Driving effective and accountable climate action through International Standards
11-22 November 2024
ISO's presence at COP29 - Programme
ISO is part of the Standards Pavilion located in the Blue Zone, Area E, B15. Anticipate an engaging lineup of sessions co-hosted with our partners.
For those attending COP29 in person, we extend a warm invitation to visit us. Our on-site delegation is eager to welcome you and exchange ideas.
If you are participating virtually, stay connected by following our sessions via the livestream links provided.
These links will be updated closer to the event date, ensuring you don't miss any of the insightful discussions.
We're excited to share knowledge, insights, and foster collaboration. Join us at The Standards Pavilion for a meaningful experience at COP29!
Please note that all times are in UTC+4.
11
12
Leaders’ Roundtable on Energy: Advancing Climate Mitigation Action
The Leaders’ Roundtable on Energy at COP29, co-chaired by H.E. Mukhtar Babayev, the COP29 President, and the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Dr. Fatih Birol, is the final event in the series of COP29-IEA High-Level Energy Transition Dialogues which the COP29 Presidency and the IEA have convened this year. World leaders will have the opportunity to call for what they want to see from the world at COP29 to keep 1.5°C within reach, and to share the actions which they are taking to achieve this pathway, including regarding implementation of the first Global Stocktake.
Enabling solutions that accelerate the green transition
13
From climate policy to action: closing the implementation gap
While global efforts towards the Paris Agreement have gained momentum, a critical gap remains between climate policy and on-the-ground action. This session explores how international standards, comparable metrics and mechanisms for compliance (Quality Infrastructure systems) can effectively bridge this gap, reduce emissions and boost global trade. To provide a practical example of how these efforts can drive impact, the session will draw on the OECD’s Inclusive Forum on Carbon Mitigation Approaches (IFCMA) work on carbon intensity metrics in bolstering low carbon goods markets.
Be part of the conversation that will help close the policy implementation gap.
Moderated by
- Peter Bakker, President, WBCSD
Panelists
- Sergio Mujica, Secretary-General, ISO
- Fabrizia Lapecorella, Deputy Secretary General, OECD
- Jean-Marie Paugam, Deputy Director General, WTO
Launch of the Taskforce’s inaugural report
Trade and Investment Policies to Advance Climate Ambition, Implementation and Sustainable Development
Equitable net zero future: delivering for the real economy
Trusted, recognized international standards are key to achieving net zero. In this dynamic session, we’ll explore how standards empower businesses, financial institutions and policymakers to drive bold, meaningful climate action. Learn to leverage existing systems of standards, accreditation and assurance to ensure compliance, enhance transparency and foster trust in climate initiatives. We’ll spotlight emerging standards designed to mobilize capital for climate action and drive real-economy emissions reductions.
Hear from experts including ISO, OECD, WBCSD and IIGCC to discover how your organization can lead the way in trusted, verifiable climate action – positioning you at the forefront of the global sustainability movement.
With
- Daniel Trillos, Twinned Convenor, ISO net zero standard, Colombian National Standards Body (ICONTEC)
- Alexander Nick, Director, Climate Action, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
- Jo Tyndall, Director, Environment Directorate, OECD
- Valentina Ramírez, Head of Climate Strategy Implementation, Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC)
Opening speeches & ceremony standards pavilion
Opening speeches (18:30-18:45) followed by networking reception
Remarks by
- Dr Sung Hwan Cho – President, ISO
- Vimal Mahendru – Vice-President and Chair of the Standardization Management Board, IEC
- Kolin Low – Regional Director, ULSE
14
UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Event on the Stocktake of Integrity Matters
Decarbonizing industry through trade: mapping higher ambition for steel
Who is afraid of carbon leakage
Transition Plans: Establishing best practice for the hard-to-abate sectors
Integrating ESG: best practices and innovations
ESG reporting isn’t just important – it’s vital for driving transparency and accountability in sustainable business practices. However, organizations need more than just disclosure tools; they need tools to embed sustainability into their operations and achieve real performance backed by high-quality reporting.
