On Demand at COP28

A range of factors, from evolving market dynamics and energy policies to investments and the pace of innovation, are shaping the pace of the energy transition. This discussion will provide insights on the unique needs, challenges, opportunities and approaches of different regions, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and partnership among various regional and global stakeholders in finding sustainable solutions for a decarbonized future.

Speakers: Mazin Al-Lamki (CEO, Energy Development Oman), Mele Kolo Kyari (CEO, NNPC Ltd), Toby Rice (CEO, EQT), Maarten Wetselaar (CEO, CEPSA)

McKinsey session lead: Micah Smith (Senior Partner)

Materials account for approximately 20 percent of global GHG emissions. While this presents challenges in hard-to-abate subsectors, it also presents opportunities for players innovating to produce or source low-carbon materials. In this discussion, we will explore the barriers for the supply of green materials, actions and enablers to decarbonize materials, and what is required to capture new opportunities.

Speakers: Ana Cabral-Gardner (CEO, Sigma Lithium), Dr. Matthew James (President and CEO, Euro Manganese Inc.), Mfikeyi Makayi (CEO, Kobold), Hans-Jörn Weddige (Head of Climate Funds Strategies, Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe)

McKinsey session lead: Michel van Hoey (Senior Partner)

Agriculture is the largest contributor to exceeding planetary boundaries. The system contributes to 30 percent of global GHG emissions, consumes 70 percent of world’s freshwater resources, and is the leading cause of biodiversity loss. There are several solutions available, and many of them come with significant nature co-benefits. However, implementing these at scale will require the majority of growers and billions of consumers to change their practices and behaviors. A shift of this magnitude will require changes in incentives. This session will frame the day by charting the path forward for a more sustainable food system; in the second part, global leaders and innovators in the sector will focus on how to unpack the incentives required for a net-zero and nature-positive food system transition.

Speakers: Julie Greene (Chief Sustainability Officer, Olam Agri), Darci Vetter (Global head of public policy, PepsiCo), Michael Wironen (Director of Corporate Engagement for Food & Water, The Nature Conservancy)

McKinsey session leads: Nelson Ferreira (Senior Partner)

To limit global warming to 1.5°C, high-integrity carbon markets must scale significantly to fund emission-reduction solutions and high-quality carbon removals. In this session, we will explore the essential factors necessary for these markets to realize their full potential of $50-100 billion annually over the next few decades. This contribution will play a significant role in the global climate transition, bringing about substantial environmental, social, and economic co-benefits.

Speakers: Manish Dabkara (Carbon Markets Association of India, and Chairman and MD, EKI Energy Services), Nasim Pour (Lead- Carbon Removals and Market Innovation, World Economic Forum), Jennifer Sara (Global Director Climate Change, World Bank Group)

McKinsey session lead: Christopher Blaufelder (Partner)

The net-zero transition will reshape the economy, opening new markets and imperilling others. With a potential of $12 trillion in annual sales from high-potential green offerings by 2030, there are enormous opportunities. In this session, leading CEOs will share their journeys building green businesses, the real challenges they have faced, and the methods they used.

Speakers: Alicia Eastman (President, Intercontinental Energy), Lars Herlitz (Co-founder and Chairman of the Board, Lyten), Agam Khare (Founder and Group CEO, Absolute (ECSO Global Pvt Ltd)

McKinsey session leads: Harry Bowcott (Senior Partner), Tomas Nauclér (Senior Partner)

Decarbonizing industry is both a challenge and a significant opportunity of innovation, funding, and execution. Several solutions will play a role, from green electrons and electrification to CCUS, requiring an acceleration of innovation across multiple sectors. In the first part of this session, we will outline McKinsey’s perspective on decarbonizing industry and set the context for the rest of the day. In the second part, we will explore investor perspectives on accelerating capital formation for addressing climate change, managing technological uncertainties and bankability, and supporting emerging economies to finance their transitions.

Speaker: Jim Coulter (Executive Chairman and a Founding Partner, TPG Capital)

McKinsey session lead: Humayun Tai (Senior Partner)

Decarbonizing the mobility sector requires a holistic strategy beyond tailpipe emissions. Following the shift to xEV, players taking a leading position in sustainability need to assess the entire supply and value chain. To achieve the full potential of zero-carbon mobility, industry players must prioritize material emissions. This session will focus on what we can do to accelerate progress towards decarbonization.

