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 special event will examine the ever more urgent case 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. Leading experts will lay out their latest findings from across the natural and social sciences, against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions, an ongoing energy crisis in Europe, and concerns about progress ahead the next United Nations climate change summit due to take place in the United Arab Emirates later this year.

This is a special event to mark the 15th anniversary of the foundation of the two Grantham Institutes at Imperial College London and at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

The speakers will include:

• Professor Lord Nicholas Stern, Chair, CH, FRS, FBA, FAcSS , Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, London School of Economics and Political Science
• Professor Sir Brian Hoskins, Chair, CBE FRS, 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

This event will be 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.

Image credit: Anthony Ochieng / Climate Visuals Countdown (Creative Commons, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

Shaban Mwinji, a community scout ranger, in Ukunda, Kenya. Standing in a restored Mangrove Forest by Mikoko Pamoja. Mikoko Pamoja is a community-led mangrove conservation and restoration project based in southern Kenya and the world’s first blue carbon project. It aims to provide long-term incentives for mangrove protection and restoration through community involvement and benefit.