Arup at COP28
Explore highlights from our programme of activity before and during the UN climate change conference.
Explore highlights from our programme of activity before and during the UN climate change conference.
Our experts are engaged in events leading up to and during COP28, which takes place 30 November to 12 December 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. You don’t have to be in Dubai or any of the other places where we’ll be exploring climate action and resilience – many of the events are accessible online or we’ll share a recording after the event.
We will update the information outlined below regularly, providing details about how you can join in online.
Urban waters: global knowledge exchange
Water Pavilion, Blue ZonePeer-to-peer knowledge exchange panel from cities around the world, discussing innovations implemented in their communities for water and climate. The session will draw on existing city networks such as Resilient Cities Network and C40 Cities, supported by global expertise from the Stockholm International Water Institute, WaterAid and Arup.
Find out moreLouise Ellis
Associate Director
How to do green-blue: Taking nature-based solutions to scale
Water Pavilion, Blue ZoneIn this session, we will explore innovations in nature-based solutions, which offer the dual benefits for climate resilience of mitigation and adaptation to extreme weather events. It also brings wider benefits for nature and biodiversity. We will hear from The Nature Conservancy, HSBC, Wetlands International, and Arup on the enablers to scaling nature-based solutions including partnerships, systems approaches, locally-led approaches, design methodologies and tools, financing and policy integration.
Find out moreLouise Ellis
Associate Director
Young professionals debate
Water Pavilion, Blue ZoneDebate featuring young water professionals and industry experts, panellists will discuss the motion: “We have all the innovations and technology we need to meet the UN SDGs and NDCs relating to water, we just need to take them to scale!”. We will hear from the thinkers and leaders of the future; those with new ideas and fresh perspectives on our most pressing problems.
Find out moreMartin Shouler
London Water Leader
Market transformation activation – preparing for Paris 2024
Buildings Pavilion, Blue ZoneThis event will explore the tangible steps private sector actors in the built environment can and need to take before the presentation of the Buildings Breakthrough during the ministerial Global Forum in Paris in March 2024. The first part of the session will include a discussion with CEO and C-suite representatives about how the Market Transformation shared action agenda will convey the business actions and strongly support building breakthrough achievements. This will be followed by a session discussing levers of change from a number of perspectives.
Find out moreEva Hinkers
Europe Chair
High-level reflections: innovation to action
Water Pavilion, Blue ZoneThe water challenges faced by countries, cities and communities are significant, and we need innovative solutions to provide and protect communities now and prepare for an uncertain future. This session will also unite key experts from both within and outside the water sector to discuss the essential conditions needed to scale up new approaches, technologies, and governance solutions. Panel discussions will delve into crucial topics, including policy, governance, the role of partnerships, knowledge exchange, finance, bridging the public and private sectors, and collaboration with academia.
Find out moreWater resilience in the climate era: innovating sustainable water management and governance
Resilience Hub, Blue ZoneLed by Water Youth Network with Arup, Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), Climate Resilient Infrastructure Development Facility (CRIDF), and UN-Water.
Find out moreMartin Shouler
London Water Leader
Initiating and financing the maritime sustainable transition in the Global South
Ocean Pavilion, Blue ZoneThis interactive session examines financing innovations enabling an inclusive, just transition across the ocean economy. Through Asia Pacific projects, we will share examples of social, environmental, and economic value creation for the Global South. The panel will discuss project findings, funding needs, and priorities. The panel will leverage audience views on the best ways to deliver wider benefits and ensure initiatives drive progress for all in our mission to secure a sustainable blue economy transition.
Find out moreRobert Kay
Americas Climate and Sustainability Leader
Maritime resilience: mainstreaming resilience in ports
Resilience Hub, Blue ZoneThis event, hosted by the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, Resilience Rising, Arup and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, will launch the mainstreaming maritime resilience toolkit, announce new partners to the maritime resilience community and share best practice case studies, demonstrating progress towards the maritime resilience breakthroughs one year on. This will be followed by an interactive panel discussion engaging the audience where we would welcome your interventions.
Find out moreRobert Kay
Americas Climate and Sustainability Leader
Decarbonising infrastructure projects: reducing scope 3 emissions
UNOPS, Blue ZoneReducing an entity’s scope 3 emissions can be a daunting task. These emissions are large (representing a large percentage of an entity’s carbon footprint) and they are indirect, a consequence of the entity’s activities outside of its direct control. This event will convene a panel of infrastructure and climate change experts to discuss challenges in accounting, tracking, reporting and reducing construction projects scope 3 emissions.
Find out moreNigel Tonks
Sustainable Development Leader for the UK, India, Middle East and Africa
Drivers of decarbonization: transformation, trends, and levers in the buildings sector
Buildings Pavilion, Blue ZoneJoin the U.S. Green Building Council and Arup at the launch of the State of Decarbonization: Progress in U.S. Commercial Buildings 2023 report. The panellists will build on this report’s key findings to delve into drivers for buildings transformation, and identify effective policies and programs to help policymakers, advocates, and companies better understand the landscape and strategies to achieve the scale of action desperately needed.
Find out moreRobert Kay
Americas Climate and Sustainability Leader
Breaking financial barriers to decarbonising cities
Shared Presentation Hub, Blue Zone, In-personThis session will bring together city mayors and leaders, private investors, government and other stakeholders to discuss how to progress existing pragmatic initiatives that are bringing together cities and investors and addressing the challenges of securing investment including innovative financing, scale replicability.
Dima Zogheib
Associate Director
Smart and equitable cities: frameworks and incentives to enable green urban transition
Resilience Hub, Blue ZoneLed by R-Cities with Arup, IIED and Silverlining Topics: urban Energy Access and Poverty work, the CWRA and Energy Resilience Framework, and co-creating solutions with communities, especially underserved and vulnerable communities.
