As KPMG’s climate leaders work to prepare a thoughtful program for COP31, their focus remains on areas that are highly relevant in today’s landscape, including:
Enabling and accelerating systemic change.
Accelerating climate action and creating energy resilience
As the world seeks practical pathways to accelerate the energy transition, while strengthening energy security, resilience and affordability, electrification is emerging as a defining priority. Powered by renewable energy, supported by technologies such as battery storage and hydrogen, and coupled with strategies for clean energy procurement and asset transition planning, electrification can help pave the way to both climate progress and economic growth. The next chapter of climate action is likely to be shaped not only by emissions targets, but by how quickly governments and businesses can build resilient, affordable and electrified economies.
Turning net zero ambition into value creation
In today’s environment, many organizations are shifting their focus beyond climate reporting and disclosure, and moving towards transition plans that drive tangible action, investment and long-term value creation. Effective transition planning helps businesses chart science-based pathways to decarbonization and resilience, addressing challenges such as Scope 3 emissions, climate risk, carbon abatement costs, and the role of carbon markets and removals. By embedding climate considerations into strategy and operations, organizations can accelerate implementation, strengthen competitiveness, and unlock opportunities in the transition to a low-carbon economy. Specifically, KPMG will be focused on how corporations can play a key role in helping to enable systemic change.
Embedding adaptation and resilience into corporate strategy
With the impacts of climate change intensifying, organizations are increasingly focused on understanding and managing physical climate risks to their operations, assets and value chains. Building resilience is more than risk assessment – it demands the integration of adaptation measures into strategic planning, capital allocation and investment decisions. To better protect long-term value, strengthen operational continuity and effectively navigate an increasingly uncertain climate future, organizations should look to integrate adaptation and resilience into corporate strategy from the start.
Mobilizing private capital to finance the transition in emerging markets
Delivering climate ambitions at scale may depend on the ability to mobilize capital and connect financing with implementation. As the market shifts from strategy to execution, many organizations could be increasingly focused on climate finance solutions that unlock investment in emerging markets and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. From blended finance and sustainable finance frameworks to adaptation finance, green funds and innovative supply chain financing structures, the focus is on mobilizing private capital, developing investable climate projects, and creating the financial pathways needed to turn transition plans into action.
Meeting Scope 2 and Scope 3 targets
Renewable energy procurement is becoming an increasingly important lever for climate action as organizations work to meet decarbonization commitments while navigating energy cost, availability and supply challenges. Aligning procurement strategies with broader sustainability and business objectives can help organizations accelerate progress toward net zero and create long-term value and energy security.
Stay tuned for more details on the KPMG at COP31 program in the coming months.
Mike Hayes
Climate Change and Decarbonization Leader, Global Head of Renewable Energy
KPMG in Ireland