Survey data from 14 countries has revealed that big businesses want to have a louder voice at UN climate change talks set to take place at COP28 in Dubai later this year. Financial research firm East & Partners and communications consultancy Impact & Influence conducted over 1,300 online interviews at the top 100 revenue-ranked corporates across 14 countries worldwide, including the UK, US, Germany, France, and Singapore. The data found that more than half these companies want greater representation at UN talks, including having a “stronger voice” in drawing up measures to tackle climate change. The polling also showed that businesses’ confidence in the world’s ability to limit global warming below the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C threshold is falling. Companies that contributed to the research feel increasingly “sidelined” in annual UN climate talks, and noted that some global markets have already “priced-in” the 1.5°C limit being exceeded. Paul Dowling, Co-founder and Principal Analyst at East & Partners, said: “This year’s COP28 organisers would be wise to bring them to the table, not only to boost confidence in the process but also to harness the immense resources and innovation that the private sector can bring to the fight against climate change.”
