Maintaining Momentum in Climate Change Leadership: Networking and energizing Conference Hub bringing together policy makers, academics, campaigners, writers & scientists.

Join us for a day of (virtual) panels, discussions, and exhibition stands bringing together a variety of climate change actors, as we work together to ensure that climate stays top of everyone’s agenda amid a postponed COP26!

With the need for immediate climate action stronger than ever, we are bringing together actors from civil society, politics, activism, and academia to determine what climate leadership looks like in 2020 and what strategies, messages, and objectives will propel us forward.

This Green European Foundation event is run with the support of the Green Economics Institute. The Green Economics Institute are an official climate partner of the United Nations Climate Initiative and will share with participants the latest climate science, data and actions necessary for our survival and to maintain momentum and climate leadership.

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Speakers list here.

Lunchtime exhibition stands preferences Here

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This conference will act as a green networking event – with exchanges across a variety of different thinkers, topics, and backgrounds, in order to provide everyone with resources and connections in the run up to COP26 Glasgow 2021, and further climate negotiations.

Participants can: attend, speak (subject to suitability and space requirements), network, or hold an exhibition stand during the conference. Please email us to discuss your requirements. There will be break out networking sessions and breaks throughout the day, also plenty of interaction and participation and break out rooms.

The Green Economics Institute is also putting together a Book and Report of the day: ‘Climate Justice,’ edited by Irene Garcia. Please email info@geibooks.org.uk to find out more. Details of the book can be found Here.

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Links to the organisers:

www.gef.eu

www.geiclimate.org

www.greeneconomicsinstitute.org.uk

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To discuss holding an exhibition stand – please email us at: greeneconomicsinstitute@yahoo.com

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Practicalities:

This event will be taking place online via the Zoom videoconferencing platform and is open to all registered participants. Please register here to participate, speak or have an exhibition stand.

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This event is organised by the Green European Foundation with the support of The Green Economics Institute and with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation.

• PROGRAMME:

Please find the preliminary schedule below, which is subject to change. All times are in CEST (Brussel time zone). More speakers are coming on board all the time so please keep watching here.

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9:15-9:30 Tech set-up

9:30-9:45 Welcome to Our Conference: Leadership in the Age of Climate Challenge – Miriam Kennet

Co-Chairs: Kristina Jocuite and Savvas Coureas

9:45-10:15 Welcome to the Day and Leadership in an Age of Climate Challenge :

Setting the Contemporary Scene:

Chair: Irene Garcia

Co-Chairs: Paul Kennet and Tahmina Sultana

5 minutes each Virtual Visits Around the World Sharing Climate Impacts:

Including: Floods in Mumbai, India with Sukriti Anand,

Property Damage in the Marais Poitevin in France with Rachel Earnshaw,

Wildfires in Australia with Alice Evatt.

10:15-10:30 Break

10:30-11:30 Opening plenary: what does climate leadership look like? Reflections on Climate Leadership.

Chair: Miriam Kennet.

Co-Chairs: Rachel Earnshaw and Sukriti Anand

Speakers:

• Patrick Harvie: MSP Scottish Parliament, Scotland.
• Baronness Natalie Bennet: House of Lords UK and a Member of the Green Economics Institute’s Delegations to the United Nations Climate Conferences. COP.
• Rt Hon Dr Djana Bejko (Albania): Biologist. Director of the Environment Agency, Albania and former Minister of the Environment, Albania.

Q & A and Debate

11:30 – 11:45 – Break

11:45-12:00 – Climate Science and Climate Narratives Speech 1

Chair: Miriam Kennet

Co-Chairs: Marlyn Hughes Lee and Sukriti Anand

Keynote Speaker: Professor Sir Brian Hoskins, Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Grantham Institute for Climate Change:

Sir Brian Hoskins was the Founding Director of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and the Environment, and is now its Chair. He is a Professor of Meteorology at the University of Reading. His international roles have included being vice-chair of the Joint Scientific Committee for the World Climate Research Programme, President of the International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences and involvement in the 2007 IPCC international climate change assessment and is a member of the UK Committee on Climate Change.He is a member of the science academies of the UK, USA, China and Europe, and has received a number of awards, including the top prizes of the UK and US Meteorological Societies and the Buys Ballot Medal (awarded by the Netherlands every 10 years).

12:00-12:15 Climate Science and Climate Narratives Speech 2

Chair: Miriam Kennet

Co-Chairs: Marlyn Hughes Lee and Sukriti Anand

Setting the scene – What does it mean to set a truly science-based / net zero aligned targets for Achieving the goals of Paris Agreement? Race to Zero, Carbon Neutral, Net Zero and other narratives.

Keynote Speaker: Kaya Axelsson – Net Zero Policy Engagement Fellow at the University of Oxford, Expert in Comparative Climate Governance and former VP of The Oxford Student Union, University of Oxford.

12:15-12:40 Breakout Sessions and Ice Breaker: All participants discussing climate leadership across different networks in small groups.

