Since the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015, many countries have stepped up their efforts to combat climate change, solar and wind power has grown exponentially and over 1,100 companies are now committed to credible net-zero targets. Yet despite these promising signs, the world remains far off track from achieving the objective of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to “stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations … [to] prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system.” Indeed, when the UNFCCC was established in 1992, CO2 levels in the atmosphere were 359 parts per million (ppm), whereas today they stand at 417 ppm -- and continue to climb.  Countries’ latest climate plans put the world on track for 2.5°C of warming by the end of the century. That represents progress but is nowhere near achieving the Paris Agreement’s goal to limit warming to 1.5°C. Given this disconnect, it is no wonder that youth activists have called out the UN process for not being up for the task of combating the climate crisis. But what are ways that the UNFCCC could be improved? How can the UN climate process best respond to the urgency of the climate crisis?

On January 24, join us for an engaging webinar on how to make the UN climate process more effective in the years ahead. A diverse set of panelists will surface both what works well and what challenges have stymied faster progress. The event will cover everything from making the institutional design of the UNFCCC fit for purpose, reflecting on the experiences from the last 30 years, evaluating the role of the secretariat, and how to strengthen accountability for countries and corporations alike.

Speakers

  • Laurence Tubiana, CEO, European Climate Foundation
  • Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW)
  • Ineza Grace, Co-Director, Loss and Damage Youth Coalition
  • David Waskow, International Climate Director, World Resources Institute
  • Helen Mountford, President and CEO, ClimateWorks Foundation (moderator)