The 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum takes place January 15 – 19, 2024, in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The meeting brings representatives from over 100 governments, international organizations, civic leaders, and experts to discuss the future of world events.
The overall theme of the meeting is Rebuilding Trust. The programming is divided into four categories: Achieving Security and Cooperation in a Fractured World; Creating Growth and Jobs for a New Era; Artificial Intelligence as a Driving Force for the Economy and Society; and A Long-Term Strategy for Climate, Nature and Energy.
With over 200 sessions running simultaneously via livestream, finding the right schedule can be difficult. Here are 10 programs on the environment and sustainability that business leaders should watch.
Setting Standards for Nature
January 16, 13:15 – 13:45 CET
Theme: Investor pressure, regulatory requirements and consumer preferences are leading companies to establish nature-positive commitments alongside their net zero goals.
What decisions need to be taken today to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and ensure continued planetary and human prosperity?
Speakers: Ricardo Roa, Pam Cheng, Maria Susana, Muhamad, David Craig
COP28 and the Road Ahead
January 16, 15:00 – 15:45 CET
Theme: The 28th Conference of the Parties and the conclusion of the global stocktake are significant milestones in the fight against climate change. However, multiple questions remain on how to accelerate inclusive climate action effectively.
What are COP28’s achievements and disappointments and what lies ahead for the next COP?
Speakers: Sally Buzbee, Mikayil Jabbarov, John F. Kerry, Fatih Birol, Catherine MacGregor
Putting a Price on Nature
January 17, 9:00 – 9:45 CET
Theme: Gross domestic product has more than doubled in the past three decades while natural capital has declined by nearly 40% within the same time frame.
With more than half of the world’s GDP reliant on nature and its services, what is required to better connect ecology to economics, and conservation with development outcomes? Can the value of nature be quantified as a measure of economic performance?
Speakers: Uyunkar Domingo Peas Nampichkai, Ronald W. Hovsepian, Nick Studer, Marina Silva, Hubert Keller, Gretchen Daily
Climate and Nature: Seed Capital Needed
January 17, 13:15 – 14:00 CET
Theme: To fast track a net-zero, nature-positive economy requires philanthropic and development support that are early-stage, risk-taking and catalytic.
How can governments, development finance and philanthropic institutions join forces with private capital to avert climate collapse?
Speakers: Ray Dalio, Makhtar Dop, Mafalda Duarte, John F. Kerry, Desmond Kuek, David Gelles, Badr Jafar
Net Zero Industries
January 17, 15:00 – 15:45 CET
Theme: The manufacturing sector, which accounts for one-fifth of global carbon emissions and over half of the world’s energy usage, is taking centre stage in the global race to net zero. Yet despite a raft of commitments and first steps, around 50% of companies are off track in achieving their targets.
How can manufacturers leverage new innovations and technologies to successfully negotiate the green transition while maintaining growth?
Speakers: Petra De Sutter, Martin Lundstedt, Juliet Mann, Holger Klein, Gwenaelle Avice Huet
Calming Green Trade Tensions
January 17, 16:15 – 17:00 CET
Theme: The manufacturing sector, which accounts for one-fifth of global carbon emissions and over half of the world’s energy usage, is taking centre stage in the global race to net zero. Yet despite a raft of commitments and first steps, around 50% of companies are off track in achieving their targets.
How can manufacturers leverage new innovations and technologies to successfully negotiate the green transition while maintaining growth?
Speakers: Sumant Sinha, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Rachel Kyte, Juan Carols, Mathews, Espen Barth Eide
Beyond the Sustainability Metrics: The Burden of Proof
January 17, 17:30 – 18:15 CET
Theme: Capital markets are integrating mandatory sustainability disclosures, with the premise that going above and beyond will also maximize company returns. However, companies are still forced to balance the trade-offs of good sustainable vs financial performance, while investors and capital market regulators are grappling with enhancing capital flows into sustainability-related endeavours.
How can we move beyond the burden of proof on reporting and provide more capacity for concrete sustainable outcomes?
Speakers: Laura M. Cha, Emmanual Faber, Carmine Di Sibio, Amanda Drury
Building Equitable Transitions: Green and Fair
January 18, 10:15 – 11:00 CET
Theme: The promise of net zero in energy, transport, agriculture, housing and infrastructure will be unmet if the societal impact on jobs, access and affordability is not considered.
How can we align ambitious sectoral transitions with equitable and socially responsible outcomes?
Speakers: Rania Al-Mashat, Luc Triangle, Josu Jon Imaz, Jonas Prising, David Gelles.
Being Honest about Governance
January 18, 11:30 – 12:15 CET
Theme: While various regulations are being put in place across the globe to address governance challenges, economic instability and conflict are exacerbating corruption.
How can we unlock good governance to ensure sustainable transformation and economic growth in challenging times?
Speakers: Ziena Soufan, Thomas Ronald Palmer, Philip Isdor Mpango, Peter Maurer, Helen E. Clark
Are Financial Risks of Climate Change Under-Priced?
January 18. 16:15 – 17:00 CET
Theme: In the 1980s, in the US alone there were three $1 billion climate disasters a year; in 2023, this rose to one every two weeks.
With climate-related financial risks incurring unprecedented costs, how are decision-makers around the world future-proofing the financial system?
Speakers: Steven van Rijswijk, Marina Mazzucato, Katharine Hayhoe, Inger Anderson