Find out moreAlice Charles
Director
Enabling circularity in the built environment
Buildings Pavilion, Blue ZoneThis discussion will focus on how to accelerate the shift towards circular buildings and the role of innovative building solutions (including design, materials, waste management, etc.), to achieve this shift.The session also aims to explore the collaboration levers between partners to create an enabling environment to successfully scale the transition to a circular built environment globally and the various obstacles that are yet to be overcome to achieve this scale up.
Find out moreEva Hinkers
Europe Chair
Systems thinking for holistic climate action
SE Room 3, Blue ZoneA Resilience First roundtable discussion, in collaboration with World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), featuring nature-driven engineering, policy, and finance solutions. This is an official side event of the COP28 programme.
Find out moreJo da Silva
Global Sustainable Development Leader
A just transition through inclusive energy infrastructure
UNOPS Pavilion, Blue ZoneA panel discussion with the International Energy Agency and Arup on how to facilitate a just transition in the global south through inclusive approaches to energy infrastructure development.
Find out moreMatt Kennedy
Sustainable Development Leader for Europe
Scaling decarbonization: solutions and drivers in U.S. commercial real estate
Pathways to 1.5 Pavilion, Blue ZoneThe U.S. Green Building Council’s President and CEO Peter Templeton will highlight key findings from the new State of Decarbonization: Progress in U.S. Commercial Buildings 2023 report. Robert Kay will moderate a lively discussion picking up from the implications of these findings with a panel of leaders in building decarbonization. The discussion will focus on what private and public organisations are doing to rapidly scale improvements, touching on finance and ESG trends; the Inflation Reduction Act and incentives; the criticality of buildings and grid integration for decarbonization; and expanding the transition to benefit all of society.
Robert Kay
Americas Climate and Sustainability Leader
Urban evolution: championing tomorrow's low carbon and resilient human settlements and transport networks
Global Climate Action Zone, Blue ZoneTwo panels as part of the Human Settlements session of the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action. The panel discussions aim to take stock of action post-COP27, and will highlight the Buildings Breakthrough and the Plastics Treaty as key platforms for fostering non-party stakeholder action towards a low emission and resilient built environment.
Find out moreNigel Tonks
Sustainable Development Leader for the UK, India, Middle East and Africa
Water smart cities: from design to development
Dubai Expo City Pavilion, Green ZoneBy 2050, more than two-thirds of the world’s population are expected to live in cities and global water demand is expected to increase. This session will discuss the complexities and opportunities between cities and new paradigms in water management. It will consider the role freshwater has to enhance climate security and urban resilience, spotlighting various co-benefits including healthy ecosystems, resilient livelihoods and protecting biodiversity, with reference to best practices and case studies from the MENA and wider geographical contexts.
Martin Shouler
London Water Leader
Working with nature: a vision for integrating green infrastructure, sustainable water management and nature-based solutions across Thimphu
Bhutan Pavilion, Blue ZoneOver 50% of Bhutan consists of protected areas and biological corridors. Thimphu, the capital, offers dramatic mountain landscapes, sacred peaks, and supports numerous endangered species. However, rapid and unplanned urbanisation has resulted in encroachment on the surrounding landscapes, and on the water supply and quality. During this session, we will present the green-blue infrastructure strategy and open space masterplan, which aims to address the spatial, environmental and climate change challenges that the city is facing through a series of nature-based solutions.
Find out moreDima Zogheib
Associate Director
National Grid: resilience and a systems based approach
Buildings Pavilion, Blue ZoneThis panel will focus on the importance of cross-disciplinary partnerships and looking at climate resilience through a systems-based lens. In order to truly build resilience, we must work together across all levels of government, with local and vulnerable communities, academia, and across industries. The goal is to align the discussion with the themes in the recently released White House Climate Resilience Framework, emphasizing collaboration and inclusivity, and strengthening interagency collaboration among government bodies to support community resilience.
Find out moreRobert Kay
Americas Climate and Sustainability Leader
Buildings and construction for sustainable cities: new key partnerships for decarbonisation, adaptation and resilience
Al Waha theatre, Presidency's Space, Blue ZoneThe launch of the Buildings Breakthrough, Cement Breakthrough and the Forest and Climate Leader’s Partnership’s Greening Construction with Sustainable Wood initiative is pivotal in accelerating systems transformation in the buildings and construction sector. The aim of these frameworks is to unlock intergovernmental and multi-level collaboration as a solution for mitigation, climate change adaptation and resilience in the sector.
Jo da Silva
Global Sustainable Development Leader
Green, clean and active: creating a sustainable transport system for Thimphu
Bhutan Pavilion, Blue ZoneThe Thimphu Structure Plan incorporates a new vision for the city’s transport system, one designed to offer residents, visitors and businesses better access to the places, spaces and opportunities that matter to them while reducing carbon emissions and local air pollution. This event explores how these changes will reduce transport’s contribution to Bhutan’s national greenhouse gas emissions and at the same time encourages healthier living, more liveable communities, and economic growth.
Find out moreEva Hinkers
Europe Chair
An integrated approach to delivering climate resilient and inclusive infrastructure
UNOPS Pavilion, Blue ZoneThe session will focus on multilevel actions across diverse actors, including women and marginalized groups, to develop climate-resilient and inclusive transport and WASH infrastructure in the Global South while ensuring that no one will be left behind in the process of adapting infrastructure to the climate crisis. Two new publications will be launched: "Guidelines for developing inclusive transport infrastructure" (written by UNOPS, ILO, UN Women and Arup) and "Guidelines for developing inclusive WASH infrastructure" (written by UNOPS, UNICEF, ILO, WaterAid and Arup).
