The insiders’ guide to the best events at COP28

As the leading platform on sustainability, illuminem continues its support for impactful events such as COP27, the London Climate Tech Show, Rethink Hong Kong, NY Climate Week, and Davos, to disseminate cutting-edge insights from its extensive network of 1200+ Thought Leaders.

Based on suggestions from our community, our editorial team has meticulously crafted an exclusive insiders' guide to some of the most important events at COP28, providing a comprehensive overview of in-person gatherings, discussions, and networking opportunities. While our team will do its best to keep this calendar updated, please note that the timing of some events might change at the last minute. 

Make sure to check our COP28 page for in-depth coverage of the world's largest climate event and, most importantly, mark your calendar for our COP event 'Charting the Climate's Future' on the 12th of December. Click here to register and discover our top-tier speakers.

Saturday, December 2

• 9:15-10:15 (Al Jeer) | Dried up: strengthening resilience of food systems in light of climate change
• 9-30-11:00 (Al Hur) | Accelerated Partnership for renewables in Africa
• 11:30-12:15 (Al Shaheen) | Conversation on Multilevel Climate Action
• 13:30-15:30 (Al Hur) | Advancing Ambitious Multi-Level Climate Action
• 13:45-15-15 (Al Wakri) | New Solutions and Finance for Local Action: MDB Reform
• 14:00-15:00 (Al Jeer) | World Climate Action Summit (WCAS)
• 16:00-17:30 (Al Hur) | Engaging the Private Sector in the New Climate Economy for a win-win collaboration

Sunday, December 3

• 8:15-9:45 (Al Hur) | From a Financing Gap to Outcomes-oriented Finance
• 9:00-10:30 (Zone B7) | Health Care Roundtable
• 9:30-11:00 (Zone B7) | Human Behavior Change
• 8:30-10:30 (Al Wakri) | Financing Water Climate and Nature
• 9:30-11:00 (Zone B7) | Human Behavior Change
• 10:00-12:00 (Al Shaheen) | Gender Day - Technical Dialogue: Financing for a Gender just Transition
• 11:30-12:30 (Al Wakri) | How does Climate Change Affect Our Health?
• 11:30-12:30 (Zone B7) | Launch of the Catalyst 2030 South - South Alliance: Within the Global South there is so much to learn and do with each other
• 12:30-13:30 (Al Jeer) | Fostering Adaptation Transformation
• 12:30-14:30 (Zone B7) | Access to Health Care, Healthy Nutrition and Climate
• 14:00-15:00 (Al Jeer) | Private Finance for Adaptation
• 15:00-16:00 (Zone B7) | Catalyzing Nature-Positive Action through Biodiversity Credits: A Holistic Approach from the Global South
• 15:00-16:30 (Zone B7) |Climate Solutions: Unpacking the climate-tech innovation ecosystem to unlock the deployment of decarbonization and adaptation solutions
• 15:30-17:00 (Al Jeer) | Poverty and Climate Finance

