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Fighting COVID-19 the Ukrainian Way

28 April 2020

Orysia Lutsevych

Research Fellow and Manager, Ukraine Forum, Russia and Eurasia Programme
Coronavirus has exposed vulnerabilities in Ukraine but also activated private sector and citizen engagement in delivering help. This could accelerate social change if a smart response is adopted and political reforms follow.

2020-04-28-Ukraine-COVID-Chernobyl

Girls wearing face masks at the monument to Chernobyl victims in Slavutich during a memorial ceremony amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images.

Ukrainians are accustomed to crisis. As COVID-19 spread, forest fires were raging in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, turning Kyiv into the most polluted city in the world. The fighting in Donbas continued, claiming the lives of more Ukrainian soldiers, bringing the total to more than 4,000 — and, on top of that, President Zelenskyy overhauled his government. So Ukraine is fighting three battles at the same time — war with Russia, the struggle against its own ineffective system, and now COVID-19.

Every crisis is a reality check — the coronavirus provoked and exposed the strategic vulnerabilities and deep-rooted features of Ukraine’s system of governance. Three trends have come to the fore. First, the inefficiency and paralysis of many state agencies, particularly the lack of coordination between them and the prevalence of vested interests. Second, the reliance of the country’s leaders on large financial-industrial groups (FIGs) to compensate for weak institutional capacity. Third, a strong societal and private sector mobilization to fill the gaps in the dilapidated public health system.

State agencies are rigid and ineffective. Despite the modern Prozorro digital public procurement system, and the government’s allocation of $2.5 million from the early days of the epidemic, the Ministry of Health blocked COVID-related purchases for over a month. This was a tactic by — now ex-minister — Yemets to pressure the state medical procurement agency into appointing a protégé of his as one of its deputy heads.

Lowest testing rate in Europe

Similarly, in some regions, notably Odesa, procurement stalled and orders went to politically connected businesses at higher-than-market prices. Lack of tests and laboratory equipment means Ukraine has administered only 72,000 tests within a population of 42 million to date — the lowest rate in Europe.

Doctors were given orders to ensure they only test patients in hospitals with COVID-19 symptoms and only those arriving from Asia, while ignoring the fact that millions of Ukrainian labour migrants were in Europe. Indeed, the first confirmed case was imported from Italy.

Ukrainian government and public health officials lack information to take informed decisions. There is no accurate electronic database of registered deaths and reporting is lagging behind events. Information on testing availability in the regions is missing.

Thirteen days after the first case of the virus was recorded, Zelenskyy exhorted business tycoons to come to the rescue. Taking a populist tone, Zelenskyy said ‘Ukraine has been feeding you for a long time and it is time that you helped the country’. The tycoons divided the regions among themselves to deliver relief efforts according to the location of their enterprises.

It is believed FIGs have donated around $25 million to procure testing kits, ventilators, personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfectants. This may sound impressive, but many of those same tycoons actually owe millions to the state, some even billions, and cause serious problems by perpetuating the current rent-seeking system, where public resources benefit those groups resulting in serious social losses.

Reliance on these groups makes Zelenskyy a hostage to their favour in any potential reform efforts. It is a dangerous solution, as these tycoons often obstruct Ukraine’s economic development.

An alternative — and more transformative — trend of public-private partnerships is emerging in some regions. Across Ukraine, hundreds of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have led efforts to deliver PPE, support the vulnerable with food supplies, and to procure ventilators for key hospitals.

They have mobilised hundreds of volunteers to deliver assistance and partnered with local non-profits. Fundraising initiatives have begun in Lviv, Odesa, Kyiv and Poltava with donations and expenditure has been posted online for transparency. Companies have repurposed to produce PPE kits and medical equipment. The efforts unfolded quickly and, in some cases, in smooth collaboration with municipal and regional authorities.

Ukraine cannot afford to ‘waste’ this crisis, which could help accelerate healthcare reform, decentralization, modernize governance, and boost citizen empowerment. But for this to happen, the country has to deploy a ‘smart response’.

Such ‘smart response’ means applying a resilience framework that nurtures the agility of the system of governance, ensures a diversity of actors in decision-making, supporting both self-regulation and better coordination. Rather than reaching out to tycoons, Zelenskyy should enter a coalition with true agents of change — SME leaders, volunteers, and mayors who have mobilized effective grassroots action. These actors demand a level playing field with accountable governance and effective state institutions.

Civic COVID-19 response hubs and local authorities should be joined in a network that spans the regions, and connected with the national agencies designing pandemic responses. For a national strategy to be effective, central headquarters should draw information from local communities and manage a ‘team of teams’ in a decentralised fashion.

Ensuring effective public service delivery without compromising integrity and keeping the risk of corruption low should also be a priority of political reform, with volunteers and the private sector ensuring civic oversight of both regional and national funding.

Civic engagement such as this can be transformative as it defies the Soviet legacy of paternalism and expands the belief among citizens that society can work for them. By assisting the relief effort, citizens are gaining valuable insights into quality of public services and participate in holding them to account.

Citizens are also developing a better understanding of the purpose of having effective armed forces, police, border guards and modern hospitals. They are coming to understand the value of taxpayer money and witnessing how corruption erodes institutions.

This survival mobilization — if properly harnessed by the state — could drive transformative change and make Ukraine more resilient, not just against present crises, but future ones too.




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Nuclear Tensions Must Not Be Sidelined During Coronavirus

1 May 2020

Ana Alecsandru

Research Assistant, International Security Programme
Although the pandemic means the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference (RevCon) is postponed, the delay could be an opportunity to better the health of the NPT regime.

2020-05-01-Iran-Peace-Nuclear

Painted stairs in Tehran, Iran symbolizing hope. Photo by Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images.

Despite face-to-face diplomatic meetings being increasingly rare during the current disruption, COVID-19 will ultimately force a redefinition of national security and defence spending priorities, and this could provide the possibility of an improved political climate at RevCon when it happens in 2021.

With US presidential elections due in November and a gradual engagement growing between the EU and Iran, there could be a new context for more cooperation between states by 2021. Two key areas of focus over the coming months will be the arms control talks between the United States and Russia, and Iran’s compliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal.

It is too early to discern the medium- and longer-term consequences of COVID-19 for defence ministries, but a greater focus on societal resilience and reinvigorating economic productivity will likely undercut the rationale for expensive nuclear modernization.

Therefore, extending the current New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) would be the best, most practical option to give both Russia and the United States time to explore more ambitious multilateral arms control measures, while allowing their current focus to remain on the pandemic and economic relief.

Continuing distrust

But with the current treaty — which limits nuclear warheads, missiles, bombers, and launchers — due to expire in February 2021, the continuing distrust between the United States and Russia makes this extension hard to achieve, and a follow-on treaty even less likely.

Prospects for future bilateral negotiations are hindered by President Donald Trump’s vision for a trilateral arms control initiative involving both China and Russia. But China opposes this on the grounds that its nuclear arsenal is far smaller than that of the two others.

While there appears to be agreement that the nuclear arsenals of China, France, and the UK (the NPT nuclear-weapons states) and those of the states outside the treaty (India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel) will all have to be taken into account going forward, a practical mechanism for doing so proves elusive.

If Joe Biden wins the US presidency he seems likely to pursue an extension of the New START treaty and could also prevent a withdrawal from the Open Skies treaty, the latest arms control agreement targeted by the Trump administration.

Under a Biden administration, the United States would also probably re-join the JCPOA, provided Tehran returned to strict compliance with the deal. Biden could even use the team that negotiated the Iran deal to advance the goal of denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

For an NPT regime already confronted by a series of longstanding divergences, it is essential that Iran remains a signatory especially as tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated recently — due to the Qassim Suleimani assassination and the recent claim by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps to have successfully placed the country’s first military satellite into orbit.

This announcement raised red flags among experts about whether Iran is developing intercontinental ballistic missiles due to the dual-use nature of space technology. The satellite launch — deeply troubling for Iran’s neighbours and the EU countries — may strengthen the US argument that it is a cover for the development of ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

However, as with many other countries, Iran is struggling with a severe coronavirus crisis and will be pouring its scientific expertise and funds into that rather than other efforts — including the nuclear programme.

Those European countries supporting the trading mechanism INSTEX (Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges) for sending humanitarian goods into Iran could use this crisis to encourage Iran to remain in compliance with the JCPOA and its NPT obligations.

France, Germany and the UK (the E3) have already successfully concluded the first transaction, which was to facilitate the export of medical goods from Europe to Iran. But the recent Iranian escalatory steps will most certainly place a strain on the preservation of this arrangement.

COVID-19 might have delayed Iran’s next breach of the 2015 nuclear agreement but Tehran will inevitably seek to strengthen its hand before any potential negotiations with the United States after the presidential elections.