12:40-13.20 Climate Science and Climate Narratives Short Presentations

Session 3

Part I

Chair Part I: Marlyn Hughes Lee and Savvas Coureas

• Mariam Hussain, ELTEC, College of Engineering, Ewha Womans University in Korea, working on an Analysis of Climatology and Climate Events for adaptation and mitigation to Climate Change using Smart Technology. Her areas of expertise include: investigations of climate change: data science, and AI (ML and DL) techniques, numerical physics-based modeling and statistical modeling. Hydro-Meteorology Lab, Dept. Climate and Energy.

• Mukesh Lal Das, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod (India), Climate Scientist, India- Flowering Plant (Strobilanthes kunthianaus aka Neelakurinji) which flowers once in 12 years and is endemic to Western Ghats. “Neelakurinji research status and Extinction risk due to Climate Change”.

Part II

Chair Part II: Rachel Earnshaw

• Hans Kåre Flø (Norway): Special adviser at Tekna, Norway’s largest trade union for masters in science and engineering, and president of the Industrial board of The Norwegian Academy of technological sciences.
• Alexis McGivern – University of Oxford, Education Director at Oxford Climate Society, Director of School of Climate Change.

Q and A

13:20 – 13:30 Break

13:30 – 14:30 LUNCH BREAK

Parallel Sessions in Break Out Rooms:

Choice of options are:

ROOM 1: Main Room – COP26 Delegation and GEI

Professor Maria Madi, Paul Kennet, Bella Campbell and Tahmina Sultana hosting the GEI Books Publishing stand.

Green Economics Institute Trust, GEIClimate. Marlyn Lee Hughes represents the Green Economics Institute Trust. Sukriti Anand and Miriam Kennet hosting the GEIClimate virutal exhibition stand.

Emissions Gap Report Video

COP26 Delegation

ROOM 2: Virtual visit for climate impacts and challenges in Uganda:

Chair: Irene Garcia

Floods in Uganda with Dorothy Nalubega.

ROOM 3: The Green European Foundation – Lauren Bazen and Sian Hasker

ROOM 4: Rest and Relaxation (Quiet Room)

ROOM 5: Campaigning and Protest Groups

Oxford Justice Movement – Divest Oxford. – O.Benedict. Fellows hosting virtual exhibition stand

Larry Moffett – Rise for Climate Belgium is a grassroots movement based in Brussels, mobilizing citizens to pressure the European Union for stronger climate action and policy.

Miranda Brown – University of Alberta, Environmental Campaigning

Mock COP26 – Lavinia Iovino

Common Weal is a ‘think and do tank’ campaigning for social and economic equality in Scotland. Common Scotland organisation with a fully costed Green New Deal for Scotland hosts a virtual exhibition stand -with Robin McAlpine.

The Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill – Nessy Haines-Matos

ROOM 6: Art Gallery

Mukesh Sharma. Founder, Chittorgarh Art Society and phd research scholar MLSU Environmental Artist Displays his fascinating work challenging thinking and reflections, Mukesh has been preoccupied with understanding the invasion and presence of technology on the everyday predicament of contemporary lives. His Shesh Nag is an installation created out of waste materials-computer board monitors and packaging materials and sanganeri printed cloth. Mukesh will show some of his lovely land art.

Emma Thomas (UK and Denmark); Artwork for Nature. Emma K Thomas (UK/Denmark) is a British artist based in Copenhagen, Denmark. She is creator of a global collaborative artwork in support of biodiversity, withNature2020, which is being developed along with a network of volunteers. The project invites participants to join in creating a tapestry of endangered species, giant mosaic images to be formed ephemerally at multiple locations on one day, 22 May 2021, to coincide with the UN biodiversity conference.

ROOM 7: Talks: Clean Energy and Nature and the Environment

Clean energy in finance with Gavin Smith an Expert in financing and developing

Amit Jaspal – A student and philospher, on ‘reinstating morality’ and reconfiguring environmental morality to the individual.

ROOM 8: Oxford Scientists

‘Climate action and Training-Youth on Board‘ Alice Evatt and Kaya Axelson hosting virtual exhibition stand for University of Oxford, UK and Australia, Expertise in Climate Ethics.

Oxford Climate Alumni Network Alice is a PhD candidate specialising in climate ethics at the University of Oxford and Balliol College and She is the Director of Outreach

Oxford Climate Society, a society dedicated to developing informed climate leaders and facilitating climate learning, initiatives and change within the university and beyond. – Nathan Lawson

Alexis McGivern University of Oxford, Education Director at Oxford Climate Society, Director of School of Climate Change.

ROOM 9: Women’s Room

ROOM 10: Stress on Water, Agriculture, Fauna and Flora as our climate impacts in Jordan.

Professor Bashir Jarrar, Jerash University (Jordan) Stress on Water, Agriculture, Fauna and Flora as our climate impacts in Jordan.

