Emerging Priorities in the Climate Agenda
Important: this Workshop will happen inside the World Climate Summit COP31. To access you will need to register ALSO trough this link: https://bit.ly/WCSCOP31_In-Person
As the climate agenda moves from COP30 in Brazil to COP31 in Türkiye, the challenge is to translate commitments into investment and implementation. For emerging economies, this requires connecting climate action with development: protecting infrastructure and livelihoods, supporting innovation and preparing workers and businesses for changes in production. This session will examine adaptation finance, climate and technology, and green jobs and skills as connected priorities.
Brazil offers a relevant starting point. Its renewable-rich electricity system creates opportunities for low-emissions production, while exposure to climate impacts highlights the need to protect economic activity and public budgets. Converting these opportunities into investment requires viable projects, appropriate risk-sharing and institutional capacity. Adaptation also requires public and concessional resources where benefits cannot readily generate commercial revenues.
The joint iCS and LSE study “Beyond the floods: the economic case for adaptation and insurance in Brazil” will frame the first panel. Its analysis of fluvial flood losses in eight Brazilian cities illustrates the economic case for adaptation and the fiscal implications of limited insurance protection. The discussion will explore how development finance, preventive investment and insurance can complement one another to reduce damage and manage residual losses. (CETEx and iCS, 2026)
Technology and workforce capabilities are equally important to delivery. Digital tools and artificial intelligence can support better decisions and efficiency, but require suitable governance, infrastructure and skills. The second and third panels will address these conditions, examining how innovation, training and support for smaller businesses can expand access to the opportunities created by climate investment.
Convened by iCS at the World Climate Summit, the session will connect Brazilian and international perspectives across finance, insurance, infrastructure, technology and labour. Through practical experiences, the three panels will identify instruments and partnerships that can strengthen resilience, support productive transformation and link investment decisions with the capabilities needed for implementation.