As frosty US-Iranian relations — exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic — prevent diplomatic negotiations, this constructive engagement between the E3 and Iran might prove instrumental in reviving the JCPOA and ensuring Iran stays committed to both nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

While countries focus their efforts on tackling the coronavirus pandemic, it is understandable resources may be limited for other global challenges, such as the increasing risk of nuclear weapons use across several regions.

But the potential ramifications of the COVID-19 crisis for the NPT regime are profound. Ongoing tensions between the nuclear-armed states must not be ignored while the world’s focus is elsewhere, and the nuclear community should continue to work together to progress nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, building bridges of cooperation and trust that can long outlast the pandemic.




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Virtual Roundtable: Land Reform in Ukraine: Is Zelenskyy's Government Getting it Right?

Invitation Only Research Event

14 May 2020 - 12:00pm to 1:30pm
Add to Calendar
Ihor Petrashko, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Ukraine
Andriy Dykun, Chair, Ukrainian Agricultural Council
Vadim Tolpeco, Ukrlandfarming Plc
Chair: Orysia Lutsevych, Research Fellow and Manager, Ukraine Forum, Chatham House
Ukraine is known as the ‘breadbasket of Europe’ thanks to its grain exports. On 31 March 2020, the Ukrainian parliament passed a landmark law ending a 19-year ban on the sale of privately owned agricultural land. Due to come into force in July 2021, the law applies to 41.5 million hectares of farmland and economists predict substantial economic gains from this liberalization.
 
This event will discuss the impact of the law on Ukraine’s agricultural sector and food security. How can the government best implement this reform and ensure that small and medium-sized agricultural companies increase their productivity? What does this change mean for Ukraine’s capacity to export grain? Can the country’s food supply withstand crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic? What role could foreign direct investors play in boosting production?
 
This event will be held on the record.

Anna Morgan

Administrator, Ukraine Forum
+44 (0)20 7389 3274




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We are leaving them behind

  Never mind steel, We are creating new materials, Carbon nano-tubes, poly-ceramics, Twirl a ball above your head, we are Building elevators into space, Stringing massage parlours around the earth, We are engineering ourselves, Computer worlds and, Selling real estate, we Are leaving the old people, Behind, Stained curtains and they are, Walking into forests, […]




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Morning Come

Your thoughts are on pink. Pink elephants with floppy ears, Pink polcadot pillows, Pink rabbit-eared flip-flops with, Non-slip soles, Pink cereal, Pink hair bobbins, and The bright pink coffee shop, You would take her to, To apologise and review, Her new pink shoes. Why must everything be so loud? Bedraggled mops slop over, Tired hospital […]




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Leaving Afghanistan

I am the gate keeper. Two flags gone Marking bodies where they fell, Manure, Useful, Two flags fleeing loose rounds, Auras, Fleeting, Bring your palm, I can read it now, Unhinged as I am, The last are, Making their way home. -evocative short poetry-




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On Loosing People

How I wish I had another chance at, Caroline, I would rub her stomach until, She fell asleep, And sit there some more, Catch her  when the nightmare , Threatened to be too real, I’d tell her stories about the past, about dragons and princesses and, Hero’s, I’d sit still beside her all night and, […]




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Walking in the Light

We could dance on Gravity, We could burst the Sun, We could be that horror Alien who stole your child, We are born metal touching galaxies though glass, Galileo’s kids seeing through Sombrero, We could look after water, Or it’s facsimile, We could look after Earth.                                                                                                                                                         evocative short poetry




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We cavort wildly with Language

The fish comes steaming, and English is not the only language making sense. Here politics comes with dark green Kale spewing flavor, Kenyans having lunch on the Boulevard, Lakeshore strip, Victoria; Commitment is the idea that momentum cannot disrupt motion, that Committed, one moves forward, Becoming better, Choosing beyond the sound Of Visiting Americans, Prodigal […]




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Falling from the sky

The machines do not run us. We are responsible for; Giraffes, Elephants, Rhinos, And Flaura and Fauna. Dried, Sparkly flowers may be intelligent, As the case may be. We may have to look after the galaxy next door, We hope they are thinking the same. Smells orange, like wheat, like oxygen like, Slippers when you […]




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There must be an Angel

There must be an angel looking over your shoulder. There must be, even if you Never see her, An Angel. There are creatures on other, Worlds, That look like us but, For the clothing they wear; …delicate, gauze-like materials, that blaze… …yet do no harm. One visited last night, pointing out my story, -where I […]




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On dodging bullets

A glance at the rear-view mirror, And you’re in the hands of a driver who’s chewing grass and, Kneading her weave. You are left of a drunk who’s just exclaimed, “…we’re moving too fast!” Survival can be glamorous. You imagine you see, That you can dodge bullets, And retain bouncy hair, That keratin replenishers really […]




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Walking with butterflies

She shifts with the breeze, Neon white with blue streaks, Antenna filtering the air for blossoms, Fabulous, Owning the street, Owning the couple, At sunset before, The African roundabout, A butterfly that will not let go, Wafting beyond reach, Before the hawk and Gently anyway – Ever been a glass-wearer looking for your glasses with, […]




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Boarding Pass to Mars

HAAA! THIS PLEASED ME! GO BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW! http://mars.nasa.gov/participate/send-your-name/insight/




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Hanging out with my father, and my brother and sister

  So I thought about my brother and sister a lot this weekend. It’s not like me at all. You don’t count on people just, sort of vanishing. I’ve been talking about death since I was born, so with my Dad it was kinda different. I knew he was dying. It was strange. We both […]




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Fine Dining

  Do chickens hold their food in their feet while they are eating? Some birds actually do, The Ornithologists have declared, Actually hold their food in their feet whilst they are dining, Fine dining, Eat with their hands, Astonishingly, As do a vast array of mammals.   ♦photo♦ Jason Reed for Reuters -evocative short poetry-




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Loosing our minds

  I am right. You may say that I am not, but I have, Demanded love and, You, Are wrong. Black and blue and red hummingbird, I Know what I am saying, you Left the kids again, And we argue, Tall as bamboo we, Kill each other, Taking long hours to, Identify precisely who left […]




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China is not a free market economy or, On Welding

I would have to have eight hundred haircuts, To, Buy the ‘Professionals hair-cutter’ electric clippers I, Saw on offer, at the shop window whilst having a pee, and Trying to hit the resting mosquito on the wall, With my urine, -stream of thought- When, I noticed the incessant sound of welding, Work-shop beside the loo, […]




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Jacob and his Angel

It is patience that destroyed Adam and Eve, Not the hooded serpent, With beady eyes, Not the salacious Jezebel, Hiding her fanny, Not the woman, The patience, You see, The knowing without power, The waiting for death and its meager offerings, You’ve got to face the day, come what may Your smiling face will see […]




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Dying is the first race

Never mind Lawyers, Children with no mouths, Never mind Inspiration, Write Now. Photo – ♦Personal♦ -short evocative poetry-




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Living on a prayer

You punish me for telling you my fantasy, At night I lock the door so no one else can see, Refrain, Come Oberon! Able only to gasp at the splendor of the sun! Photo – ♦Natsumi Hayashi♦ -evocative short poetry-




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Editing the bible

  We’ve all seen them, Womens circle knitting on, Saturday, Mens having breakfast to learn, How to lead, Ever been inside a church, I mean inside? You know the ones; Don’t Talk on the phone when you’re, Writing notes, Don’t come in late when Next door, Looking over the shoulder of The fat woman in […]




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The Painting with the smudge

I remember her detail, How she looked, how she talked to her husband, I just stood on the pavement and cried, I’ll Never see her again, not here, That’s it. Whatever came, came for a moment and then left, we were Going to live forever. I don’t get in touch with anyone anymore, It scares […]




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Living on a prayer

You punish me for telling you my fantasy, At night I lock the door so no one else can see, Watch while the queen, In one false move, Turns herself into a pawn, It’s like- Drinking gasoline to quench your thirst until there’s nothing there left at all, I Went to the doctor I, Went […]




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Counting Lovers

Cheese occurs at night, Counting lovers, Gerald Jason, Daniel, Some guy at the Holiday Inn, Leonard, Han, Rolf, Keshavjii, Simon, Like that, they Say a healthy lifetime has ten to twenty, Lovers. ♦Photo – Self♦ -short evocative poetry-




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A long journey home

I am not poor. I am not weighed down. I am not ugly, fat, inadequate. Not good enough, not pure enough, not strong enough. I am rich. I am free. I am free. ♦Photo – Persian Blog, Omid♦ -short, evocative poetry-




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Standing Behind People

    You are the, Reduction, Sweet wine, the Product of every, Human Being, Behind you, and That is all; Behind every, Great human, is God, Behind every great, Man, a woman A woman, a man, A man, a man and, A woman, a woman, you Are the original ancestor, You. ♦Picture – 500Px♦ -short […]




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200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh

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Chữa đau nhức chân với bồn ngâm massage chân là một phương pháp được đánh giá rất cao hiện nay. Tuy nhiên thông tin về phương pháp này không phải ai cũng...




