirits maker, discusses the challenge of putting sustainability at the forefront as it and competitors face higher supply chain, ingredients and energy costs. Diageo's premium alcohol business is one of the few bucking a sharp downward trend in discretionary spending; can the company build on demand for that sector to keep its edge in a tough market?
• Ivan Menezes, CEO, Diageo
Moderator: Richa Naidu, European Consumer Products Correspondent, Reuters
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos wants to deploy $10 billion to fight climate change, and he’s asked Andrew Steer to figure out how. As CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund for more than a year, Steer has directed capital toward marine protection, land conservation and other efforts but still has billions of dollars left to spend. Steer will talk about his vision for the future, providing an inside view of Bezos’s closely watched philanthropy.
• Andrew Steer, CEO, Bezos Earth Fund
• Jeffrey Dastin, Technology Correspondent, Reuters
With countless sustainable projects promising transformative solutions to the climate crisis, one difficulty is finding the capital to scale these projects to deliver on potential. Whether it is sourced publicly or privately, financing must be found to support the mitigation and adaptation actions necessary to confront climate change.
• Dr. Rhian-Mari Thomas, CEO, GFI
• Alison Martin, CEO EMEA, Zurich
• Markus Leitner,Ambassador, Embassy of Switzerland
• Alexia Latortue, Assistant Secretary of International Trade and Development, United States Treasury Department
Moderator: Alderman Sir William Russell, City of London Corporation
Poorer neighborhoods, often home to ethnic minorities, are more likely to be located near hazardous waste sites and polluted air than privileged groups and neighborhoods. While speed is imperative to the green transition, it is essential change is also fair on a global scale. No one must be left behind. Learn how business, investors and governments can drive an equitable distribution of environmental benefits and guarantee marginalized communities are not further harmed by the transition.
• Samaila Zubairu, President & CEO, Africa Finance Corporation
• Mo Ibrahim, Founder, Mo Ibrahim Foundation
• Sadie Morgan, Founding Director, DRMM and Chair, Quality of Life Foundation
Moderator: Amol Mehra, Director of Industry Transformation, Laudes Foundation
Sustainably tackling the climate crisis is not merely about reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. A successful energy transition will require companies and governments to place wellbeing and health at the heart of sustainability projects to build a people-planet-profit culture.
• Sanda Ojiambo, Executive Director, UN Global Compact
Moderator: Sarah McFarlane, Chief Correspondent, Energy Transition, Reuters
Reforesting and rewilding land is vital to promoting biodiversity, regenerating land fertility, and capturing carbon. Yet demand for timber and food is on the rise. Careful land management paired with smart applications of natural solutions will be necessary to repair damage while boosting natural productivity.
• Elizabeth Mrema, Exec Secretary, UN Convention on Biological Diversity
Moderator: Sharon Kimathi, Energy & ESG Editor, Reuters Digital
Decarbonisation strategies: shifting from intentions to implementation through adoption, innovation and leadership
Pursuing decarbonisation is a challenging task for many companies that use fossil fuels in their products amid increasing demand for power globally. But it also presents commercial opportunities. Rolls Royce CEO Warren East discusses how the company plans to meet its pledge for all new products to be compatible with net zero targets by 2030, via investment in R&D, innovation, partnerships and policies.
• Warren East, CEO, Rolls Royce
Moderator: Paul Sandle, Correspondent, Reuters
As the clean energy revolution reaches new heights, it is crucial to ask whether infrastructure is ready. Battery storage and other technologies will be required to prevent market inefficiencies and alleviate bottlenecks in supply. Hear from a leading energy expert about technologies he believes will be key to improving efficiency, managing consumption, reducing waste and lowering costs.
• Sylvain Filippi, Managing Director, Envision Racing
Moderator: Alan Baldwin, Motor Sport Correspondent, Reuters
It’s a complex time for our energy systems, one that will take strong partnership to progress. Barbara Harrison of Chevron New Energies joins us to share how Chevron is taking action to provide ever-cleaner energy that’s also affordable and reliable. The new energies team is focused on delivering lower carbon solutions not only to decarbonize Chevron’s existing oil and gas operations, but also pilot and scale technologies in support of customers’ lower carbon ambitions.
• Barbara Harrison, Vice President, Offsets & Emerging, Chevron New Energies, Chevron
Moderator: Tom Harries, Partner, Nardac
Until the groundwork for the renewable future has been built, we’ll be relying on hydrocarbons to fuel the transition and our lives. Natural gas has long been touted as a key alternative for economies dependent on coal for their power needs, as it has lower carbon dioxide emissions and uses a similar centralised infrastructure. However, high gas prices and the tumbling cost of renewable energy, alongside shifting geopolitical and consumer priorities, have raised questions about the role of gas in the overall transition.
• Julien Perez, VP, Strategy and Policy, OGCI
• Georges Tijbosch, CEO, MiQ
• Deepak Anand, Chief Revenue Officer, GHGsat
Moderator: George Hay, Financial Editor, Reuters Breakingviews
More than 100 countries signed the Global Methane Pledge to curb emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 at COP26 in Glasgow. Almost a year on, the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative (OGCI) looks at progress that has been made in the oil and gas sector on one of the most powerful short-term levers to tackle global warming – and what still needs to be done by its members to reach the target.
• Julien Perez, VP, Strategy and Policy, OGCI
Moderator: Jon Harman, Head of Reuters IMPACT, Reuters Professional
As the world moves towards renewable energy, LNG is the right choice to bridge and aid this transition. It is a clean-burning fossil fuel that can be used in a variety of applications, from powering homes and businesses to fueling vehicles. In this interview, Joseph Sigelman explains the vital role that LNG will play - today and in the decade to come - in ensuring that there is a stable grid, cleaner fuel, and that the industry can avail stable, clean systems that come from around the world. Joseph Sigelman is the CEO and Chairman of AG&P Group, which focuses on downstream LNG import, distribution, and infrastructure development in numerous countries including India, Philippines, United States, and beyond.
