We thank our community for joining this interactive online written discussion to exchange insights on how we can prioritise people in climate change strategies and actions.
Download the insights summary paper of this discussion here
Access other resources published during the Series here
Background
The Business Fights Poverty Climate Justice Series ran alongside COP29 featuring this forum, as well as articles and podcasts to mark the occasion.
This forum provided an opportunity to connect with peers and global advocates to explore how we can prioritise people in climate change strategies and actions. It combines an online written discussion with a parallel community networking event on Zoom.
We invite you to share your thoughts on climate justice and discuss how businesses can take meaningful action to put people at the centre of their climate efforts.
Welcome
Yvette Torres-Rahman, Co-Founder, Business Fights Poverty
Wendy Smith, Agriculture and Public-Private Partnerships Lead, AXA EssentiALL
Yaquta Fatehi, PMI Services & Projects, William Davidson Institute, University of Michigan
Moderators
Katie Hyson, Director of Thought Leadership and COO, Business Fights Poverty Annabel Beales, Collaboration Lead, Business Fights Poverty Anna Spenner Hernandez, Community Learning Manager, Business Fights Poverty
Questions
What are some powerful examples of businesses that prioritise people in their climate action strategies?
Which key challenges and opportunities do businesses face when helping people mitigate, adapt to, and build resilience against climate change?
What inspiring collaborations are driving social and climate action, and how can we replicate or scale these efforts for broader impact?
How to add your comments
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Hello, my name is Laura Monikowska and I work with the Evidensia team at ISEAL. I am pleased to join this discussion forum and I look forward to engaging in insightful conversations and exchanging ideas with fellow members.
Hello Everyone, I’m Sue Stevenson from Barefoot College International and I am very much looking forward to having an interesting and insightful conversation around this wide ranging topic.
Hi everyone, I am the founder and CEO of LEAF, We work with marginalised smallholder farmers to help them adopt climate-friendly sustainable farming practices that improve their livelihoods and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Our goal is to make a positive impact on both the environment and the communities we serve. Looking forward to have an interesting conversation.
Hello all - looking forward to this discussion tomorrow. My name is Hina West and I am the Global Impact Director for the People and Planet First movement - globally unifying verifiable purpose-led businesses to create a better world for us all
Hi everyone! This is Ariana Karamallis from Build Change, look forward to engaging with you all and bringing our experience with resilient housing to the discussion!
Hi everyone! My name is Sergio Rivas, I’m President of Tanager. We empower people to realize life-changing economic and social opportunities. Thrilled to be part of this conversation.
Hello, My name is Claire Bosch Zuazo and I lead Anthesis Group’s social impact work. Anthesis is the world’s leading purpose-driven, digitally enabled, science-based activator. The social impact team works with corporates, NGOs, and international organizations across sectors to assess human rights risks and decent work conditions, remediate issues, monitor and measure impact and design bespoke social impact programs. I look forward to this discussion!
Greetings. I’m David Wofford with the UN Foundation’s Universal Access Project, where we lead an initiative on Private Sector Action on Women’s Health & Empowerment as well as a pooled corporate fund - The Resilience Fund for Women in Global Value Chains. Very pleased to be joining everyone
Hi, everyone - It’s lovely to meet you, and I’m looking forward to this discussion! I’m Yaquta Fatehi, a program manager at the William Davidson Institute. I focus on impact measurement and continuous improvement for mission-driven companies. Happy to connect on LinkedIn!
Hi everyone, I’m Dr Vicky from Malaysia.
We advocate for climate justice from the National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM). We are committed to addressing the intersection of environmental health and human well-being. Our work focuses on emphasizing the urgency of sustainable practices to protect both our planet and public health. We strive to promote policies and initiatives that foster resilience, equity, and sustainability for a healthier future. Looking forward to further discussion today!
Hi everyone, I’m Wendy Smith from AXA EssentiALL, the inclusive insurance business of AXA. I lead our work on agriculture and climate solutions for small businesses, communities and farmers within our emerging markets. Looking forward to today’s discussion, and happy to connect on LinkedIn!
Hello everyone, I’m Elizabeth Ochieng , founder of SUPA BUG LIMITED formerly ento farms and our mission is to offer nutrition to livestock and crops, and reduce CO2 emissions and we do this through intergrating waste management and agriculture through the rearing of insects specifically the black soldier fly. I am so excited to be part of this community
A big challenge is the upfront cost of new technologies or solutions, which can discourage both businesses and communities from adopting them. There’s also the issue of raising awareness . many people don’t yet see the link between climate action and their daily lives. But the opportunities are huge. Businesses can tap into growing markets for sustainable products and services, like eco-friendly farming solutions. There’s also a chance to create jobs and improve lives while helping communities adapt to challenges like droughts and floods. The key is to focus on solutions that are affordable, scalable, and easy for people to use.
I’m @Malkia John, the COP29 Youth Ambassador for Business Fights Poverty, Executive Director of Sauti Salama, and Product Engineer at Glow and Grow. My work focuses on empowering communities through sustainable energy and digital solutions, tackling both climate change and gender justice challenges. I’m excited to share insights today from the ongoing COP29 and learn from all of you!
Hi all, Laura and Verity here from The Partnership Collective, a start-up consultancy that works with businesses and impact organisations to support worker and community-led solutions to the poly-crisis through business model change.
Hi everyone, Im Alice Allan I work as a Collaboration Director at Business Fights Poverty and have led a number of action orientated research projets with companies around gender and climate justice. Looking forward to learning from each other today.
Oh wow great to meet you Sue - I volunteered at Barefoot College in Tilonia almost 20 years ago!!! I refer to my time there as my second (and most important education) such a big fan and so cool to see how much the college and its philosophy has grown
