As part of the panel discussion " Global Trends in Sustainable Development and ESG in the BRICS Countries: Analysis and Prospects. The Most Important Points" at the BRICS Climate Agenda in Modern Conditions Forum, which was held from August 29 to August 30, 2024 in Moscow, international and Russian experts discussed global trends in sustainable development and business approaches in different countries to adapt to climate change.
The session, organized by the National ESG Alliance and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, was devoted to adaptation to climate change, as one of the most significant trends in the development of the global ESG agenda today and the most important factor influencing society and business. The session was moderated by Andrey Sharonov, General Director of the National ESG Alliance.
The critical role of business in advancing the climate agenda was highlighted by Shereen Zorba, Executive Secretary of the UN Science-Policy-Business Forum on the Environment, and Happy Khambule, Director: Energy and Environment Policy, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA)
Representatives of the corporate sector from China, Brazil and India shared industry cases on adaptation to climate change and low-carbon development. The oil and gas industry was represented by the largest Chinese company, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and its Deputy Director-General, Dr. Du Weidong. Dr. Marta Giannichi, Director at My Carbon, a subsidiary of the Brazilian Minerva Foods, shared innovative solutions in the field of livestock. Brazil was also represented by Milena Megre, Energy Analyst - International Relations with Multilateral Organizations abroad, E+ Energy Transition Institute (Institute E+). According to Milena, Brazil’s energy system is particularly exposed to climate risks, and building an effective adaptation strategy and developing low-carbon technologies are a top priority at the national and regional levels. In his turn, the representative of India, Anupam Badola, Deputy SCO, Dalmia (Bharat) Cement Ltd, spoke about the use of low-carbon technologies in cement production, which do not only reduce the impact on the environment, but also increase energy efficiency.
Russian business was represented by such industry leaders as En+ (hydropower), Polyus (gold mining) and RUSAL (aluminium production). Alexey Spirin, Director of the Climate Risk Department at En+, spoke about the company's approaches to assessing climate risks and adapting to climate change in Siberia. Alexey Kaplun, Director of Energy Development Department at Polyus, shared the company's achievements and noted the high potential of the Russian mining industry in terms of adapting to climate change. RUSAL, as a leading exporter of "green" aluminium, pays great attention to the development of low-carbon technologies. In addition, according to Elena Myakotnikova, Chief Sustainability Officer, Board Member, actively works with its suppliers to promote ESG principles and sustainable development down its whole supply chain.
In conclusion, Boris Titov, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for Relations with International Organizations to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals, emphasized the importance of developing the climate projects and carbon credits market, increasing demand for them at the national and cross-border levels, which will contribute to achieving the net zero targets and ensure successful adaptation to climate change.
The recording of the session is available at:
