Cool tips for a liveable planet - the whys and hows of 1.5°C

The upcoming special report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on the science relating to the 1.5°C temperature limit in the Paris Agreement carries great significance, as it will set the scientific goalposts for climate policy in the near future, and serve as the scientific basis for implementing the Agreement. In the last two years, the scientific community has produced an impressive body of new research in the context of this report. It tells us that even half a degree Celsius in the level of global warming makes a huge difference in terms of climate impacts – like extreme heat, more intense tropical storms or water availability – and that countries already vulnerable to impacts, with least resources to cope with them, will be hardest hit. This new body of research also confirms that it is feasible to limit warming to 1.5°C, and the transformation required carries with it great economic, health and development benefits. But it also warns that the window to act on sharply reducing greenhouse gas emissions to keep this goal within reach is rapidly closing.

This event will outline some of the latest science findings on climate impacts, and benefits of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. It will also look at what this latest body of research means for implementation of the Paris Agreement, especially in terms of the scale and pace of decarbonisation required to achieve this goal, and what policies are needed in response to these findings. It will also discuss what opportunities the transformation required to meet the Paris Agreement holds for business and investors and how these are being leveraged.

PROGRAMME

The significance of the upcoming IPCC 1.5 special report – Dr Michael Oppenheimer, Princeton University

A more liveable planet – Climate impacts and extremes we can avoid by limiting warming to 1.5°C – Dr Tabea Lissner, Climate Analytics

We can still do it but what are the options? Pathways and concrete steps to decarbonisation in line with the Paris Agreement – Dr Bill Hare & Jasmin Cantzler Climate Analytics

How are business and investors leveraging new opportunities to support the transformation? – panel discussion

Moderation: Richard Black, Director, Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit, UK

PANEL

Helen Mountford Director of Economics at WRI, Program Director for the New Climate Economy initiative
Justine Leigh-Bell Director of Market Development, Climate Bonds Initiative
Dr Michael Oppenheimer Princeton University

WHEN
Wednesday, 26 September 2018, 9:30am – 12pm

WHERE
Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave, New York, NY 10016