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KPMG at COP29

Accelerating the transformation

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In solidarity for a green world

The upcoming COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, will once again draw together world leaders, policymakers, industry innovators, and environmental activists to exchange ideas and formulate strategies to tackle climate change. KPMG will be at the center of the action, monitoring developments and generating regular insights and status updates.

As we approach this year’s event, please keep an eye on this KPMG COP29 resource center for resources that can help businesses better understand their nature- and climate-related risks and learn about cutting-edge sustainable practices and technologies that can increase environmental efficiency.

Every business has a part to play in reversing the catastrophic impacts of climate change, and we want to help with this critical endeavor in any way we can.


Our focus areas

Accelerating the energy transition is a critical step in helping to decarbonize the global economy. However, as energy demand continues to rise, the transition to clean energy remains a challenge due to cost, policy, technology maturity issues and the current AI revolution,

At COP29, KPMG will be focusing on a solutions-oriented approach to the energy transition. In particular, KPMG believes a greater understanding of the real-world challenges impacting the scaling of renewables is needed if the global climate ambition of trebling renewables by 2030 onwards is to be achieved.

Please stay tuned for KPMG COP29 events and thought leadership related to this theme.


As the pace of climate change accelerates and its impacts arise across the globe, the urgency to respond at scale to the magnitude of the climate and environmental challenge becomes increasingly clear. There is a large and growing gap for financing the transition to a low-carbon economy, delivering climate resilience and protecting nature. This requires an urgent and concerted response and KPMG is particularly committed to supporting the acceleration of private capital for climate action, specifically in emerging markets, to support the capital being provided by multilateral institutions and other concessional funds.

Please stay tuned for KPMG COP29 events and thought leadership related to this theme.


One of the main challenges being faced by the corporate world is the move from setting climate targets and ambitions to implementing a strategy that can deliver net zero by 2050. With this, comes a multitude of issues, including technological challenges, people and operational challenges, and the costs involved in implementing some of these solutions. The risk of greenwashing is leading to additional pressures, as a result of the increased scrutiny from various parts of society on the climate ambitions set by corporates. It is now more important than ever to highlight the value opportunity that can arise by implementing a transition plan that creates a more sustainable future for corporations.

Please stay tuned for KPMG COP29 events and thought leadership related to this theme.


The global food system is a significant contributor to climate change, accounting for approximately one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the world faces a growing population and increasing demand for nutritious food, presenting a critical challenge: how to feed a growing population without intensifying climate change.

A transition to sustainable food systems is imperative for mitigating climate change, ensuring food security, and promoting human health. By focusing on decarbonization, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve agricultural productivity, and build more resilient food systems.

Please stay tuned for KPMG COP29 events and thought leadership related to this theme.


KPMG is committed to supporting international efforts on adaptation and resilience, and to helping reduce the vulnerability of all communities navigating the current and expected impacts of climate change. Adaptation and resilience will require efforts at local, national, and international levels. This will likely necessitate significant investment in infrastructure, which, in turn, presents one of the greatest challenges on the climate change agenda. During the past 12 months, KPMG, Standard Chartered Bank, and UNDRR produced the landmark Guide for Adaptation and Resilience Finance to galvanize vital funding efforts ahead of COP 29.

Please stay tuned for KPMG COP29 events and thought leadership related to this theme.



Other KPMG initiatives at COP29

In addition to the above themes, KPMG will also be focused on the below initiatives that can help in navigating the global climate challenge and how to achieve a just energy transition.

At KPMG, we believe much greater attention needs to be paid to the impact the climate crisis will have on global healthcare. According to the World Health Organization, the climate crisis is the single biggest threat to health, resulting in 300,000 deaths annually, and it will affect the most vulnerable in our society. Our perspective is that the impact on health will be at least as great as the financial and physical impacts of climate change. We see two key issues:

1. Health systems must adapt to climate change and become resilient, and;

2. Health systems must reduce their own emissions and contribute to global efforts.

The City Leaders’ Forum at the 2023 Asia Pacific Cities Summit & Mayors’ Forum, Shaping Cities for our Future, provided a powerful opportunity for attendees to share strategies and insights into the delivery of lasting value to citizens. Based on the outcomes of the City Leader’s Forum, KPMG developed a key framework to help city leaders unlock new and innovative forms of value for their citizens. The sustainability edition of the report brings in waste management and circular economy aspects to the framework. KPMG will host a panel of experts who will discuss this report at COP29. 

