Managers push for unified action on climate across generations and sectors at COP29

At the United Nations Climate Conference COP29 in Baku (Azerbaijan)  CEC European Managers highlighted today the critical need for cross-generational collaboration and the role of leadership in climate action.

Moderated by Torkild Justesen, Secretary General of CEC European Managers, the “Climate Leadership” panel discussion underscored the urgency for businesses to engage younger generations in sustainable decision-making processes.

The panel featured Barbara Kauffmann from the European Commission, Matt Dunlop of V.Group, Lisa Wee from Aveva, and Lise Coermann Nygaard, Chair of the Danish Youth Climate Council (you can consult our agenda here +).

Together, they explored the leadership needed to drive forward climate solutions, noting that technological tools are available, but decisive, courageous, and human-centered leadership is essential to galvanize change.

CEC’s mission at COP29, backed by our member organisation Lederne, (Denmark’s largest leadership organisation), centers on fostering inclusive, forward-thinking leadership across sectors.

Both CEC European Managers and Lederne advocate for consistent, manager-driven climate commitments, aiming to inspire companies worldwide to bridge generational gaps in sustainability efforts.

This involvement at COP29 emphasizes CEC European Managers‘ ongoing efforts to integrate sustainable governance practices within European corporate structures.

A message from COP29 by CEC European Managers

Torkild Justesen is sending us this message from Baku, highlighting the importance of European managers attending the United Nations Climate Conference, where regulations and frameworks that will affect employees are being discussed.

“European managers, and for that matter, global managers as a whole and leaders throughout the world, have the task of actually taking action on climate. And they are ready to do so. But they have to do it in the framework of rules and regulations, in a framework where they have to take care of the competitiveness of their companies and the employees.

If they don’t, if they are not present at COP, where all are gathered to discuss that framework, well, there’s no reason to be present anywhere at all.

So, being here is important if we want to give European managers a strong voice.

That is why we are participating in COP 29.”