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- At COP28, nearly 200 governments pledged to triple global renewable-energy capacity by 2030.
- For a green transition to happen, companies need to address their supply chains.
- A coordinated, multilayered international effort is also essential to curb the climate crisis.
- For more climate-action news, visit Insider's One Planet hub.
COP28 in Dubai just concluded and attendees were asked tough questions such as: How closely are countries holding to the promises made in Paris at COP21 in 2015?
With 2023 shaking out to be the hottest year on record, there's more urgency than ever around this goal. Can we deliver?
As Ford Motor Company's global director of sustainability, homologation, and compliance, I watched the summit carefully. Despite the challenges ahead, I firmly believe that plans announced at COP28 suggest we can still limit the rise in global temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius and, if possible, to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.
Here are my main takeaways from this year's UN climate meeting and the steps I believe companies must take to reach these sustainability goals.
Corporations must clean up their facilities and supply chains to advance the green transition
We're facing a hard truth: The world's current climate trajectory — which is trending toward a warming of 2.5 degrees Celsius to 2.9 degrees Celsius this century — does not align with the long-term objectives of the Paris Agreement. Turning this trend around requires innovation, hard work, investment, and global cooperation at a pace and scale never seen before.
One of the bright spots that came out of COP28 was a commitment by nearly 200 governments to triple global renewable-energy capacity by 2030 and slash methane emissions. This is an ambitious goal and one that Ford is committed to in our operations — we plan to use 100% carbon-free electricity in all of our manufacturing plants by 2035.
But companies also need to look beyond their facilities and address the impact of their supply chains. The First Movers Coalition is a good example of the kind of collaboration that's needed. This global initiative, which Ford is a part of, harnesses the purchasing power and supply chains of large companies in heavy-emitting industries to create early markets for innovative clean-energy technologies like low-carbon steel and aluminum. More initiatives of this kind could go a long way to funding green innovation.
Governments, companies, and communities must work together
In the wake of the summit's discussions, several things are clear: We need to build a resilient grid, grow the EV-charging infrastructure, and break the cost and convenience barriers to adopting zero-emissions vehicles. Policies and incentives must be enacted to promote advanced renewable energy — such as solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal — and improve energy efficiency in buildings and industrial processes.
Cynthia Williams
We also need to continue to explore carbon-removal technologies, such as direct air capture, consider the potential of natural solutions like afforestation and reforestation (i.e. creating new forests and reforesting existing ones), and implement policies to reduce waste.
Finally, we need to encourage product design that minimizes waste and supports a circular economy, provides subsidies and incentives for green technologies, and fosters a just transition that ensures inclusion and equity for all. The bottom line is that we're all in this together. A coordinated, multilayered international effort is essential.
The clock is ticking and the days of vague aspirations are over. Leaders around the world need to be held accountable for the commitments they are making, both in the short and long term. In my view, this is not a burden but an opportunity. We're not only helping to create a sustainable future but also harnessing the clean-energy transition to sharpen our competitiveness, advance innovation, and build a better world — today and for generations to come.
Cynthia Williams is a member of the One Planet advisory council. Learn more about her work here.