How to navigate the Global Climate Challenge? A (critical) reflection on COP28

Last week, I was fortunate to speak at the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai. I extend my sincere gratitude to CALSTART and the ITF - International Transport Forum ( John Boesel , Sita Holtslag , Young Tae KIM , Sharon Masterson ) for the invitation to participate in the Business & Philanthropy Climate Forum. Being present at this event was truly awe-inspiring, witnessing King Charles III as well as the collective engagement of numerous decision makers eager to contribute to positive change. The scale of involvement across nations and industries and the genuine desire to make a difference left a lasting impression on me. At the same time, COP 28 gave me a lot to think about.

We need to act faster.

The conference addresses one of the most critical and urgent matters of our time: the undeniable reality of climate change, which demands a united front of swift and decisive action. Undoubtedly, COP28 serves as a catalyst for global collaboration, providing a platform for industry experts, scientists, and politics to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions. Of course, bringing a diverse mix of nations and individuals together is not possible without traveling, but I must honestly say that I can understand and share the concerns and criticism about the substantial number of flights to COP yearly and the resulting environmental impact, given the aviation industry's significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. I think we need to take a self-critical look at whether this high number of flights and delegates is justified in view of the situation and topic we are dealing with. In any case, this effort invested in COP28 underscores the importance of really getting tangible outcomes and meaningful results from the conference. If the investment in this global and cross-industry exchange is made, I see it as the responsibility of all participants to transform this privilege and dialogue of diverse stakeholders into concrete and joint decisions and implementation. In other words: we need to act much faster and pull together! Let me give some examples.

We need to intensify the collaboration between public and private sector.

Participating in the session titled ‘Accelerating the Transition of Road Transport,’ I engaged with industry stakeholders such as Roland Busch , from 西门子 or Martin Lundstedt , from Volvo Group . The discussions focused on strategies to expedite the shift in road transport, emphasizing the crucial implementation of ambitious policies like the continued expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. To transition from the current system to one centered around zero-emission vehicles, we face the classic chicken-and-egg dilemma: which comes first, the vehicles or the infrastructure? Here, we won’t get fast change if one side waits or moves forward without the other. Therefore, politics must establish guidelines for initial investments to create a critical mass that encourages the widespread adoption of zero-emission (ZE) vehicles. Plus, there should be greater openness to diverse technologies and multimodality, such as involving other modes of transports like rail for transporting goods, as this holds substantial potential for reducing CO2 emissions.

The collaboration between the public and private sectors plays a decisive role in this transition, and COP28 revealed that existing collaborations are rudimentary at best. A more robust framework is needed. The global community must prioritize the development of stronger partnerships that foster innovation and facilitate resource-sharing to accelerate the transition to a sustainable future. This involves establishing clear guidelines for corporate responsibility, offering financial incentives for green initiatives, and promoting knowledge exchange between industries and governments. COP28 has illuminated the necessity for more sophisticated and impactful collaborations to address the complexities of the climate challenge effectively.

Although I would have appreciated a more diverse panel (we only were a group of men), our discussions were fruitful. The intensive exchange provided me with a wealth of new ideas and approaches. The challenge now lies in shaping these myriad insights into a coherent structure and formulating tangible, collective actions.

We need to make COP28 count.

The urgency of the climate crisis demands immediate action. I totally agree to António Guterres ’ words in one of his last posts: “Protecting our climate is the world’s greatest test to leadership and we need to make this climate conference count.“ Therefore, words must be translated into tangible deeds. Effective collaboration is key, and each of us brings unique strengths to the table. It necessitates breaking free from individual silos, embracing diverse viewpoints, and fostering an understanding of each other's needs. Moreover, it requires recognition that actions taken in one area may have ripple effects on others.

As Umovity (uniting Econolite and PTV Group ) we firmly believe that technology can orchestrate and foster this collaboration. Leveraging our expertise in transportation modelling and planning as well as ITS technology, we stand ready to support all stakeholders in this collaborative process, offering not just valuable insights but actionable guidance. Our advanced capabilities allow us to simulate and analyze various scenarios related to the widespread embrace of sustainable transportation; whether it's the impact of technology advances, infrastructure measures, policies and regulations, or demographic development.

Therefore, I perceive our mission not solely as delivering cutting-edge technologies to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of mobility but also leveraging our extensive network spanning science, industry, institutions, and over 2,500 cities worldwide to propel collaboration forward.

Only through sustained and collaborative efforts can the global community hope to unravel the complexities of this enormous challenge and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Are you in to make it count?