Davos event hears UN chief call for urgent action on net zero

It was no surprise to see climate change and net zero high on the agenda during the discussions in Davos last week at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF). WEF’s annual gathering in Switzerland saw leaders from government, business, and civil society gathering to address the state of the world and discuss priorities for the year ahead.  

Those present at the meeting in Davos engaged in constructive, forward-looking dialogues to help find solutions to the key challenges facing the world through public-private cooperation. Especially relevant from a net zero perspective was the launch in Davos of a new World Economic Forum report which called for a fresh approach to economic growth, balancing efficiency with long-term sustainability and equity. 

The Future of Growth Report 2024 offers a re-evaluation of global economic growth, introducing a new framework that takes a holistic look at GDP alongside the quality of growth across 107 economies. The report proposes a new way for assessing economic growth that balances efficiency with long-term sustainability, resilience and equity, as well as innovation for the future, aligning with both global and national priorities. Achieving net zero is one of the key tenets highlighted in the report. 

Continuing the net zero theme at Davos, the secretary general of the United Nations António Guterres highlighted the need for more effective action on climate change. Guterres said that the world was failing on climate crisis, with leaders failing to address key risks. 

Carbon capture, usage and storage will be one of the issues discussed at London Olympia from 30 April to 1 May 2024, when Innovation Zero will host one of the largest sustainability and net zero expos ever seen in the UK. Over 12,000 delegates are expected to gather in the capital as part of a comprehensive programme featuring hundreds of world-class speakers across 175+ sessions, who are experts in climate change mitigation, clean technology innovation and implementing low carbon solutions.  

Referring to the fact that 2023 was the hottest year on record, Guterres warned of the danger posed by the vested interests of fossil fuel businesses and said that action was needed now to ensure a just and equitable transition to renewable energy. “The fossil fuel industry has just launched yet another multi-million-dollar campaign to kneecap progress and keep the oil and gas flowing indefinitely,” he said as he issued a warning to the sector. “Let me be very clear – the phaseout of fossil fuels is essential and inevitable. No amount of spin or scare tactics will change that. Let’s hope it doesn’t come too late,” said Guterres. 

In recent months, events like COP28 and Davos have once again highlighted the key issue of climate change and the urgent need for effective action to achieve net zero. Keeping these issues in the headlines is crucial and that’s why the timing of this year’s Innovation Zero congress at London Olympia from 30 April to 1 May 2024 couldn’t be more appropriate. The event will play host to more than 175 content sessions, featuring leading experts in climate change mitigation, clean technology innovation and implementing low carbon solutions, and see over 12,000 delegates attend the event which is set to be one of the largest sustainability and net zero expos ever seen in the UK. 

Innovation Zero is free to attend and registration is open now. Click here to secure your place at this must-attend event. (https://bit.ly/4aPNDiE)