• Joseph Sigelman, Chair and CEO, AG&P Group
Moderator: Jon Harman, Head of Reuters IMPACT, Reuters Professional
Sustainable equity funds persist in returning more profit than their peers and new green technology continues to hit the market. Discover how leaders are identifying the most balanced [profitable vs just] opportunities to generate positive potential financial returns while benefiting the environment and moving towards a net positive future. Hear Dr. Rhian-Mari Thomas interview Deborah Meaden to learn how leaders are identifying the most balanced opportunities to generate positive potential financial returns while benefitting the environment and moving towards a net positive future.
• Deborah Meaden, Businesswomen, Investor and TV Dragon
Moderator: Dr. Rhian-Mari Thomas, CEO, GFI
As companies and governments are energized into making ambitious pledges and commitments, it is critical these claims are monitored, benchmarked and regulated to ensure tangible progress is being made and asset owners are being held to account. Hear how companies can adopt collaborative models and the latest frameworks for transparency of progress.
• Helen Clarkson, CEO, The Climate Group
• Andrew Mitchell, Vice Chair Stewardship Council, TNFD, and Founder and Senior Advisor, Global Canopy
• Lilly Miller, CFO, Planet Mark
Moderator: Jane Goodland, Group Head of Sustainability, The London Stock Exchange Group [LSEG]
Developed countries have produced the most carbon emissions, funded the most habitat destruction and caused most of the damage to the natural world. Yet people in the least developed parts of the world have borne the brunt, with their homes and livelihood stolen by extreme weather and rising sea levels. Unlocked climate capital must reach those who need it the most, funding the innovative technologies and adaptation strategies that will protect those who are at risk of losing everything.
• Mafalda Duarte, CEO, Climate Investment Funds
• Moderator: John Dickie, Chief Executive, BusinessLDN
Reuters Interview with Finland Fina
Policymakers the world over are sacrificing the pursuit of lofty climate goals in the midst of an energy crisis that is sharply constraining supply and sending prices skyrocketing. Finnish Finance Minister Annika Saarikko, Co-Chair of the global Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, discusses the dilemma facing leaders and the longer-term repercussions of decisions taken today.
• Annika Saarikko, Minister of Finance, Finland
Moderator: Anne Kauranen, Finland Bureau Chief, Reuters
Companies around the world are making decarbonisation claims while they continue to draw down energy from predominantly fossil-fuel powered electricity grids. Mahesh Kolli, co-founder of Greenko, a renewable power company majority owned by Singapore’s GIC, will discuss how accelerating a rollout of grid-scale energy storage will drive down financial costs and friction of the green transition, why regulation on accounting needs to move faster, and the tougher role executives can play.
• Mahesh Kolli, Co-Founder, President & Joint Managing Director, Greenko
Moderator: Una Galani, Associate Editor, Reuters Breakingviews
The European Union has committed to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 as part of its commitment to global climate action under the Paris Agreement. Werner Hoyer, the head of the EU’s powerful lending arm, the European Investment Bank, will discuss the impact of the current gas crisis on this goal, as well as whether Brussels should use his super-sized multilateral bank as a more forceful geopolitical foil to Russia and China's influence in the developing world.
• Werner Hoyer, President, European Investment Bank
Moderator: Marc Jones, Global Markets Correspondent, Reuters
How can we maintain trust in this well-intentioned concept? Increasing understanding of ESG metrics, introducing universal standards and effective regulation, and integrating financial value and ESG value into long-term business strategy are key.
• Steve Varley, EY Global Vice Chair – Sustainability, EY
Moderator: Kerry Adams-Strump, Director of Group ESG, Prudential
Making up 99 per cent of businesses in the EU, small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) are at the heart of society and a key piece of the climate puzzle. Just as digital technology is helping SMBs make the leap from high street to online, it can also accelerate their move to more sustainable business practices. Hear from Meta VP EMEA Angie Gifford about the significant relationship between SMBs and climate action, the broad challenges they face, and how partners across society – as well as digital technology – can support them in achieving their climate goals.
• Angie Gifford, VP EMEA, Meta
Moderator: Steve Malkin, Founder, Planet Mark
Achieve Sustainability Goals: Growing your Business and Managing Data Growth - In partnership with Pure Storage
With data and data insights playing a critical role in the development of products and services across industries, data centers play an undeniably important part in any corporate sustainability strategy. Building a sustainable model for the future now requires data storage that is engineered to require significantly lower power, lower cooling, and far less waste, as well as having the potential to make a significant and immediate impact on reducing global data-center carbon emissions. Join the session with Pure Storage CTO, Patrick Smith to learn how you can build sustainable models for the future with data storage engineered to require significantly lower power, lower cooling, and far less waste, as well as having the potential to make a significant and immediate impact on reducing global data-center carbon emissions.
• Patrick Smith, CTO EMEA, Pure Storage
Climate change poses a serious threat to our planet. It is disrupting national economies and affecting lives at a rate set to rise into the future. Businesses, governments, and investors have a responsibility toward society to help provide a better tomorrow. This is the time for businesses to seize opportunities and lead disruption into a new era.
• Peter Hill, CEO, COP26
• Sir Ben Ainslie CEO, Great Britain SailGP Team and INEOS Britannia
Moderator: Katy Daigle, Climate & Environment Editor, Reuters
