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CBD News: Statement by Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Acting Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, at the opening of the Subregional Exchange for the Caribbean on the Restoration of Forests and Other Ecosystems, 9-13 March 2020

By www.cbd.int
Published On :: Mon, 09 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT


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CapitalRise reassesses its mission amidst Brexit and regulation change

By www.techworld.com
Published On :: Mon, 23 Mar 2020 08:50:00 GMT

The proptech startup wanted to democratise investment in prime real estate projects through crowdfunding, but government regulations have limited its reach to high net worth individuals


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Tech that will change banking and the way we save

By www.techworld.com
Published On :: Wed, 18 Apr 2018 14:11:00 GMT


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Deletion of fatty acid transport protein 2 (FATP2) in the mouse liver changes the metabolic landscape by increasing the expression of PPAR{alpha}-regulated genes [Lipids]

By www.jbc.org
Published On :: 2020-04-24T06:08:45-07:00

Fatty acid transport protein 2 (FATP2) is highly expressed in the liver, small intestine, and kidney, where it functions in both the transport of exogenous long-chain fatty acids and the activation of very-long-chain fatty acids. Here, using a murine model, we investigated the phenotypic impacts of deleting FATP2, followed by a transcriptomic analysis using unbiased RNA-Seq to identify concomitant changes in the liver transcriptome. WT and FATP2-null (Fatp2−/−) mice (5 weeks) were maintained on a standard chow diet for 6 weeks. The Fatp2−/− mice had reduced weight gain, lowered serum triglyceride, and increased serum cholesterol levels and attenuated dietary fatty acid absorption. Transcriptomic analysis of the liver revealed 258 differentially expressed genes in male Fatp2−/− mice and a total of 91 in female Fatp2−/− mice. These genes mapped to the following gene ontology categories: fatty acid degradation, peroxisome biogenesis, fatty acid synthesis, and retinol and arachidonic acid metabolism. Targeted RT-quantitative PCR verified the altered expression of selected genes. Of note, most of the genes with increased expression were known to be regulated by peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor α (PPARα), suggesting that FATP2 activity is linked to a PPARα-specific proximal ligand. Targeted metabolomic experiments in the Fatp2−/− liver revealed increases of total C16:0, C16:1, and C18:1 fatty acids; increases in lipoxin A4 and prostaglandin J2; and a decrease in 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. We conclude that the expression of FATP2 in the liver broadly affects the metabolic landscape through PPARα, indicating that FATP2 provides an important role in liver lipid metabolism through its transport or activation activities.


Full Article

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Glucose availability but not changes in pancreatic hormones sensitizes hepatic AMPK activity during nutritional transition in rodents [Metabolism]

By www.jbc.org
Published On :: 2020-05-01T00:06:09-07:00

The cellular energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a metabolic regulator that mediates adaptation to nutritional variations to maintain a proper energy balance in cells. We show here that suckling-weaning and fasting-refeeding transitions in rodents are associated with changes in AMPK activation and the cellular energy state in the liver. These nutritional transitions were characterized by a metabolic switch from lipid to glucose utilization, orchestrated by modifications in glucose levels and the glucagon/insulin ratio in the bloodstream. We therefore investigated the respective roles of glucose and pancreatic hormones on AMPK activation in mouse primary hepatocytes. We found that glucose starvation transiently activates AMPK, whereas changes in glucagon and insulin levels had no impact on AMPK. Challenge of hepatocytes with metformin-induced metabolic stress strengthened both AMPK activation and cellular energy depletion under limited-glucose conditions, whereas neither glucagon nor insulin altered AMPK activation. Although both insulin and glucagon induced AMPKα phosphorylation at its Ser485/491 residue, they did not affect its activity. Finally, the decrease in cellular ATP levels in response to an energy stress was additionally exacerbated under fasting conditions and by AMPK deficiency in hepatocytes, revealing metabolic inflexibility and emphasizing the importance of AMPK for maintaining hepatic energy charge. Our results suggest that nutritional changes (i.e. glucose availability), rather than the related hormonal changes (i.e. the glucagon/insulin ratio), sensitize AMPK activation to the energetic stress induced by the dietary transition during fasting. This effect is critical for preserving the cellular energy state in the liver.


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Making Academic Research Accessible Can Lead to Significant Policy Change

By www8.gsb.columbia.edu
Published On :: Mon, 03 Feb 2020 19:52:23 +0000

Business Economics and Public Policy
World Business
Tuesday, February 4, 2020 - 14:45

Research from Chazen Senior Scholar Jonas Hjort shows political leaders value research findings, even willing to pay to learn results of impact evaluations


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New Research from Columbia Business School Shows Radical Changes in Household Spending Habits During COVID-19 Epidemic

By www8.gsb.columbia.edu
Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 18:37:51 +0000

Business Economics and Public Policy
Operations
Risk Management
Tuesday, April 28, 2020 - 14:30

Study provides first real-time view into household consumption during outbreak in U.S., showing an initial sharp increase in key categories, followed by a sharp decrease in overall spending

 


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Cool Met Stuff, composition of air, main gases, climate change, global warming, carbon dioxide concentration, fraction, atmosphere

By www.hko.gov.hk
Published On ::

Do you know which main gases are contained in the composition of air? Under climate change and global warming, carbon dioxide ...


