Programme

Biodiversity loss is a global crisis that demands urgent attention and action from all sectors of society, including businesses. This panel discussion will convene experts and sustainability leaders to explore the intersection of biodiversity conservation and corporate strategy. The discussion will emphasize practical solutions and actions that businesses can undertake to integrate biodiversity considerations into their operations and contribute to a sustainable future.

On the occasion of the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), the Swedish Embassy and DGVN invite you to a hybrid event with panel discussion and live link to COP28 in Dubai to draw a first conclusion of the achievements of the climate conference. Will COP28 send the important signal of increased ambition and action, not at least from the biggest emitters, that the climate crisis so urgently requires? This question will stand at the centre of our event, which takes place in the final hours of the climate negotiations. Close to the pulse of the negotiations, we want to discuss what results can be expected and what priorities will be set by Sweden, Germany and other parties at COP28. 

Europe is facing major challenges in the energy and heating sector due to its dependence on Russian gas. Security of supply is an emerging issue, decarbonization and the green transition needs to happen to reach the Paris agreement of 1,5. In the same time European countries are not using its resources to its full potential. 

To limit global warming close to 1.5°C, the transition away from fossil fuels is an imperative. This imperative is also recognized in the recommendations of the UN secretary general’s High-Level Expert Group for net zero commitments, HLEG.

Ships can burn as much as 6% of fuel waiting in port and are emitting CO2. Depending on the industry segment, some ships might spend half their lifetime in ports due to complex port operations and waiting, emitting unnecessary and hazardous carbon emissions into the atmosphere. 

As countries strive to achieve ambitious energy and climate goals, particularly through the integration of large volumes of renewables, grid interconnections become increasingly important. Today, interconnections linking different power systems within and between countries and regions allow electricity to flow according to patterns of supply and demand, while simultaneously enhancing system reliability, security, and resilience. In fact, increasing interconnection capacity is now becoming crucial as we focus on maximising the penetration of variable renewables globally. Europe has set the benchmark when it comes to interconnectors, being the world’s largest interconnected grid with more than 400 interconnectors and, according to ENTSO-E, 40 more planned by 2030. However, other regions are also progressing. The SIEPAC (Central American Electrical Interconnection System) project links the power grids of six Central American nations since 2013. Meanwhile, ASEAN countries created the ASEAN Power Grid programme in 1997 and the ASEAN Interconnection Masterplan Study has identified numerous benefits from increased interconnectivity.During this discussion, panelists will share lessons learned and experiences from developing major interconnection projects to accelerate the integration of renewables across geographies.

The Nordics are at the forefront when it comes to digitizing the construction and property sector. With simple and smart digital platforms, work and processes are structured to become more sustainable, productive, and compliant. 

Representing 92% of global GDP, over 90 countries around the world have now announced net zero targets. There are no single or simple solutions to putting the world on a path which limits temperature rises to 1.5C above pre-industrialised levels, a crucial target to avoiding a climate catastrophe. However, a sustainable, secure and more equitable future energy system with netzero emissions will be essential and this future energy system must be based on continuous innovation, not only of technologies but also innovation of business models, financing, policy and regulatory approaches.
According to BloombergNEF New Energy Outlook 2023, the world needs to spend a total of $8.3 trillion on renewable energy deployment from 2023 - 2030 to align with a global net-zero trajectory by 2050. This unprecedented growth in renewables deployment requires innovative approaches to partnerships, business models and policies.We have most of the technologies needed to meet our short and medium term energy targets, but deployment of these technologies at speed and scale calls for new types of clean energy policies
and regulations based on coordinated and forward looking approaches. It also requires new business models based on broader societal, environmental, economic and energy system value, as
well as new innovative approaches to financing. All of this will be facilitated by the next generation of ambitious multi-stakeholder collaborations.
During this session, panelists will discuss how to evolve the focus on innovation beyond technology and towards business models, policies and regulations and financing, to accelerate the deployment of renewables and reduce emissions. They will also explore how to build new partnerships to accelerate these new types of innovations.

Just Transition is the notion that a green transition must take into account intersectional socio-economic imperatives in order to bring forth a future that is both fair and sustainable for everyone. The ongoing climate, political, economic and social crises across the Middle East and North Africa have made such a process an absolute necessity.