Monday, December 4

• 8:00-9:30 (Bloomberg Green) | Special Session: The AI Potential: Accelerating Climate Solutions
• 9:00-10:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Mission efficiency: Rethinking an energy-efficient life  
• 9:00-9:45 (Al Waha Thatre) | Trade Solutions for Global Climate Action: Global Leaders unite to promote a roadmap of trade policy options for a just and ambitious response to climate change
• 9:25-9:30 (Island of Hope) | Welcome Remarks: Island of Hope Official Opening: Setting the Course for a Sustainable Future in Islands
• 9.30-11.00 (Zone B7) | Coalition building and leadership
• 9:50-10:45 (Island of Hope) | Panel: Navigating The Green Financing Pathway: Sids And The Road To The Paris Agreement  
• 10:00-11:00 (Impact Hub) | Voices and Ventures: Women driving climate solutions
• 10:00-12:00 (Climate Finance Stage) | How can corporates and banks partner to accelerate transition to net zero?
• 10:15-12:45 (Bloomberg Green) | Morning Programming
• 10:30-11:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Innovative Solutions for Community Resilience: A partnership between “Doers” and “Funders
• 11:00-12.30 (Zone B7) | Biodiversity Credits: Financing the transition to regenerative agriculture & forestry
• 11:15-11:25 (Island of Hope) | Keynote: Walter Roban, JP, MP Minister of Home Affairs, Government of Bermuda
• 11:25-12:05 (Island of Hope) | Panel: Community Solutions For Loss And Damage In Islands
• 11:30-12:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Fossil fuels in transition
• 12:00-13:00 (Impact Hub) | The Future of Carbon Pricing
• 12:30-13:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Securing a timely energy transition
• 12:30-14:30 (Zone B7) | Improving Accountability in Climate Finance
• 13:30-13:40 (Island of Hope) | Keynote: Sustainable Tourism and Climate Justice in Keiss and Kerkennah Islands through Local Community and Women Engagement
• 13:40-14:20 (Island of Hope) | Tech Showcase: Climate crisis action through cross-border collaboration and entrepreneurship (part 1)
• 13:45-14:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Cities and Innovation at COP28: Expanding climate and innovation agendas to deliver 11 Billion flourishing lives
• 14:30-15:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Connecting current global research & innovation initiatives and agendas to human needs-based approaches
• 14:30-15:30 (B8: Plenaries & Meeting Rooms) | Finance Ministers High-level round table: scaling up climate finance
• 15:30-16:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Towards clean and sustainable fuels: Matching supply and demand
• 16:00-17:00 (Bloomberg Green) | Special Session: Climate Cooperative Workshop: The CSO Evolution
• 16:00-17:00 (Island of Hope) | Panel: Implementing Loss and Damage – a Breakthrough Solution to Secure the Financial Future of the World’s Most Climate Vulnerable States
• 16:30-17:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Give the World Some Credit: Financing the future
• 18:00-21:00 (Bloomberg Green) | Special Session: The New Green Economy
• 17:30-18:00 (Equality Lounge) | A New Era in Climate Communications

Tuesday, December 5

•7:00-8:30 (Zone B3) | EU Energy Days -The EU and its global partners unleashing the clean energy transition 
• 9:00-10:00 (Bloomberg Green) | Special Session: Accelerating MENA's Net-Zero Journey
• 9:15-10:30 (Al Waha Theatre) | Eliminating Methane Emissions by 2030
• 9:30-10:30 (Bloomberg Green) | Registration & Networking Breakfast
• 9:30-10:15 (Climate Action Stage) | How philanthropy can catalyze meaningful climate action
• 9.30-11.00 (Zone B7) IDEO Climate Lab - Scaling Sustainability through Desirability 
• 9:30-11:30 (Presidency Roundtable - Al Saih) | High Level Roundtable on Hydrogen
• 9:50-10:35 (Island of Hope) | Tech Showcase: Climate crisis action through cross-border collaboration and entrepreneurship (pt 2)
• 10:15-10:30 (Climate Action Stage) | Networking Break
• 10:30-11:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Climate Solutions and the Race to Zero
• 11:30-12:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Bridging Youth Leadership and Sustainable Education
• 12:30-13:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Climate transition planning and disclosure: Getting it right 
• 12:45-13:30 (Bloomberg Green) | Special Session: Investing in the Cleantech Ecosystem
• 12:45-13:30 (Bloomberg Green) | Special Session: The Future of Carbon Markets
• 13:40-14:15 (Technology and Innovation Stage) | The Necessary Role of Nuclear in the Energy Transition
• 13:40-14:20 (Island of Hope) | Panel: Philanthropic Innovation: Catalyzing Climate Resilience in Coastal Areas
• 14:00-15:30 (Presidency Roundtable - Al Saih) | High level roundtable on renewables and energy efficiency
• 14:30-15:00 (Climate Action Stage) | Mechanisms for Transition Finance and the Role Voluntary Carbon Markets (VCM) Can Play
• 14:35-15:25 (Island of Hope) | Panel: Tech Innovative Solutions For Climate Resilience And Adaptation
• 15:30-16:15 (Climate Action Stage) | What is Bitcoin mining's role in the clean energy transition?
• 16:00-17:00 (Bloomberg Green) | Special Session: Empowering Women in Climate Workshop
• 16:30-17:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Harnessing the power of data to accelerate transparent action in corporate sustainability