Speakers: Maria Persson Gulda (CTO/CPO, H2 Green Steel), Prof. Hervé Morvan (Future Platforms & Global Chief of Hydrogen Technology, Aviation Futures, Rolls-Royce), Keith Norman (Chief Sustainability Officer, Lyten), Abanti Sankaranarayanan (Chief Group Public Affairs Officer and Member - Group Executive Board, Mahindra), Ankur Thadani (Partner, TPG Rise)

McKinsey session leads: Mikael Hanicke (Senior Partner), Eric Hannon (Partner)

Industrial sectors produce the majority of global greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions and they face a steep challenge to decarbonize, but solutions are within reach. This session will discuss experiences across industries and explore the innovations needed, expectations for the future, and ways to make solutions more affordable.

Speakers: Dr Uwe Lauber (CEO, MAN Energy Solutions), Satish Pai (MD & CEO, Hindalco), Rama Variankaval (MD, Global Head of Corporate Advisory & Sustainable Solutions, JP Morgan Chase), Samaila Zubairu (President and CEO, Africa Finance Corporation)

McKinsey session leads: Fransje van der Marel (Senior Partner), Humayun Tai (Senior Partner)

Target 15 of the Global Biodiversity Framework provides guidance for companies and financial institutions to take action on nature. With the publishing of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework, institutional investors, banks and asset managers are working with their clients to incorporate nature into their strategies. What actions can financial institutions take now to manage the risks and capture the investment opportunities?

Speakers: Laura Barlow (Group Head of Sustainability, Barclays), Martin Berg (CEO, Climate Asset Management), Alexandre Capelli (Group Environment Deputy Director, LVMH), Ingrid Kukuljan (CEO, Federated Hermes)

McKinsey session leads: Josh Katz (Partner), Charlie Dixon (Solution Associate Partner)

Is the net-zero transition happening at the speed and scale it needs to? How has the financial sector contributed to closing the net-zero financing gap? What critical financial infrastructure is needed to accelerate progress, and where will the next breakthrough come from? In this session global climate finance leaders will share their reflections on what actions leaders and standard setters can take in support of the climate agenda.

Speakers: Mark Carney (UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance), Sonja Gibbs (Managing Director and Head of Sustainable Finance, IIF), Rishi Kapoor (Co-CEO, Investcorp), Christian Sewing (CEO, Deutsche Bank), Francesco Vanni d'Archirafi (Chairman of the Board, Euroclear), Bill Winters (Group Chief Executive Standard Chartered)

McKinsey session lead: Cindy Levy (Senior Partner)

To achieve net zero, climate technology deployment will need to significantly increase. Twelve sets of climate technologies can help to enable about 90 percent of the total abatement needed by 2050, but only 10-15 percent of them are commercially mature. This session will launch the latest report by the McKinsey Platform for Climate Technologies (MPCT) that outlines a roadmap for innovation, cost-down and global deployment, which will be followed by a discussion with industry leaders on their own scaling journeys.

Speakers: Moderator: Vijay Vaitheeswaran (Global Energy & Climate Innovation Editor, The Economist), Marco Avela (CEO, TES), Riham Elgizy (CEO, Saudi VCM), Tom Linebarger (Former CEO and Chairman, Cummins), Werner Ponikwar (CEO, ThyssenKrupp Nucera)

McKinsey session lead: Bernd Heid (Senior Partner)

Reaching net-zero emissions must happen hand in hand in hand with inclusive economic growth. At the same time, leaders need to adapt to mounting climate risks that could affect the lives and livelihoods of people around the world. This discussion will explore how communities, countries, and companies can ensure an inclusive net-zero transition while building resilience to climate risks.

Speakers: Gargee Ghosh (President of Global Policy & Advocacy, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), Ronald O’Hanley (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, State Street), Jai Shroff (Chairman and Group CEO, UPL Ltd.)

McKinsey session lead: Bob Sternfels (Global Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company)

COP28 is finally here – two intense weeks to bring our world one step closer to net zero. For the first time COP is taking place in the Arabian Gulf. How can the Middle East play a pivotal role in driving the energy transition? We will kick off the session by outlining McKinsey’s view on what to look out for at COP28, including the methane fund, coal retirement, methods to measure the impact of the transition, and adaptation. Across these and other themes, a successful net zero transition will require global leaders to navigate multiple imperatives at the same time: reducing emissions, ensuring affordability, providing reliable and secure energy, while strengthening competitiveness. In the second part of the session, we will convene a group of leading CEOs to discuss how to take a holistic approach while not compromising on the net zero timeline.

Speakers: Lord Browne (Chairman, BeyondNetZero, General Atlantic), Anne Finucane (Chairwoman, Rubicon Carbon), Tom Linebarger (Former CEO and Chairman, Cummins), Sumant Sinha (Chairman and Managing Director, ReNew)

McKinsey session leads: Cindy Levy (Senior Partner), Daniel Pacthod (Senior Partner)