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Unlocking Finance for Clean Energy: The Need for 'Investment Grade' Policy

1 December 2009

Kirsty Hamilton

Associate Fellow, Energy, Environment and Resources Programme

As the international community looks to the period beyond the UN Copenhagen agreements on climate change, attention is focusing on the finance for implementing global emissions reductions on the ground. The requirement for significantly scaled-up investment into the solutions to climate change is a central issue, often characterized as investment flows into 'low carbon technologies'.

This paper draws on five years of insights from mainstream financiers leading the exponential growth in renewable energy investment, and key issues for policy-makers seeking to foster conditions for even greater investment are identified.




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Earth Observation, Risk Assessment and Global Change: Implications for the Insurance and Aerospace Sectors

Research Event

16 July 2008 - 2:00pm to 5:15pm

Chatham House, London

This event is organized by Chatham House and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Keynote speaker:

  • Lindene Patton, Climate Product Officer, Zurich Financial Services
Other speaker highlights:
  • Alexis Livanos, Northrop Grumman
  • Sir David King, University of Oxford
  • Barend Van Bergen, KPMG
  • Mike Keebaugh,Raytheon
  • Peter Stott, UK Met Office
  • Trevor Maynard, Lloyd's
  • Shree Khare, Risk Management Solutions
  • Giovanni Rum, Group on Earth Observations
  • Greg Withee, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Man Cheung, Marsh Ltd




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Throw nothing away. It's time to upcycle

1 April 2012 , Volume 68, Number 2

In the circular economy nothing is wasted. Repair, not replace, is the byword. Felix Preston on a 30-year-old idea whose day is about to dawn

Felix Preston

Former Senior Research Fellow and Deputy Research Director, Energy, Environment and Resources

Preston.jpg

Photo: AP Photo/Keystone, Walter Bieri




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Climate Change 2012

Conference

Security, resilience and diplomacy

15 October 2012 - 9:30am to 16 October 2012 - 5:00pm

Chatham House, London

Overview

Speakers

Press registration

Sponsors

Media partners

Venue and accommodation

Agenda

The 16th Annual Chatham House conference on climate change will assess what national and international actions must be taken now to manage 21st century climate security challenges. Although disunity remains over how to manage the climate challenge, there is agreement that action is now needed to adapt to the impacts of climate change that can no longer be prevented and to build resilience against the impact of extreme climate events.

The conference will examine the key economic, social and geo-political security threats caused by climate change and debate what national and international responses are required to manage these security challenges.

Key issues that will be addressed include:

  • What will be the impact of climate change on border shifts, migration, health, security of critical infrastructure and competition for natural resources?
  • Is there a role for geoengineering in managing climate?  If so, what would be the impact on international climate action?
  • What has been achieved between Durban and Doha and what are the goals for the 2012 UN talks?
  • How will essential climate change mitigation and adaptation be financed?

Suggested Twitter hashtag: #CHClimate

  • Rt Hon Edward Davey

    • Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
  • Christiana Figueres

    • Executive Secretary
  • Connie Hedegaard

    • European Commissioner for Climate Action
  • Dieter Helm CBE

    • Professor of Energy Policy
  • Graham van’t Hoff

    • Chairman and Executive Vice President, CO2 and Alternative Energies
  • The Honourable Peter Kent

    • Minister of the Environment
  • Dr David N Bresch

    • Head Sustainability & Political Risk Management
  • Viktor Elbling

    • Director General for Economic Affairs and Sustainable Development
  • Antony Froggatt

    • Senior Research Fellow, Energy, Environment and Resource Governance
  • Richard Gledhill

    • Global Leader, Climate Change and Carbon Market Services
  • Professor Michael Grubb

    • Senior Research Associate, Faculty of Economics
  • Professor Debarati Guha-Sapir

    • Director
  • Professor Zhang Haibin

    • School of International Studies
  • Shahidul Haque

    • Former Director, International Cooperation and Partnership
  • Ambassador Richard H Jones

    • Deputy Executive Director
  • Bernice Lee

    • Research Director, Energy, Environment and Resources Governance
  • Nick Mabey

    • Chief Executive
  • Oliver Morton

    • Briefings Editor
  • Professor Virginia Murray

    • Head of Extreme Events
  • Richard Myungi

    • Vice President's Office, Division of Environment, Tanzania
  • Cleo Paskal

    • Associate Research Fellow
  • Dr Steve Rayner

    • Director
  • Dr David Santillo

    • Chief Scientist
  • Dr Jamie Shea

    • Deputy Assistant Secretary General, Emerging Security Challenges Division
  • Dan Smith OBE

    • Secretary General
  • Jack Stilgoe

    • Senior Lecturer, Science and Technology Studies
  • Thomas Stocker

    • Professor of Climate and Environmental Physics, University of Bern, Switzerland and

This conference will be held under the Chatham House Rule. Information for journalists
Press can request a press pass using the form below.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for this event, please contact Simone Roberts.

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 


 

 


 

Venue

Chatham House

conferences@chathamhouse.org

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7957 5729
Fax: +44 (0)20 7957 5710


If you wish to book the venue for your event please phone +44 (0)20 7314 2764


Conference Unit
Chatham House
10 St James's Square
London
SW1Y 4LE
UK

 

Accommodation

Although we cannot book accommodation for delegates, we have arranged a reduced rate at some nearby hotels, where you can book your own accommodation. Please inform the hotel that you will be attending a conference at Chatham House (The Royal Institute of International Affairs) to qualify for the Institute's reduced rate.

Please note all rates are subject to availability.

Flemings Mayfair
Half Moon Street
Mayfair
London W1Y 7RA
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7499 2964
Fax: + 44 (0)20 7499 1817
Standard Single £180 + VAT

The Cavendish London
81 Jermyn Street
London
SW1U 6JF
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7930 2111
Fax: + 44 (0)20 7839 2125
Standard Single £200 + VAT

To book The Cavendish online

The Stafford London by Kempinski
St James's Place
London 
SW1A 1NJ
Tel: 020 7518 1125 
Fax: 020 7493 7121
Standard Single £230 +VAT
 

Day One, Monday 15 October

Climate Risk: The Science

  • What are the current climate impacts and which regions are most affected?
  • What are current long term climate forecasts? What temperature rise is the world realistically on track for?
  • What will be the impact of a 2˚ degree increase in temperatures on sea levels, weather patterns, and frequency and severity of high impact weather events? On food and water security?
  • What would be the impact on these of a 4˚ increase in temperature?

09.30     Chair
Bernice Lee OBE
Research Director, Energy, Environment and Resources
Chatham House

Professor Thomas Stocker
Co-Chair WGI
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
 
Questions & discussion

10.00    Keynote Speaker (on the record)
Connie Hedegaard
European Commissioner for Climate Action
European Commission

Questions & discussion

Session One
Security and Climate Change

  • What will be the greatest national and international challenges arising from climate change?
  • Examining the key issues about extreme events, disasters and climate change outlined in the IPCC Special Report for Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation (SREX)
  • What the UK is doing on the Climate Change Risk Assessment
  • To what extent do health, social, economic and critical infrastructural assets need to be adapted to respond to these emerging threats? 
  • How should countries be preparing for the increased potential for climate related conflict?

Chair  Cleo Paskal
Associate Fellow
Chatham House

10.30 Speakers
Cleo Paskal

Dan Smith OBE
Secretary General
International Alert

Prof Virginia Murray
Head of Extreme Events
Health Protection Agency, UK

Questions and discussion

11.50 - 12.20     Refreshments


Session Two
International Climate Change Policy

  • What progress has there been on key points in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process after the 2011 Durban meeting and before Doha in 2012?
  • What new alignments have emerged from the international climate talks?
  • What are the proposed approaches for enhancing mitigation ambition?
  • What are the key outcomes from the first session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action?
  • How effective is carbon trading as a tool for reducing global carbon emissions?

Chair  Bernice Lee OBE
Research Director, Energy, Environment and Resources
Chatham House

12.20    Keynote Speaker (on the record)
Christiana Figueres
Executive Secretary
UNFCCC

Questions & discussion

12.50    Keynote Discussion (on the record)
The Honourable Peter Kent
Minister of the Environment
Canada
   
Graham van’t Hoff
Chairman Shell UK
Executive Vice President, CO2 and Alternative Energies

Dieter Helm CBE
Professor of Energy Policy
University of Oxford

13.30     Lunch

14.30    Keynote Speaker (on the record)
Rt Hon Edward Davey
Secretary of State
Department of Energy and Climate Change, UK

Questions & discussion


Session Three
Technology, Public Attitudes, Energy and Climate Change

Energy production and use is responsible for the largest share of the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Consequently, energy remains the main focus of public policy and media attention on climate change, but despite this significant parts of the public are confused as to the impacts of different technologies and their own roles and responsibilities.

