A car driving along a bridge crossing a braided river in Iceland

A car driving along a bridge crossing a braided river in Iceland

Infrastructure  |  Business  |  Sustainability

Three events that will lead the global transition to sustainability

Focus on investments and governance strategies: the world change-managing leaders are ready to gather in the next months at The World Climatic Summit, the upcoming COP28 and the Gitex Impact

By Patrizia Marin

Arabic countries nowadays look very focused on sustainability growth. Sharm el-Sheik is hosting the World Climate Summit, The Investment COP27, in november. This year's event is aligned with the COP27 presidency’s priorities and will focus on accelerating climate finance as well as showcasing best practices and innovative climate solutions. World Climate Summit - The Investment COP focuses on creating ambition loops through public-private partnerships and strong dialogue to accelerate global climate objectives while adopting and sharing best practices and strategies for catalytic climate action. These will be crucial to reach 2030 climate targets and to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

And next year another Arabic country, United Arab Emirates, will host the upcoming COP28 at Expo City Dubai, the legacy district of the six-month Expo 2020 Dubai world fair, which was reopened to the public from early October. 

"Both Expo 2020 and Cop28 share similar objectives -said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai-: achieving sustainability and promoting international action as essential steps towards facing global challenges."

The selection of Dubai Expo City as a venue for Cop28 builds on the legacy and message of "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future". Key goals of Expo 2020 were sustainability, opportunity, and mobility, while showcasing the site's sustainable infrastructure.

The conference is expected to attract more than 45,000 participants daily, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts and representatives of civil society organizations.

So now is the time for purpose with profits. 

“It’s a false dichotomy to say you have to choose between business performance and having an impact in the world. Our results show that doing both at the same time is possible”, words from Enrique Lores, HP CEO. Same feelings were shared with the audience at the official opening of the Innovation Hub at Rome Fiumicino Airport, in mid-October. 

Just few numbers: 86% of companies expect revenues to grow from a greater focus on sustainability; 10% lower cost of capital for ESG qualified businesses; 53$ trillion by 2025 estimated value of global ESG assets; 63% of 2,000 studies reveal a link between ESG propositions and positive equity returns (Source: HSBC, Bloomberg Intelligence; McKinsey).

Numerous federal and local strategies are in place within the UAE that set clear goals for the country to shape its future to be more sustainable. These UAE sustainability initiatives include the UAE Vision 2021, the UAE Centennial 2071, and the UAE Energy Strategy 2050, which sets a 50% target for clean energy in the country, among others.

So, in Dubai, was thought and created a new format, after the success of Gitex Global, the world’s largest, most inclusive tech & startup event, the upcoming Gitex Impact, next May 10/12, 2023, following the Antonio Guterres UN Secretary-General On the State Of The Planet: “Making peace with nature is the defining task of the 21st century”.

At Gitex Impact will be possible to connect with change-managing leadership, over 7500 professionals expected to attend from multiple sectors to form new partnerships, discuss ESG targets and source products and solutions. Powered by the strongest global network, Gitex Impact is a new event that builds on an established 42-year legacy of Gitex Global, a global movement leading to meaningful outcomes. Environment is the main subject, with Net Zero decarbonization, Biodiversity, Water & resource management, Circular Economy. Not only, social sustainability too, like Equal opportunities, Diversity & Inclusion, Data Privacy, The Future of Work. And of course the Governance with ESG Reporting, Compliance, Board diversity, Executive compensation, Cyber Security. 

More and more important will be the CSO Business Club, as the road to sustainability progress begins at the top. This is why at Gitex Impact has the mission to engage Chief Sustainability Officers to lead the transition through collaborative best practices and advanced tech solutions. The Club will be an invite-only private members club for senior sustainability executives. Gitex Impact CSO Business Club will be the place where key sustainable stakeholders exchange pioneering ideas, insights and actionable strategies for achieving ESG goals and setting new benchmarks in sustainability innovations.

An influential inner circle of sustainability executives from Banking & Finance, Manufacturing, Energy, Transportation & Logistics, Retail & Fast-Moving Consumer Goods, Food $ Agriculture, Travel $ Tourism, Buikt Environment & Waste.

Patrizia Marin - Journalist and chairman of Marco Polo Experience, an agency in strategic communications, public affairs, marketing and media relations, with twenty years of experience in business internationalization, communication, media relations, mapping of the decision makers and community of interests’ relations. She has been advisor to the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers for Communication, Publishing and Information. In the logistics and infrastructure sectors, she has been Head of Communications for the Venice Port Authority; Media Relations Consultant for Aeroporti di Roma; International pr advisor for Atlantia while Vice-President at FBC. Patrizia is contract professor in Leadership and International Relations at the IULM University and has a degree in Law and International Political Science.

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