As the 2030 target for halving global emissions and capping temperature rises is inching closer, climate conferences serve as the epicenter of conversations that can ignite change, spotlight solutions, and accelerate the race to net-zero. The SecondMuse team shares our predictions on major discussion points and their impacts on tackling climate change.
2030 is looming around the corner – and with it, the target date to cut global emissions in half and limit temperature rises to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. As this deadline approaches, countries, businesses, and organizations are all under pressure to reduce their emissions and implement climate solutions to foster a more sustainable future.
Key Climate Conferences of 2024
In 2024, as with every year that leads us closer to 2030, we can expect global climate conferences to be many of the main sites where conversations heat up toward change, solutions are spotlighted, and leaders accelerate the shift to net zero.
These are the climate conferences the SecondMuse team is most looking forward to this year, as well as our predictions for the major talking points and issues that will dominate each event.
1. COP29
When: Monday, November 11 – Sunday, November 24 2024
Where: Baku, Azerbaijan
More information about the event
As one of the most notable annual climate conferences, COP29 will undoubtedly be widely attended by heads of state, government officials, activists, civil society groups, academics, and private sector leaders. As with its predecessors, attendees can expect a diverse and comprehensive program of panels, workshops, and discussions covering all aspects of sustainable development. Azerbaijan’s Ecology Minister, Mukhtar Babayev, will lead the official UN climate talks.
Our take: At COP28 last November in Dubai, countries reached a landmark decision to transition away from fossil fuels. While some delegates have criticized this deal as inadequate for avoiding climate disaster, governments are still performing better than listed companies, of which only 22% are decarbonizing rapidly enough to align with a 1.5 degrees target.
As the post-2025 finance goal will be adopted at this year’s conference, the focus will be on facilitating collaboration between countries to mobilize the funding needed to achieve this mammoth task. Bridging the financing gap will be a priority, with richer nations likely to increase their funding for adaptation and mitigation efforts within the least well-off and most vulnerable countries. Currently, Africa only receives 12% of the annual climate finance needed, yet this funding is imperative for saving lives and livelihoods. According to USAID, every dollar invested in adaptation and resilience saves three dollars on humanitarian assistance.
When it comes to implementing these climate solutions, collaboration is needed not just between nations but across all levels of society – from boardrooms to government offices to local communities. SecondMuse’s unique approach to driving impact with innovation promotes this collaboration to make truly transformational change possible. Our solutions are designed in tandem with on-the-ground communities and encompass insights from lived experience and expertise as well as proven business strategies.
2. Climate Week NYC
When: Sunday, September 22 – Sunday, September 29 2024
Where: New York City
More information about the event
Climate Week NYC runs annually in tandem with the UN General Assembly (UNGA). The week-long program, organized by the international NGO Climate Group, will consist of over 500 events across New York City and online. The event’s Opening Ceremony – a call for action from climate leaders – is attended by senior figures from businesses, civil society, and government from all over the world.
Our take: A key theme of this year’s Climate Week will be the need to support climate innovators. Entrepreneurs and businesses are building the solutions that will help us decarbonize rapidly enough to beat the clock. Yet, many climate tech startups falter when it comes to manufacturing and business planning.
In 2023, global investments in the energy transition soared by 17%. Electrified transport took the biggest share of this spending and grew a huge 36%, overtaking the renewable energy sector, which saw 8% growth. However, with growing anticipation around emerging energy technologies such as green hydrogen, we can expect this sector to dominate the investment landscape once again. Supporting these companies through the climate tech “valley of death” will be critical for ensuring their innovations fulfill their potential and make a real and concrete impact.
“The last few years at ClimateWeek NYC, we have continued to underscore the threats that we are facing with climate change and the opportunities for climate mitigation by highlighting various technologies,” commented Shai Fogleson, Interim Director For ClimateTech. “Yet, there is an enormous opportunity to focus on accelerating the scaling and commercialization of these technologies – particularly climate tech hardware solutions.”
3. GreenBiz Circularity ‘24
When: Wednesday, May 22 – Friday, May 24, 2024
Where: Marriott Marquis Chicago, IL
More information about the event
The GreenBiz conference will bring together around 2,000 professionals from all sectors working to accelerate the circular economy. This three-day climate conference includes an expo and over 60 sessions covering everything from the global plastics treaty to the potential benefits and risks of harnessing artificial intelligence for circularity. Expect a showcase of cutting-edge solutions and unparalleled networking opportunities.
Our take: We anticipate that investment will be a primary focus of this conference. Funding the development of innovative technologies is key to building a circular economy. Still, startups developing critical solutions are all too often considered risky investments and don’t secure the funding they need to realize their potential. Yet the benefits of investing in circular solutions are manifold: as well as drastically cutting greenhouse gas emissions, the circular economy could unlock up to $4.5 trillion of economic growth. Fortunately, private market funds are beginning to seize this opportunity – the number with a circular economy focus grew ten times between 2016 and 2020.
“2023 saw tech investments down 50% on average. Still, climate tech came out ahead with a lesser 40% decline,” says Pierre Paffenhoff, Senior Lead of Climate Venture Investments at SecondMuse Capital. “We see this as a positive signal, 2024 could be a strong year for climate investments. These events are an important opportunity for investors and end-users to meet the next generation of founders and their technologies.”
SecondMuse is helping to eliminate the barriers early-stage climate tech startups face by providing pivotal access to capital and nurturing budding businesses and entrepreneurs through our fellowship programs, incubators, and accelerators.
However, we also know that technological solutions to the climate crisis must center the needs of the most affected communities. Our expertise helps companies and organizations identify how they can best serve these communities and employ their solutions to build resilient economies worldwide.