  • What are the different CO2 mitigation technologies and strategies being considered nationally and internationally? How viable are different approaches and what are the funding models?
  • To what extent will public attitudes towards different CO2 mitigation strategies drive energy policy?
  • How does the media influence public attitudes and behavior?


Chair  Richard Gledhill
Partner, Global Leader Climate Change
PricewaterhouseCoopers

15.00    Speakers
Ambassador Richard H. Jones
Deputy Executive Director
International Energy Agency

Antony Froggatt
Senior Research Fellow, Energy, Environment and Resource Governance
Chatham House

Professor Michael Grubb
Senior Research Associate, Faculty of Economics
University of Cambridge

Questions and discussion

15.50-16.20 Refreshments


Session Four
A Radical Solution
Could geoengineering be a useful tool for moderating climate change?

  • How viable is geo engineering as a strategy for controlling climate? What are the scientific concerns around manipulation of the world’s ecosystem?
  • What are the key policy responses towards geo-engineering techniques for manipulating the climate?
  • How realistic are fears that geoengineering could be weaponized and how could this issue be tackled?
  • Will geoengineering be used as a justification of continuation of business as usual?

Panel Discussion

Moderator
Oliver Morton
Briefings Editor
The Economist

16.20   Panelists
Dr Jack Stilgoe
Senior Lecturer, Department of Science and Technology Studies
University College London

Dr Steve Rayner
Director
Institute for Science, Innovation and Society

Dr David Santillo
Chief Scientist
Greenpeace

17.20    End of day one and drinks reception hosted by Chatham House

 

DAY TWO
Tuesday 16 October

Session Five
National Action on Climate and Security Implications

This session will examine the extent to which extent political and business leaders are focusing on climate related security issues at national level.

  • What actions do cities and countries need to take to ensure that critical infrastructure including transport, energy, water and IT remain protected from the threats associated with rising sea levels and flooding?
  • How should health services strengthen capabilities to assess, plan for and respond to current and projected climate related threats?
  • What further resilience measures do countries need to invest in? How should governments balance the costs of resilience with the costs of response, and who should pay?
  • How can the private sector be engaged in improving national resilience and developing adaptation strategies?


09.30    Chair
Cleo Paskal
Associate Fellow
Chatham House

 

Speakers
Prof Zhang Haibin
School of International Studies
Peking University

Prof Debarati Guha-Sapir
Director
WHO Collaborating Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) 

Dr David N Bresch
Head of Sustainability
Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd

Questions and discussion

10.45-11.15    Refreshments
 

Session Six
Adapting to a Changing World
Strategic responses to climate change at international level

This session will assess the requirements and challenges of coordinating international responses to climate threats. What adaptive strategies are being explored and how will they be financed?

  • How can governments and business minimize global disruption from ‘black swan’ climate events?
  • What effective regional initiatives for regional and global resilience and security are in place?
  • How much investment in adaptation is needed, and where will funding come from?
  • What is the role of the private sector in funding adaptation activities?
  • What is the role for international climate and resource policy and diplomacy?

11.15   Chair
Nick Mabey
Chief Executive
E3G

Panel Discussion
Bernice Lee
Research Director, Energy, Environment and Resources Governance
Chatham House

Shahidul Haque
Former Director, International Cooperation and Partnership
International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Viktor Elbling
Director General for Economic Affairs and Sustainable Development
German Federal Foreign Office

Richard Myungi
Vice President's Office, Division of Environment, Tanzania
and first Chairman and LDC Board Member, Global Climate Change Adaptation Fund

Dr. Jamie Shea
Deputy Assistant Secretary General, Emerging Security Challenges Division
NATO

 

Questions and discussion

13.00    Lunch and end of conference

© The Royal Institute of International Affairs, 2012
 




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Green Living

1 June 2012 , Volume 68, Number 3

Thought you were doing all the right things to help the planet? Read on

Agnes Frimston

5Things1.jpg

Illustration: James Sillavan




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Graphic showing the role of satellite images in tracking environmental damage

1 June 2012 , Volume 68, Number 4

Eyes in the skies keeping watch on a planet under stress. Click on the PDF link to view the graphic


Graphic




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The UK's Vision for Tackling Climate Change

1 July 2012

Chatham House

This is a transcript of a speech made by Ed Davey MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, on 11 July 2012 at Chatham House.

In his first keynote speech on the subject, the Secretary of State outlined his vision for ambitious action on climate change.

Event details.




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Mainstreaming the environment into post-war recovery: the case for 'ecological development'

7 September 2012 , Volume 88, Number 5

Richard Milburn




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Sustainability After Rio+20: Working Towards Global Governance

Director's Breakfast Briefing

5 October 2012 - 8:00am to 9:15am

Chatham House, London

Event participants

James Bacchus, Chair, Global Agenda Council on Governance for Sustainability, World Economic Forum; Chair, Appellate Body, World Trade Organization (1995-2003); Chair, Global Practice, Greenberg Taurig LLP

In the aftermath of the recent Rio+20 conference, James Bacchus will discuss the potential for establishing new trade, investment and other international rules and arrangements to promote sustainable growth. In particular, he will explore the interconnections and the international arrangements relating to food, energy, water, climate and other issues affecting global sustainable development.

Attendance is strictly by invitation only. To enable as open a debate as possible, this event will be held under the Chatham House Rule.

About Director's Breakfast Briefings.




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Delivering Concrete Climate Change Action

Conference

Towards 2015

21 October 2013 - 9:30am to 22 October 2013 - 3:30pm

Chatham House, London

Overview

Speakers

Press registration

Sponsors

Media partners

Venue and accommodation

Agenda

Audience profile

Over the past five years, the political conditions for a global agreement on climate change have shifted. There is today growing consensus that responding to a changing climate will require multi-level collaboration and new alliances.

In the run-up to the deadline for a new international climate change agreement in 2015, the 17th Annual Chatham House Conference on Climate Change will focus on workable solutions that will help accelerate global decarbonization.

This conference will ask:

  • What will a global deal in 2015 look like? What are the key components of a shared vision? What elements do developing and developed countries need in order to reach agreement?

  • How can the emerging international climate change regime – comprising voluntary partnerships, formal negotiations and business coalitions – deliver the necessary reductions in greenhouse gas emissions?

  • To what extent will new energy realities affect the politics of climate change?

  • What practical lessons can be learned from existing carbon mitigation and adaptation policies?

  • How can the international community harness progressive leadership?

Registration

  • Michael Anderson

    • Chief Executive Officer
  • The Rt Hon Gregory Barker MP

    • Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change
  • Frances Beinecke

    • President
  • Tim Benton

    • UK Champion for Global Food Security and Professor of Population Ecology
  • Sam Bickersteth

    • Chief Executive
  • Tony De Brum

    • Minister-in-Assistance to the President
  • Giles Dickson

    • VP Environmental Policies and Global Advocacy
  • Reid Detchon

    • Vice President, Energy and Climate
  • Alfred Evans

    • Chief Executive Officer
  • Christiana Figueres

    • Executive Secretary
  • Marcin Korolec

    • Minister of Environment, Poland
  • Kate Hampton

    • Executive Director, Climate Change
  • Cameron Hepburn

    • Professor of environmental economics, Smith School and INET at Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, and
  • David Hone

    • Climate Change Advisor
  • Pa Ousman Jarju

    • Special Envoy for Climate Change
  • Sir David King

    • Foreign Secretary’s Special Representative for Climate Change
  • Martin Khor

    • Director
  • Johan Kuylenstierna

    • Deputy-Director, Stockholm Environment Institute
  • James Leaton

    • Project Director
  • Bernice Lee

    • Research Director, Energy, Environment and Resources
  • Nick Mabey

    • Chief Executive Officer
  • Amina Mohammed

    • Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning
  • Jennifer Morgan

    • Director of the Climate and Energy Program
  • Admiral Neil Morisetti

    • Foreign Secretary’s Special Representative for Climate Change
  • Mutsuyoshi Nishimura

    • Visiting Research Fellow, Japan Institute of International affairs
  • Dr Atiur Rahman

    • Governor
  • John Schellnhuber

    • Founding Director
  • Todd Stern

    • Special Envoy for Climate Change
  • Kelly Rigg

    • Executive Director
  • Laurence Tubiana

    • Director
  • Fraser Thompson

    • Senior Fellow
  • Dominic Waughray

    • Senior Director and Head of Environmental Initiatives
  • Farhana Yamin

    • Associate Fellow

This conference will be held under the Chatham House Rule. Information for journalists
Press can request a press pass using the form below.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for this event, please contact George Woodhams on +44 (0)20 7957 5732 or email gwoodhams@chathamhouse.org.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venue

Chatham House

conferences@chathamhouse.org

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7957 5729
Fax: +44 (0)20 7957 5710


If you wish to book the venue for your event please phone +44 (0)20 7314 2764


Conference Unit
Chatham House
10 St James's Square
London
SW1Y 4LE
UK


Accommodation

Although we cannot book accommodation for delegates, we have arranged a reduced rate at some nearby hotels, where you can book your own accommodation. Please inform the hotel that you will be attending a conference at Chatham House (The Royal Institute of International Affairs) to qualify for the Institute's reduced rate.