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Public health training in climate change: What are prospective employers thinking?

By www.eurekalert.org
Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT

(Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health) Researchers found that 92 percent of employers who responded to a survey on climate change and public health reported need for public health professionals with training in climate change will very likely increase in the next 5 to 10 years. While graduates of public health programs who focus on climate change are in demand in the current job market, these positions appear to be just a small proportion of the total number of jobs available in public health.


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International scientific conference to debate new lifestyles to mitigate climate change

By www.eurekalert.org
Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT

(Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona) More than 500 researchers from all around the world will gather virtually tomorrow Wednesday May 6 at the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) to discuss and propose how society should adopt more sustainable and low-carbon forms of lifestyle that contribute to mitigating climate change.


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Arctic 'shorefast' sea ice threatened by climate change, study finds

By www.eurekalert.org
Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT

(Brown University) A new study shows that coastal sea ice used by Arctic residents for hunting and fishing will be reduced as the planet warms.


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Study: Climate change has been influencing where tropical cyclones rage

By www.eurekalert.org
Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT

(NOAA Headquarters) While the global average number of tropical cyclones each year has not budged from 86 over the last four decades, climate change has been influencing the locations of where these deadly storms occur, according to new NOAA-led research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.


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URI professor: Climate change increases risk of fisheries conflict

By www.eurekalert.org
Published On :: Mon, 04 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT

(University of Rhode Island) A team of experts, led by a University of Rhode Island researcher, examined how climate change is affecting the ocean environment and found that the changing conditions will likely result in increased fisheries-related conflicts and create new challenges in the management of global fisheries.


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Climate change could reawaken Indian Ocean El Niño

By www.eurekalert.org
Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT

(University of Texas at Austin) Global warming is approaching a tipping point that during this century could reawaken an ancient climate pattern similar to El Niño in the Indian Ocean, new research led by scientists from the University of Texas at Austin has found.


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Public would obey major changes to antibiotic advice, research shows

By www.eurekalert.org
Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT

(University of Exeter) The public would comply with major changes to medical advice - but would then be less likely to follow other new guidelines in the future, research shows.


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Technologies to extract, purify critical rare earth metals could be a 'game changer'

By www.eurekalert.org
Published On :: Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT

(Purdue University) New environmentally friendly technologies promise to be 'game changers' in the rare earth metals field and enable the US to create a more stable and reliable domestic source of these essential metals. Purdue University patented extraction and purifying processes using ligand-assisted chromatography are shown to remove and purify such metals from coal ash, recycled magnets and raw ore safely, efficiently and with virtually no detrimental environmental impact.


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Planting trees is no panacea for climate change, ecologist writes in Science commentary

By www.eurekalert.org
Published On :: Thu, 07 May 2020 00:00:00 EDT

(University of California - Santa Cruz) Restoration ecologist Karen Holl has a simple message for anyone who thinks planting 1 trillion trees will reverse the damage of climate change: 'We can't plant our way out of climate change.'


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Impossible Foods: Fighting Climate Change with Plant-Based Meat

By www8.gsb.columbia.edu
Published On :: Thu, 05 Mar 2020 19:24:22 +0000

Can Impossible Foods change the way meat is produced on a large enough scale to make a serious inroad in the battle against climate change?


Full Article

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Deletion of fatty acid transport protein 2 (FATP2) in the mouse liver changes the metabolic landscape by increasing the expression of PPAR{alpha}-regulated genes [Lipids]

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: 2020-04-24T06:08:45-07:00

Fatty acid transport protein 2 (FATP2) is highly expressed in the liver, small intestine, and kidney, where it functions in both the transport of exogenous long-chain fatty acids and the activation of very-long-chain fatty acids. Here, using a murine model, we investigated the phenotypic impacts of deleting FATP2, followed by a transcriptomic analysis using unbiased RNA-Seq to identify concomitant changes in the liver transcriptome. WT and FATP2-null (Fatp2−/−) mice (5 weeks) were maintained on a standard chow diet for 6 weeks. The Fatp2−/− mice had reduced weight gain, lowered serum triglyceride, and increased serum cholesterol levels and attenuated dietary fatty acid absorption. Transcriptomic analysis of the liver revealed 258 differentially expressed genes in male Fatp2−/− mice and a total of 91 in female Fatp2−/− mice. These genes mapped to the following gene ontology categories: fatty acid degradation, peroxisome biogenesis, fatty acid synthesis, and retinol and arachidonic acid metabolism. Targeted RT-quantitative PCR verified the altered expression of selected genes. Of note, most of the genes with increased expression were known to be regulated by peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor α (PPARα), suggesting that FATP2 activity is linked to a PPARα-specific proximal ligand. Targeted metabolomic experiments in the Fatp2−/− liver revealed increases of total C16:0, C16:1, and C18:1 fatty acids; increases in lipoxin A4 and prostaglandin J2; and a decrease in 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. We conclude that the expression of FATP2 in the liver broadly affects the metabolic landscape through PPARα, indicating that FATP2 provides an important role in liver lipid metabolism through its transport or activation activities.


