Some 88% of business leaders in the UK expect COP31 to lead to changes that they will need to implement within their organisations, according to the Association for Project Management (APM).
According to APM’s survey of 307 UK business owners, managing directors and chief executives, a similar percentage (88%) also believe that the Antalya conference will lead to ‘meaningful global action’. Of those that anticipate COP31-related changes, 90% expect the impact on their business to be positive and just 2% negative.
‘Significant’ optimism
“COP has often polarised opinion, so the optimism we are seeing among business leaders is significant,” commented Humayon Pramanik, director of influence and advocacy at APM.
“But confidence that COP31 will deliver meaningful global action must be matched by a clear, credible message about how its ambitions will be achieved. Otherwise, there is a real risk that idealism and ambition will outpace delivery.”
Anticipated changes
The most commonly anticipated changes arising out of COP31 involve new or tighter environmental regulations, cited by close to a third (30%), followed by investment in climate adaptation or resilience (29%), changes to energy use or sourcing (29%), and recruitment or training for sustainability and climate-adaptation roles (29%).
Of those expecting a positive business impact from COP31, 22% of leaders anticipate additional growth opportunities, while 21% cited innovation and a similar percentage (21%) point to stronger resilience and risk management.
Elsewhere, respondents were also positive about the COP process in general, with 84% noting that previous UN climate conferences had ‘delivered at least some meaningful outcomes’, while 14% characterised them as heavy on commitments or largely symbolic.
‘Business agenda’
“Climate change and sustainability are moving up the business agenda, with leaders expecting COP31 to drive changes they will need to implement,” Pramanik added. “Policy signals and corporate commitments alone, however, will not create lasting impact.
“Every climate commitment ultimately becomes a portfolio of projects that must be prioritised, funded, governed and delivered. Businesses that fail to invest in professional project management risk finding themselves unable to turn optimism into practical action and measurable outcomes. Leaders must recognise the essential role project professionals play in converting commitments into lasting change that will benefit businesses and their customers.” Read more here.