Please note all rates are subject to availability.

Flemings Mayfair
Half Moon Street
Mayfair
London W1Y 7RA
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7499 2964
Fax: + 44 (0)20 7499 1817
Standard Single £190 + VAT

The Cavendish London
81 Jermyn Street
London
SW1U 6JF
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7930 2111
Fax: + 44 (0)20 7839 2125
Standard Single £205 + VAT

To book The Cavendish online

The Stafford London by Kempinski
St James's Place
London
SW1A 1NJ
Tel: 020 7518 1125
Fax: 020 7493 7121
Standard Single £230 +VAT

Monday 21 October 2013

Session One
Bridging the Gap Between Science and Policy
09:00 - 10:10

  • What are the latest findings from climate science and the IPCC? 
  • Is the world on track for global decarbonisation? Is dangerous anthropogenic climate change avoidable?
  • To what extent are future climate risks sufficiently incorporated into policy thinking or investment strategies?

Welcome Address
Bernice Lee, Research Director, Energy, Environment and Resources, Chatham House

Chair
Michael Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation  

Keynote Address
Professor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, Founding Director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK)

Speakers
Professor Tim Benton, UK Champion for Global Food Security and Professor of Population Ecology, Leeds University

Sir David King, Foreign Secretary’s Special Representative for Climate Change

Questions and Discussion

10:10 - 10:40   Refreshments

Session Two
Global Deal in 2015: Challenges and Prospects
10:40 - 12:40

  • What will a global deal in 2015 look like? Will there be specific targets or non-binding sets of approaches? What are the building blocks?
  • What is the value and track record of different kind of climate initiatives? For example, how successful are formal agreements compared to voluntary partnerships; climate-driven aid; or business coalitions? 
  • What are the main functions and institutions of the evolving international climate regime? What is the role of the UNFCCC? Is reform an option given the timeframe? What is the role for groupings like the G20 or the G8?

Chair
Bernice Lee, Research Director, Energy, Environment and Resources, Chatham House
 
Keynote Addresses
Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (on the record)

Marcin Korolec, Minister of Environment, Poland and President, COP 19, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Questions and Discussion

Speakers
Nick Mabey, Chief Executive Officer, E3G

Farhana Yamin, Associate Fellow, Chatham House

Laurence Tubiana, Director, The Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI)

Questions and Discussion

1240 - 14:00   Lunch

Chair
Bernice Lee, Research Director, Energy, Environment and Resources, Chatham House

Keynote Address
Gregory Barker, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, United Kingdom (on the record)

Questions and Discussion

Session Three
Climate-Resilient Development: Views from Developing Countries
14:30 - 16:10

  • What are the drivers of domestic climate action in developing countries?
  • What do developing countries need from the international climate regime: e.g. with respect to finance, ‘loss and damage’ and disaster preparedness? 
  • How will the politics among developing countries evolve? Has the G77 been eclipsed by the emergence of BASIC and other developing country alliances?

Chair
Sam Bickersteth, Chief Executive, The Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN)

Keynote Addresses
Dr Atiur Rahman, Governor, Bangladesh Bank

Senator Tony deBrum, Minister-in-Assistance to the President, Republic of Marshall Islands

Questions and Discussion

Speakers
Martin Khor, Director, South Centre

Pa Ousman Jarju, Special Envoy for Climate Change, Republic of the Gambia

Questions and Discussion

16:10 - 16:30    Refreshments

Session Four
Preparing for 2015: The Role of Major Economies
16:30 - 17:30

  • Do countries have clear understandings of how climate risks will reshape their national interests? How will these risks affect other agendas e.g. future economic competitiveness, resource security, public health, foreign policy, or disaster preparedness?
  • How will major countries manage competing domestic priorities when preparing their national positions in the run-up to 2015? What is the evolving trilateral US-China-EU dynamic? Can the EU provide the necessary leadership?
  • Are national investment systems capable of scaling up financing to deliver climate action in key countries like US, EU, China and India?

Chair
Bernice Lee, Research Director, Energy, Environment and Resources, Chatham House

Speakers
David Hone, Climate Change Adviser, Shell

Jennifer Morgan, Director of the Climate and Energy Program, World Resources Institute 

Rear Admiral Neil Morisetti, Foreign Secretary’s Special Representative for Climate Change, United Kingdon

Mutsuyoshi Nishimura,  Visiting Research Fellow, Japan Institute of International affairs and Former Special Adviser to the Cabinet in charge of Climate Change, Japan 

Questions and Discussion

17:30 End of day one and drinks reception hosted by Chatham House


DAY TWO
Tuesday 22 October
09:30 - 15:10

Session Five
The Changing Global Energy Landscape: Implications for Decarbonization
09:30 - 10:45

  • What are the implications of the ‘golden age of gas’? What will growing coal use in many developing economies mean for climate politics?
  • What is the prospect for scaling up renewable investments – given the lessons learned vis-à-vis the scale, speed and cost of low carbon technologies over the past five years?
  • What are the contributions of off-grid, distributive generation and other demand side measures like efficiency?

Chair
David Hone, Climate Change Adviser, Shell

Moderated Panel Discussion
Reid Detchon, Vice President for Energy and Climate, United Nations Foundation

Giles Dickson, Vice President, Environmental Policies & Global Advocacy, Alstom 

Antony Froggatt, Senior Research Fellow, Chatham House

Questions and Discussion

10:45 - 11:15     Refreshments

Session Six
Climate Policy and Finance: The Emerging Toolkit
11:15 - 12:30

  • What is the track record of policies and measures to tackle CO2 emissions – from carbon markets, standards and subsidies removal to taxation? What is the progress on tackling non-CO2 greenhouse gases? 
  • The cost of climate impacts has been escalating. What are the emerging tools (e.g. disaster preparedness, climate-proof aid or insurance) for managing the impacts? 
  • What is the role of public versus private finance for different countries? What is the role of multilateral financing institutions in facilitating the increasingly large finance flows required?

Chair
Cameron Hepburn, Professor of Environmental Economics, Smith School and INET at Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, and Professorial Research Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute at the LSE

Speakers
Dr Johan Kuylenstierna, Deputy- Director, Stockholm Environment Institute, University of York

Cameron Hepburn, Professor of environmental economics, Smith School and INET at Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford, and Professorial Research Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute at the LSE

James Leaton, Project Director, Carbon Tracker 

Fraser Thompson, Senior Fellow, McKinsey Global Institute

Questions and Discussion

12:30 -13:30    Lunch

13.:30 -14:00

Chair
Bernice Lee
, Research Director, Energy, Environment and Resources, Chatham House

Keynote Address
Todd Stern
, Special Envoy for Climate Change, United States Department of State

Questions and Discussion

Session Seven
Building the Progressive Conditions for 2015
14:00 - 15:10

  • Can the international community harness progressive leadership – through coalitions of governments, businesses and/or NGOs? 
  • What are the political or mobilisation strategies needed to tackle domestic climate scepticism, build progressive coalitions and neutralise vested interests at different levels? 
  • What are the implications of the post-2015 development discussions for climate change? 

Chair
Dominic Waughray, Senior Director, Head of Environmental Initiatives, World Economic Forum

Moderated Panel Discussion
Frances Beinecke, 
President, Natural Resources Defense Council 

Alfred Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Climate Change Capital

Kate Hampton, Executive Director, Climate Change, Children's Investment Fund Foundation 

Amina Mohammed, Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning, United Nations

Questions and Discussion

15:10 Close of Conference


© The Royal Institute of International Affairs 2013

This conference will offer a unique opportunity to network with senior officials from businesses, government, NGO's and academic institutions.

