Let’s unpack some of the key highlights from COP28 that marked major steps forward in the global effort to address the climate emergency, and see what’s in for your business.What happened at COP28?Key outcomes COP28 marked the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake (GST), the main mechanism for assessing progress under the Paris Agreement. The first GST aimed to help align efforts on climate action, including measures that need to be put in place to bridge the gaps in progress.What was achieved:Called on countries to work toward “transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems” by 2050 - a first for COP!Launched 'Buildings Breakthrough' to strengthen global collaboration to decarbonize the building sectorEstablished $429M Loss & Damage fund, with financial support from 15 countries and EU (+ counting)Committed 3x renewable energy capacity; 2x in energy efficiency improvements by 2030Renewed focus on methane abatement; Broader ecosystem mindset tying climate action to nature, health and human rightsWidespread solicitation for public-private partnerships to transition decarbonization ambition into action.The role of technology to decarbonize the industryCOP28 for your businessThe work does not begin and end with COP28. COP outcomes shape the global and national policies for regulations, agreements, and responsibility for climate mitigation across the public and private sectors. And regulation will continue and increase, in response to COP commitments! Decarbonization starts at a corporate level.89% of respondents to our recent survey agree that decarbonization is important at a corporate level1In particular, the practice of sustainable building has a major role to play in addressing climate change, especially as we take into consideration that the built environment is associated with approximately 40% of total global energy consumption per year and produces about one-third of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to data from Architecture 2030.The private sector has realized that decarbonization can be a driver for business growth. This takes many shapes, such as winning more projects, acquiring new customers and landing and retaining the best talent.The only way to measure manage and subsequently reduce carbon emissions is with the right data! Not only the right data – but data in the right format – open and accessible to cross functional teams in a way that it can deliver real time insights. Accessible Data improves collaboration, and delivers the insights needed to make smarter more informed choices.But that's only going to happen through digitization and connecting parties across the value chain.And that’s why Autodesk Design and Make platform is intentionally being built to be accessible, extensible and open, enabling our customers to create solutions that are the right fit for their challenges.12023 State of Design & Make: Spotlight on DecarbonizationActionThere is no time to wait!The call to address climate change grows more urgent by the year—from flash floods and hurricanes to record-breaking heatwaves and devastating wildfires. We need to drive progress in essential areas like decarbonization and a more resilient built environment.The journey to decarbonization is much more than a single decision about a particular project, building material or digital solution. It involves transforming the very industries that will shape the world for generations to come.While the idea of transforming these industries sounds like a Herculean task, we’re not doing it alone. That’s why, Autodesk is thrilled to support our customers and our industries writ large to transition to a low carbon future.“If it is a man-made physical thing, it’s very likely that it passed through an Autodesk Design & Make tool in some stage in its development. We are using our influence in this process to drive industries towards more sustainable outcomes.”– Joe Speicher, Chief Sustainability Officer at AutodeskAutodesk at COP28Accelerate positive impact at scaleAutodesk partnered with leading global organizations and thought leaders to advance information sharing and catalyze efforts to create innovative solutions that accelerate positive impact.Sustainable Innovation Forum Autodesk sponsored SIF 2023, a mission-led conference to promote transformative innovation to help us go further, faster.Watch the recording: Accelerating industry decarbonisation through the adoption of sustainable infrastructure mechanismsIndustrial processes contribute significantly to global carbon emissions therefore industry decarbonisation is a critical step in achieving the sustainable development goals. Hear from Autodesk’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Joe Speicher. Buildings Pavilion at COP28UNEP (UN Environment Programme) hosted a pavilion focusing on the key role of science, transparency and sectoral solutions in the fight against the climate crisis.Watch the recording: “The Fifth industrial revolution & closing the carbon loop”The Fifth Industrial Revolution will mark an era of truth and action: an era beyond zero emissions and human-centric design. The evolution of the built environment is essential to the success of this industrial revolution! Hear from Autodesk’s Climate Innovation and Impact Director, Ryan Macpherson.What is COP? The UN Climate Change ConferenceCOP is the single largest annual event bringing together heads of state, businesses, governments, and civic society to host formal negotiations, side events, panel discussions, round table and cultural events.Now in its 28th year, COP brought together 85,000+ government officials, NGOs, students, professionals and lobbyists across thousands of sessions to take stock of progress since COP21 in Paris; to fast-track the energy transition; to transform climate finance; to put people, nature, people, lives and livelihoods at the heart of climate action; to mobilize the most inclusive COP ever, and to “share ideas, solutions, and build partnerships and coalitions.”The centrality of the Built Environment as an opportunity for rapid decarbonization has finally entered the mainstream discussion across COP.ResourcesAt Autodesk University and COP28, sustainability takes center stage:https://adsknews.autodesk.com/en/views/sustainability-at-au-cop28/2023 State of Design & Make: Spotlight on DecarbonizationAutodesk at COP28: www.autodesk.com/sustainability/COP28Autodesk Impact Report: www.autodesk.com/impactreport