What is COP29?
The Conference of the Parties (COP) for United Nations Climate Change Conference, is held annually, with the Presidency rotating between the five recognized UN regions.
This year, Azerbaijan has been selected as the Presidency of the 29th Conference of the Parties COP for United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), to be hosted in Baku this November. Azerbaijan has a strong track record of hosting international events and has chosen Baku Stadium as the venue for COP29.
Our Perspective
Standards play a critical role in fostering sustainability. Whether it be effects of climate change, from extreme weather events to sea-level rise, being felt across the world, issues around sustainability, climate change adaptation, and harnessing renewable energy resources have surged in prominence. UL Standards & Engagement is actively working toward solutions through our safety stands and consumer polling.
COP29 is an opportunity to discuss solutions to the climate crisis with various stakeholders to have greater impact. That’s why we are partnering with ISO and IEC to advance the importance of standards to address these risks. For those that may not turn to standards as a solution, our goal is to position UL Standards & Engagement as a resource to them.
Where Can You Find Us?
Location: Blue Zone, B15
Our team onsite:
- Caitlin D’Onofrio, Senior Manager, Standards Program Sustainability, caitlin.donofrio@ul.org
- Kolin Low, Director, Regional Standards, kolin.low@ul.org
Tuesday, November 12
Enhanced Sustainability Through Solar Energy Standards and Quality Assurance
Time: 10:00 - 11:15 GST (at the ISA Pavilion Solar Hub)
About the session: This session, held by the International Solar Alliance, will discuss how harmonized standards will promote sustainable development of the solar value chain around the world.
Participants:
- Kolin Low, Director, Regional Standards, UL Standards & Engagement
- Vimal Mahendru, International Electronical Commission
- Berthold Breid, Director, RENAC Germany
- Gentjan Sema, Project Administrator, UNIDO
- Seth Mahu, Ministry of Energy, Government of Ghana
- Moderator: Srinivas Krishnaswamy, CEO, Vasudha Foundation
Standards 101
Organization Host: UL Standards & Engagement, ISO, and IEC
Time: 15:00 - 15:30 GST
About the Session: This session will provide a high-level introduction to international standards.
Presenter: Kolin Low, Director, Regional Standards, UL Standards & Engagement
Wednesday, November 13
Built Environment Resilience: Addressing Climate Hazards in Fire Safety and Energy Systems
Organization Host: UL Standards & Engagement
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 GST
About the session: With the increase in climate change across the globe, the risk to people and property is growing. During this session, we’ll explore ways of addressing acute and chronic climate resilience hazards, including the rising severity of wildfires, urban heat islands, and the impact of extreme weather on energy systems and efficiency.
Participants:
- Caitlin D’Onofrio, Senior Manager, Standards Program Sustainability, UL Standards & Engagement
- Stuart Miller, Vice President and Executive Director, UL Research Institutes
- Adam Stingemore, Chief Development Officer, Standards Australia
- Judy Zakreski, Senior Vice President, Global Operations & Solutions, International Code Council
- Moderator: Rick Ziegler, Head of Trade and Multilateral Affairs, UL Solutions
Tune in to the livestream.
Thursday, November 14
Finance Mechanisms and Standards for Renewable Energy
Organization Hosts: UL Standards & Engagement and IEC
Time: 8:45 - 9:45 GST
About the session: The session will bring together key players in global finance, standardization and renewable energy to identify key challenges and opportunities on the path to a clean energy future. By examining both financial instruments and regulatory frameworks, the discussion will aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively mobilize capital to support projects and incentivize initiatives that enable the scaling of clean energy, and its seamless integration in people’s lives.
Participants:
- Caitlin D’Onofrio, Senior Manager, Standards Program Sustainability, UL Standards & Engagement
- Erick Ruiz Araya, Deputy Director – Project Facilitation and Support, IRENA
- Matthew Doherty, Senior Advisor and Officer of the IEC Global Impact Fund, IEC
Friday, November 15
Unlocking Battery Circularity: Standards for a Sustainable Clean Energy Future
Organization Hosts: UL Standards & Engagement and IEC
Time: 10:15 - 11:15 GST
About the session: Battery energy is part of the clean energy equation; however, the inefficient and ineffective state of battery production, use, reuse, repurpose and recycling limits how clean of an energy source battery can be. Achieving true battery circularity opens up the potential of this clean energy source. Hence, this panel will discuss how the potential of batteries as a clean energy source could be threatened by the realities of its circularity today, and what could be the role of standards in unlocking the potential. This panel will explore the challenges of battery circularity and the role of standards in enhancing its clean energy capabilities.
Participants:
- Luz Maria de la Mora, Director, International Trade and Commodities, UNCTAD
- Howard Porter, IEC Marketing Strategy Board Member, IEC
- Shuguang Qi, UN-SDSN, Council of Engineers for the Energy Transition
- Tirthankar Mandal, Associate Director, WRI India, India
- Moderator: Caitlin D’Onofrio, Senior Manager, Standards Program Sustainability, UL Standards & Engagement
Tune in to the livestream.