Drive Electric partner events at this year’s COP28

The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP28, will be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from November 30th to December 12th. At COP, world leaders share research, experience, and collaborative efforts to meet the Paris Agreement and limit climate change and its impacts. 197 countries and the European Union belong to the Convention. 

This year’s gathering is of particular importance after the United Nations’ publication of the first two-year assessment of reducing global climate change, called the global stocktake. The report’s crucial finding was that while the Paris Agreement has significantly assisted in slowing the rate of climate change, the world is not on track to meet its targets. To have even a 50% chance of limiting temperature rise to 2.7°F (1.5°C) or less, global emissions must begin reducing by 2025. This will require trillions of dollars of investments and more effective international cooperation and collaboration.

Critical in that reduction of emissions is zero-emission road transportation. Working with over 100 partners around the world, the Drive Electric network will bring experience and vision to conversations at COP28.

Whether you’re joining COP28 online via live stream and social media or in-person, here are some events to keep in mind including events hosted by or featuring speakers from our partners. Event details may be subject to change and we encourage you to visit the linked websites for the latest information. It is important to keep in mind that most side events (outside of the governmental proceedings) are not live-streamed.

International Finance Sectoral Assistance
December 4, 5:30-7:00pm GST
Climate Action Zone

The International Finance Sectoral Assistance High-Level Event will demonstrate how the ZEVTC international assistance offer, as a whole, for different sectors is systematically being strengthened. It will convene governments, multinational development banks, and NGOs to discuss international breakthrough action on industry, hydrogen, and road transport. This is a critical opportunity for ministers and global business leaders to discuss how to unlock system transitions in the global south through a finance lens. 

Empowering policymakers to meet the climate challenge: a celebration of the expert networks supporting a just transition

December 4, 5:30-7:00pm GST
The Palm Majlis Room // Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah

The Paris Agreement goals are still within reach, but there is an urgent need for bold clean energy policies to drive scaled investment and deployment. The Crux Alliance, Drive Electric Campaign, and ReNew2030 are collaborating globally to share the crucial know-how, technical expertise, and invaluable lessons learned about powerful policies and effective implementation. Join us for a cocktail and canapé reception; RSVP at cruxalliance.org/events.

Transport decarbonization and global standards for the export and import of fuels and used cars 

December 5, 9:30-10:00am GST
Benelux/European Investment Bank Pavilion

23 million used vehicles were exported in 2015-2020, around 66% of which were exported to developing and transitional countries, bringing significant pollution and climate change impacts. The event, hosted by the government of the Netherlands, will discuss the development of global standards to ensure that only quality used vehicles can be exported. 

Scaling-up transport decarbonisation

December 5, 1:15-2:45 pm GST
Blue Zone // SE Room 6

CALSTART and the government of the Netherlands will co-lead a panel discussion and workshop supported by the ZEVWISE coalition, Smart Freight Centre, Climate Group, and E2. This session will feature top zero-emission fleets who have committed to 100% zero-emission transport by 2040 in both public and private sectors, with panelists who come together to network, connect, have in-depth discussions and co-create new ideas and partnerships to accelerate the transition to ze-MHDVs. 

Accelerating the ZEV Revolution

December 5, 6:30-8 pm GST
Blue Zone // SE Room 6

This high-level COP28 event will gather 200+ stakeholders from across the road transport sector to engage in a series of interactive discussions highlighting international collaboration, global assistance, and our outlook for the future. The event will also feature the release of several new reports and the pledges of new signatories to the ZEV Declaration and, among others, profile the ZEVEMI announcements. 

Accelerating logistics decarbonization and greening corporate fleets

December 5, 11:00am-12:00pm GST
Blue Zone // World Green Economy Organization Pavilion

Hosted by the Smart Freight Centre, Climate Pledge, CALSTART, and the Netherlands, this event will share challenges and opportunities faced by the private sector to decarbonize logistics, as well as the interplay between industry leadership and government policy ambition.

Side event: Zero-emission trucks are here: Leadership in Latin America and the Caribbean

December 6, 10:00am-11:30am GST
Dominican Republic Pavilion 

During this session, the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands, CALSTART/Drive to Zero and the Transport Decarbonization Alliance will extend a warm welcome to Global MOU signatories and partners from Latin America and the Caribbean. The event will feature a fireside chat between global leaders on regulation to advance zero-emission trucks, discussions (in English and Spanish) among participants on how to bring down technology costs and ensure adoption through regulatory approaches, and an opportunity to connect with peers and Global MOU signatories to identify concrete collaboration opportunities for 2024.

FREIGHT TO ZERO: Decarbonizing Urban Freight Transportation

December 6, 10:00-11:00am GST
Blue Zone // Global Climate Action (GCA) Lab 2 (Al Jeer)

The Climate Pledge, mayors of C40 Cities, and others share their insights on advancing freight electrification in the face of exponentially growing urban last-mile delivery demand. This event is recommended for those interested in identifying and proposing opportunities to accelerate the roll-out of electric fleets in cities worldwide.

Working Together to Drive the ZEV Transition

December 6, 9:00am GST
Canada Pavilion

This event will be centered around a panel discussion to share best practices and learn what jurisdictions are doing to grow zero-emission vehicle engagement domestically and abroad. Hosted by the International ZEV Alliance, the event will feature a keynote speech by Transport Canada followed by an in-depth discussion on the value of engagement and how to overcome challenges to unlock productive partnerships. 

Charging Ahead: A collective vision on charging infrastructure to accelerate the EV transition 

December 6, 11:30am-12:30pm GST
Blue Zone // Lab 1 (Al Shaheen)

Organized by CALSTART, the International Council on Clean Transportation, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development on behalf of the Breakthrough Agenda and in partnership with the UAE, this in-person roundtable provides a unique opportunity for leading experts, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to share insights and discuss the challenges and opportunities to support ZEV adoption by accelerating charging infrastructure deployment.  

Accelerating to Zero Coalition Networking Reception

December 6, 6:00-7:45 pm GST
Blue Zone // UK Pavilion

The Accelerating to Zero Coalition hosts a networking reception to close COP28’s Transport Day and celebrate demand signals for cars and vans in line with the ZEV Declaration.

Seychelles transition to low carbon mobility as a small island developing state

December 6, 1:30-2:30pm GST
Seychelles Pavilion

Presented by the Seychelles Government with support from the United Nations Environment Programme, CALSTART, and the Netherlands, this event will feature Seychelles’ Low Carbon Mobility Roadmap and panel discussion on transport decarbonization in small island developing states (SIDS)

Accelerating India’s sustainable mobility and logistics

December 6, TBA
Indian Pavilion

The Indian government presents this moderated roundtable to outline the collective policy breakthrough agenda and showcase solutions for the fast deployment of charging infrastructure.