How can organizations integrate ESG principles into their culture and management approach with international standards? How can organizations achieve credible verification and validation and meet reporting needs across all jurisdictions, organization types, sizes and maturity levels? Together, let’s unlock the full potential of ESG through international standards and work towards a sustainable future.
Moderated by
- Brady Allin, Director, Strategy and Integration, SCC, Canada
Opening remarks by
- Sergio Mujica, Secretary-General, ISO
Closing remarks by
- David Bell, Director of Standards Policy, BSI, United Kingdom
With
- Martin Baxter, Deputy CEO, Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, United Kingdom
- Jorge Emanuel Reis Cajazeira, Head of International Affairs, ABNT, Brazil; ISO TMB Member.
- Jenny Bofinger-Schuster, ISSB Member, International Sustainability Standards Board
- Sarita Severien, Sustainability Manager Climate Change, Suzano Pulp and Paper
Action with impact: Critical enablers for fulfilling national commitments
Join our side event to explore how public-private co-creation, data, and standards can unlock accountable and effective climate action and finance. Hear from ISO and leading organizations, including the University of Exeter, CEBDS, CDP, and WBCSD, and contribute to this vital conversation on fulfilling national climate commitments.
Powering net zero with sustainable finance
As the world races to meet its climate goals, mobilizing trillions in investments has never been more crucial. This session brings together finance stakeholders to shape the New Collective Quantified Goal for Climate Finance and drive the adoption of harmonized global standards for sustainable finance. Together, we’ll explore strategies for advancing standards and taxonomies to support high-quality investments in the green transition, hear how policymakers are making a difference, and discover how international standards can support financial institutions and those seeking to raise capital to support their net-zero transition.
Join us as we chart a path to net zero through collaborative standards setting and targeted climate finance.
Moderated by- David Bell, Policy Director, British Standards Institution, United Kingdom
15
Mining the future: collaborative pathways to responsible raw materials
Join us for a dynamic discussion on how responsible mining standards are key to driving the clean energy transition. As demand for minerals and metals soars, we’ll explore the pivotal role these standards play in minimizing environmental impacts while maximizing benefits for resource-rich countries. With over 200 existing standards, navigating this complex landscape can be challenging.
In this session, we’ll discuss efforts to streamline and harmonize best practice in the mining industry. We’ll examine the evolution of standards for responsible raw material production, and how a common framework can help transform climate commitments into concrete action. Gain powerful insights into the future of responsible mining and its vital role in shaping a sustainable, low-carbon future.
Moderated by
- Annika Andreasen, CEO, Swedish Institute for Standard
With
- John Lindberg, Policy & Public Affairs Lead, International Council for Minerals and Metals
- Clifford Frimpong, Ag. Deputy Director-General, Conformity Assessment, Ghana Standards Authority
- Ulrika Francke, Chair of the Board, Swedish Institute for Standards
Boosting climate resilience through standards to support national adaptation plans
Get ready to unlock the power of standards in driving national climate resilience. This powerful session will reveal how standardized approaches can transform adaptation planning, giving governments the tools they need to protect communities and deliver meaningful climate action. Hear from top experts as they share inspiring best practices, strategies and recommendations to promote the global use of standards in this space. Discover how these frameworks can underpin National Adaptation Plans, helping countries not just adapt, but thrive in the face of climate challenges.
Don’t miss out! Together, let’s explore how international standards shape a stronger, more resilient and sustainable future for all.
Moderated by
- Ma Rui, Director, Division of Multilateral Cooperation, Department of International Cooperation at the State Administration for Market Regulation, People’s Republic of China (SAMR)
- Lina Ismail, Development Manager in Standardization, AFNOR
With
- Marie-Hélène Schwoob, Deputy Director of Research, Commissariat Général au Développement Durable, French Ministry in charge of ecological transition, France
- Xia Yingxian, Director General, Department of Climate Change of Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), China
- Benoit Desforges, Chair, ISO/TC207/SC7 Greenhouse gas and climate change management and related activities
- Tafara Smith, Director of Standards; Division/Head of Unit Regional and International Trade Branch, Bureau of Standards Jamaica (BSJ).
