Commerce is an official theme of the 2023 UN Local weather Change Convention (COP28) in Dubai, from 30 November to 12 December, signalling commerce as an answer to local weather change, by addressing its key drivers and mitigating its affect.
The UN small enterprise company, the Worldwide Commerce Centre (ITC), will deliver the voice of small enterprise to the commerce and local weather discussions. Small companies make up 90% of all firms and two-thirds of jobs worldwide, but their views are sometimes not included in policymaking.
Agriculture, for instance, is especially weak to local weather change and can also be a serious supply of greenhouse fuel emissions. Smallholder farmers present one-third of the worldwide meals provide, a determine that may go as excessive as 80% in some international locations, but their issues and concepts are usually not mirrored in crafting the laws that impacts them.
Tackling local weather change by way of small companies
Small companies know they should make the low-carbon transition – and are prepared to take action – however many are unable to behave, in response to ITC research. They lack data, expertise, know-how and financing. On financing, solely 1.7% of local weather finance goes to small-scale farmers in growing international locations, though they’re among the many most weak.
‘Small companies in growing international locations want two issues to make the low-carbon transition – capability and capital,’ stated ITC Government Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton. ‘Some are already taking motion, through the use of renewable power sources, lowering waste, and creating biodiverse services and products. Extra small companies must be geared up with the abilities and financing to make these modifications and to scale their options, and we’re right here to assist.’
ITC will deliver a delegation of small companies and enterprise help organizations to share their scalable options and finest practices with COP28 negotiators and members. They embrace a Peruvian biodiversity-conscious meals and cosmetics firm (Shiwi), a Moroccan cooperative of 600 artisans that makes use of know-how to scale back carbon emissions alongside provide chains (Anou), a Barbadian sustainable agrotourism firm (Coco Hill Forest), an Egyptian espresso waste administration firm (Cupmena) and a South African textile upcycling enterprise (Sari for Change).
Co-hosting the COP28 Commerce Home
At COP28, ITC will co-host the first-ever Commerce Home pavilion alongside three worldwide organizations – the World Commerce Group (WTO), the United Nations Convention on Commerce and Improvement (UNCTAD) and the Worldwide Chamber of Commerce (ICC) – the place discussions will showcase trade-led options to speed up the transition to a low-carbon financial system, in a means that doesn’t depart anybody behind.
On the Commerce Home, ITC will spotlight the function of small companies, particularly these led by girls, younger folks, Indigenous Peoples and members of marginalized teams, in driving sustainable change.
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