Our previous Climate Change conferences saw delegates from companies and institutions such as:

Accenture
AEA Energy & Environment
Agulhas
ArcelorMittal
Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA)
Atkins Ltd
BASF plc
Bayerngas Norge AS
Beetle Capital
BG Group plc
BHP Billiton
BIRA-IASB
Booz & Co
BP plc
British Council
BT Group plc
Cairn Energy plc
Cambridge Centre for Energy Studies
Cambridge Programme for Sustainable Leadership
Carbon Capture and Storage Association
Carbon Leapfrog
Carbon Trust
Caritas Internationalis
Catholic Fund for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
CH2M Hill
Chamber of Shipping
Chevron Ltd
Chubu Electric Power Co Inc
ClientEarth
Clifford Chance LLP
Climate & Development Knowledge Network (CDKN)
Climate Action Network (CAN)
Climate and Health Council
Climate Secure
Coalition for an International Court for the Environment (ICE Coalition)
Compassion in World Farming (CIWF)
Conocophillips (UK) Ltd
Control Risks
Co-operative Group
Cranfield University
Deloitte Consulting LLP
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS)
Department for International Development (DFID)
Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC)
Ecofys UK Ltd
Ecologic Institute
EDF Energy
Energy Charter Secretariat
Energy Technologies Institute
Eni S.p.A
Environment Agency
Environmental Law Foundation (ELF)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental Resources Management (ERM)
ENWORKS
Ernst & Young
Ethical Investment Research Services Ltd (EIRIS)
European Bank For Reconstruction & Development
European Commission (Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry)
European Parliament
ExxonMobil International Ltd
Fauna & Flora International
FIA Foundation for the Automobile and Society
Finnish Forest Association
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
Forestry Commission
Friends of the Earth
Genesis Investment Management LLP
GLG Partners LP
Global CCS Institute
Global Humanitarian Forum
Global Sustainability Institute
Global Witness
Globeleq Ltd
Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, LSE
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Greenpeace International
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
HM Treasury
Imperial College London
INPEX Corporation
Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)
Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC)
International Association of Oil & Gas Producers
International Council on Mining and Metals
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
JPMorgan
King's College London
KPMG
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation
London Assembly
London Metropolitan University
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Maersk Group
Massey University
McKinsey & Company
METREX
Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres, France
Ministry of Defence (Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland
Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment
Mitsubishi Corporation
National Farmers' Union
National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy
Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO)
NEXUS Singapore
Office of National Assessments
Ogilvy
Open Society Foundation
Overseas Development Institute (ODI)
Oxford University
Plan UK
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Privy Council Office
Progressio
Quaker Peace and Social Witness
Québec Government Office
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP)
Renewable Energy Systems Ltd (RES)
Rolls-Royce International Ltd
RWE Power AG
Save the Children UK
SCA, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)
Standard Chartered Bank plc
Statoil (UK) Ltd
SustainAbility Ltd
Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI)
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC
Task Consult
Texas A&M University
The 40 Foundation
The Climate Group
The Gold Standard Foundation
The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
The Open University
The Prince of Wales Corporate Leader Group
The Royal Society
The Saudi Fund For Development
Tokyo Electric Power Company
Total Holdings UK Ltd
UK Chamber of Shipping
UK Collaborative on Development Sciences (UKCDS)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
University College London (UCL)
University of Cambridge
University of East Anglia (School of Environmental Sciences)
University of Edinburgh
University of Oxford (Department of Politics and International Relations)
US Department of State
USAID
Warwick Business School
WaterAid
World Coal Association
World Coal Institute
World Economic Forum
World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)
World Vision UK
WWF-UK
Xynteo Ltd
Yorkshire Forward




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Tonga Energy Road Map: Energy Security, the Aid Paradigm, and Pacific Geostrategy

Research Event

3 June 2013 - 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Chatham House, London

Event participants

Lord Tu'ivakano, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Tonga

Lord Tu'ivakano, will deliver a keynote address on the development of the Tonga Energy Road Map (TERM), which plans for 50% of the country's energy to come from renewable energy sources by 2020. 

The Kingdom of Tonga is highly susceptible to both climate change as well as changes in global energy prices due to its high dependency on imported oil. The TERM has required both ground-breaking whole-of-sector institutional changes in Tonga as well as innovative coordination across a range of development partners, including the World Bank, ADB and the UN. Key players in the international community have closely watched the development and implementation of the TERM as it presents a complete change in the aid paradigm that is not just specific to Tonga, or the energy sector. 

Registration for this event has now closed.




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Climate Change: Raising Ambition, Delivering Results

Conference

3 November 2014 - 9:30am to 4 November 2014 - 1:15pm

Chatham House, London

Overview

Agenda

Speakers

Pricing

Media partners

Sponsors

Audience profile

Venue and accommodation

Press registration

Climate change is climbing the political agenda. Extreme weather has raised questions in public discourse about the role of anthropogenic warming and concerns about its future impacts; slowdowns in emerging economies and sluggish recoveries in the developed world mean debates about the impact of climate policies on energy bills and competitiveness have assumed particular significance. Against this background, governments are gearing up for a crucial series of agreements in 2015 with climate change at their core. The international community must agree new global sustainable development goals, a new framework on disaster risk reduction and, at the 21st UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP 21) in Paris, a new global deal on climate change. 

The 18th Annual Chatham House Conference on Climate Change will take stock of developments in 2014, including the latest science, the findings of high-level commissions, initiatives from the business community and the UN Secretary-General’s High Level Summit at the end of September. Looking forward to COP 20 in Lima and beyond, this conference will examine opportunities to raise ambition and convert this into results.

In particular, it will:

  • Review the latest science on climate risk and the implications for business, society and politics 
     
  • Examine the benefits of a low carbon economy, and assess the costs of climate action and where they fall 
     
  • Discuss concrete measures to decarbonize key sectors and the barriers to action
     
  • Identify the critical path to the UNFCCC’s Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in 2015, and look at whether, and how, support for ambitious action can be built among publics, business and politicians


The Chatham House Rule
To enable as open a debate as possible, this conference will be held under the Chatham House Rule.

Twitter
Suggested hashtag: #CHclimate

DAY ONE
Monday 3 November

Session One
Taking Stock and Mapping the Road Ahead
09:30-11:15

  • What was achieved at the UN Secretary General’s High Level Summit in September? 
  • What is the outlook for COP 20 in Lima, and how can ambition be increased?
  • How will success at COP 21 in Paris be defined?

Chair
Rob Bailey, Acting Research Director, Energy, Environment and Resources, Chatham House

Keynote Address
Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, Minister of State for the Environment, Peru; President, COP 20, UN Framework for the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (on the record)

Amber Rudd MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change, United Kingdom (on the record)

Questions and Discussion

Chair
Jennifer Morgan, Director, Climate and Energy Programme, World Resources Institute (WRI) 

Speakers

Selwin Hart, Director, Secretary-General's Climate Change Support Team, United Nations

Dr Halldór Thorgeirsson, Director for Strategy, UN Framework for the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

Leena Srivastava, Executive Director, The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) 

Paul Watkinson, Head of Climate Negotiation Team, Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, France

Questions and Discussion

11:15-11:45 Refreshments

Session Two
Low Carbon Economy: Costs and Benefits
11:45-13:00 

  • What are the economic and social opportunities and benefits of a low carbon economy? Where do these occur? How much are they worth?
  • What are examples of leadership among governments and business? What is needed to accelerate the transition and translate ambition into results?
  • What has been the impact of climate policies on economic competitiveness? Which economies and sectors have been most affected? How has this influenced national and international climate politics?
Chair's Opening Remarks
Marianne Fay, Chief Economist, Climate Change Group, The World Bank
Keynote Panel Discussion

Jeremy Oppenheim, Programme Director, New Climate Economy, Global Commission on the Economy and Climate 

Jos Delbeke, Director General for Climate Action, European Commission 

Dr Qi Ye, Director, Brookings-Tsinghua Center for Public Policy; Professor of Environmental Policy and Management at Tsinghua University’s School of Public Policy and Management

Jeremy Bentham, Vice President, Global Business Environment, Shell

Questions and Discussion

13:00-14:00 Lunch

Session Three
Concrete Steps to Action: Finance and Achieving Net Zero 

There is growing interest in the concept of net zero carbon emissions, for businesses, sectors and even countries. This session will examine the feasibility of net zero for the power and transport sectors, and for buildings and cities.

Chair
Shane Tomlinson, Senior Research Fellow, Energy, Environment and Resources, Chatham House

Opening Discussion
Manfred Konukiewitz, Co-Chair, the Green Climate Fund 

Matthew Kotchen, Professor of Economics, Yale University 

Farhana Yamin, Associate Fellow, Chatham House

Power and Transport
14:45-15:45

  • What do decarbonization roadmaps for the power and transport sectors look like? Is net zero feasible? If so, by when and how? What are the challenges posed by increasing renewable penetration, and how can they be managed? What are the implications of vehicle electrification for the power sector?
  • What are the implications for infrastructure and investment?

Chair
Shane Tomlinson, Senior Research Fellow, Energy, Environment and Resources, Chatham House

Speakers
Abyd Karmali, Managing Director, Climate Finance, Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Dries Acke, Policy Manager, European Climate Foundation (Belgium) 

Olivier Paturet, General Manager,  Zero Emissions Strategy, Nissan Europe

Stefan Raubenheimer, Co-Founder and Director, South South North;  Co-Director, MAPS Programme 

Questions and Discussion

15:45-16:15 Refreshments

Buildings and Cities
16:15-17:15

  • What is the state of the art for low carbon building; how can this be rolled out at scale? 
  • How can decarbonization objectives be incorporated into urban planning and regulation?
  • How are the challenges and needs different for developed and developing countries? 

