COP30 is set to be a landmark event in the global fight against climate change, coinciding with the 10-year anniversary of the Paris Agreement and the five-year countdown to the 2030 interim deadline for achieving climate goals by 2050. Serving as a crucial platform for establishing a roadmap to 2030, COP30 will also shine a spotlight on the Amazon rainforest, which is home to 60% of the world's largest intact forest and plays a vital role in global biodiversity and climate regulation.
As the climate crisis accelerates and geopolitical complexities emerge, KPMG is working to prepare a thoughtful program and presence that can help businesses better understand their nature- and climate-related risks as we work together to tackle climate change. Every business has a part to play and we want to help with this critical endeavor in any way we can.
Please stay tuned for more information on KPMG at COP30.
Get in touch on COP30:
Mike Hayes
Climate Change and Decarbonization Leader, Global Head of Renewable Energy
KPMG in Ireland
Reflecting on KPMG at COP29
Accelerating the energy transition
Accelerating the energy transition is the most critical step in helping to decarbonize the global economy, and as energy demand continues to rise, the transition to clean energy solutions remains a challenge due to cost, policy and technology maturity issues. Events and thought leadership associated with this theme are outlined below:
Related events:
Flagship Event | New solutions to achieve the 2030 target of tripling global renewable energy capacity: the role of finance, technology, innovation, and AI (Flagship event)
Following our COP28 report on the key challenges of scaling renewables, this session will explore several solution areas that will help in meeting this critical climate ambition by 2030.
Green transformation: Diverging paths, common goals
Bringing together leaders from Asia, the US, and Europe, this panel discussion will look at various energy transition strategies and the role that climate finance has to play.
CCUS — Building the foundation to a net-zero future
Exploring the future of Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) and its crucial role in achieving net-zero.
Coal-to-Clean Initiative by World Economic Forum (WEF) and KPMG
The session will explore transition finance, including opportunities for private capital mobilization for emerging markets, innovative financing mechanisms, partnership efforts between public, philanthropy and private sectors, as well as the key barriers to this transition.
Related thought leadership:
Climate finance for emerging markets
The acceleration and global impact of climate change necessitates a large-scale response, with an urgent need to fill the growing financing gap for transitioning to a low-carbon economy, enhancing climate resilience, and protecting nature, particularly in emerging markets. Events and thought leadership associated with this theme are outlined below:
Related events:
Beyond finance as usual: transitioning to a sustainable future (Flagship event)
Explore transition finance opportunities for private capital mobilization for emerging markets, including innovative financing mechanisms, partnership efforts between public, philanthropy and private sectors, as well as the key barriers to this transition.
Pull finance: Pulling innovations into emerging markets at scale
How can pull finance be leveraged to accelerate climate technology in emerging markets? Hear from a panel who will discuss how pull finance can act as an enabler for ‘pulling’ new climate solutions to market.
Accelerating inclusive action: Gender-responsive climate finance roundtable
Join KPMG and 2X Global at a roundtable on gender-responsive climate finance, serving as a moment to announce KPMG's 2X Global membership, as well as soft-launch the climate and gender finance module being developed by KPMG for 2X members. Aimed at those already working at this nexus, this interactive session will highlight the importance and practicalities of ensuring all climate finance flows are gender-responsive, address barriers to scale, and provide a knowledge sharing opportunity to drive inclusive action across public and private sector finance.
UNDP & KPMG joint dinner on climate finance
KPMG and UNDP bring together leaders from both the public and private sector to discuss key global challenges on climate finance. This is an invite only event.
Related thought leadership:
Corporate decarbonization and greenwashing
To deliver net zero by 2050, it’s clear that the corporate world should move from setting climate targets and ambitions to implementing a strategy that can help this transition. It is more important than ever to highlight the value opportunity that can arise by implementing a transition plan that creates a more sustainable future for all. Events and thought leadership associated with this theme are outlined below:
Related events:
Climate transition plans: Challenges and solutions
Join a panel of climate professionals as they look at climate transition plans, including the challenges and opportunities behind developing fit-for-purpose climate transition plans.
Greenwashing: Are your green claims robust enough to withstand scrutiny and avoid greenwashing accusations?