Find out morePaula Kirk
Global Climate and Sustainability Leader
Powering APAC with renewables and green hydrogen
Global Renewables Hub, Blue ZoneWith high renewables potential and significant import and consumption of hydrogen and ammonia, the Asia Pacific region is uniquely positioned to produce green hydrogen competitively, to decarbonise industries which are hard to electrify and to ensure energy security and self-sufficiency. This event will bring together government and industry leaders to identify actions needed in Asia to supercharge the development of renewables and green hydrogen projects in the region.
Kellie Charlesworth
Energy Transition – Australasia Leader
COP28: UK net zero whole life carbon roadmap – where are we now?
OnlineTo coincide with Built Environment Day at COP28, and to mark two years since the launch of the UK’s Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap, UKGBC has reconvened its project partners to provide an update on the built environment sector’s progress towards meeting our net zero trajectory. Join this event to understand where we are in relation to the Roadmap’s net zero trajectory, the changes you can make within industry, and how to advocate for the policies we need to accelerate action.
Find out moreBecci Taylor
Director
Local ecosystem restoration for nature-positive cities and regions
Meeting room 6, Global Climate Action ZonePartners from various sectors and city and regional leaders will convene to present projects, policy statements, and calls to action to foster an enabling environment for sustainable development. The event will bring together mayors, decision-makers, and business leaders to emphasise the role of cities and regions in spearheading nature-based solutions for a more sustainable and resilient future.
Dima Zogheib
Associate Director
Is the construction sector becoming sustainable?
Nordic Pavilion, Blue ZoneThe construction industry is rarely perceived as a first mover. However, it is undergoing significant transformations. This global panel session will explore the shifts in new policies, ambitious city initiatives, product innovations with a holistic lifespan approach, and renovation cases daring to undertake new methods.
Find out moreGraham Dodd
Director
Designing for care, play and nature for the wellbeing and healthy development of young children in cities
Al Ferjan Room, Education Hub, Green ZoneIn this session, organised by Arup and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, we will explore the importance of focusing on the creation of kind, natural and playful environments that cater to the needs and wants of young children, as we are tackling climate change, and supporting the green transition. A panel of experts from Gehl, Alana Institute and Arup, facilitated by the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development, will present practical examples, and engage with the audience on the principles and benefits of creating environments that enable human and playful interactions and a connection with nature, where children, communities and our planet can thrive.
Find out moreSara Candiracci
Associate Director
Building the grid of the future
Buildings Pavilion, Blue ZoneKeeping 1.5 degrees in reach will require coordination across the energy system and customer demand-side programs to optimize existing infrastructure. Governments can facilitate the transition through policy and regulatory support that enables building in advance of demand, leverages best practices (including international), secures a trained and skilled workforce, improves siting and permitting processes, and invests in innovation. Given the scope and scale of what is required to meet the needs of the energy transition, collaboration across the public and private sector is vital to our success.
Find out moreKellie Charlesworth
Energy Transition – Australasia Leader
City in nature
Singapore Pavilion, Blue ZoneThis panel will share urban approaches to integrate nature within the built environment and thus, connecting people with nature. Experts, including our Associate Director, Dima Zogheib, share insights and experiences on incorporating green infrastructure and ecological design principles into urban planning. The discussion highlights the transformative potential of integrating nature, its role in providing climatic ecosystem services, and showcases successful projects.
Find out moreDima Zogheib
Associate Director
Race to Resilience: measuring resilience building
Resilience Hub, Blue ZoneThe Race to Resilience (RtR) provides a pioneer metrics framework for tracking & monitoring of non-state actors' resilience-building efforts. In 2023, RtR Metrics Framework was improved to align with the Sharm-el-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda, and enhance the partners reporting capacitie. This strategic effort responds to the Global Stocktake's call for rigorous, transparent, and credible methodologies to measure resilience-building actions, providing essential insights for both parties and non-party stakeholders..
Find out moreDima Zogheib
Associate Director
Building a net-zero and nature-positive future
Buildings Pavilion, Blue ZoneThe objective of the event is to call to action to consider embodied emissions of materials, buildings, and accelerate circularity in support of climate and nature objectives. The objective will be delivered through a panel discussion designed to 1) spotlight tangible solutions that are pushing for circularity and decarbonisation in the built environment, and 2) present the Global Partnerships that are amplifying these transformative efforts.
Find out moreDima Zogheib
Associate Director
Nature talks: leading nature solutions for climate action
Nature Positive Pavilion, Blue ZoneJoin “Nature Talks” for powerful TED-style talks by influential speakers and leaders, sharing transformative ideas on leading nature for climate action. Each 4-8 minute talk serves as a condensed powerhouse of knowledge, emphasizing the urgency of environmental crises and offering tangible actions for positive contributions. Be inspired, informed, and motivated to make a difference.
Find out moreDima Zogheib
Associate Director
Urgency, challenges, and solutions to reduce carbon emissions from buildings
Denmark Pavilion, Blue ZoneThe construction sector is responsible for one third of global CO2 emissions and still only a few countries has set legislative requirement to reduce CO2 emissions from buildings during the lifetime of the building. At this session we will make a stocktake on the current situation, discuss the urgency to reduce CO2 emissions from buildings and bring forward best case examples with the objective to bring forward political recommendations.
Find out moreGhaith Tibi
Middle East Sustainability Lead
Seizing the urban energy opportunity in times of crisis
Multilevel Action and Urbanization Pavilion, Blue ZoneIn collaboration with UN-Habitat this session will provide a comprehensive outlook at the state of energy access in local and urban communities globally. Speakers will explore the latest available measurement mechanisms for action on energy access, real world case studies, progress from Paris 2015 and opportunities to accelerate energy access through multi-level partnerships.
