COP29: The world listens to European Leaders
“Too often, leadership—both political and corporate—is overlooked, yet it is essential if we are to succeed in the fight against climate change,” reflects CEC European Managers President Maxime Legrand when asked about the 29th edition of the United Nations Climate Summit, COP29, which has started today, 11 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
CEC European Managers is at the summit, together with our member organisation in Denmark Lederne.
CEC’s Secretary General Torkild Justesen is making sure the voices and demands of European leaders are heard worldwide.
Furthermore, Justesen actively advocates for managers’ roles before the challenging climate crisis. “The European Union is a bit behind schedule regarding the green transition, but, as European managers, we have experience, and we can teach the world about climate leadership,” he said.
The crucial message CEC European Managers aims to deliver at COP29 is that we need consistent and courageous business leadership that unites all generations.
The world needs a “quantum leap” in climate action and leadership. According to the latest UNEP Emissions Gap Report, this quantum leap can only be achieved through collective action.
CEC‘s commitment to climate leadership is driven by emphasizing leaders’ critical role in implementing existing climate commitments and advancing further action.
Too often, leadership—both political and corporate—is overlooked, yet it is essential if we are to succeed in the fight against climate change.
Maxime Legrand
CEC European Managers President
At COP29, CEC European Managers and its member organisation Lederne will present leading scientists’ perspectives on the role of climate leadership, alongside the real-world experiences of European leaders—highlighting both solutions and challenges.
The focus is on ten principles for the future of climate leadership and on the many business leaders in the EU who have made significant progress, with several notable examples, on European climate leadership.
EU companies are critical. They are actively working to align with the Paris Agreement, supported by strong alliances, technological innovations, and skilled managers who foster followership and set the course for EU businesses—often in close collaboration with the political sphere.
As bridge-builders between employers and the rest of employees, managers at these companies struggle to find solutions daily, making millions of decisions that directly impact society’s future.
“We have not yet reached all of our goals in the EU, but we are certainly making progress regarding green leadership. We intend to share this knowledge and our experience with the rest of the world,” says Torkild Justesen.
Cross-generational involvement During COP29
CEC European Managers and Lederne will host a debate on climate leadership featuring participants from Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Denmark.
The session will introduce a new guide on how companies can engage with youth panels to create a more sustainable future. This guide is the first developed in partnership with the Danish National Youth Climate Council.
“If, as leaders, we want to take effective and long-term action to address the climate crisis, it is crucial that all generations are included in the process. And with this guide, we show how leaders and companies worldwide can do it,” Maxime Legrand says.
The climate summit in Baku runs from November 11th to November 22nd. During COP29, discussions will include how to finance the climate battle.
A total of 70,000 people are expected to participate in the climate summit. During the COP29, CEC European Managers and Lederne will be part of the Danish pavilion organised by State of Green.
You can download and post our COP29 carousel for LinkedIn here +
An Agenda Focused on Green Transition and Sustainable Corporate Governance
Torkild Justesen is bringing the voice of European managerial expertise to the forefront of climate leadership discussions with a very intense agenda.
Leaders and managers play a crucial role in accelerating the green transition, and CEC European Managers aims to showcase the organisation’s commitment to sustainable corporate governance.
1. Panel Debate on Climate Leadership in the Private Sector
Torkild Justesen will moderate an exciting panel debate on November 14th at the Danish Pavilion.
This high-profile event is expected to bring critical insights into the role of leadership in achieving climate targets, focusing on the central role managers play in decision-making, implementation, and employee engagement.
Confirmed participants include:
- Barbara Kauffmann, Director for Employment and Social Governance at the European Commission’s DG Employment, Social Affairs, and Inclusion. Her presence highlights the EU’s commitment to social responsibility (through social dialogue) in the climate dialogue.
- Gilles Vermot-Desroches, Chief Corporate Citizenship Officer at Schneider Electric, the world’s third most sustainable company. Vermot-Desroches brings a wealth of expertise in sustainable development and will discuss Schneider’s strategy to incorporate sustainability across all levels of operations.
- Katherine Richardson, a Professor in Biological Oceanography and Sustainability Science at Copenhagen University, will join remotely to provide scientific insights and offer perspectives on integrating environmental science within corporate strategies.
The panel will explore the potential for involving young professionals in decision-making processes, a topic closely aligned with CEC’s commitment to fostering inclusive and forward-thinking leadership.
2. Strategic Meeting with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
On November 12th, Justesen will meet with WBCSD’s Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Member Mobilization, Clea Kaske-Kuck, at the Danish Pavilion.
This meeting will address WBCSD’s Young Professionals Program (YPP), which seeks to cultivate the next generation of sustainability champions.
This initiative aligns well with CEC’s mission of preparing young leaders to be effective drivers of climate action.
The session will also examine how private companies can implement the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and focus on promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion through innovative business strategies.
Justesen also hopes to introduce and discuss the ESG Profile tool, which Lederne developed in collaboration with Danish financial and consulting leaders, including the Danish Bank, Deloitte, and EY.
3. Participation in the EU-ILO Pavilion Opening
On November 13th, Justesen is set to attend the formal opening of the EU-ILO Just Transition Pavilion at the invitation of DG Employment.
This pavilion will serve as a focal point for discussions on ensuring a just and equitable transition for workers impacted by climate policies, bridging economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability.
Justesen’s attendance affirms CEC’s alignment with EU priorities and highlights the organisation’s role as a key European social partner in labour rights and social dialogue.
4. Stakeholder Engagements and Networking Meetings
In addition to formal events, Justesen has organised private engagement and networking meetings with high-level stakeholders.
CEC European Managers’ Influence in the EU Climate Agenda
Torkild Justesen’s role at COP29 exemplifies CEC’s commitment to being pivotal in shaping EU climate policy.
The strategic alignment of CEC with key EU stakeholders—such as DG Employment and industry representatives like Schneider Electric—positions CEC European Managers as a leading voice advocating for managers’ role in driving sustainability within organizations.
Justesen’s moderation of the panel with prominent EU figures like Barbara Kauffmann places CEC at the heart of discussions on climate policy’s social and economic aspects, reinforcing its influence in European policymaking circles.
For CEC European Managers, COP29 represents more than an opportunity to participate in global climate dialogue; it’s a stage to underscore the indispensable role of effective leadership in the private sector’s green transition.
Through its engagements, CEC aims to demonstrate that managerial leadership is critical in addressing complex climate challenges, navigating the operational realities of sustainable development, and ensuring a just and fair transition for all workers.
With each meeting, panel, and conversation, Justesen seeks to leave a lasting impression on the EU’s climate strategy, positioning CEC European Managers as a valuable European social partner of the European Commission dedicated to achieving a resilient and green Europe.
You can find more information on the ten principles of climate leadership here +
