Foundation convenes diverse voices at COP27

Lloyd’s Register Foundation attended COP27 to bring together diverse multi-stakeholder groups on the key issues of skills and education and increased collaboration to ensure a safe and sustainable ocean economy. 

With oceans now firmly on the COP agenda as a critical part of the solutions mix to mitigate and build resilience against climate change, the Foundation hosted a number of official side events featuring speakers from around the world who identified the urgent need for new educational pathways, upskilling programmes and capacity building where it is most needed and radical collaboration required to build a just and equitable transition across the wider ocean ecosystem.

The Foundation also championed the work of three of its grant holders at COP: Engineering X which launched a multi stakeholder partnership to end the open burning of waste in Africa by 2040; Resilience Rising as a founding partner of COP’s Resilience Hub in which more than 60 sessions explored ways to build more resilient infrastructure, coastal communities and cities;  and the Lloyd’s Register Decarbonisation Hub which aims to accelerate the sustainable decarbonisation of the maritime industry.

Foundation colleagues seconded into high profile roles at UN agencies such as the UN Global Compact1 and the UN’s High-Level Climate Champion’s team2 were key speakers at multiple sessions during the two weeks, including panel debates on the need for more opensource safety data to de-risk value chains, blue finance and green shipping.

Chief Executive Ruth Boumphrey commented: “As highlighted by the High-Level Climate Champion, Lloyd’s Register Foundation has a special role at these events in convening multi stakeholders to work together more collaboratively, breaking down barriers and encouraging open dialogue. No one organisation can tackle the huge challenges our planet faces, so we need to work together, sharing knowledge, insight and information to help different parties better understand each other’s pain points, challenges and opportunities. The Foundation’s distinctive mission, focus on social benefit and long-term vision enables it to create movements for change for the wider benefit of society.”

In marked contrast to previous COPs, a more inclusive and diverse range of countries and organisations were present this year, with large numbers of representatives from the global south and a dedicated youth pavilion. Together this created a powerful opportunity to bring together people from around the world to ensure shared challenges and mobilise groups of interested organisations to implement changes needed at pace and at scale in a way that can benefit all parts of society and build prosperity in new places.

“While a very busy conference, what COP demonstrates is the sheer volume of people dedicated to tackling climate change together as viewed through a myriad of perspectives. Thousands of people are pulling together in the same direction and if we can get the right finance and funding solutions in place, there is hope that together we can all play a valuable role in accelerating the change we need for the generations to come,” said Ruth.

Banner image: (L-R) Lloyds Register Foundation Chief Executive Ruth Boumphrey, Ambassador and Special Envoy for Maritime, Government of Kenya Nancy Karigithu and High Level Climate Champion Lead Nigel Topping discuss what’s needed for a safer maritime system.

[1] The UN Global Compact encourages businesses and firms worldwide to adopt and report on sustainable and socially responsible policies.

[2] The High-Level Climate Champions team helps deliver on the mandate to enhance ambition and strengthen the engagement of non-state actors in supporting Parties, working with the Marrakech Partnership, to deliver the goals of the Paris Agreement.