Find out moreKellie Charlesworth
Energy Transition – Australasia Leader
Chatham House climate change conference
In person at Chatham House, London and broadcast liveSean will join a panel chaired by Maia Kutner, Global Director, Cities, States & Regions, CDP, to discuss Local power, global impact: Empowering subnational leaders in climate action. The panel will explore the roles of cities and regions in driving forward decarbonisation, adaptation, and resilience and how success at the local level can be better leveraged to inform national policies and international climate governance structures.
Find out moreSean Lockie
Associate Director
TEDxManhattan beach
Manhattan Beach, California, United States of America, In-personOur Americas Chair Fiona Cousins will take the stage at TEDxManhattanBeach to discuss the interconnected and complex nature of climate change, biodiversity and social justice. How can design serve as a catalyst for finding lasting solutions to these challenges?
Find out moreFiona Cousins
Americas Chair
Buildings vs biodiversity
Online webinarHow can we work with nature to revolutionise urban living in a way that enhances social and environmental resilience to the impacts of climate change? Organised by Aspen Institute UK in partnership with Mars Wrigley UK, Jess Kennedy will be part of a panel exploring the innovative solutions in place to deliver affordable housing without a negative impact on nature.
Find out moreJess Kennedy
Associate Director
The road to COP28: driving collective climate action across Asia
Hong Kong, HybridIn the lead-up to COP28, we are partnering with Hong Kong Green Finance Association (HKGFA) and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) Sustainable Business Network to present a forum gathering industry leaders from various sectors to exchange insights and drive for more ambitious solutions. From the big picture to practical approaches, join us in engaging and inspiring conversations, gain invaluable insights and best practices from industry leaders who have successfully implemented corporate climate commitments, propelling your journey towards a sustainable transition.
Watch the recordingVincent Cheng
East Asia Climate & Sustainability Leader
Transition to integrated water management
Manila, HybridCities worldwide are facing problems caused by both too little and too much water. Urbanisation and climate change are making things worse with water infrastructure in many cities working at its maximum capacity. How can we manage water infrastructure to provide the widest possible community benefits? What approaches can be adopted to drive sustainable change? Join us at this virtual event where influential decision-makers and thought leaders in the field of water management will share their insights on driving collective action towards achieving global water goals.
Watch the recordingMark Fletcher
Global Water Leader
Transition to sustainable development
Tokyo, Pre-recordedClimate change is affecting every aspect of our planet. As we strive to establish a more resilient foundation for our cities, architecture plays a vital role in reducing carbon emissions through sustainable designs. Building up to COP28, we are partnering with Shinkenchiku (New Architecture) to discuss collaborative solutions that shape the future of architectural practices. How can the architecture industry effectively respond to climate change? What does sustainability truly mean for architecture? How can we drive positive change through innovative green designs? Join us for an inspiring discussion on new architecture and sustainable development.
Watch the recordingKentaro Suga
Associate Director
Resilient health systems: localizing climate policies and tools for accelerated action
Johor Bahru, In-personThis event will spotlight the practical implementation of health considerations in policy frameworks from the Asia-Pacific region, including the use of tools such as vulnerability assessments within healthcare systems and facilities to guide climate action in the sector. With the active involvement of various stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers and academics, healthcare professionals, civil society, the private sector, and development partners, this event seeks to inspire collective action and chart a course toward a healthy and resilient climate future for all in the Asia-Pacific region. Hosted by Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA), Melbourne Climate Futures (MCF), the University of Melbourne, FHI 360 Asia-Pacific Region, St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine, Philippines.
Find out moreKristian Steele
Singapore Climate & Sustainability leader
Seizing the opportunity: rapid urbanisation and circular economy
Johor Bahru, In-personRapid urbanisation and climate change are two of the major challenges of our time. People living in cities' poorest areas are agents of change both in terms of climate mitigation and adaptation. This event with Cities Alliance will share the research from a recent publication that explores the intertwining nature of circular economy, urbanisation and poverty. It looks at how existing approaches of circularity and the informal economy can be taken up and reinforced to find solutions to these challenges.
Find out moreAnna Surgenor
Circular Economy Leader, Australasia
Transition to circular economy
Shanghai, HybridThe growth in global population has led to an unsustainable use of materials. Transition to circular economy is imperative as it offers an alternative and more sustainable approach. Adopting circular economy principles in the built environment is crucial for reducing carbon emissions and enhancing our response to climate challenges in order to achieve our climate goals. In the lead-up to COP28, we are inviting industry leaders and experts to jointly explore the green development path of circular buildings, from the key technical standards to circular strategies and how to adopt circular economy in the built environment. Join our panel of speakers to learn more about circular economy and how to accelerate the decarbonisation process for circular buildings.
Watch the recordingPenny Cheung
Director
Enabling clean growth and sustainable transition: public-private partnerships and international collaborations
Johor Bahru, In-personThis event aims to facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences, focusing on the value of international collaborations to deliver NDC ambition and clean transition in Malaysia and the Southeast Asia Region. Led by the British High Commission Malaysia, with contributions from UK and Malaysia’s public and private sector, the panel session will draw on insights and knowledge from UK international climate finance programmes in Southeast Asia and the UK-Malaysia Clean Growth Handbook, highlighting collaboration examples in high emissions sectors – power, transport, buildings and industry/manufacturing. The session will also highlight innovative policy enablers and case studies from the UK and Malaysia, while providing a platform to discuss challenges and opportunities for new partnerships.
Find out moreMurali Ram
Malaysia leader, Cities & Advisory
During COP28
Urban waters: global knowledge exchange
Water Pavilion, Blue ZonePeer-to-peer knowledge exchange panel from cities around the world, discussing innovations implemented in their communities for water and climate. The session will draw on existing city networks such as Resilient Cities Network and C40 Cities, supported by global expertise from the Stockholm International Water Institute, WaterAid and Arup.
