Guest articles

Whilst we know that #COP28UAE is a global climate summit with so much activity happening outside of the UAE before the Expo site hosts from November 30, there is already a great curiosity across the local business community.

Pathway Towards COP28 – Spotlight on the Private Sector - hosted by British Chamber of Commerce Abu Dhabi sponsored by Barclays Private Bank - demonstrated the high level of interest and the range of companies and institutions keen to participate!

My biggest takeaway was the enthusiasm to collaborate to “keep 1.5 alive” and that there is real emphasis on the role of the private sector in changing the ratio of investment with increased pressure on leadership roles to take action.

Hanan Bakr, CFA-ESG,H2 Expert Head, Private Sector Engagement COP28 UAE suggested incentives - over fines - for successful adoption of climate change related regulations and that greater accountability could enable the private sector as a “critical partner” for climate change. Hanan also recognised the role and support required for SMEs in the process of sustainability and the need for greater information to accelerate their ESG priorities, which supports the promise of COP28 UAE that it will be “highly inclusive, reflecting the views of all geographies, sectors and constitutions”.

With great early engagement with the COP28 UAE team, the British Embassy UAE, our collective members of the British Business Group Dubai and Northern Emirates (BBG) and British Chamber of Commerce Abu Dhabi and our stakeholders, I am looking forward to the positive impact and thought provoking debate that will be generated ahead, during and after COP28 UAE

Congratulations to BCCAD GM Simone Jucker, their Board and business team and my thanks to the 40+ Dubai-based BBG members that joined us in Abu Dhabi for this first event.

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