On November 30, the UN climate summit COP28 begins in the United Arab Emirates. Chalmers researcher Johannes Morfeldt is participating in a side event remotely from Sweden. His research focuses on the conditions for a societal transition where climate and other sustainability goals are achieved, and how resource efficiency can contribute to the transition.
You are preparing for a seminar at COP 28 - what is it about?
"This is a business-driven initiative to more easily collect emissions data along a companies’ value chains. That is, the data needed to estimate the climate impact of a product or service. An example could be the emission estimates needed for a parts that a car manufacturer buys but that in turn is based on raw materials from a third company," says Johannes Morfeldt.
The seminar "Sharing insights from industry leaders, collaborating to create impactful transparency in the value chain" will be held on Saturday, December 2. More info at the end of this text.
"Currently, generic calculation factors are often used instead of actual data, making it difficult to identify where emissions can be reduced and to create the incentives needed to achieve change. In addition, many value chains are global and involve actors in several different countries, making it difficult to regulate and standardize how data can be collected and shared nationally," says Johannes Morfeldt.
His research assesses the impact of emission reduction measures in different parts of the value chains of products and services - from raw material extraction to use - and how these measures can be promoted. The research is part of Mistra Carbon Exit.
What is your role at the seminar?
"My role is to comment on the companies' proposals for a new standard and a prototype for collecting and sharing data - what is unique about this particular initiative? I have been following the companies' work during the last few months on the prototype for how data can be shared within a value chain".
Who should listen to the seminar?
"Other companies interested in monitoring and reducing the climate impact of their products and services. Decision-makers involved in processes around standards for emission calculations," says Johannes Morfeldt.
The UN climate summits are held annually and brings together world leaders to discuss climate change. In connection with the climate summit, a variety of side events are arranged, including the seminar mentioned above, which is part of the program in the Swedish pavilion hosted by Business Sweden. One of the major events at this year's climate summit, COP28, is what is called the global stocktake, where a review is made of the countries' climate plans compared to the global target of the Paris Agreement.
More info:
- The seminar can be followed online:
Sharing insights from industry leaders, collaborating to create impactful transparency in the value chain - There is also a page on Linkedin for the initiative.
- UN Climate Change Conference - United Arab Emirates
- Mistra Carbon Exit.