Find out moreLouise Ellis
Associate Director
How to do green-blue: Taking nature-based solutions to scale
Water Pavilion, Blue ZoneIn this session, we will explore innovations in nature-based solutions, which offer the dual benefits for climate resilience of mitigation and adaptation to extreme weather events. It also brings wider benefits for nature and biodiversity. We will hear from The Nature Conservancy, HSBC, Wetlands International, and Arup on the enablers to scaling nature-based solutions including partnerships, systems approaches, locally-led approaches, design methodologies and tools, financing and policy integration.
Find out moreLouise Ellis
Associate Director
Young professionals debate
Water Pavilion, Blue ZoneDebate featuring young water professionals and industry experts, panellists will discuss the motion: “We have all the innovations and technology we need to meet the UN SDGs and NDCs relating to water, we just need to take them to scale!”. We will hear from the thinkers and leaders of the future; those with new ideas and fresh perspectives on our most pressing problems.
Find out moreMartin Shouler
London Water Leader
Market transformation activation – preparing for Paris 2024
Buildings Pavilion, Blue ZoneThis event will explore the tangible steps private sector actors in the built environment can and need to take before the presentation of the Buildings Breakthrough during the ministerial Global Forum in Paris in March 2024. The first part of the session will include a discussion with CEO and C-suite representatives about how the Market Transformation shared action agenda will convey the business actions and strongly support building breakthrough achievements. This will be followed by a session discussing levers of change from a number of perspectives.
Find out moreEva Hinkers
Europe Chair
High-level reflections: innovation to action
Water Pavilion, Blue ZoneThe water challenges faced by countries, cities and communities are significant, and we need innovative solutions to provide and protect communities now and prepare for an uncertain future. This session will also unite key experts from both within and outside the water sector to discuss the essential conditions needed to scale up new approaches, technologies, and governance solutions. Panel discussions will delve into crucial topics, including policy, governance, the role of partnerships, knowledge exchange, finance, bridging the public and private sectors, and collaboration with academia.
Find out moreWater resilience in the climate era: innovating sustainable water management and governance
Resilience Hub, Blue ZoneLed by Water Youth Network with Arup, Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), Climate Resilient Infrastructure Development Facility (CRIDF), and UN-Water.
Find out moreMartin Shouler
London Water Leader
Initiating and financing the maritime sustainable transition in the Global South
Ocean Pavilion, Blue ZoneThis interactive session examines financing innovations enabling an inclusive, just transition across the ocean economy. Through Asia Pacific projects, we will share examples of social, environmental, and economic value creation for the Global South. The panel will discuss project findings, funding needs, and priorities. The panel will leverage audience views on the best ways to deliver wider benefits and ensure initiatives drive progress for all in our mission to secure a sustainable blue economy transition.
Find out moreRobert Kay
Americas Climate and Sustainability Leader
Maritime resilience: mainstreaming resilience in ports
Resilience Hub, Blue ZoneThis event, hosted by the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, Resilience Rising, Arup and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, will launch the mainstreaming maritime resilience toolkit, announce new partners to the maritime resilience community and share best practice case studies, demonstrating progress towards the maritime resilience breakthroughs one year on. This will be followed by an interactive panel discussion engaging the audience where we would welcome your interventions.
Find out moreRobert Kay
Americas Climate and Sustainability Leader
Decarbonising infrastructure projects: reducing scope 3 emissions
UNOPS, Blue ZoneReducing an entity’s scope 3 emissions can be a daunting task. These emissions are large (representing a large percentage of an entity’s carbon footprint) and they are indirect, a consequence of the entity’s activities outside of its direct control. This event will convene a panel of infrastructure and climate change experts to discuss challenges in accounting, tracking, reporting and reducing construction projects scope 3 emissions.
Find out moreNigel Tonks
Sustainable Development Leader for the UK, India, Middle East and Africa
Drivers of decarbonization: transformation, trends, and levers in the buildings sector
Buildings Pavilion, Blue ZoneJoin the U.S. Green Building Council and Arup at the launch of the State of Decarbonization: Progress in U.S. Commercial Buildings 2023 report. The panellists will build on this report’s key findings to delve into drivers for buildings transformation, and identify effective policies and programs to help policymakers, advocates, and companies better understand the landscape and strategies to achieve the scale of action desperately needed.
Find out moreRobert Kay
Americas Climate and Sustainability Leader
Breaking financial barriers to decarbonising cities
Shared Presentation Hub, Blue Zone, In-personThis session will bring together city mayors and leaders, private investors, government and other stakeholders to discuss how to progress existing pragmatic initiatives that are bringing together cities and investors and addressing the challenges of securing investment including innovative financing, scale replicability.
Dima Zogheib
Associate Director
Smart and equitable cities: frameworks and incentives to enable green urban transition
Resilience Hub, Blue ZoneLed by R-Cities with Arup, IIED and Silverlining Topics: urban Energy Access and Poverty work, the CWRA and Energy Resilience Framework, and co-creating solutions with communities, especially underserved and vulnerable communities.
Find out moreAlice Charles
Director
Enabling circularity in the built environment
Buildings Pavilion, Blue ZoneThis discussion will focus on how to accelerate the shift towards circular buildings and the role of innovative building solutions (including design, materials, waste management, etc.), to achieve this shift.The session also aims to explore the collaboration levers between partners to create an enabling environment to successfully scale the transition to a circular built environment globally and the various obstacles that are yet to be overcome to achieve this scale up.
