United Nations Climate Action: Race to Zero and Resilience Forum
supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies
Wednesday, September 21, 2022
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM EDT
The Plaza Hotel, New York, NY
The United Nations Climate Action: Race to Zero and Resilience Forum
Announcements
UN Special Envoy Michael R. Bloomberg Kicks Off Bloomberg-wide Countdown to COP27 (September 21, 2022)
Bloomberg Philanthropies Expands Global Clean Energy Transition Program in 15 Developing Countries (September 21, 2022)
United Nations Climate Change High-Level Champions and Bloomberg Philanthropies Preview Speakers for the Race to Zero and Resilience Forum (September 14, 2022)
United Nations Climate Change High-Level Champions and Bloomberg Philanthropies to Host Race to Zero and Resilience Forum (August 25, 2022)
Michael R. Bloomberg and the UN Climate Action High-level Champions for COP26 & COP27 hosted a landmark summit during the UN General Assembly and Climate Week in New York City, convening business, finance, government, civic and cultural leaders. During this week of pivotal federal convenings, this event bridged the gap between government leaders and non-state actors to ensure the fulfillment of pledges and commitments, and drove the radical collaboration needed to deliver on climate goals. The forum shined a light on the need to accelerate the mobilization of capital, to continue reducing emissions without exacerbating debt, and to build climate adaptive and resilience communities across all corners of the world.
Since the launch of the Race to Zero and Race to Resilience campaigns ahead of COP26, over 8,000 businesses, 1,100 cities and 500 financial institutions have committed to robust net-zero targets and over 30 initiatives representing more than 2,000 organizations are leading the way to build the resilience and adaptation of the most vulnerable communities. We took stock of the progress made and explored what more is needed from all stakeholders to create an inclusive and resilient economy.
Speakers
U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Ambition and Solutions
Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies & Bloomberg L.P.
Professor of Global Public Policy
Blavatnik School of Government
University of Oxford
Chair
UN High-Level Expert Group on Net-Zero Commitments of Non-State Entities
Founder and Principal
Climate and Nature Solutions
Director
Adrienne Arsht-Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center
SVP, Atlantic Council
Chair
Climate Champions Advisory Board
Former UN Climate Action High-level Champion
COP 2019-2021
Agenda
All times are in EDT
1:30 PM
Event Open
- Sekou Andrews, Poetic Voice
- Michael R. Bloomberg, U.N. Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Climate Ambition and Solution, Founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies & Bloomberg L.P.
- Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC
1:45 PM
Race to COP27
In this session, H.E. Sameh Shoukry will share goals for the upcoming 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh and discuss the role that Egypt will play in facilitating this conference on the African continent.
- H.E. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Egypt, President Designate of COP27
- Moderator: Jennifer Zabasajja, Anchor, Bloomberg Quicktake
1:55 PM
Inspiring Action: Voices of Our Climate Future
- Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, UN Messenger of Peace
- Joshua Amponsem, Climate Lead, Office of the UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth
2:00 PM
Race to Mobilize Capital
Against a background of growing global macroeconomic uncertainty, how can we better mobilize finance and direct financial flows to emerging markets and developing economies to help them achieve sustainable growth and accelerate their transitions to net zero.
- Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
- Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Climate Action High-level Champion COP27
- Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice President, European Green Deal, European Commission
- Shemara Wikramanayake, Managing Director and CEO, Macquarie Group
- Moderator: Erik Schatzker, Editorial Director, Bloomberg New Economy
2:25 PM
Race to Restoration
- Mark Carney, Co-Chair, GFANZ; Board Member, Bloomberg Philanthropies
- Moderator: Francine Lacqua, Anchor & Editor-at-Large, Bloomberg Television
2:40 PM
Race to Collaboration
H.E. Gustavo Petro, President of the Republic of Colombia discusses his top climate priorities, and the importance of collaborating with non-state actors to reach net zero goals.
- His Excellency Gustavo Petro, President of the Republic of Colombia
2:50 PM
Inspiring Action: Voices of our Climate Future
- Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, UN Messenger of Peace
- Xiye Bastida, Climate Justice Activist; Co-Founder, Re-Earth Initiative
2:55 PM
Race to Transparency
Commitments have been rising – yet progress to 1.5C remains woefully inadequate. We must ensure these commitments are being met by adequate implementation on the ground, and are being monitored transparently to track emissions reductions globally.
- The Honorable Catherine McKenna, Chair, UN High-Level Expert Group on the Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities
- Laurence Tubiana, CEO, European Climate Foundation
- Moderator: Nigel Topping, UN Climate Action High-level Champion, COP26
3:05 PM
Race to Action
- Gavin Newsom, Governor, California
- Moderator: Francine Lacqua, Anchor & Editor-at-Large, Bloomberg Television
3:15 PM
Closing Remarks
- Secretary General António Guterres, Secretary General, United Nations (Virtual)
3:20 PM
End Of Plenary
Breakout Sessions
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Breakout
Session 1
Race to Zero: The Pivot Point
Climate change is the most pressing global crisis that the world faces, and efforts to deliver transformative action that keep global temperature within 1.5C need to be accelerated. The Paris Agreement and subsequent COP decisions, such as COP26’s Glasgow Climate Pact, set the level of ambition. Momentum has been building over recent years to deliver these promises, though progress towards our global goals remains inadequate. Both state and non-state actors must now pivot to new ways of collaborating and shaping net zero governance; and must do so with the urgency and innovation the world desperately needs.
A key aspect will be using all policy, regulatory and legislative tools available to create the standards and ground rules for the global economy that enable the transformation to a just, resilient net-zero world. This breakout session will address how to accelerate the transformation from voluntary action into the fit-for-purpose domestic and foreign policies needed in a world of interconnected geopolitical crises.
Welcome Remarks
- Nigel Topping, UN Climate Action High-level Champion, COP26
Governance That’s Fit For Purpose
- Annette Nazareth, Chair, Integrity Council
- Gillian Caldwell, Chief Climate Officer and Deputy Assistant Administrator, USAID
- Moderator: Francine Lacqua, Anchor & Editor-at-Large, Bloomberg Television
The Power of Voluntary Action
- Dr Jean Baderschneider, Non-Executive Director, Fortescue Metals Group
- Mindy Lubber, CEO, Ceres
- Sumant Sinha, Chairman and CEO, ReNew Power
- Moderator: Thomas Hale, Professor of Global Public Policy, Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford
Breakout
Session 2
Building Climate Resilient Communities
How can we build the resilience of cities and states, regions and devolved governments in the context of worsening climate disasters? To address this, we need solutions that impact at a system level by a variety of different actors. This session will explore the transformation and solutions needed to build resilience for people living in cities/human settlements. We will hear from local authorities, organizations and think tanks about the efforts they are making to work together with communities to increase resilience to the different impacts of climate change, from energy challenges to extreme heat, from urbanization to the role of nature-based solutions.
The Role of Mayors
- Mohamed Sefiani, Mayor, Chefchaouen, Morocco
- Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, OBE, Mayor, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Moderator: Gonzalo Muñoz, Former Climate Champion
How to Increase Resilience in the Face of Climate Disasters
- Joseph Muturir, President Slum Dwellers International (SDI) Network
- Moderator: Katherine Baughman McLeod, Senior Vice President & Director, Adrienne Arsht Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center
Closing Remarks
- Mark Watts, Executive Director, C40
Media Contact
Email pressinfo@bloomberg.org