Full Article

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Can Protest Movements in the MENA Region Turn COVID-19 Into an Opportunity for Change?

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 14:07:38 +0000

29 April 2020

Dr Georges Fahmi

Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme
The COVID-19 pandemic will not in itself result in political change in the MENA region, that depends on the ability of both governments and protest movements to capitalize on this moment. After all, crises do not change the world - people do.

2020-04-28-covid-19-protest-movement-mena.jpg

An aerial view shows the Lebanese capital Beirut's Martyrs Square that was until recent months the gathering place of anti-government demonstrators, almost deserted during the novel coronavirus crisis, on 26 March 2020. Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images.

COVID-19 has offered regimes in the region the opportunity to end popular protest. The squares of Algiers, Baghdad, and Beirut – all packed with protesters over the past few months – are now empty due to the pandemic, and political gatherings have also been suspended. In Algeria, Iraq and Lebanon, COVID-19 has achieved what snipers, pro-regime propaganda, and even the economic crisis, could not.

Moreover, political regimes have taken advantage of the crisis to expand their control over the political sphere by arresting their opponents, such as in Algeria where the authorities have cracked down on a number of active voices of the Hirak movement. Similarly, in Lebanon, security forces have used the pandemic as an excuse to crush sit-ins held in Martyr’s Square in Beirut and Nour Square in Tripoli.

However, despite the challenges that the pandemic has brought, it also offers opportunities for protest movements in the region. While the crisis has put an end to popular mobilization in the streets, it has  created new forms of activism in the shape of solidarity initiatives to help those affected by its consequences.

In Iraq, for example, protest groups have directed their work towards awareness-raising and sharing essential food to help mitigate the problem of food shortages and rising prices across the country. In Algeria, Hirak activists have run online campaigns to raise awareness about the virus and have encouraged people to stay at home. Others have been cleaning and disinfecting public spaces. These initiatives increase the legitimacy of the protest movement, and if coupled with political messages, could offer these movements an important chance to expand their base of popular support.

Exposes economic vulnerability

Economic grievances, corruption and poor provision of public services have been among the main concerns of this recent wave of protests. This pandemic only further exposes the levels of economic vulnerability in the region. COVID-19 is laying bare the socio-economic inequalities in MENA countries; this is particularly evident in the numbers of people engaged in the informal economy with no access to social security, including health insurance and pensions.

Informal employment, approximately calculated by the share of the labour force not contributing to social security, is estimated to amount to 65.5% of total employment in Lebanon, 64.4% in Iraq, and 63.3% in Algeria. The crisis has underscored the vulnerability of this large percentage of the labour force who have been unable to afford the economic repercussions of following state orders to stay at home.

The situation has also called attention to the vital need for efficient public services and healthcare systems. According to the fifth wave of the Arab Barometer, 74.4% of people in Lebanon are dissatisfied with their country’s healthcare services, as are 67.8% of people in Algeria and 66.5% in Iraq.

Meanwhile, 66.2% of people in Lebanon believe it is necessary to pay a bribe in order to receive better healthcare, as do 56.2% of people in Iraq and 55.9% in Algeria. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the need for more government investment in public healthcare systems to render them more efficient and less corrupt, strengthening the protesters’ case for the need for radical socio-economic reforms.

On the geopolitical level, the crisis puts into question the stability-focused approach of Western powers towards the region. For years, Western powers have directed their aid towards security forces in the interests of combating terrorism but COVID-19 has proved itself to be a much more lethal challenge to both the region and the West.

Facing this new challenge requires international actors to reconsider their approach to include supporting health and education initiatives, as well as freedom of expression and transparency. As argued by Western policymakers themselves, it was China’s lack of transparency and slow response that enabled the proliferation of the virus, when it could have been contained in Wuhan back in December 2019.

This crisis therefore offers regional protest movements the opportunity to capitalize on this moment and push back against the policies of Western powers that have invested in regional stability only to the extent of combating Islamic jihad. 

But crises do not change the world, people do. The COVID-19 pandemic will not in itself result in political change in the MENA region. Rather, it brings opportunities and risks that, when exploited, will allow political actors to advance their own agendas. While the crisis has put an end to popular mobilization and allowed regimes to tighten their grip over the political sphere, behind these challenges lie real opportunities for protest movements.