Find out moreEva Hinkers
Europe Chair
Systems thinking for holistic climate action
SE Room 3, Blue ZoneA Resilience First roundtable discussion, in collaboration with World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), featuring nature-driven engineering, policy, and finance solutions. This is an official side event of the COP28 programme.
Find out moreJo da Silva
Global Sustainable Development Leader
A just transition through inclusive energy infrastructure
UNOPS Pavilion, Blue ZoneA panel discussion with the International Energy Agency and Arup on how to facilitate a just transition in the global south through inclusive approaches to energy infrastructure development.
Find out moreMatt Kennedy
Sustainable Development Leader for Europe
Scaling decarbonization: solutions and drivers in U.S. commercial real estate
Pathways to 1.5 Pavilion, Blue ZoneThe U.S. Green Building Council’s President and CEO Peter Templeton will highlight key findings from the new State of Decarbonization: Progress in U.S. Commercial Buildings 2023 report. Robert Kay will moderate a lively discussion picking up from the implications of these findings with a panel of leaders in building decarbonization. The discussion will focus on what private and public organisations are doing to rapidly scale improvements, touching on finance and ESG trends; the Inflation Reduction Act and incentives; the criticality of buildings and grid integration for decarbonization; and expanding the transition to benefit all of society.
Robert Kay
Americas Climate and Sustainability Leader
Urban evolution: championing tomorrow's low carbon and resilient human settlements and transport networks
Global Climate Action Zone, Blue ZoneTwo panels as part of the Human Settlements session of the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action. The panel discussions aim to take stock of action post-COP27, and will highlight the Buildings Breakthrough and the Plastics Treaty as key platforms for fostering non-party stakeholder action towards a low emission and resilient built environment.
Find out moreNigel Tonks
Sustainable Development Leader for the UK, India, Middle East and Africa
Water smart cities: from design to development
Dubai Expo City Pavilion, Green ZoneBy 2050, more than two-thirds of the world’s population are expected to live in cities and global water demand is expected to increase. This session will discuss the complexities and opportunities between cities and new paradigms in water management. It will consider the role freshwater has to enhance climate security and urban resilience, spotlighting various co-benefits including healthy ecosystems, resilient livelihoods and protecting biodiversity, with reference to best practices and case studies from the MENA and wider geographical contexts.
Martin Shouler
London Water Leader
Working with nature: a vision for integrating green infrastructure, sustainable water management and nature-based solutions across Thimphu
Bhutan Pavilion, Blue ZoneOver 50% of Bhutan consists of protected areas and biological corridors. Thimphu, the capital, offers dramatic mountain landscapes, sacred peaks, and supports numerous endangered species. However, rapid and unplanned urbanisation has resulted in encroachment on the surrounding landscapes, and on the water supply and quality. During this session, we will present the green-blue infrastructure strategy and open space masterplan, which aims to address the spatial, environmental and climate change challenges that the city is facing through a series of nature-based solutions.
Find out moreDima Zogheib
Associate Director
National Grid: resilience and a systems based approach
Buildings Pavilion, Blue ZoneThis panel will focus on the importance of cross-disciplinary partnerships and looking at climate resilience through a systems-based lens. In order to truly build resilience, we must work together across all levels of government, with local and vulnerable communities, academia, and across industries. The goal is to align the discussion with the themes in the recently released White House Climate Resilience Framework, emphasizing collaboration and inclusivity, and strengthening interagency collaboration among government bodies to support community resilience.
Find out moreRobert Kay
Americas Climate and Sustainability Leader
Buildings and construction for sustainable cities: new key partnerships for decarbonisation, adaptation and resilience
Al Waha theatre, Presidency's Space, Blue ZoneThe launch of the Buildings Breakthrough, Cement Breakthrough and the Forest and Climate Leader’s Partnership’s Greening Construction with Sustainable Wood initiative is pivotal in accelerating systems transformation in the buildings and construction sector. The aim of these frameworks is to unlock intergovernmental and multi-level collaboration as a solution for mitigation, climate change adaptation and resilience in the sector.
Jo da Silva
Global Sustainable Development Leader
Green, clean and active: creating a sustainable transport system for Thimphu
Bhutan Pavilion, Blue ZoneThe Thimphu Structure Plan incorporates a new vision for the city’s transport system, one designed to offer residents, visitors and businesses better access to the places, spaces and opportunities that matter to them while reducing carbon emissions and local air pollution. This event explores how these changes will reduce transport’s contribution to Bhutan’s national greenhouse gas emissions and at the same time encourages healthier living, more liveable communities, and economic growth.
Find out moreEva Hinkers
Europe Chair
An integrated approach to delivering climate resilient and inclusive infrastructure
UNOPS Pavilion, Blue ZoneThe session will focus on multilevel actions across diverse actors, including women and marginalized groups, to develop climate-resilient and inclusive transport and WASH infrastructure in the Global South while ensuring that no one will be left behind in the process of adapting infrastructure to the climate crisis. Two new publications will be launched: "Guidelines for developing inclusive transport infrastructure" (written by UNOPS, ILO, UN Women and Arup) and "Guidelines for developing inclusive WASH infrastructure" (written by UNOPS, UNICEF, ILO, WaterAid and Arup).
Find out morePaula Kirk
Global Climate and Sustainability Leader
Powering APAC with renewables and green hydrogen
Global Renewables Hub, Blue ZoneWith high renewables potential and significant import and consumption of hydrogen and ammonia, the Asia Pacific region is uniquely positioned to produce green hydrogen competitively, to decarbonise industries which are hard to electrify and to ensure energy security and self-sufficiency. This event will bring together government and industry leaders to identify actions needed in Asia to supercharge the development of renewables and green hydrogen projects in the region.