Technology and innovation are key accelerators towards reshaping the food ecosystem. To build future-fit food systems, capable of meeting the challenges of a growing global population, they are not merely desirable but imperative.

The global energy transition is already underway, but the urgency of climate change demands that it reaches a larger scale and a higher pace. Carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement can help provide the finance and capacity needed to accomplish that. 

Global supply chains are one of the best use cases for large-scale electrification today. Companies share their experiences with innovative and efficient transport solutions and their potential to transform a sector facing low margins.

Viable Cities and the European Commission’s representation in Sweden in partnership with Sweden’s pavilion at COP28 are pleased to invite you to the sixth European Viable Cities Day on December 8, 2023 – a bridge between the Swedish and European efforts towards the mission of climate neutral and sustainable cities by 2030. With seven years to go to reach the mission of climate neutral cities, action is needed now. Radical implementation is of the essence. The movement to accelerate the climate transition and pave the way for many others is growing and gaining momentum. At European Viable Cities Day, 23 Swedish cities representing 40% of the Swedish population, six government agencies and high level representatives from business and academia gathers to make this happen. This year, Stockholm and Madrid have received the official EU Mission Label as the first two European capitals. During the event, there will be a special ceremony to highlight this achievement, as well as the signing ceremony of the Swedish Climate City Contracts. Viable Cities is a Swedish national innovation platform and Sweden's biggest initiative for Climate Neutral Cities, jointly funded by the Swedish Energy Agency, Vinnova and Formas. 

Cities contribute 70 percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions. As a consequence, cities play a key role in driving the green transition. What distinguishes cities that are leading the green transition? How do city forerunners implement actions with the scale, scope and speed needed to reach the goals set by the Paris Agreement? And how have they enabled stakeholder and citizen inclusion as part of the process? During this session, we welcome representatives from cities leading the green transition along with green city networks to discuss these questions and what can be learned from successful examples. 

Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and Labour & Employment, India, and Romina Pourmokhtari, Minister for Climate and the Environment, Sweden, are hosting this official side that will inform about the objectives of the next phase of the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (2024-2026), LeadIT 2.0.  

It has been 8 years since Paris, with 7 years to go to 2030. In the urgent race to combat climate change and achieve global sustainability goals, the intersection of capital markets and corporate sustainability has never been more critical or important.  Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion where industry experts and leaders will explore how capital markets can play a pivotal role in supporting corporates and provide the necessary financial resources to accelerate corporate efforts toward achieving net-zero emissions on their journey to a net-zero future. 

In this panel, speakers will address the power of large companies and banks to influence the transition towards net-zero, and how science-based and accurate carbon calculations enables them to take control of their value chain emissions while creating long-term resilience and growth for their business. 

Transitioning to clean electricity as the backbone of the energy system represents the cleanest and most efficient way to decarbonise. Massive deployment of clean power and electrification, enabled by grids, is one of the most important strategies in our race towards net zero. Globally we are looking at 4 times increase in generation capacity and a 3-fold increase in transfer capacity as the share of electrification in our energy system goes from 20% up to over 50% by 2050.This transformational change is achievable, but the sense of urgency must be realized by all. The solutions needed to accelerate clean energy transitions will require collaboration on all fronts. As the transport, buildings and industry sectors decarbonize, the interdependencies between these sectors and the power sector increase. Stakeholders from these sectors need to speak each other’s language to find new ways to break down silos and accelerate the energy transition. Different stakeholder groups from countries across the world must also leverage the opportunity to learn from each other, creating new business opportunities and faster pathways to net zero.Moving a resilient energy transition forward will entail replicating, scaling, and speeding up collaboration models. Panelists at this session will share opportunities, challenges and examples related to successfully collaborating across sectors, geographies, and stakeholders.

Financing the transformation of road freight will show how the sector is booming with opportunities and the world shifts to new transportation systems. With technology at the forefront, it is possible to tackle a 4 trillion dollar market and impact 8% of global CO2 emissions.

This session will discuss the transformative potential of circular practices within the food supply chain for mitigating climate change and preserving natural ecosystems.