The current situation represents a possibility for them to expand their popular base through solidarity initiatives and has exposed more widely the importance of addressing socio-economic inequalities. Finally, it offers the chance to challenge the stability-focused approach of Western powers towards the region which until now has predominantly focused on combating terrorism.


Full Article

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Immune checkpoint imaging in oncology - a game changer towards personalized immunotherapy?

By jnm.snmjournals.org
Published On :: 2020-01-10T04:59:10-08:00

Immune checkpoint blockade represents a promising approach in oncology, showing anti-tumor activities in various cancers. However, although being generally far more well-tolerated than classical cytotoxic chemotherapy, this treatment, too, may be accompanied by considerable side effects and not all patients benefit equally. Therefore, careful patient selection and monitoring of the treatment response is mandatory. At present, checkpoint-specific molecular imaging is increasingly investigated as a tool for patient selection and response evaluation. Here, an overview of the current developments in immune checkpoint imaging is provided.


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Early prostate-specific antigen changes and clinical outcome following 177Lu-PSMA radionuclide treatment in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

By jnm.snmjournals.org
Published On :: 2020-02-28T13:52:17-08:00

Background: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is widely used to monitor treatment response in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). However, PSA measurements are considered only after 12 wk of treatment. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of early PSA changes following 177Lu-labelled prostate specific membrane antigen (LuPSMA) radionuclide treatment in mCRPC patients. Methods: Men who were treated under a compassionate access program with LuPSMA at our institution and had available PSA values at baseline, at 6 wk after treatment initiation were included in this retrospective analysis. Patients were assigned to three groups based on PSA changes: 1) response: ≥30% decline, 2) progression: ≥25% increase and 3) stable: <30% decline and <25% increase. The co-primary endpoints were overall survival and imaging-based progression-free survival. The secondary end points were PSA changes at 12 wk and PSA flare-up. Results: We identified 124 eligible patients with PSA values at 6 wk. A ≥30% decline in PSA at 6 wk was associated with longer overall survival (median 16.7 mo; 95%CI 14.4–19.0) compared with patients with stable PSA (median: 11.8 mo; 95%CI 8.6–15.1; P = 0.007) and progression (median: 6.5 mo; 95%CI 5.2–7.8; p<0.001). Patients with ≥30% decline in PSA at 6 wk also had a reduced risk of imaging-based progression compared with patients with stable PSA (HR: 0.60; 95%CI 0.38–0.94; P = 0.02), while patients with PSA progression had a higher risk of imaging-based progression compared with those showing stable PSA (HR: 3.18; 95%CI 1.95–5.21; p<0.001). The percentage changes of PSA at 6 wk and 12 wk were highly associated (r=0.90; p<0.001). 29 of 31 (94%) patients who experienced early PSA progression at 6 wk achieved biochemical progression at 12 wk. Overall, only 1 of 36 (3%) patients with PSA progression at 6 wk achieved any PSA decline at 12 wk (1% of the entire cohort). Limitations of the study included its retrospective nature and the single center experience. Conclusion: PSA changes at 6 wk after LuPSMA initiation are an early indicator of long-term clinical outcome. Patients progressing by PSA after 6 wk of treatment could benefit from a very early treatment switch decision. PSA flare-up during LuPSMA treatment is very uncommon. Prospective studies are now warranted to validate our findings and potentially inform clinicians earlier on the effectiveness of LuPSMA.


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Côte d'Ivoire’s 2020 Elections: Contestation and Change

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: Mon, 04 Nov 2019 10:20:01 +0000

Invitation Only Research Event

8 November 2019 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm

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

Event participants

Hon Guillaume Soro, Chairman, Rassemblement Pour la Côte d’Ivoire (RACI)
Chair: Paul Melly, Consulting Fellow, Africa Programme, Chatham House

As Côte d'Ivoire enters a critical final 12 months before presidential elections scheduled for October 2020, the political atmosphere remains highly uncertain, stoked by the fracturing of the RDR-PDCI alliance and the potential candidacy of a range of high-profile political names. While President Ouattara’s two terms in office have ushered in an improved business environment, with annual economic growth averaging 8 per cent since 2012, political instability over the next 12 months may pose a threat to recent progress and raises wider security concerns in light of the major post-election violence witnessed a decade previously.

At this event, Ivorian presidential contender, and former prime minister and parliamentary speaker, Guillaume Soro, will assess the prime-election context in Côte d'Ivoire and the policies required to deliver inclusive growth and future stability for its citizens.

Attendance at this event is by invitation only. 