Kellie Charlesworth
Energy Transition – Australasia Leader
COP28: UK net zero whole life carbon roadmap – where are we now?
OnlineTo coincide with Built Environment Day at COP28, and to mark two years since the launch of the UK’s Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap, UKGBC has reconvened its project partners to provide an update on the built environment sector’s progress towards meeting our net zero trajectory. Join this event to understand where we are in relation to the Roadmap’s net zero trajectory, the changes you can make within industry, and how to advocate for the policies we need to accelerate action.
Find out moreBecci Taylor
Director
Local ecosystem restoration for nature-positive cities and regions
Meeting room 6, Global Climate Action ZonePartners from various sectors and city and regional leaders will convene to present projects, policy statements, and calls to action to foster an enabling environment for sustainable development. The event will bring together mayors, decision-makers, and business leaders to emphasise the role of cities and regions in spearheading nature-based solutions for a more sustainable and resilient future.
Dima Zogheib
Associate Director
Is the construction sector becoming sustainable?
Nordic Pavilion, Blue ZoneThe construction industry is rarely perceived as a first mover. However, it is undergoing significant transformations. This global panel session will explore the shifts in new policies, ambitious city initiatives, product innovations with a holistic lifespan approach, and renovation cases daring to undertake new methods.
Find out moreGraham Dodd
Director
Designing for care, play and nature for the wellbeing and healthy development of young children in cities
Al Ferjan Room, Education Hub, Green ZoneIn this session, organised by Arup and the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, we will explore the importance of focusing on the creation of kind, natural and playful environments that cater to the needs and wants of young children, as we are tackling climate change, and supporting the green transition. A panel of experts from Gehl, Alana Institute and Arup, facilitated by the Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development, will present practical examples, and engage with the audience on the principles and benefits of creating environments that enable human and playful interactions and a connection with nature, where children, communities and our planet can thrive.
Find out moreSara Candiracci
Associate Director
Building the grid of the future
Buildings Pavilion, Blue ZoneKeeping 1.5 degrees in reach will require coordination across the energy system and customer demand-side programs to optimize existing infrastructure. Governments can facilitate the transition through policy and regulatory support that enables building in advance of demand, leverages best practices (including international), secures a trained and skilled workforce, improves siting and permitting processes, and invests in innovation. Given the scope and scale of what is required to meet the needs of the energy transition, collaboration across the public and private sector is vital to our success.
Find out moreKellie Charlesworth
Energy Transition – Australasia Leader
City in nature
Singapore Pavilion, Blue ZoneThis panel will share urban approaches to integrate nature within the built environment and thus, connecting people with nature. Experts, including our Associate Director, Dima Zogheib, share insights and experiences on incorporating green infrastructure and ecological design principles into urban planning. The discussion highlights the transformative potential of integrating nature, its role in providing climatic ecosystem services, and showcases successful projects.
Find out moreDima Zogheib
Associate Director
Race to Resilience: measuring resilience building
Resilience Hub, Blue ZoneThe Race to Resilience (RtR) provides a pioneer metrics framework for tracking & monitoring of non-state actors' resilience-building efforts. In 2023, RtR Metrics Framework was improved to align with the Sharm-el-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda, and enhance the partners reporting capacitie. This strategic effort responds to the Global Stocktake's call for rigorous, transparent, and credible methodologies to measure resilience-building actions, providing essential insights for both parties and non-party stakeholders..
Find out moreDima Zogheib
Associate Director
Building a net-zero and nature-positive future
Buildings Pavilion, Blue ZoneThe objective of the event is to call to action to consider embodied emissions of materials, buildings, and accelerate circularity in support of climate and nature objectives. The objective will be delivered through a panel discussion designed to 1) spotlight tangible solutions that are pushing for circularity and decarbonisation in the built environment, and 2) present the Global Partnerships that are amplifying these transformative efforts.
Find out moreDima Zogheib
Associate Director
Nature talks: leading nature solutions for climate action
Nature Positive Pavilion, Blue ZoneJoin “Nature Talks” for powerful TED-style talks by influential speakers and leaders, sharing transformative ideas on leading nature for climate action. Each 4-8 minute talk serves as a condensed powerhouse of knowledge, emphasizing the urgency of environmental crises and offering tangible actions for positive contributions. Be inspired, informed, and motivated to make a difference.
Find out moreDima Zogheib
Associate Director
Urgency, challenges, and solutions to reduce carbon emissions from buildings
Denmark Pavilion, Blue ZoneThe construction sector is responsible for one third of global CO2 emissions and still only a few countries has set legislative requirement to reduce CO2 emissions from buildings during the lifetime of the building. At this session we will make a stocktake on the current situation, discuss the urgency to reduce CO2 emissions from buildings and bring forward best case examples with the objective to bring forward political recommendations.
Find out moreGhaith Tibi
Middle East Sustainability Lead
Seizing the urban energy opportunity in times of crisis
Multilevel Action and Urbanization Pavilion, Blue ZoneIn collaboration with UN-Habitat this session will provide a comprehensive outlook at the state of energy access in local and urban communities globally. Speakers will explore the latest available measurement mechanisms for action on energy access, real world case studies, progress from Paris 2015 and opportunities to accelerate energy access through multi-level partnerships.
Find out moreKellie Charlesworth
Energy Transition – Australasia Leader
Pre COP28
Chatham House climate change conference
In person at Chatham House, London and broadcast liveSean will join a panel chaired by Maia Kutner, Global Director, Cities, States & Regions, CDP, to discuss Local power, global impact: Empowering subnational leaders in climate action. The panel will explore the roles of cities and regions in driving forward decarbonisation, adaptation, and resilience and how success at the local level can be better leveraged to inform national policies and international climate governance structures.
