With COP28 coming to Dubai, financial institutions in the UAE and beyond will be challenged to play a key role in addressing climate change, protecting the environment, and creating a more sustainable economic future.
Next session:

Financial institutions and stakeholders will be coming under increasing pressure to commit to achieving net zero by developing sustainability targets that are underpinned by clear short, medium, and long-term strategies and transparent disclosures. It is therefore imperative that the finance sector takes decisive action ahead of COP28.
In this Climate Finance Training Series, offered jointly by DIFC Academy and the Global Ethical Finance Initiative (GEFI) as part of the Path to COP28 campaign, we will help finance practitioners to understand the COP process, global trends in climate finance and best practice approaches to developing and implementing net zero strategies. Join us for this series as we:
Session 3 Learning Outcomes
- Identify global best practice initiatives and frameworks and analyse their relevance in relation to a climate strategy (cutting through the noise)
- Understand the steps involved in developing and implementing climate policies, the challenges likely to be faced and how these can be overcome
- Understand the steps involved in developing, measuring and reporting climate targets
- Recognise the need to track to climate ambitions by monitoring and validating progress
- Champion the need for continuous improvement
- Analyse best practice approaches
- Engage with local and international peers
You will gain:
- A tailored programme developed by the GEFI and DIFC Academy supported by the University of Edinburgh
- A unique delivery model – either online or in-person- facilitated by leading academics and internationally recognised practitioners
- Practical insights on the latest global practice through a local UAE lens
- CPD accreditation with pathways to formal professional qualifications
- The opportunity to become part of a community of practice

From Talk to Action - Developing and Implementing Climate Policies and Targets
Learning Outcomes
- Identify global best practice initiatives and frameworks and analyse their relevance in relation to a climate strategy (cutting through the noise)
- Understand the steps involved in developing and implementing climate policies, the challenges likely to be faced and how these can be overcome
- Understand the steps involved in developing, measuring and reporting climate targets
- Recognise the need to track to climate ambitions by monitoring and validating progress
- Champion the need for continuous improvement
- Analyse best practice approaches
- Engage with local and international peers
8 June 2023
09:00 AM – 12:00 PM (GST)
1 000 AED (sign up for both paid sessions at 1 600 AED)
Hybrid (choose to attend online or in-person)
COP28 Preview – Expectations of Finance
Learning Outcomes
- Update on COP28 progress
- Key finance developments
- COP28 expectations
- What does a good COP28 outcome look like
October 2023 (TBC)
Free
Session 1: Deconstructing COP28 and the Role for Financial Services
Learning Outcomes
- Describe the current position in relation to the climate emergency
- Understand the role and importance of COP including what can and probably should not be expected from the formal UNFCCC process
- Recognise the critical need to mobilise public and private finance to help address climate change
- Understand the challenges and opportunities of the low-carbon, resilient transition
- Explain how global financial institutions have/are seeking to shift the makeup of portfolios, products and support clients in their transition
12 January 2023
1:00-2:00 PM (GST)
FREE | Online
From Global to Local – Navigating Climate Finance Regulations, Initiatives and Frameworks
Learning Outcomes
- Identify and evaluate global regulations, frameworks, and initiatives
- Understand national Net Zero commitments and developments across the GCC
- Consider the role their organisation can play in supporting the UAE Green Agenda 2015-2030, the National Climate Change Plan of the UAE 2017- 2050 and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative
- Explain the role of the UAE Sustainable Finance Working Group and its progress and plans
- Engage with local and international peers
2 March 2023
09:00 AM – 12:00 NOON (GST)
Latest Path to COP28 news
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