As the impacts of climate change become more widespread and severe around the world, governments, companies and communities are increasingly recognising the need to stop as soon as possible the greenhouse gas emissions that are driving it. 

However, ambition has so far failed to translate into action at scale and decarbonisation efforts must be significantly accelerated if the world is to have a reasonable chance of meeting the Paris Agreement’s goal of holding global warming to well below 2°C and preferably 1.5°C.

This event saw speakers from both institutes convey the ever more urgent need for a rapid and just transition to net zero emissions globally, while promoting sustainable development, prosperity and well-being within and across lower and higher income countries. In the context of their research findings, speakers talked on heightened geopolitical tensions, the ongoing energy crisis in Europe, and concerns about progress ahead the next United Nations climate change summit, COP28, due to take place in the United Arab Emirates later this year. 

The speakers were:

• Professor Lord Nicholas Stern: Chair, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment
• Professor Sir Brian Hoskins: Chair, Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London
• Dr Friederike Otto: Senior Lecturer in Climate Science, Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London
• Professor Joeri Rogelj: Professor of Climate Science and Policy, Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London
• Professor Nick Robins: Professor in Practice – Sustainable Finance, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, London School of Economics and Political Science
• Kate Higham: Policy Fellow (Climate Change Laws of the World), Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, London School of Economics and Political Science

The event was jointly chaired by Professor Ralf Toumi, Director, Grantham Institute – Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London, and Professor Elizabeth Robinson, Director, Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, London School of Economics and Political Science.

This event was hosted with the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at London School of Economics and Political Science.