Find out moreSean Lockie
Associate Director
TEDxManhattan beach
Manhattan Beach, California, United States of America, In-personOur Americas Chair Fiona Cousins will take the stage at TEDxManhattanBeach to discuss the interconnected and complex nature of climate change, biodiversity and social justice. How can design serve as a catalyst for finding lasting solutions to these challenges?
Find out moreFiona Cousins
Americas Chair
Buildings vs biodiversity
Online webinarHow can we work with nature to revolutionise urban living in a way that enhances social and environmental resilience to the impacts of climate change? Organised by Aspen Institute UK in partnership with Mars Wrigley UK, Jess Kennedy will be part of a panel exploring the innovative solutions in place to deliver affordable housing without a negative impact on nature.
Find out moreJess Kennedy
Associate Director
The road to COP28: driving collective climate action across Asia
Hong Kong, HybridIn the lead-up to COP28, we are partnering with Hong Kong Green Finance Association (HKGFA) and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) Sustainable Business Network to present a forum gathering industry leaders from various sectors to exchange insights and drive for more ambitious solutions. From the big picture to practical approaches, join us in engaging and inspiring conversations, gain invaluable insights and best practices from industry leaders who have successfully implemented corporate climate commitments, propelling your journey towards a sustainable transition.
Watch the recordingVincent Cheng
East Asia Climate & Sustainability Leader
Transition to integrated water management
Manila, HybridCities worldwide are facing problems caused by both too little and too much water. Urbanisation and climate change are making things worse with water infrastructure in many cities working at its maximum capacity. How can we manage water infrastructure to provide the widest possible community benefits? What approaches can be adopted to drive sustainable change? Join us at this virtual event where influential decision-makers and thought leaders in the field of water management will share their insights on driving collective action towards achieving global water goals.
Watch the recordingMark Fletcher
Global Water Leader
Transition to sustainable development
Tokyo, Pre-recordedClimate change is affecting every aspect of our planet. As we strive to establish a more resilient foundation for our cities, architecture plays a vital role in reducing carbon emissions through sustainable designs. Building up to COP28, we are partnering with Shinkenchiku (New Architecture) to discuss collaborative solutions that shape the future of architectural practices. How can the architecture industry effectively respond to climate change? What does sustainability truly mean for architecture? How can we drive positive change through innovative green designs? Join us for an inspiring discussion on new architecture and sustainable development.
Watch the recordingKentaro Suga
Associate Director
Resilient health systems: localizing climate policies and tools for accelerated action
Johor Bahru, In-personThis event will spotlight the practical implementation of health considerations in policy frameworks from the Asia-Pacific region, including the use of tools such as vulnerability assessments within healthcare systems and facilities to guide climate action in the sector. With the active involvement of various stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers and academics, healthcare professionals, civil society, the private sector, and development partners, this event seeks to inspire collective action and chart a course toward a healthy and resilient climate future for all in the Asia-Pacific region. Hosted by Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia (HCWH-SEA), Melbourne Climate Futures (MCF), the University of Melbourne, FHI 360 Asia-Pacific Region, St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine, Philippines.
Find out moreKristian Steele
Singapore Climate & Sustainability leader
Seizing the opportunity: rapid urbanisation and circular economy
Johor Bahru, In-personRapid urbanisation and climate change are two of the major challenges of our time. People living in cities' poorest areas are agents of change both in terms of climate mitigation and adaptation. This event with Cities Alliance will share the research from a recent publication that explores the intertwining nature of circular economy, urbanisation and poverty. It looks at how existing approaches of circularity and the informal economy can be taken up and reinforced to find solutions to these challenges.
Find out moreAnna Surgenor
Circular Economy Leader, Australasia
Transition to circular economy
Shanghai, HybridThe growth in global population has led to an unsustainable use of materials. Transition to circular economy is imperative as it offers an alternative and more sustainable approach. Adopting circular economy principles in the built environment is crucial for reducing carbon emissions and enhancing our response to climate challenges in order to achieve our climate goals. In the lead-up to COP28, we are inviting industry leaders and experts to jointly explore the green development path of circular buildings, from the key technical standards to circular strategies and how to adopt circular economy in the built environment. Join our panel of speakers to learn more about circular economy and how to accelerate the decarbonisation process for circular buildings.
Watch the recordingPenny Cheung
Director
Enabling clean growth and sustainable transition: public-private partnerships and international collaborations
Johor Bahru, In-personThis event aims to facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences, focusing on the value of international collaborations to deliver NDC ambition and clean transition in Malaysia and the Southeast Asia Region. Led by the British High Commission Malaysia, with contributions from UK and Malaysia’s public and private sector, the panel session will draw on insights and knowledge from UK international climate finance programmes in Southeast Asia and the UK-Malaysia Clean Growth Handbook, highlighting collaboration examples in high emissions sectors – power, transport, buildings and industry/manufacturing. The session will also highlight innovative policy enablers and case studies from the UK and Malaysia, while providing a platform to discuss challenges and opportunities for new partnerships.
Find out moreMurali Ram
Malaysia leader, Cities & Advisory
New ideas for a changing world
Explore our expertise
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Expertise
Climate change resilience and adaptation
Arup’s climate resilience and adaptation team works with partners and clients across policy making, city planning, design, critical infrastructure and asset management, to ensure organisations and communities understand vulnerabilities and can become resilient to relevant threats.
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Net zero energy and decarbonisation
From national networks to individual assets, the fossil fuel era is drawing to a close. At Arup, we’re helping clients across the world to make the transition to decarbonised, secure and affordable energy.
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Resilient and climate responsive cities
Bringing together landscape architects, urban designers, planners, ecologists, climate change specialists and economists we develop investable and sustainable nature-based solutions to help cities adapt to the impacts of climate change.