Under the CSDDD, corporates operating in the EU will need to prepare an environmental and human rights due diligence across their entire value chain from 2027 onwards.

In addition, in scope companies will need to prepare and implement a climate transition plan. Please connect with the KPMG team on the ground at COP29 to discuss the full implications of CSDDD.

During Summer 2024, KPMG’s Leaders 2050 network conducted a global survey to understand the perspectives of young professionals on climate, sustainability and social impact, their perception of business’ role and risks, and the impacts on their careers. Check out the digital experience to dive into the data, hear client stories and find more information on the Leaders 2050 network and mission. 


Related insights

Climate, decarbonization and nature

ESG and sustainability are broad topics. And they’re rapidly evolving. In today’s increasingly disruptive world of climate disasters, political conflicts and societal inequalities, staying on top of the issues...

Energy Transition

Navigating the transformative shifts reshaping how we harness, distribute, and utilize energy

ESG

ESG and sustainability are broad topics. And they’re rapidly evolving. In today’s increasingly disruptive world of climate disasters, political conflicts and societal inequalities...


Episode 27

Transcript (PDF 565 KB).

Episode 24

Transcript (PDF 49.8 KB).

Episode 23

Transcript (PDF 62.6 KB).


 Global KPMG delegates

Global COP29 Program Sponsors

Mike Hayes
Climate Change and Decarbonization Leader,
Global Head of Renewable Energy
KPMG International

Daisy Shen
Head of Climate Change and Sustainability, and
Advisory Head of Energy and Nature Resources
KPMG in China

Climate finance

Cathy Chen
Associate Director, Infrastructure
& Climate Finance, Emerging Markets,
KPMG in the UK

John Akuoko
Head of Sustainable Finance
KPMG Africa

Ruba Amarin
Director, ESG and Clean Energy
KPMG International Development Assistance Services (IDAS) Institute

Corporate decarbonization

Simon Weaver
Global Head of ESG Advisory,
KPMG International

Maria Pilar Galan Gavila
Legal Lead, ESG
KPMG International

Nadia Montoto
Global Decarbonization Co-Lead and
Associate Director
KPMG International

Benedikt Herles
EMEA Head of ESG Insights & Innovation
Head of Country Practice Africa
KPMG in Germany

Roopa Davé
Partner, National Climate Risk Leader,
KPMG in Canada

Energy transition

Anish De
Global Head of Energy, Natural
Resources and Chemicals
KPMG International

Wafa Jafri
Partner,
Energy Deal Advisory
KPMG in the UK

Sharad Somani
Partner and Head of Infrastructure Advisory,
ASPAC Head for Infrastructure Sector
KPMG in Singapore

Nate Gabig
Partner, Deal Advisory, ESG Strategy
and Renewable Energy Finance
KPMG in the US

Adaptation and resilience 

David Greenall
Global Managing Director, Climate Risk, Decarbonization, Nature & Adaptation,
KPMG International

Sarah O’Neill
Global Decarbonization Co-Lead
and Associate Director,
KPMG International
 

Food and agriculture

Apurba Mitra
Lead, Climate Change,
KPMG in India

Kazuhiko Saito
Partner,
KPMG AZSA Sustainability Co., Ltd.

Nelmara Arbex
Lead ESG Partner,
KPMG in Brazil and South America

Next generation

Avery Johnstone
Global Lead, Leaders 2050
Manager, Global Decarbonization Hub,
KPMG in the UK


Connect with us

KPMG combines our multi-disciplinary approach with deep, practical industry knowledge to help clients meet challenges and respond to opportunities. Connect with our team to start the conversation.

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