Department/project

Africa Programme, Elections and political systems, West Africa

Sahar Eljack

Programme Administrator, Africa Programme
+ 44 (0) 20 7314 3660


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Deletion of fatty acid transport protein 2 (FATP2) in the mouse liver changes the metabolic landscape by increasing the expression of PPAR{alpha}-regulated genes [Lipids]

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: 2020-04-24T06:08:45-07:00

Fatty acid transport protein 2 (FATP2) is highly expressed in the liver, small intestine, and kidney, where it functions in both the transport of exogenous long-chain fatty acids and the activation of very-long-chain fatty acids. Here, using a murine model, we investigated the phenotypic impacts of deleting FATP2, followed by a transcriptomic analysis using unbiased RNA-Seq to identify concomitant changes in the liver transcriptome. WT and FATP2-null (Fatp2−/−) mice (5 weeks) were maintained on a standard chow diet for 6 weeks. The Fatp2−/− mice had reduced weight gain, lowered serum triglyceride, and increased serum cholesterol levels and attenuated dietary fatty acid absorption. Transcriptomic analysis of the liver revealed 258 differentially expressed genes in male Fatp2−/− mice and a total of 91 in female Fatp2−/− mice. These genes mapped to the following gene ontology categories: fatty acid degradation, peroxisome biogenesis, fatty acid synthesis, and retinol and arachidonic acid metabolism. Targeted RT-quantitative PCR verified the altered expression of selected genes. Of note, most of the genes with increased expression were known to be regulated by peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor α (PPARα), suggesting that FATP2 activity is linked to a PPARα-specific proximal ligand. Targeted metabolomic experiments in the Fatp2−/− liver revealed increases of total C16:0, C16:1, and C18:1 fatty acids; increases in lipoxin A4 and prostaglandin J2; and a decrease in 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. We conclude that the expression of FATP2 in the liver broadly affects the metabolic landscape through PPARα, indicating that FATP2 provides an important role in liver lipid metabolism through its transport or activation activities.


Full Article

change

Glucose availability but not changes in pancreatic hormones sensitizes hepatic AMPK activity during nutritional transition in rodents [Metabolism]

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: 2020-05-01T00:06:09-07:00

The cellular energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a metabolic regulator that mediates adaptation to nutritional variations to maintain a proper energy balance in cells. We show here that suckling-weaning and fasting-refeeding transitions in rodents are associated with changes in AMPK activation and the cellular energy state in the liver. These nutritional transitions were characterized by a metabolic switch from lipid to glucose utilization, orchestrated by modifications in glucose levels and the glucagon/insulin ratio in the bloodstream. We therefore investigated the respective roles of glucose and pancreatic hormones on AMPK activation in mouse primary hepatocytes. We found that glucose starvation transiently activates AMPK, whereas changes in glucagon and insulin levels had no impact on AMPK. Challenge of hepatocytes with metformin-induced metabolic stress strengthened both AMPK activation and cellular energy depletion under limited-glucose conditions, whereas neither glucagon nor insulin altered AMPK activation. Although both insulin and glucagon induced AMPKα phosphorylation at its Ser485/491 residue, they did not affect its activity. Finally, the decrease in cellular ATP levels in response to an energy stress was additionally exacerbated under fasting conditions and by AMPK deficiency in hepatocytes, revealing metabolic inflexibility and emphasizing the importance of AMPK for maintaining hepatic energy charge. Our results suggest that nutritional changes (i.e. glucose availability), rather than the related hormonal changes (i.e. the glucagon/insulin ratio), sensitize AMPK activation to the energetic stress induced by the dietary transition during fasting. This effect is critical for preserving the cellular energy state in the liver.


Full Article

change

Can Protest Movements in the MENA Region Turn COVID-19 Into an Opportunity for Change?

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2020 14:07:38 +0000

29 April 2020

Dr Georges Fahmi

Associate Fellow, Middle East and North Africa Programme
The COVID-19 pandemic will not in itself result in political change in the MENA region, that depends on the ability of both governments and protest movements to capitalize on this moment. After all, crises do not change the world - people do.

2020-04-28-covid-19-protest-movement-mena.jpg

An aerial view shows the Lebanese capital Beirut's Martyrs Square that was until recent months the gathering place of anti-government demonstrators, almost deserted during the novel coronavirus crisis, on 26 March 2020. Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images.

COVID-19 has offered regimes in the region the opportunity to end popular protest. The squares of Algiers, Baghdad, and Beirut – all packed with protesters over the past few months – are now empty due to the pandemic, and political gatherings have also been suspended. In Algeria, Iraq and Lebanon, COVID-19 has achieved what snipers, pro-regime propaganda, and even the economic crisis, could not.

Moreover, political regimes have taken advantage of the crisis to expand their control over the political sphere by arresting their opponents, such as in Algeria where the authorities have cracked down on a number of active voices of the Hirak movement. Similarly, in Lebanon, security forces have used the pandemic as an excuse to crush sit-ins held in Martyr’s Square in Beirut and Nour Square in Tripoli.

