Keen on Green - Edition 4

Oct 13, 2026

(The Keen on green series is written and researched by Kim, who you may have emailed with before. She is our amazing customer service, admin, logistics, all round legend here at The Good Farm Shop)

COP31 – Less talk, more action?

What if tackling climate change wasn't just about saving the planet, but also about creating better businesses, more affordable energy and a stronger economy?

This question is one that more than 100 of the world's leading business CEOs are putting to governments ahead of the upcoming COP31 climate conference in Türkiye this November.

If you’re unfamiliar with COP, it was established in 1992 by the United Nations as an international climate treaty known as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its purpose was to bring countries together to address the growing threat of climate change. The annual meetings that followed became known as COP – the Conference of the Parties – and COP31, taking place in Türkiye from 9–20 November, will be the 31st gathering.

The 2015 Paris Agreement, which committed countries to working towards limiting global warming, was born out of this process. Now, after more than three decades of climate conferences, I think it's fair to ask: Are we making enough progress? Some of the world's biggest businesses are asking the same question.

The Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders, facilitated by the World Economic Forum, represents more than 125 companies and organisations, with a combined annual revenue of around US$4 trillion. Ahead of COP31, its members have published an open letter calling on governments to stop viewing climate action simply as an exercise in reducing emissions, and start recognising the enormous economic opportunities that come with building greener economies.

One of the voices behind the message is Juvencio Maeztu, CEO of Ingka Group (IKEA), who believes the transition to a greener economy is an opportunity to create good businesses, lower costs for consumers, and build greater resilience and independence from resources – all while benefiting the planet.

To do this, businesses need governments to provide stable, predictable policies that give them the confidence to invest in cleaner energy, new infrastructure and breakthrough technologies. They also want incentives that reward innovation and help businesses willing to take financial risks to develop solutions that benefit us all. Essentially, they're saying: Give us the right conditions, and we'll help get the job done.

What I find encouraging is the shift in thinking. For so long, climate action has been framed around what we need to sacrifice, give up or stop doing. But what if we focused more on what we stand to gain? Cleaner and more affordable energy, innovative new industries, stronger economies and, of course, a healthier planet.

Seeing some of the world's largest companies publicly calling for governments to move beyond promises and start delivering solutions is a positive sign. Let's see whether COP31 can turn some of that ambition into action.