Ahead of COP31: Expectations for this year’s climate conference
The UN Climate Change Conference, COP31, brings together world leaders, businesses, investors and organizations from around the globe to discuss how the transition to a low-carbon economy can be accelerated through collaboration, innovation and financing. Ahead of this year’s conference in Antalya, we spoke with SEK’s Helena Engnér Aili and Pontus Davidsson about what they are most looking forward to and the insights they hope to bring back home.
Helena Engnér Aili, Senior Specialist, Sustainable Finance
Which topics do you think will dominate the discussions at COP31?
I believe much of the discussion will focus on how we actually make the transition happen. Reaching climate goals requires contributions from many different stakeholders: businesses, financiers, policymakers and the public sector. No single actor can solve this challenge alone. I am particularly interested in discussions about how we move from climate ambitions to concrete investments and how different actors can align around common goals.
I am also keen to follow discussions about countries where energy demand is growing rapidly and where energy systems need to be expanded and transformed at the same time.
What do you hope to bring back from the conference that will be particularly relevant for Swedish companies?
Above all, I hope to come back with new ideas about where Swedish companies can make a real difference. Sweden is home to many companies with technologies and solutions that are essential for the transition, including within electrification, power grids, energy efficiency, industry and transport. I am excited to gain a better understanding of where the largest investment needs exist and what is required to turn them into tangible business opportunities for Swedish companies.
What trends are you currently seeing within the climate transition and sustainable finance?
One trend I find particularly interesting is the growing focus on financing the transition itself. Many businesses and energy systems need to evolve step by step, which means we need a better understanding of both where an investment takes us and what it enables going forward.
I also believe we will need to become better at considering climate and nature together, as a successful transition must work from both perspectives. At the same time, the connection between competitiveness, energy security and critical raw materials is becoming increasingly clear.
One trend I find particularly interesting is the growing focus on financing the transition itself. Many businesses and energy systems need to evolve step by step, which means we need a better understanding of both where an investment takes us and what it enables going forward. Helena Engnér Aili
What will you be paying special attention to during COP31?
I will probably be looking at everything through a bit of a SEK lens. I am curious about the interaction between different stakeholders, because the transition is not something any one actor can achieve alone. We need companies with solutions, customers willing to invest, the right conditions in place, and financiers who can help make investments possible.
I would like to return with concrete examples of how that collaboration works in practice and ideas about the role that SEK and Swedish companies can play.
Pontus Davidsson, Head of Origination & Strategic Partnerships
What are you most looking forward to at COP31?
This will be my first time attending a COP, so I am very much looking forward to gaining perspectives from different parts of the world. Above all, I want to understand where the major investment needs are, where Sweden’s strong value chains in areas such as energy and transport can contribute, and how our financing can help enable those investments.
Why is it important for SEK to be present at COP31?
COP31 brings together countries, companies and financial institutions around many of the investments required for the climate transition. For SEK, it is an opportunity to build relationships, identify concrete investment needs and demonstrate how Swedish solutions, combined with competitive financing, can help turn plans into reality.
Above all, I want to understand where the major investment needs are, where Sweden's strong value chains in areas such as energy and transport can contribute, and how our financing can help enable those investments. Pontus Davidsson
Which discussions are you hoping to take part in during the week?
I am particularly interested in understanding what it takes to transform significant investment needs into bankable projects. Where are the opportunities for Swedish companies, and how can we, together with exporters, end customers, banking partners and Team Sweden, help bring more projects to fruition?
What do you hope to bring back to SEK after the climate conference?
I hope to return with new perspectives and relationships, but above all with concrete business opportunities and a stronger understanding of where Swedish solutions and our financing can meet investment needs. Hopefully, I will also come back with projects that we can continue developing together within Team Sweden.