Invited by the United Nations and its sponsor First Abu Dhabi Bank to speak at COP28, where more than 104,000 world leaders and policy makers met to work towards Net Zero by 2050.
Matthew GriffinFounder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
G7 · G20governments advised
850+keynotes
102countries
17codexes
Energy and sustainability sessions forBureau of International RecyclingAVEVAAditya Birla GroupSUEZAZ ChinaManagement Events
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The United Nations and its sponsor First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) invited Matthew to speak at COP28 in Dubai, where more than 104,000 world leaders and policy makers, over 30,000 observers and over 3,000 lobbyists met to try to secure an agreement on reaching Net Zero by 2050. He gave three keynotes titled A Mind to Change, plus a panel session hosted by FAB.
His brief had three parts: the future impact of the climate challenges the world faces, the mindset needed to overcome them, and the solutions already on the bench today. As a first timer, he came away seeing COP28 less as an event and more as a business meeting that no one could leave until everyone had agreed how to proceed, with more than 200 countries represented and delegations ranging from tens to hundreds of people.
"While many see COP28 as a global event, I felt that it was more like a business meeting that no one was able to leave until they'd all come to a mutual agreement on how to proceed."Matthew Griffin, Dubai, December 2023
The questions afterwards went straight to the hard trade-offs. Most centred on the long term harm that some of today's solutions could cause, from EV batteries to the metals mining needed to feed the fast-growing renewables industry, and on why the full lifecycle impact of every solution has to be thought through.
The sessions were livestreamed but, ironically, not recorded, so Matthew re-recorded the keynote on his return home. It sets out where the world stands and the solutions on the table today to save tomorrow.
311 Intelligence
What this means for your leadership team
Every solution carries a trade-off.
The questions after the keynote went straight to harm that today's fixes can cause. EV batteries and the mining behind renewables were the main examples. A plan that counts only the benefit of a solution is incomplete, so leaders should ask for the full lifecycle impact before they commit.
Metals and batteries are the pressure point.
311 data shows grids, AI data centres and defence pushing a broad basket of metals to record prices. That raises the cost of any plan built on one battery chemistry. Newer options such as metal-air batteries store power for days on the grid, and 311 data points to wide use around 2040.
Climate pressure is becoming a board matter.
311 data shows warming nearing the 1.5C limit and damage weakening the natural sinks that absorb carbon. It also shows bank supervisors moving from guidance to binding demands and fines. Plans for Net Zero by 2050 will face tougher scrutiny from regulators and lenders.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
Which of our climate solutions has a lifecycle impact we have not yet measured?
How exposed is our plan to metals prices and supply?
Who on our board owns climate risk, and what do they decide?
The trends and technologies behind this session
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
What does the COP28 session mean for organisations?
It means a climate plan must be judged on its whole lifecycle, not only its headline benefit. Leaders should test each solution for the harm it could cause later, including from batteries and mining.
How does the climate change trend relate to this session?
311 data shows warming nearing the 1.5C limit and damage weakening the natural sinks that absorb carbon. That gives the keynote's call for a new mindset a practical edge, and 311 rates the action as act now.
How does the metals supercycle relate to this session?
The keynote raised the metals mining needed for renewables. 311 data shows grids, AI data centres and defence pushing metals to record prices, so the cost of that mining shows up in your own supply plans.
How can 311 brief our leadership team on this?
311 offers a private executive briefing or leadership workshop, tailored to your sector. It is delivered in person first.
Bring this to your leadership teamA private executive briefing or leadership workshop, tailored to your sector. In person first, anywhere in the world.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s session and 311 data.
If Matthew gave this session today
Hundreds of emerging technologies, and what they mean.
The Future of Exponential Technology Codex explores hundreds of emerging technologies and their implications for global culture, industry and society, a wider view of the solutions on the bench that Matthew put to COP28.