However, despite the challenges that the pandemic has brought, it also offers opportunities for protest movements in the region. While the crisis has put an end to popular mobilization in the streets, it has  created new forms of activism in the shape of solidarity initiatives to help those affected by its consequences.

In Iraq, for example, protest groups have directed their work towards awareness-raising and sharing essential food to help mitigate the problem of food shortages and rising prices across the country. In Algeria, Hirak activists have run online campaigns to raise awareness about the virus and have encouraged people to stay at home. Others have been cleaning and disinfecting public spaces. These initiatives increase the legitimacy of the protest movement, and if coupled with political messages, could offer these movements an important chance to expand their base of popular support.

Exposes economic vulnerability

Economic grievances, corruption and poor provision of public services have been among the main concerns of this recent wave of protests. This pandemic only further exposes the levels of economic vulnerability in the region. COVID-19 is laying bare the socio-economic inequalities in MENA countries; this is particularly evident in the numbers of people engaged in the informal economy with no access to social security, including health insurance and pensions.

Informal employment, approximately calculated by the share of the labour force not contributing to social security, is estimated to amount to 65.5% of total employment in Lebanon, 64.4% in Iraq, and 63.3% in Algeria. The crisis has underscored the vulnerability of this large percentage of the labour force who have been unable to afford the economic repercussions of following state orders to stay at home.

The situation has also called attention to the vital need for efficient public services and healthcare systems. According to the fifth wave of the Arab Barometer, 74.4% of people in Lebanon are dissatisfied with their country’s healthcare services, as are 67.8% of people in Algeria and 66.5% in Iraq.

Meanwhile, 66.2% of people in Lebanon believe it is necessary to pay a bribe in order to receive better healthcare, as do 56.2% of people in Iraq and 55.9% in Algeria. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the need for more government investment in public healthcare systems to render them more efficient and less corrupt, strengthening the protesters’ case for the need for radical socio-economic reforms.

On the geopolitical level, the crisis puts into question the stability-focused approach of Western powers towards the region. For years, Western powers have directed their aid towards security forces in the interests of combating terrorism but COVID-19 has proved itself to be a much more lethal challenge to both the region and the West.

Facing this new challenge requires international actors to reconsider their approach to include supporting health and education initiatives, as well as freedom of expression and transparency. As argued by Western policymakers themselves, it was China’s lack of transparency and slow response that enabled the proliferation of the virus, when it could have been contained in Wuhan back in December 2019.

This crisis therefore offers regional protest movements the opportunity to capitalize on this moment and push back against the policies of Western powers that have invested in regional stability only to the extent of combating Islamic jihad. 

But crises do not change the world, people do. The COVID-19 pandemic will not in itself result in political change in the MENA region. Rather, it brings opportunities and risks that, when exploited, will allow political actors to advance their own agendas. While the crisis has put an end to popular mobilization and allowed regimes to tighten their grip over the political sphere, behind these challenges lie real opportunities for protest movements.

The current situation represents a possibility for them to expand their popular base through solidarity initiatives and has exposed more widely the importance of addressing socio-economic inequalities. Finally, it offers the chance to challenge the stability-focused approach of Western powers towards the region which until now has predominantly focused on combating terrorism.


Full Article

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Climate Change: Avoiding Climate Crunch

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: Mon, 20 Apr 2020 14:22:12 +0000

1 November 2008 , Number 6

A new climate is likely at the United Nations climate change conference in Poland early this month and not just because of the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States. The international financial crisis has highlighted the cost of poor policies and the scale of banking bailouts has made dealing with climate change seem less formidable. Besides, such schemes could create new jobs and give an edge to the competitive economies of tomorrow.

Bernice Lee OBE

Research Director; Executive Director, Hoffmann Centre for Sustainable Resource Economy


Full Article

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Analysing the Recent Changes in Russia

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: Thu, 06 Feb 2020 16:15:01 +0000

Invitation Only Research Event

17 February 2020 - 10:30am to 12:00pm

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

Event participants

Leonid Gozman, President, Perspective Foundation

The scale of the changes in Russia’s political system is yet to be fully understood, as new suggestions for revising the constitution appear almost daily. This event will discuss the risks of President Putin’s 15 January announcement, and what strategies Russia’s non-systemic opposition might now deploy in response.

