Sunita, thanks a lot for joining us today.
Thanks for having me.
So COP28 has been exciting with thousands of people here, a very
active presence of the private sector with lots of C-Suite
conversations taking the leadership.
But as they say, the tone starts at the top.
And I was wondering, in that context, and given the hat you
wear, what do you see the role of governance and boards in the
climate change conversation?
I think the environment has been simultaneously fascinating,
stimulating, very inspiring.
But as you mentioned, tone starts from the top, and the
boardroom I feel is not sufficiently represented here.
We've got the largest mobilization of the private
sector and
the guardians, the long-term stewards of companies, are the
board of directors.
They need to be aware of the emerging risks that come from
the climate emergency.
They need to understand how to measure, mitigate this, and of
course seize opportunities that are arising.
This clearly falls within the ambit of directors'
responsibilities and I would like to see that this very
important stakeholder group is better represented at COP.
That's right.
And I think one of the things boards do really well is to take
a longer-term view.
And if there was one issue that requires a long-term view but
short-term action is probably climate change.
I was wondering if there were some examples that you had in
mind of good practices in that direction.
So in the work that I'm doing at Climate Governance Malaysia,
which is part of this global network supported by the World
Economic Forum called the Climate Governance Initiative,
and also I wear another hat at the CEO Action Network in
Malaysia.
What I'm seeing is a bifurcation between businesses who still
think that this is a reporting and disclosure problem and those
businesses who are working hard to embed sustainability into the
DNA of their business.
They understand that this is a transition which all of society
wants to see and they want to be ready to deliver the goods and
services which are just cheaper, faster, better, and better for
the environment.
So I do see businesses already working on that.
It's very clear not all businesses will survive the
transition, especially when a negative externality like carbon
is being priced.
The thought leaders are already looking at nature, and
biodiversity, and planetary boundaries.
So I see this very clear bifurcation between those who
get it and those who still don't understand the extent of the
crisis.
Yeah, completely agree.
And if you were to ask me, I see the glass as half full, and not
half empty coming out of COP.
But what do you think?
I've been so inspired.
You know, there are thousands working tirelessly behind the
scenes to negotiate, as observers, to try and come up
with solutions for this seemingly intractable problem.
And then there are thousands more, because in total, we've
got 70,000 people visiting COP this year, right?
There are thousands more who are supporting this conversation.
People like you and I, you know, who are trying to engage
further, push the discourse along, coming up with studies,
and reports, and opinions, and insights, just to try and help
facilitate this.
So I find it tremendously inspiring.
Thank you so much.
Thanks for joining us here today.
Thanks for having me.
Thank you.