Tipping Points and the Transition to Net Zero

As global momentum builds towards thinking about the effects of climate change, we are beginning to see early innings of convergence between regulations, global policy, and alignment between businesses and public institutions in trying to find solutions to help mitigate a potential "green swan event." What are these inflection points that are driving early innings of change? Join us to better understand the physical and transition risks associated with climate change, along with the opportunities that could arise from a clean energy transition.

We also discuss how companies can move towards establishing credible net zero strategies and the difference between being carbon-neutral vs net-zero, as well as how investors can better interpret and analyze a company's climate strategy and assess climate risk for their own portfolios.

To reach net zero emissions by 2050, annual clean energy investment worldwide will need to more than triple by 2030 to around $4 trillion. 

• Where are we now, and what are the physical impacts we are starting to see?
• What are the tipping points in climate physical risks? 
• Regulation / financing / technological innovation all appear to be key drivers of the paradigm shift. 
• What is driving the energy transition? What do we see in terms of viable disruptive energy technologies out there, including those being made by major oil and gas and heavy industrial players to date? 
• Why conventional nuclear isn't the solution. Updates on new nuclear power technologies.
• Will developing countries have to carry more weight than others in moving towards achieving the UN SDGs? 
• What is the difference between “net zero” and “carbon neutrality”? Why have net zero solutions not been deployed already?
• Are net zero pledges becoming more of a “check-the-box” exercise or a true pathway to achieve these goals? 
• Where does a company begin in terms of establishing a transparent and credible climate strategy? 
• What needs to happen after companies / investors have announced net zero ambitions?
• Do we anticipate we see more situations like Engine No. 1 / Exxon come to market?
• Given the risks around competence greenwashing, is there a major roadblock or risk for the movement we are seeing in sustainable finance?
• Risks and opportunities of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are part of leading brands’ value chain as they move towards net-zero/deep decarbonization plan.
• How does a company in the heavy industrial and / or oil and gas space achieve net zero? Can we achieve net zero via divestments and/or can we achieve via shareholder engagement?

Climate Risk Disclosure – Auditing Opportunity or a Complete Nightmare?

There are a host of global regulations pointing us towards increasing climate risk disclosure but many corporations and investors are not yet well equipped to address risk. 57% of companies globally still rely on sustainability reports vs filings, which makes comparisons very challenging until we have a more global standardized system.

• How to define types of risk (climate, transition, etc.) and how companies would begin to address them properly without becoming greenwashers?
• How would auditors begin to think about addressing those risks if companies are struggling to collect information and guidelines are still being set globally?
• Stranded assets has been a key long-term concern and risk; how do you go about identifying and quantifying stranded assets? What scenario analyses would you advise companies and even investors to consider? 

With Nidhi Chadda, Julie “Mae” Gabato, Dr. Mathew Hampshire - Waugh, Henrik Jeppesen.