Event attributes

Chatham House Rule

Department/project

Russia and Eurasia Programme, Russia's Domestic Politics

Anna Morgan

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


Full Article

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The Metabolic Responses to 24-h Fasting and Mild Cold Exposure in Overweight Individuals are Correlated and Accompanied by Changes in FGF21 Concentration

By diabetes.diabetesjournals.org
Published On :: 2020-04-27T16:35:54-07:00

A greater decrease in 24-h energy expenditure (24EE) during 24h fasting defines a thriftier metabolic phenotype prone to weight gain during overfeeding and resistant to weight loss during caloric restriction. As the thermogenic response to mild cold exposure (COLD) may similarly characterize this human phenotype identified by acute fasting conditions, we analyzed changes in 24EE and sleeping metabolic rate (SLEEP) in a whole-room indirect calorimeter during 24h fasting at thermoneutrality (24°C) and during energy balance both at thermoneutrality (24°C) and mild cold (19°C) in 20 healthy volunteers (80% male, age: 36.6±11.4y, percentage body fat: 34.8±10.5%). Greater decrease in 24EE during fasting (thriftier phenotype) was associated with less increase in 24EE during COLD, i.e. less cold-induced thermogenesis. Greater decreases in plasma fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) after 24h fasting and after COLD were highly correlated and associated with greater decreases in SLEEP in both conditions. We conclude that the metabolic responses to short-term fasting and COLD are associated and mediated by the liver-derived hormone FGF21. Thus, the 24EE response to COLD further identifies the thrifty versus spendthrift phenotype, providing an additional setting to investigate the physiological mechanisms underlying the human metabolic phenotype and characterizing the individual susceptibility to weight change.


Full Article

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Changes in Gut Microbiota Control Metabolic Endotoxemia-Induced Inflammation in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity and Diabetes in Mice

By diabetes.diabetesjournals.org
Published On :: 2008-06-01

Patrice D. Cani
Jun 1, 2008; 57:1470-1481
Metabolism


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How changes to drug prohibition could be good for the UK—an essay by Molly Meacher and Nick Clegg

By feeds.bmj.com
Published On :: Monday, November 14, 2016 - 23:30


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Reimagining Trade Rules to Address Climate Change in a Post-Pandemic World

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: Fri, 24 Apr 2020 10:25:01 +0000

Webinar Research Event

5 May 2020 - 2:00pm to 3:00pm

Event participants

James Bacchus, Distinguished University Professor of Global Affairs and Director of the Center for Global Economic and Environmental Opportunity at the University of Central Florida; Member and Chair, WTO Appellate Body, 1995 - 2003
Chair: Creon Butler, Director, Global Economy and Finance Programme, Chatham House

This event is part of the Chatham House Global Trade Policy Forum and will take place virtually only.

International trade has a crucial role to play in tackling climate change. The production and transport of goods is a major contributor to green-house gas emissions, as is the delivery of certain cross-border services. At the same time, it looks inevitable that the COVID-19 pandemic will lead to a radical re-think of global supply chains as companies and governments seek to build in greater resilience while at the same time preserving as far as possible the efficiency gains and lower costs that global supply chains generate when operating normally.

Future international trade rules will have a crucial role to play in addressing both challenges; they represent both an opportunity and a risk. If designed well, they could play a very important role in re-enforcing moves towards a more sustainable use of resources, greater overall alignment of economies with the Paris Agreement, and greater economic resilience. But they could also, if poorly designed and implemented, or overly influenced by strategic political considerations, have significant unintended and negative implications. These include: reduced economic efficiency, increased poverty, unnecessary economic decoupling and reduced consensus on the broader mitigation and adaptation measures required to meet the challenge of climate change.

Against this background, a number of key questions arise: In what areas, if any, do we need to modify or adapt key principles underlying the system of global trade rules in order to respond to the twin challenges of responding to climate change and building greater economic resilience?  Which are the most promising/practical areas on which trade policy experts should focus now to re-launch/re-energize discussions on WTO reform, including, for example, dispute settlement? What national economic policies will be needed to complement the development of new/reformed trade disciplines in these areas? How might future political changes, such as a change in the US administration, affect the prospects for and political momentum behind such deliberations? What in any eventuality is the best way to build the required political momentum?
 
This roundtable is convened by the Global Economy and Finance Programme and the US and the Americas Programme and it is part of the Chatham House Global Trade Policy Forum. The event will take place virtually only.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank founding partner AIG and supporting partners Clifford Chance LLP, Diageo plc, and EY for their generous support of the Chatham House Global Trade Policy Forum.

Please note this event is taking place between 2pm to 3pm BST.

Department/project

US and the Americas Programme, Global Trade Policy Forum


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More changes announced to court operations

By jamaica-gleaner.com
Published On :: Fri, 08 May 2020 13:19:10 -0500

Additional changes have been made to the operations of the island's courts in light of COVID-19. Changes below: Criminal Cases All hearings in the Home Circuit Court Division of the Gun Court, the High Court Division of the Gun Court, the...


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Analysing the Recent Changes in Russia

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Published On :: Thu, 06 Feb 2020 16:15:01 +0000

Invitation Only Research Event

17 February 2020 - 10:30am to 12:00pm

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

Event participants

Leonid Gozman, President, Perspective Foundation

The scale of the changes in Russia’s political system is yet to be fully understood, as new suggestions for revising the constitution appear almost daily. This event will discuss the risks of President Putin’s 15 January announcement, and what strategies Russia’s non-systemic opposition might now deploy in response.

