Back from the summit

26th November 2021


COP26 is now over, and we’re all digesting what the deal agreed in Glasgow actually means for us, our businesses and the planet. It was my privilege to represent IEMA members at the event.

Despite the perhaps disappointing outcome, I was amazed and inspired by the members I was lucky enough to meet during the conference – people all over the world doing incredible things that are making a real difference to the planet.

We must now think about how we can continue to implement the actions that will bring us to net zero, and we have plenty of food for thought for you in this edition of Transform. Jørgen Randers co-authored the seminal 1972 report The Limits to Growth, which completely changed the conversation around how we were using the planet’s resources; on page 14 we speak to him about his work a generation on, and its continued relevance for sustainability.

There were many conversations at the Glasgow summit about zero-carbon energy and how we are going to achieve it. For many countries, onshore and offshore wind are a vital part of the mix – but how do you go about ensuring that wind turbines are zero waste, too? Huw Morris has been finding out; read his report on page 32.

“I was amazed and inspired by the members I was lucky enough to meet during COP26”

Huw has also been investigating another little-discussed but vital question concerning sustainability: how much water is used in cooling the computer and IT information systems we rely on for our digital ways of working. The amount of water utilised is immense – can we reduce the impact while ensuring we remain connected? Find out on page 18. Meanwhile, Chris Seekings reports on an important COP26 side event that addressed the connnected issues of climate justice, education and gender equality, particularly regarding the role of girls’ education in fighting the climate crisis; you can read about this on page 27.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Transform as much as I have. As always, we welcome your thoughts and comments, and we are always interested in hearing new ideas for features and articles.

Have a great couple of months, and speak soon.

Sarah Mukherjee MBE, CEO, IEMA

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Transform articles

COP28 roundup of announcements

This year’s COP28 climate summit concluded with an “historic” agreement between countries to “transition away from fossil fuels”, although the final Global Stocktake text has been described as containing “a litany of loopholes”.

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IEMA’s CEO and deputy CEO, Sarah Mukherjee MBE and Martin Baxter, respectively, called for greater support for green skills at several events today on Youth, Children, Education and Skills Day at COP28.

8th December 2023

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With the first week of COP28 drawing to a close, IEMA’s deputy CEO, Martin Baxter, reflects on some of the key announcements made so far, addresses the controversy surrounding the climate summit, and highlights what to look out for in the second week.

7th December 2023

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Negotiations are well underway at COP28 in the UAE as countries look to agree the best ways to tackle climate change and environmental breakdown over the coming decades.

5th December 2023

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Thousands of people have gathered in the UAE for this year’s COP28 climate summit, including IEMA CEO Sarah Mukherjee MBE, and deputy CEO, Martin Baxter.

1st December 2023

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In the August/September edition of Transform, I wrote about a green skills campaign that IEMA has been running in the lead into COP28.

24th November 2023

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More than 40 organisations and businesses have backed IEMA’s campaign to get green skills and training on the agenda at COP28, including Nestle UK, the British Chambers of Commerce, and OVO Energy.

9th November 2023

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In the build-up to COP28, which this year takes place in the United Arab Emirates, IEMA is campaigning for greater recognition of the role of skills in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change process.

1st August 2023

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