The planet needs partners.

The final COP26 agreement was announced on November 13, wrapping two weeks of negotiations, dialogues, and convenings in Glasgow, Scotland. Handshake was proud to be on ground with our partners last month, creating opportunities for the private sector to advance solutions, partnerships, and action to fight climate change.

A significant milestone was achieved on November 3, when the IFRS Foundation announced the creation of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and initial prototype climate and general disclosure requirements. Later that day, Bank of America, led by Brian Moynihan as Chair of the World Economic Forum’s International Business Council, hosted a high-level meeting on progress towards global sustainability standards with over 40 private and public sector leaders. We were pleased to support this discussion on next steps toward achieving convergence in global ESG reporting – an essential component of realizing global sustainability goals.

The following week, we hosted partners, clients and friends – new and old – in the Goal 17 Partners Space. The program included roundtables on data driven pathways to net-zero with S&P Global Sustainable1, the unveiling of a new, electric vehicle chargepoint for the streets of the United Kingdom with PA Consulting, and a discussion on how the private sector and faith communities can mobilize climate action together with the Global Solidarity Fund.

The Conference of Parties agreed to the Glasgow Climate Pact, but to echo COP26 President Alok Sharma, this is indeed a “fragile win.”

Partnerships are the only route to limit temperature rise to 1.5 °C and achieve a net-zero future. The stakes are too high for governments or the private sector to go it alone. The goals set by the Glasgow Climate Pact can only be accomplished if organizations across sectors band together to take sweeping climate action.