Chair
Farhana Yamin, Associate Fellow, Energy, Environment and Resources, Chatham House

Speakers
Ed Mazria, Founder and CEO, Architecture 2030

Tony Mallows, Director, Masdar City 

Questions and Discussion

17:15 Close of day and drinks reception

DAY TWO
Tuesday 4 November

Session Four 
Climate Impacts
9:30-11:15 

Chair
Sir David King, Foreign Secretary's Special Representative for Climate Change, United Kingdom

Keynote Addresses
HE Belete Tafere, Minister, Ministry of Environment Protection and Forestry, Ethiopia (on the record)

Professor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, Founding Director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (on the record)

  • What climate impacts are already being witnessed? Are these in line with expectations? What is the current state of attribution analysis?
  • What are the implications for climate politics?
  • What are the expected social, economic and environmental impacts under different climate scenarios? What is the most recent science since the deadline for Working Group II of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fifth Assessment Report?  
  • Which countries and sectors are most vulnerable? What are governments and businesses doing to adapt?


Chair
Sir David King, Foreign Secretary's Special Representative for Climate Change, United Kingdom

Speakers
Chris Field, Founding Director, Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution of Science, Co-Chair of Working Group II of the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report 

Professor Myles Allen, Leader of ECI Climate Research Programme and Professor of Geosystem Science, University of Oxford 

Nick Mabey, Director, E3G 

Oilver Bettis, Chair, Resource and Environment Board, Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

Questions and Discussion

11:15 - 11.45 Refreshments

Session Five
The Conditions for Action
11:45 - 13:00

  • What is the current state of public support for climate action? What shapes attitudes and beliefs? How does this vary by country? 
  • What can create political ambition, nationally and internationally?
  • What role can different stakeholders play in catalysing climate action?
  • What immediate obstacles need to be overcome and what lessons can be learned from recent success? 
Chair
Simon Maxwell, Executive Chair, Climate Development Knowledge Network
Keynote Address
Bill McKibben, President and Co-Founder, 350.org (on the record)

Panel Discussion
Antonio Hill, Executive Director, Global Campaign for Climate Action

Michael Jacobs, Senior Adviser on International Climate Policy, The Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations  

Jennifer Morgan, Director, Climate and Energy Programme, World Resources Institute (WRI) 

Sergio Margulis, National Secretary of Sustainable Development, Secretariat of Strategic Affairs of the Presidency of Brazil 

Sir David King, Foreign Secretary's Special Representative for Climate Change, United Kingdom

Questions and Discussion

Closing remarks
Rob Bailey, Acting Research Director, Energy, Environment and Resources, Chatham House

1
3:10 End of conference and lunch

 © The Royal Institute of International Affairs 2014

Keynote Speakers

Speakers

Dries Acke

Policy Manager, European Climate Foundation (Belgium)

Myles Allen

Coordinating Lead Author, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C; Professor of Geosystem Science, University of Oxford

Oliver Bettis

Chair, Institute and Faculty of Actuaries' Resource and Environment Board

Marianne Fay

Chief Economist, Climate Change Group, The World Bank

Chris Field

Founding Director, Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution of Science

Selwin Hart

Director, Secretary-General's Climate Change Support Team, United Nations

Antonio Hill

Executive Director, Global Campaign for Climate Action

Michael Hogan

Senior Adviser, Regulatory Assistance Project

Professor Michael Jacobs

Senior Adviser on International Climate Policy, The Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations

Abyd Karmali

Managing Director, Climate Finance, Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Sir David King

Foreign Secretary’s Special Representative for Climate Change

Manfred Konukiewitz

Co-Chair, The Green Climate Fund

Matthew Kotchen

Professor of Economics, Yale University

Nick Mabey

Co-Founding Director and Chief Executive, E3G

Antony Mallows

Director, Masdar City

Sergio Margulis

National Secretary of Sustainable Development, Secretariat of Strategic Affairs of the Presidency, Brazil

Simon Maxwell

Executive Chairman, Climate and Development Knowledge Network

Edward Mazria

Founder and CEO, Architecture 2030

Jennifer Morgan

Executive Director, Greenpeace International

Olivier Paturet

General Manager, Zero Emissions Strategy, Nissan Europe

Stefan Raubenheimer

Co-Founder and Director, South South North; Co-Director, MAPS Programme

Jose-Manuel Sanoval

Coordinator, Colombian Low Carbon Development Strategy (CLCDS) and Mitigation Action Plans and Scenarios (MAPS)

Leena Srivastava

Hony. Executive Director (Operations), The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)

Halldór Thorgeirsson

Director for Strategy, UN Framework for the Convention on Climate Change

Paul Watkinson

Head of Climate Negotiation Team, Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, France

Farhana Yamin

Associate Fellow, Energy, Environment and Resources Programme

[node:event_chair]

Pricing

For any questions about rates, please call +44 (0)20 7314 2782.

                      FULL RATE
EXCL. VATINCL. VAT
Major corporate member rates
All organizations£595£714 
Corporate member rates
Commercial organizations£1,295£1,554
Government departments£775£930
NGOs and academics£495£594
Standard rates
Commercial organizations£1,445£1,734 
Government departments£845£1,014
NGOs and academics£550£660

This conference will offer a unique opportunity to network with senior officials from businesses, government, NGO's and academic institutions.

Our previous Climate Change conferences saw delegates from companies and institutions such as:

Accenture
AEA Energy & Environment
Agulhas
ArcelorMittal
Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA)
Atkins Ltd
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
BASF plc
Bayerngas Norge AS
Beetle Capital
BG Group plc
BHP Billiton
BIRA-IASB
BirdLife
Booz & Co
BP plc
British Council
BT Group plc
CAFOD
Cairn Energy plc
Cambridge Centre for Energy Studies
Cambridge Programme for Sustainable Leadership
Carbon Capture and Storage Association
Carbon Leapfrog
Carbon Trust
Caritas Internationalis
Catholic Fund for Overseas Development (CAFOD)
CH2M Hill
Chevron Ltd
Chubu Electric Power Co Inc
City of London
ClientEarth
Clifford Chance LLP
Climate & Development Knowledge Network (CDKN)
Climate Action Network (CAN)
Climate and Health Council
Climate Secure
Coalition for an International Court for the Environment (ICE Coalition)
Compassion in World Farming (CIWF)
Conocophillips (UK) Ltd
Control Risks
Co-operative Group
Cranfield University
Deloitte Consulting LLP
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS)
Department for International Development (DFID)
Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC)
Ecofys UK Ltd
Ecologic Institute
EDF Energy
Energy Charter Secretariat
Energy Technologies Institute
Eni S.p.A
Environment Agency
Environmental Law Foundation (ELF)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental Resources Management (ERM)
ENWORKS
Ernst & Young
Ethical Investment Research Services Ltd (EIRIS)
European Bank For Reconstruction & Development
European Commission (Directorate General for Enterprise and Industry)
European Parliament
ExxonMobil International Ltd
Fauna & Flora International
FIA Foundation for the Automobile and Society
Finnish Forest Association
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
Forestry Commission
Friends of the Earth
Genesis Investment Management LLP
GLG Partners LP
Global CCS Institute
Global Humanitarian Forum
Global Sustainability Institute
Global Witness
Globeleq Ltd
Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, LSE
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce
Greenpeace International
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
HM Treasury
Imperial College London
INPEX Corporation
Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)
Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change (IIGCC)
International Association of Oil & Gas Producers
International Council on Mining and Metals
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
JPMorgan
King's College London
KPMG
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation
London Assembly
London Metropolitan University
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Maersk Group
Massey University
McKinsey & Company
Met Office
METREX
Ministere des Affaires Etrangeres, France
Ministry of Defence (Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Poland
Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment
Mitsubishi Corporation
National Farmers' Union
National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy
Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO)
NEXUS Singapore
Nordic Council
Office of National Assessments
Ogilvy
Open Society Foundation
Overseas Development Institute (ODI)
Oxford University
Plan UK
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Privy Council Office
Progressio
Quaker Peace and Social Witness
Québec Government Office
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP)
Renewable Energy Systems Ltd (RES)
Rolls-Royce International Ltd
RWE Power AG
Save the Children UK
SCA, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget
School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)
Shell
Standard Chartered Bank plc
Statoil (UK) Ltd
SustainAbility Ltd
Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI)
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC
Task Consult
Texas A&M University
The 40 Foundation
The Climate Group
The Gold Standard Foundation
The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
The Open University
The Prince of Wales Corporate Leader Group
The Royal Society
The Saudi Fund For Development
Tokyo Electric Power Company
Total Holdings UK Ltd
UK Chamber of Shipping
UK Collaborative on Development Sciences (UKCDS)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
University College London (UCL)
University of Cambridge
University of East Anglia (School of Environmental Sciences)
University of Edinburgh
University of Oxford (Department of Politics and International Relations)
US Department of State
USAID
Warwick Business School
WaterAid
World Coal Association
World Coal Institute
World Economic Forum
World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA)
World Vision UK
WWF-UK
Xynteo Ltd
Yorkshire Forward

Venue

Chatham House
10 St James's Square
London
SW1Y 4LE
UK

conferences@chathamhouse.org

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7957 5729
Fax: +44 (0)20 7957 5710

If you wish to book the venue for your event please phone +44 (0)20 7314 2764


Directions

The nearest tube station is Piccadilly Circus which is on the Piccadilly and the Bakerloo Underground lines. From Piccadilly follow Regent Street southwards towards Pall Mall and take the first road on the right called Jermyn Street. Duke of York Street is the second road on the left and leads to St James's Square. Chatham House is immediately on your right.