- Madeleine Diouf Sarr, Head, Climate Change Division, Senegal's Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD)
- Ottmar Edenhofer, Director & Chief Economist, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)
- Simon Wilson, Head of Corporate Communications, Green Climate Fund
Empowering communities to adapt to climate change
Ready to future-proof your community or organization against the growing impacts of climate change? This session will equip government leaders, environmental managers and policymakers with the tools and strategies they need to drive bold climate adaptation and build lasting resilience. Discover how international standards provide a roadmap for effective adaptation planning and climate vulnerability assessment. You will gain hands-on knowledge and insights to strengthen your organization or community – whether you’re leading local adaptation efforts, advancing your sustainability skills, or shaping robust climate policies.
Don’t miss this chance to learn how standards can turn today’s climate challenges into powerful opportunities for growth and community-driven action.
Moderated by
- Brady Allin, Director, Strategy and Integration, Standards Council of Canada, Canada
With
- Benoit Desforges, Vice-President of the Energy Directorate, Measurement Canada, and Sub-committee Chair, TC 207/SC7, Canada
- Veronica Scotti, Chairperson Public Sector Solutions, Swiss Re
- Tafara Smith, Acting Director Standards Division, Bureau of Standards, Jamaica
Bridging the digital divide with standards for sustainability
Digital technologies are key to fast-tracking climate action across the globe. This session dives into the critical intersection of tech and climate, highlighting how the widening digital divide not only hampers equitable climate solutions but also increases the environmental footprint of inefficient digital systems. Discover how international standards can be a game changer –offering common frameworks to access sustainable technology, build capacity, and promote accountability in climate efforts.
Join the World Standards Cooperation partners (ISO, IEC and ITU) as they explore the challenges and opportunities of developing countries in their quest to contribute to climate standardization
H2 connect: Partnering for the hydrogen transition in developing countries
16
High-Level Roundtable on Green Digital Action
The hidden key to decarbonizing the built environment
Energy transition, circularity, and changing sustainability expectations of communities and countries are starting to really drive change. Standards are critical to this transition, but are we on the right track?
- Is there a role for machine learning and artificial intelligence in solving this problem?
- Where do you think we’ll be in 5 years from now? Will this problem be solved?
- Are there too many standards already? Would creating more standards make the problem better or worse?
With
• Adam Stingemore, Chief Development Officer, Standards Australia
Decarbonization: Harmonizing Carbon Accounting Standards and Definitions for Green Supply Chains
Standardization Facilitates Implementation of Climate Actions
Speaker share standardization policies, actions and achievements in addressing climate change, and promote the exchanges
Accelerating hydrogen scale-up
Hydrogen is key to achieving a net-zero future, but scaling it up requires overcoming major hurdles in interoperability and safety. This session explores the regulations, codes and standards that are essential for unlocking hydrogen’s full potential. Explore the COP29 Hydrogen Action Pact’s framework and learn how aligning existing standards can fast-track hydrogen deployment across industries. Together, we’ll craft an accelerated roadmap to break through bottlenecks, harness the power of harmonized standards, and ensure the safety, efficiency and trust needed for hydrogen to thrive. Whether you’re a manufacturer, provider or end user, this session will equip you with the tools to foster a cohesive global language around hydrogen deployment.
Moderated by
- Jorgo Chatzamarkakis; CEO, Hydrogen Europe
Remarks by
- Petra Schwager, Chief, Climate and Technology Partnership (CTP) Division, Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)
- Stefan Wenzel, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, Germany
With
- Christoph Winterhalter; Chairman, DIN Board; former Vice President, Policy, ISO
- Ivana Jemelkova, Director, Hydrogen Council
- Thorsten Herdan CEO, HIF EMEA
- Holger Lösch, Deputy Director General, BDI e.V., Germany
- James Walker, Team Lead for Renewable Gases, IRENA
- Francisco P. de la Flor; UN ECE Chair, Group of Experts on Gas; Member, Bureau of the Committee on Sustainable Energy, Enagás; Director, Sectorial and Multilateral Representation
CEO High Level Dialog
17
18
Green Customs: The Role of Facilitation, Innovation and Standards in Advancing Sustainable Cross-Border Trade
Empowering youth for climate action
This event provides a unique platform for young climate leaders from diverse backgrounds to connect, exchange ideas, and explore the essential role of standards in climate action. Join young peers and standards leaders to explore how we can foster cross-border collaborations, as we answer the question "How standards can create reliable, scalable solutions to global climate challenges."
