Several announcements at COP28 have highlighted substantial new funding and major global investments. However, there appears to be less emphasis on the essential aspect of capacity building – the development of knowledge, skills, practices, and structures in both the public and private sectors to encourage sustainable and responsible growth.
Capacity building encompasses various activities according to Purpose&/, including:
- Training and Education: Equipping employees and management with the knowledge and skills to implement sustainability and ESG practices.
- Policy Development: Formulating guidelines and standards for sustainable and responsible business practices.
- Reporting and Disclosure: Establishing systems for tracking, managing, and communicating sustainability and ESG performance.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Involving various internal and external stakeholders in the development and implementation of sustainability and ESG strategies.
- Continuous Improvement: Regularly reviewing and updating sustainability and ESG practices to adapt to changing conditions and new insights.
An important outcome of effective capacity building is the enhancement of an organization’s ability to integrate sustainability principles into its core strategies, operations, and culture.
One notable instance of capacity building in the region is The Centre for Climate Diplomacy, launched by the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) to guide the UAE’s foreign policy on climate change through research and diplomacy. The Centre’s activities include capacity building for diplomats, policymakers, and researchers, research excellence, guiding foreign policy, inspiring climate action, and a collaborative research agenda.
Purpose&/ is positioned to provide Sustainability and ESG capacity building, creating a framework within an organization that not only supports sustainable and ethical practices but also embeds them into the very fabric of the organization’s operations and culture.