Wednesday, December 6

• 9:00-10:40 (Zone B3) | EU Transport Day: Navigating the future: boosting sustainable alternative fuels in shipping 
• 9:30-10:15 (Climate Action Stage) | From off track to achieving systems change: Action needed by 2030 for 1.5°C
• 9:30-11.00 (Zone B7) | Creating Cities for Community and Planetary Health
• 9:40-10:30 (Island of Hope) | Panel: Island Economies Driving Climate Resilience Through Responsible Tourism
• 10:00-11:15 (Al Jeer) | Freight to Zero | Decarbonizing Urban Freight Transportation
• 10:30-11:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Unleashing Essential Commercialization: Converting sustainability research into impact
• 11:30-12:15 (Climate Action Stage)  | Unlocking a Retrofit Revolution: Policy, Finance and Regulation
• 11:30-12:30 (Al Shaheen) | Charging Ahead: A Collective Vision on Charging Infrastructure to Accelerate the EV Transition
• 12:30-13:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Financing the transition: A Multi-dimensional approach to mobilizing capital
• 13:00-14:00 (Al Shaheen) | Shipping Green Hydrogen
• 13:30-14:30 (Al Hur) | Scaling Up Financing for Green Cities
• 13:40-14:20 (Island of Hope) | Restoring Our Future: Scaling-Up Ecosystem-Based Adaptation
• 14:30-15:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Sustainable & climate resilient net-zero transformation of the private sector and financial intermediates
• 14:00-15:30 (Al Jeer) | Loss and Damage
• 15:30-16:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Climate – Nature nexus in global sustainability reporting
• 15:30-17:00 (Italian Pavilion) | 3DEN Initiative: implementing tomorrow’s smart power systems
• 15:45-16:25 (Island of Hope) | Building Sustainable Futures in the Face of Climate Change
• 16:30-17:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Climate Awareness: New and traditional media responsibilities
• 17:00-18:30 (Al Hur) | Later Is Too Late: Tipping the Balance from Negative to Positive
• 19:00-21:30 (Zone B7) | Enhancing multistakeholder food and agriculture collaboration

Thursday, December 7

• 8:00-9:00 (World Climate Summit) | Opening & Registration
• 9:30-10:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Responsible Technology: The Impact of ESG
• 9:30-11:00 (Zone B7) | Breakfast Session
• 9:50-10:10 (Island of Hope) | Fireside chat: Islands, Nature And Renewable Energy
• 10:00-10:30 (World Climate Summit) | Networking Break
• 10:30-11:15 (World Climate Summit) | Panel Session 1A: Utilising Opportunities of Today for the Clean Energy Future
• 10:30-11:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Decarbonizing the Nile & Valley and Danube Delta Ecosystems: Challenges and Innovative Solutions
• 11:20-12:05 (World Climate Summit) | Panel Session 2B: Accelerating the Energy Efficient Future - Pathways to Innovating the Built Environment
• 11:25-12:10 (Island of Hope) | Building Climate Resilience Through Food Security 
• 11:30-12-15 (Climate Action Stage) | Session hosted by US Green Building Council
• 12:05-15:05 (World Climate Summit) | Lunch Break
• 12:30-13:15 (Climate Action Stage) | More than funding: How your finance partners can help de-risk your transition journey
• 13:15-14:00 (World Climate Summit) | Workshop 3D: From ambition to action - the aluminium sector's commitment to decarbonisation
• 13:30-14:20 (Island of Hope) | Panel: Advancing Inclusive Climate Action
• 14:30-15:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Sustainable Banking Alliance: Lessons learned in engaging financial institutions for climate finance
• 14:35-15:20 (World Climate Summit) | Gearing up for ESG Reporting - State-of-the-Art Climate-related Disclosure
• 15:30-16:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Mobilising private finance for the net zero transition: Innovations, challenges, and opportunities
• 15:45-16:25 (Island of Hope) | Decarbonising Islands: The Transformational Power Of Pilots
• 16:00-16:45 (World Climate Summit) | Six Years to Succeed: Advancing Policy, Innovation and investments to meet 2030 Targets
• 16:30-17:15 (Climate Action Stage) | The Buildings Breakthrough – How do we deliver a new Net Zero Paradigm for the Built Environment