Youth voices for equity and justice in the energy transition
Equity and justice should be at the center of the transition to a sustainable future. Hear from the next generation of leaders as they unpack what true fairness means for the global energy transition. Leveraging ISO's Net Zero Guidelines, these young visionaries will showcase bold, data-driven analyses that define an equitable path to net zero; one that considers the energy consumption and reliability required to support an acceptable quality of life. Discover how international standards can enable a future where the UN Sustainable Development Goals are achieved through a human-centered approach that empowers all.
Get ready to be inspired as these changemakers showcase solutions to build the sustainable world we deserve.
Moderated by
- Kala Pendakur, Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Government Relations, Standards Council of Canada, Canada
- Brady Allin, Director, Strategy and Integration, Standards Council of Canada
With
- Ayşe Korkmaz, Master student, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Türkiye
- Tinotenda Odwell Hodzi, Undergraduate student, Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Zimbabwe
Role of Minerals in the Energy Transition
19
From target to reality: global guidelines to achieve the SDGs
As the 2030 deadline draws near, it’s time to transform ambition into action. Join ISO and UNDP for an inspiring fireside chat unveiling the first-ever international guidelines for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) implementation. This is your chance to explore how these innovative guidelines empower organizations to shift from SDG alignment to concrete action. UN Assistant Secretary-General Marcos Neto and ISO Deputy Secretary General Silvio Dulinsky will share their insights on embedding sustainable development into the very fabric of an organization’s strategies and operations.
Learn how this powerful ISO-UNDP collaboration is providing practical tools to accelerate progress toward the SDGs – when it matters most.
With
- Francisco Vera, UNICEF youth ambassador and climate activist
- Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Director of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support
- Silvio Dulinsky, ISO Deputy Secretary-General
The role of International Standards in Addressing Climate Change
Building a unified narrative: international standards as catalysts for climate action
Join us for an interactive workshop designed to strengthen the role of international standards in climate negotiations. Together, we’ll uncover powerful examples of how standards are driving meaningful climate action and discover strategies for integrating them into COP discussions. But that’s not all – we’ll explore how these standards can enhance the effectiveness and credibility of countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans.
This is your chance to gain exclusive insights from standards development organizations and international agencies as they share their experiences and lessons learned on their journeys. Our mission? To craft a unified narrative and actionable approaches that enable governments and Parties to the climate COP to effectively fulfil their climate commitments through standards.
Moderated by
Cindy Parokkil, Programme Manager, ISO
With
- Christoph Winterhalter, CEO, DIN – Germany
- Abdourahmane Ndione, CEO, ASN – Senegal
- Andy Andrea, Senior Advisor to the Secretary General, Sustainability, ISO
- James Wood, Director of Communications, IEC
20
Driving global comparability of product carbon reporting
As product carbon footprints (PCFs) gain prominence in shaping pricing and value, the lack of coherence in product category rules (PCRs) has led to a staggering 50 % deviation for identical products. Join a dynamic session where experts will tackle this critical challenge head-on. Hear from influential political figures as they exchange insights on policies impacting vital sectors like steel and cement. What’s the key to successful carbon reporting? Connecting disparate approaches through international standards.
Join us as we explore strategies to enhance PCF comparability, foster transparency, and unlock the full potential of carbon footprint data for a sustainable transformation.
Moderated by
- Daniele Pernigotti, Director Carbon Footprint Italy, Italy
Remarks by
- Diandra Ní Bhuachalla, Youth delegate, EESC
- Clare Everett, Senior Global Policy Manager Climate, CDP With
- Andrew Wilson, Deputy Secretary-General Policy, ICC
Please note that all times are in UTC+4.