We reveal the key events, legislation and reports you need to prepare for in the lead up to the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference.
It’s increasingly hard to miss the many conversations playing out in public and private spheres on the topic of climate change and sustainability. And of course, there’s little wonder that that’s the case; in a matter of months Africa plays host to influential world leaders at COP27, the UN Climate Change Conference. Garnering international attention, politicians, legislators, and scientists will be meeting in Egypt seeking to address the climate change issue.
But this isn’t just a challenge for governments to solve. Increasingly consumers expect the businesses providing them with goods and services to take a stance on climate change, regardless of legislative changes. As the UN puts it, “to achieve our climate goals, every company, every financial firm, every bank, insurer and investor will need to change”.
And change they must. A broader focus on business purpose is increasingly being taken into consideration by consumers and investors alike widely known as Environment, Social and Governance (ESG). With ESG ratings and ESG investing gaining more traction it’s critical for businesses to consider how ESG may affect their future prospects and how they need to adapt now.
For marcoms professionals, it’s critical they guide and advise their businesses to communicate authentically and honestly about the changes they’re making and where they are on their ESG journey, as well as landing their messages in the right places and at the right time to reach target audiences.
Finding this sweet spot is challenging. With the global gaze on not only world leaders but also brands in the lead up to COP27, keeping on the pulse of events, legislative changes and key company announcements in this space is critical. These all have the potential to offer unique opportunities to reinforce and raise the profile of your brand’s ESG stance or to damage your brand should you be unprepared for unflattering conversations which play out under the media spotlight.
Here we’ve compiled some of the most noteworthy dates for your calendar from the Onclusive Forward Planning service to inform your communications and marketing plans around COP27 and beyond.
Events
With global warming, climate change, and workforce & employment being leading topics in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting and now conversations surrounding the upcoming COP27, there are numerous upcoming festivals, trade conferences and awards that businesses can attend to further their policies, network with and learn from peers. Various brands and sectors will be under the spotlight so make sure you know how your brand might be involved and any implications on your planned activity.
Central Bank of Ireland Climate Risk and Sustainable Finance Forum meeting, Dublin | 29 June 2022 | @centralbank_ie
An event to build a shared approach to the understanding and management of the financial risks and opportunities posed by climate change
Energy Ireland Conference, Croke Park, Dublin | 29 – 30 June 2022 | @energyireland
Energy Ireland Conference is Ireland’s largest and most long-established energy conference. The event brings together key stakeholders in the Irish energy sector to discuss and debate the key drivers of the energy transition and the current energy price crunch.
Business & Finance ESG Awards, The Mansion House, Dublin | 30 June 2022 | @BandF
These new awards will celebrate those who are actively striving to address and progress ESG issues in the organisation. With a variety of categories, the Awards will showcase the successes of ESG initiatives, examples of best practice and highlight the importance of transparency in this area.
Responsible Business Awards in Northern Ireland, ICC, Belfast | 08 September 2022 | @bitcni
The Awards showcase transformational stories of businesses taking real action to build thriving communities and celebrate those businesses demonstrating strong, inclusive leadership, who continually innovate to tackle pressing social issues and to repair and rebuild our planet.
ESG Summit, Croke Park, Dublin | 13 October 2022 | @ESGSummit22
Featuring leading content, panel debates, keynotes and discussions, this inaugural summit will focus on transforming business for good. Aimed at business leaders, policy-makers and investors, the event will explore how ESG matters translate into meaningful business decision-making and what it will take for responsible and resilient businesses to succeed in the long run.
Upcoming legislation and reports
In the build up to COP27, there is also upcoming legislation and reports that businesses and consumers alike need to be aware of. Increasingly, governments are seeking to strengthen framework and auditing responsibilities. Being aware of consultations like this allow leaders to adapt their communications strategies in light of these shifting landscapes and navigate how and when discourses around these topics are likely to be covered in the media.
REN21 Renewables Global Status Report, International | 15 June 2022 | @REN21
REN21 releases its annual Renewables Global Status Report (GSR), an overview of the status of renewable energy worldwide covering markets, investments, industries, policies, and rural (off-grid) renewable energy in developing countries.
Awareness Days
Alongside COP27 and legislative matters, businesses that are aware of awareness days and popular movements can use this to plan campaigns to promote their brands’ credentials in sustainability and similar areas. Events like the Earth Overshoot Day provide a unique opportunity for brands to highlight its sustainable practices, while more niche awareness days shouldn’t be overlooked.
Earth Overshoot Day | 28 July 2022 | @EndOvershoot
Global Footprint Network’s ‘Earth Overshoot Day’, when humans begin living beyond their ecological means and move into the ecological equivalent of deficit spending, utilising resources at a rate faster than the planet can regenerate in a calendar year.
World EV Day | 9 September 2022 | @World_EV_Day
World EV Day, celebrating e-mobility and electric vehicles.
International meetings
It is no doubt that COP27 will bring a whole host of new legislation and factors that companies must take note of to continue to drive successful ESG practices and policies. There are other events too in the lead up where brands can engage in discussions around adapting for the future.
G7 Sustainable Urban Development Ministers Meeting, Germany | 13 September 2022 | @G7
G7 Sustainable Urban Development Ministers Meeting, attended by ministers of the G7 member nations – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, UK, and U.S. The European Union is represented within the G7 but cannot host or chair summits.
U.N. Climate Change Summit held in Egypt (COP27), Africa | 7 – 18 November 2022 | @UNFCCC
27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) * Rescheduled from November 2021 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
As the ESG landscape shifts and new policies are developed, accessing up-to-date information on events, policies and legislation which could impact your business or brand message are vital. Learn more about Onclusive Forward Planning and access event and news items relating to climate change and ESG to help shape and inform your communications strategy.