Friday, December 8

• 9:00-10:30 (Zone B3) | Accelerating green and climate investments in the LAC region: barriers and solutions 
• 9:15-10:00 (World Climate Summit) | Opening Plenary Session: Financing the Green Transition
• 9:30-11:00 (Zone B7) | The Inner Work Required
• 9:30-10:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Green Hydrogen: Powering the climate transition
• 9:50-10:30 (Island of Hope) | Empowering Subnational Jurisdictions: Climate Finance Strategies for a Sustainable Future
• 10:30-11:15 (World Climate Summit) | Panel Session 1B: The Future of Investor Engagement
• 10:30-11:15 (World Climate Summit) | Workshop 1C: Accelerating transition in emerging markets
• 10:30-11:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Carbon removals: What goes up must now come down
• 11:00-12:30 (Zone B7) | Credits for Cultural, Social & Economic Regeneration
• 11:30-13:30 (Al Hur) | COP28: Pace, Progress, and Impacts
• 11:30-12:05 (Island of Hope) | Panel: Future Leaders - Inspiring Hope For Tomorrow
• 12:00-14:00 (Al Jaer) | Monitoring of Adaptation and Resilience Building Actions
• 12:30-13:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Power Up: boosting Africa’s energy access pioneers
• 13:05-13:15 (World Climate Summit) | Announcement: Speeding Up Clean Mobility
• 13:45-14:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Fossil fuel in a net-zero world: A dialogue across three perspectives
• 14:05-14:30 (World Climate Summit) | Navigating Carbon Markets - Ensuring Quality, Impact, and Integrity
• 14:30-15:10 (Island of Hope) | Panel: Powering gender equity for refugees: inspiring stories and solutions
• 14:30-16:00 (Zone B7) | Executive Education for Regenerative Business & Economy
• 14:35-15:20 (World Climate Summit) | Decarbonising Supply Chains
• 15:20-15:50 (World Climate Summit) | Networking Break
• 15:30-16:15 (Climate Action Stage) | Green Horizons: Innovators navigating supply chains under SDG13, Climate Action
• 15:35-16:15 (Island of Hope) | Panel: Empowering Youth To Actively Participate In Building Pacific Community Resilience
• 16:00-17:30 (Al Hur) | A First Look at ECCA

Saturday, December 9 

• 8:30-10:00 (Zone B7) | Financing the Transition: Unilever, Tikehau Capital, AXA Climate Breakfast
• 10:00-12:30 (Al Hur) | Taking Stock of Climate Action: Land Use & Ocean and Coastal Zones
• 10.00-11.00 (Zone B7) | Regeneraction
• 11:00-12:30 (Zone B7) | Credits for the Water, Energy, Food Nexus: Financing the Transition to Regenerative Agriculture and Food and other Industry Systems
• 13:00-14:00 (Al Jeer) | Climate Friendly Food Systems
• 14:00-15:00 (Al Shaheen) | Monitoring Land Restoration
• 16:00-17:30 (Al Hur) |Turning the tide on Deforestation

Sunday, December 10

• 8:00-9:00 (Zone B3) | Accelerating the financing of the circular economy in climate and biodiversity strategies
• 9:30-11:00 (Zone B7) | Community-Powered Regeneration: The Playbook
• 14:30-16:00 (Zone B7) | Africa: Scaling Regenerative Forms of Agriculture
• 18:30-20:00 (SE Room 4) | Innovative Instruments for Joint Biodiversity and Climate Policy

Monday, December 11

• 9:30-11:00 (Zone B7) | Empowering Climate Pioneers 
• 11:00-12:30 (Zone B7) | Whole System Carbon plus plus Credits: Financing the Transition to Regeneration Agriculture and Food Systems
• 11:30-13:00 (Zone B3) | Building climate neutral and resilient cities: a journey to implementation
• 14:30-16:00 (Zone B7) | Blended Finance for Regenerative Agriculture & Food Systems

Tuesday, December 12

• 15:30-17:00 (Italian Pavillion) | COP28 Debrief: Charting the Climate's Future

Tikehau Capital's generous sponsorship has been the driving force behind our presence and meaningful engagement at COP28, and we are truly thankful for their support.

If you have any events you would like to suggest, feel free to contact us.