Map

Accommodation

Although we cannot book accommodation for delegates, we have arranged a reduced rate at some nearby hotels, where you can book your own accommodation. Please inform the hotel that you will be attending a conference at Chatham House (The Royal Institute of International Affairs) to qualify for the Institute's reduced rate.

Please note all rates are subject to availability.

Flemings Mayfair
Half Moon Street
Mayfair
London W1J 7BH
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7499 2964
Fax: + 44 (0)20 7499 1817
Standard Single from £199 + VAT

The Cavendish London
81 Jermyn Street
London
SW1Y 6JF
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7930 2111
Fax: + 44 (0)20 7839 2125
Standard Single £205 + VAT

To book The Cavendish online

The Stafford London by Kempinski
St James's Place
London
SW1A 1NJ
Tel: 020 7518 1125
Fax: 020 7493 7121
Standard Single £230 +VAT

This conference will be held under the Chatham House Rule. Information for journalists
Press can request a press pass.


Chatham House Conferences

+44 (0)20 7957 5729




ng

Why wealthy countries must not drop nuclear energy: coal power, climate change and the fate of the global poor

12 March 2015 , Volume 91, Number 2

Reinhard Wolf




ng

Africa's Responses to Climate Change: Policies to Manage Threat and Create Opportunity

Research Event

23 September 2015 - 12:00pm to 1:30pm

Chatham House, London

Event participants

Dr Fatima Denton, Director, Special Initiatives Division, UN Economic Commission for Africa
Dr Chukwumerije Okereke, Associate Professor, University of Reading
Douglas Brew, Director External Affairs, Communications and Sustainable Living for Africa, Unilever
Chair: Bob Dewar, Associate Fellow, Africa Programme, Chatham House

African countries will be amongst the worst affected by climate change. High levels of poverty and underdevelopment combined with insufficient infrastructure exacerbate the already severe impact of global warming on resources, development and human security. In order to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change, Africa’s leaders need to implement more robust environmental policies, increase local human capacity and encourage renewable energy entrepreneurship. Within international fora, they must better coordinate their position as some of the smallest contributors to global warming.

Ahead of the upcoming UN conference on climate change in Paris, this discussion will examine the prospects for African countries to present a stronger collective voice within the international efforts against climate change, as well as the role that the international community and public and private partners can play in supporting local capacity and lower carbon economic growth.




ng

Implications of climate change for the UN Security Council: mapping the range of potential policy responses

6 November 2015 , Volume 91, Number 6

 

 

Shirley V. Scott




ng

A Good Deal? Assessing the Paris Climate Agreement

Invitation Only Research Event

16 December 2015 - 5:00pm to 6:30pm

Chatham House, London

Event participants

Shane Tomlinson, Senior Research Fellow, Energy, Environment and Resources Department, Chatham House

Following the conclusion of the Paris climate negotiations, this expert roundtable will examine the critical elements of the final agreement and what this means for the future of energy and climate policy in key countries.

The discussion will examine what the agreement means for keeping global average temperatures below two degrees Celsius and assess whether ambition will be ratcheted over time. It will also look at the primary implications of the outcome for key regions and countries such as the EU, United States, China and India. Finally, the session will also consider the next steps in terms of implementing the agreement. 

Attendance at this event is by invitation only. 

Owen Grafham

Manager, Energy, Environment and Resources Programme
+44 (0)20 7957 5708




ng

Post-Paris: Taking Forward the Global Climate Change Deal

21 April 2016

Inevitably, the compromises of the Paris Agreement make it both a huge achievement and an imperfect solution to the problem of global climate change.

Rob Bailey

Former Research Director, Energy, Environment and Resources
Shane Tomlinson
Former Senior Research Fellow, Energy, Environment and Resources

2016-04-21-post-paris.jpg

The slogan '1.5 Degrees' is projected on the Eiffel Tower as part of the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) on 11 December 2015 in Paris, France. Photo by Getty Images.

Summary

  • The Paris Agreement, reached at COP21, was a triumph of diplomacy. The deal can be characterized as: flexible, combining a ‘hard’ legal shell and a ‘soft’ enforcement mechanism; inclusive, as it was adopted by all 196 parties to the UNFCCC and is therefore the first truly global climate deal; messy, as the bottom-up process of creating nationally determined contributions means the system is unstandardized; non-additive, as the contributions do not currently deliver the agreement’s stated long-term goal of keeping the rise in global average temperature to ‘well below 2˚C’; and dynamic, as the deal establishes a ratchet mechanism that requires more ambitious contributions every five years.
  • The next five years are critical for keeping the below 2˚C goal within reach. A ‘facilitative dialogue’ starting in 2018 will give states the opportunity to revisit their contributions in advance of the agreement entering into force in 2020. International forums, such as the G7 and G20, can play a crucial role in kickstarting these efforts.
  • The ‘coalitions of the willing’ and clubs that were launched under the Lima-Paris Action Agenda provide an innovative space for state and non-state actors to unlock transformational change. However, it is important that these groups set specific and measurable targets to ensure effective delivery of objectives.
  • The post-Paris regime implies a significant role for civil society organizations. However, in many countries the ‘safe operating space’ both for these organizations and for the media is shrinking. Expanding the capacity of civil society and the media in areas such as communications, litigation, project implementation and technical expertise will be important if they are to support the regime effectively.




ng

Accelerating Innovation for a Circular Economy

Invitation Only Research Event

12 July 2016 - 9:30am to 5:30pm

Chatham House, London

Over the next two decades, a combination of ‘circular economy’ approaches and distributed manufacturing methods such as 3D printing raise the prospect of fundamental changes to the nature of production, the reconfiguration of supply chains and changes to patterns of resource consumption – with profound implications for sustainability. This roundtable will bring together expert participants from companies, government, civil society and academia to discuss the state of innovation in the ‘circular economy,’ with a particular focus on the approaches and activities of entrepreneurs and investors, what is needed to scale up and accelerate innovation, how to track and measure progress, and how to ensure that innovation in the ‘circular economy’ makes a significant contribution to the meeting of short and medium term climate and sustainability goals.

Attendance at this event is by invitation only. 

Johanna Lehne

Research Associate, Energy, Environment and Resources
+44 (0)20 7314 3629




ng

Security and Climate Change: Are we Living in 'The Age of Consequences'?

Research Event

1 December 2016 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Chatham House, London

Event participants

Brigadier General Stephen A. Cheney, CEO, American Security Project; Member, Foreign Affairs Policy Board, US Department of State
Major General Munir Muniruzzaman, President and CEO, Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies; Former Military Advisor to the President of Bangladesh 
Rear Admiral Neil Morisetti, Director of Strategy, UK Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy; University College London; Former UK Government Climate and Energy Security Envoy
Dr Patricia Lewis, Research Director, International Security, Chatham House
Chair: Rt Hon Sir Oliver Letwin MP, Former UK Cabinet Office Minister

The US Department of Defense regards climate change as an ‘accelerant of instability and conflict’. A former head of the US Pacific Command described it as the most significant long-term security threat in his region. US federal agencies have recently been mandated to fully consider the impacts of climate change in the development of national security policy. This step-change in the US approach reflects the Pentagon’s conclusion that climate impacts are a ‘threat multiplier’ for security concerns – not just for the future – but which pose ‘an immediate risk to national security’.

A new documentary from the US, The Age of Consequences, explores the links between climate change and security, including in current events in Syria, Egypt, the Sahel and Bangladesh. Our high-level panel will reflect on key sections from the documentary, which will be screened during the event, and explore whether security strategists, militaries and policy-makers in nations other than the US are fully cognisant of the risks posed by a changing climate, and whether they are ready to anticipate and respond to its potentially destabilizing effects.

The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A.

THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL AND REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED.




ng

Inner Circle gives thanks for Jacob Miller on his birthday - Singer would have caused ‘problem’ at King’s House, says ­former bandmate

Long before the existence of the Internet and going viral was a thing, reggae singer Jacob Miller, back in the ‘70s, coined a term that went viral – under heavy manners. Ian Lewis of Inner Circle band, the Bad Boys of Reggae, recalled that his...