COP28: Why it’s important and why we are proud to be there
COP28 UAE is taking place at Expo City Dubai, UAE, from November 30-December 12, 2023. It is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state and world leaders, to discuss how to limit and prepare for future climate change. At Greater Than, we are proud to be participating in COP28 by joining our partners, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), to showcase the FIA Smart Driving Challenge (FIA SDC) in the COP28 Blue Zone.
Together with the FIA, we are demonstrating the potential of technology to empower drivers with meaningful and impactful insights that help contribute to a more sustainable future. We don’t have to wait for infrastructural changes to happen; nor do we have to ask people not to use their cars. With technology such as the FIA SDC, we can help people to adopt safer, more eco-friendly driving behaviors that reduce emissions NOW!
What is COP28?
COP stands for Conference Of the Parties. It is attended by countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) – a treaty agreed in 1994.
COP meets in a different city every year to demonstrate the importance of collaboration from nations across the globe. This year’s meeting takes place November 30 to December 12 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is the 28th COP meeting, which is why it’s called COP28.
What is being discussed at COP28?
Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement at COP21 in 2015, subsequent COP conferences have focused on implementing this key goal: to pursue efforts to limit the global average temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
According to the official COP28 website: “To remain on target, science tells us that emissions must be halved by 2030. We only have another seven years to meet that goal. COP28 UAE is a prime opportunity to rethink, reboot, and refocus the climate agenda.”
Greater Than’s role in COP28
Greater Than is proud to join the FIA to promote the FIA SDC initiative in the COP28 Blue Zone. It’s our aim to educate and inspire change at the driver level, by demonstrating that ANYONE can adopt safer, greener driving habits to make a real difference to CO2 emissions.
In the words of the FIA Secretary General for Automobile Mobility and Tourism, Jacob Bangsgaard, “We believe that grassroots initiatives, especially when they rely on the best technological breakthroughs, are integral in delivering transformative solutions to climate change.
“By encouraging drivers to make small changes to their everyday lives, we can build a better, more sustainable future for the planet and for the road users we represent.”
How the FIA SDC supports climate action
The FIA SDC app is the world’s only challenge that incentivizes smart, safe, eco-friendly driving. By utilizing technology, it enables everyday drivers to identify, own and act on their climate impact. It achieves this by analyzing and scoring users’ day-to-day driving, and providing guidance on how to reduce CO2 emissions through focus, anticipation, and vehicle control.
Since 2019, the FIA SDC has given drivers the opportunity to compete to be named the smartest driver over the course of a year-long season. The program has succeeded in driving meaningful change amongst its users: with participants in the 2023 Season achieving an average energy saving of 13%. In total, drivers from 79 countries took part in the challenge during the 2023 Season, demonstrating that drivers the world over are keen to learn how to make a difference to their climate impact.
Preparing for a new wave of ESG legislation
As we prepare to enter 2024 and a new wave of Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) reporting regulations, sustainability will be a greater focus for companies the world over. Not only the companies required to produce ESG reports, but their supply chain partners too.
Organizations will be seeking new ways to manage, report on, and reduce, CO2 emissions, and we are passionate about raising awareness of the positive difference that can be achieved at the driver level, simply by utilizing technology to make people more aware of the way they drive.
A dedicated COP28 driving challenge
Drive Change Today, an FIA SDC challenge event created specifically for COP28, is running from 22 November to 12 December to demonstrate to participants how easy it is for them, as drivers, to reduce their carbon footprint.
In addition to everyday drivers from around the world and COP28 attendees, 10,000 cars from fleets in the UAE have been invited to participate in Drive Change Today during the conference period, with the support of FIA Member the Emirates Motorsports Organization (EMSO).
Related links:
The FIA Smart Driving Challenge