With sustainability and transparency at the forefront of the business landscape, the issue of greenwashing has emerged. During this session, panelists will provide their view on the trends and risks associated with greenwashing and appropriate protective responses.
Unlocking the Scope 3 opportunity — Insights from Asia Pacific
Join this panel discussion to gain insights on the Scope 3 emissions landscape in the Asia Pacific region, with real-life examples of how companies are responding to one of the defining climate challenges of our time.
Innovative Urban Solutions: Resource Circularity and Efficient Resiliency
As cities face growing challenges in optimizing land-use and driving resource circularity at the energy-waste-water nexus, a holistic approach to urban planning is critical. How can innovative urban solutions such as district cooling systems and smart waste management contribute to circularity? How can cities achieve “efficient resiliency”, a forward-thinking approach for more sustainable cities?
Related thought leadership:
The Climate: Food Nexus
The global food system is a significant contributor to climate change, accounting for approximately one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. A transition to sustainable food systems is imperative for mitigating climate change, ensuring food security, and promoting human health. Events associated to this theme are outlined below:
Related events:
Green Plate for all: Decarbonizing our food systems
Aligning the SDG and Paris Agreement goals, this session will demonstrate the interconnections between climate change, food security, and human well-being, as well as the actions necessary for a more sustainable future.
Adaptation and resilience
Adapting and achieving resilience in today’s climate landscape will require coordinated action at local, national, and international levels, along with substantial investment in infrastructure. Events and thought leadership associated to this theme are outlined below:
Related events:
Innovative technology for resilient infrastructure
Accompanying the launch of a report in collaboration with ICSI, explore how digitalization and AI are driving infrastructure resilience and sustainability to support climate adaptation.
Integrating Multi-Capital Measurement for Climate Adaptation Investment
Join KPMG and speakers from the International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure, GIST Impact, and AON for a discussion on how assessment of natural, social, human and financial capitals – including their monetary valuation - can guide capital allocation, reduce impacts and build the resilience of businesses and communities. Panelists will discuss how diverse capital metrics can be integrated into decision-making, and will address the practical challenges of aligning these approaches with finance and strategic management processes.
Promoting Climate Resilient PPP for Infrastructure Projects and the SDGs
Join this session focusing on the critical role of public-private partnerships (PPPs) to accelerate the development and implementation of climate-resilient infrastructure – ahead of the UNECE-led development of a Guide to Resilient PPPs that will be published at COP30. It will bring perspectives from both global north and global south, with the articulation of key challenges for emerging markets. This event will promote active discussion between panellists and audience members to address challenges, identify opportunities to bridge gaps between strategy and implementation.
Related thought leadership:
Other KPMG initiatives at COP29
In addition to the above themes, KPMG will also be focused on the below initiatives that can help in navigating the global climate challenge and how to achieve a just energy transition.
- Climate Crisis is a Health Crisis
- CSDDD
- Leaders 2050 Flagship Digital Experience
At KPMG, we believe much greater attention needs to be paid to the impact the climate crisis will have on global healthcare. According to the World Health Organization, the climate crisis is the single biggest threat to health, resulting in 300,000 deaths annually, and it will affect the most vulnerable in our society. Our perspective is that the impact on health will be at least as great as the financial and physical impacts of climate change. We see two key issues:
1. Health systems must adapt to climate change and become resilient, and;
2. Health systems must reduce their own emissions and contribute to global efforts.
Under the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), corporates operating in the EU will need to prepare an environmental and human rights due diligence across their entire value chain from 2027 onwards.
In addition, in scope companies will need to prepare and implement a climate transition plan. Please connect with the KPMG team on the ground at COP29 to discuss the full implications of CSDDD.
During Summer 2024, KPMG’s Leaders 2050 network conducted a global survey to understand the perspectives of young professionals on climate, sustainability and social impact, their perception of business’ role and risks, and the impacts on their careers. Check out the digital experience to dive into the data, hear client stories and find more information on the Leaders 2050 network and mission.
Explore the KPMG program at COP29
Learn more on KPMG’s program and commitment to fostering industry collaboration, understanding global issues, and championing initiatives to accelerate the transformation.
Related insights
Data's role in the energy transition
Transcript (PDF 565 KB).
Women and energy
Transcript (PDF 49.8 KB).
Women and climate
Transcript (PDF 62.6 KB).