Future of the Paris climate agreement
Welcoming remarks by Alex Thier, Executive Director, ODI
Contributing chair
Isabel Hilton OBE @isabelhilton - CEO, China Dialogue Trust
Speakers
Kumi Naidoo @kuminaidoo - Launch Director, Africans Rising and former International Executive Director, Greenpeace
Stewart James @HSBC_UK - Managing Director, Deputy Head of Group, Government Affairs, HSBC
Shelagh Whitley @shelaghwhitley - Head of Programme, Climate & Energy, ODI
Description
The historic Paris Agreement has now entered into force. For the first time, countries around the world have committed to tackle climate change together. A route map on climate finance has been agreed to provide support, particularly to those countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Crucially, governments have pledged to keep the global average temperature well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius, significantly reducing the risk and impacts of climate change. If successful, the Paris Agreement has the potential to make real progress towards tackling climate change and its effects. But to meet these ambitious goals that progress needs to start now.
In the aftermath of the G7 Summit in Italy, and the US decision to withdraw from the accord, ODI convenes a global panel of experts to assess the future of the Paris climate agreement. What impact could President Trump's decision have, and how far could it reverse progress towards tackling climate change globally? What progress is already being made to fulfil the agreement, and how can we ensure that it is a success?