Event attributes

Chatham House Rule

Department/project

Russia and Eurasia Programme, Russia's Domestic Politics

Anna Morgan

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


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

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Published On :: Fri, 20 May 2011 13:17:51 +0000

Research Event

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

Chatham House, London

Conference Agenda: Earth Observation, Risk Assessment and Global Change
pdf | 60.78 KB

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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Climate Change 2012

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Published On :: Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:09:19 +0000

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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The UK's Vision for Tackling Climate Change

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: Thu, 12 Jul 2012 09:32:40 +0000

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.

Related documents

Transcript - Ed Davey MP
pdf | 110.21 KB

Department/project

Energy, Environment and Resources Programme


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Delivering Concrete Climate Change Action

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: Tue, 14 May 2013 11:06:32 +0000

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


Full Article

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Climate Change: Raising Ambition, Delivering Results

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 10:08:33 +0000

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

13:10 End of conference and lunch

 © The Royal Institute of International Affairs 2014

Keynote Speakers

Jeremy Bentham

Vice President, Global Business Environment, Shell

Jos Delbeke

Director General for Climate Action, European Commission

Bill McKibben

President and Co-Founder, 350.org

Jeremy Oppenheim

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

Manuel Pulgar-Vidal

Minister of State for Environment, Peru; President COP20

Amber Rudd MP*

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, United Kingdom

Professor Hans Joachim Schnellnhuber

Founding Director, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Belete Tafere

Minister of Environment Protection and Forestry, Ethiopia

Dr Qi Ye

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

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


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

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: Thu, 12 Mar 2015 11:37:45 +0000

12 March 2015 , Volume 91, Number 2

Reinhard Wolf


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

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: Tue, 01 Sep 2015 10:30:01 +0000

Research Event

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

Chatham House, London

Meeting Summary
pdf | 112.65 KB

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.

Department/project

Africa Programme, Energy, Environment and Resources Programme


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

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: Fri, 06 Nov 2015 14:06:18 +0000

6 November 2015 , Volume 91, Number 6

 

 

Shirley V. Scott


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Post-Paris: Taking Forward the Global Climate Change Deal

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: Wed, 20 Apr 2016 09:38:39 +0000

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.

Related documents

Briefing: Post-Paris: Taking Forward the Global Climate Change Deal
pdf | 391.55 KB

Department/project

Energy, Environment and Resources Programme


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

By feedproxy.google.com
Published On :: Fri, 11 Nov 2016 14:23:00 +0000

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.

Department/project

Energy, Environment and Resources Programme


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By jamaica-gleaner.com
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Novelist, writer and designer Edith Wharton once said, “There are two ways of spreading light – to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it”. Shining a light of faith and hope for girls through the provision of an open and safe place is Britney...


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Maintaining health with simple lifestyle changes

By jamaica-gleaner.com
Published On :: Mon, 09 Mar 2020 00:15:12 -0500

Let’s face it, ladies: boosting your health is not always your primary priority, but it needs to be. It doesn’t require a long, overbearing and spine-chilling regime. Simple lifestyle changes can get the job done! In the end you’ll be left with a...


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Hexed - JFF finds possible World Cup ­Qualifying structure changes ­‘disadvantageous’

By jamaica-gleaner.com
Published On :: Sat, 09 May 2020 00:14:49 -0500

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) general secretary Dalton Wint says that any potential changes to the Concacaf hexagonal round for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers could present challenges to the nation’s aim of qualifying for Qatar 2022. Wint’s...


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How often do hospital doctors change long term medication during an inpatient stay?

By feeds.bmj.com
Published On :: Fri, 14 Sep 2018 18:00:24 +0000

More than ½ of patients leave hospital with changes to four or more of their long-term medications - but how appropriate are those changes? New research published on bmj.com looks at antihypertensive medication prescription changes to try and model that - and found that more than half of intensifications occurred in patients with previously well...


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Vaping deaths - does this change what we think about public health messages

By feeds.bmj.com
Published On :: Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:58:18 +0000

This week the Trump administration has banned the sale of flavoured vapes in the USA. The reason for that is the sudden rash of cases of pulmonary disease, including deaths, linked to vaping. The mechanism by which vaping may be causing damage to the lungs is as yet unclear, and our understanding is hampered by the heterogeneous nature of the...


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Climate change will make universal health coverage precarious

By feeds.bmj.com
Published On :: Tue, 24 Sep 2019 14:26:52 +0000

The BMJ in partnership with The Harvard Global Health Institute has launched a collection of articles exploring how to achieve effective universal health coverage (UHC). The collection highlights the importance of quality in UHC, potential finance models, how best to incentivise stakeholders, and some of the barriers to true UHC. One of those...


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