ROOM 11: Climate Change and the Pandemic: Nigeria

Anjikwi Mshelbwala of ActionAid talks about the effects of climate change already being experienced on health and how it interplays with the pandemic in Nigeria.

ROOM 12: Health and Climate Change

Bianca Madison-Vuleta (Denmark, Croatia, Italy) Health and climate change.

ROOM 13: Speeches and Talks

14:30-14.50 Abridged Master Class in Climate Finance and Governance and Law

Chair: Paul Kennet and Savvas Coureas

Speakers:

• Professor Maria Alejandra Madi (Portugal and Brazil): Financial Expert: Regulating Green Bonds.
• Simonetta Spavieri: Responsible Investment Analyst at Royal London Asset Management, University of Oxford: Practical examples of how finance is integrating climate science: What is climate action in the financial sector?

14:50 – 14:55 Break

14.55-15.15 Abridged Master Class in Climate Law, Governance and The Treaty Design.

Chair: Marlyn Hughes & Miriam Kennet

Speaker:

Prof Dr Alexandra Harrington, author of several international law and governance books related to climate change and sustainable development, The Climate Law and Governance Initiative Board of Governors Secretary and Director of Research,(CISDL) and Fulbright Chair in Global Governance at the BSIA in Canada.

Q&A

15:15 -15:30 Break

15:30 – 16:15 Climate Change and Health and Social Issues

Chair: Peg Alexander

Co-Chair: Irene Garcia

Speakers:

• Jean Lambert (UK) Former MEP European Parliament- Migration and social aspects of climate change.
• Professor Doaa Salman ( Egypt): Economist. Organization: Faculty of management sciences, October university for modern sciences and arts, Egypt Title of speech: Risks from water stress in African countries Water Issues and climate change.
• Bianca Madison-Vuleta (Denmark, Croatia, Italy) Health and climate change.

Q&A

16:15 – 16:30 Break

16:30 – 17:30 Politics and Policymaking: The European Green Deal and EU actors

Chair: Peg Alexander

Co-Chair: Savvas Coureas

Speakers:

Keynotes:

Rt. Hon. Tilly Metz (Luxembourg): Member of the European Parliament. Déi Gréng – Les Verts: Member of the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Former MEP (North Macedonia) Rt Hon Dr Liljana Popovska, Engineer of chemical technology, Member of the Green Economics Institutes Delegations to the United Nations Climate Conferences COP, Member of the Green Institute of North Macedonia, Former Long Term Member of the European Parliamentary Committee of Foreign Affairs, PhD Political Science, Interculturalism and civil society.

David Flint:(UK) National Climate Coordinator and Policy Maker.

Anna Olerinyova (Slovakia): is a campaigner and activist with Oxford Climate Justice Campaign and Direct Action for Divestment, and local organiser for Extinction Rebellion. How activism can impact policy making and politics and at all levels!

Miranda Brown Activist (Alberta University) talks about the connection between activism and policy generation. Intuitive, informed, and empowering activism–in times of regional turmoil. Bridging Policy and Activism

17:30 – 17:45 Break

17.45-18.30 Civil Society: Contemporary challenges across different countries’ political and media realities. Campaigning for a Green Recovery and Next Steps.

Chair: Amber Leversedge, (UK) – Young peoples civil society perspectives

Speakers presentations:

• Keynotes: Alice Hubbard (UK): Organisation: School of Transnational Governance, European University Institute, with Expertise and interest: youth participation transnational governance networks responding to climate change and social justice, international climate governance. Secretary Global Young Greens (2017-2020), Policy Leader Fellow at EUI (transnational youth networks).
• Iryna Babanina (Ukraine): Mechanisms for civil society.
• Emma K Thomas (UK/Denmark) is a British artist based in Copenhagen, Denmark. She is creator of a global collaborative artwork in support of biodiversity, with Nature2020, which is being developed along with a network of volunteers. The project invites participants to join in creating a tapestry of endangered species, giant mosaic images to be formed ephemerally at multiple locations on one day, 22 May 2021, to coincide with the UN biodiversity conference.
• Amber Leversedge (UK) Young People’s civil society perspectives

18.30-18.45 Break

18.45- 19:45 : The Role of Civil Society in climate diplomacy. Contemporary challenges campaigning and networking across different countries’ political and media realities. Looking towards COP26 Glasgow:

Chair: Marlyn Hughes & Tahmina Sultana

Speakers:

• Keynote: Doug Parr, Chief Scientist and Policy Director, Greenpeace -The science and activity the political reality and campaigning towards COP26 and climate survival solutions.
• Climate Action Network Europe Adam Leckius Climate Policy Officer CAN Europe: The role of civil society in advocating for climate action for a new and ambitious EU 2030 target for COP26.
• Nicholas Brod- In The USA is a Climate and Energy Expert, ‘My own neighbourhood is on fire,’ Nicholas explains what its like to Experience the wild fires and climate devastation in his neighbourhood- and what he advises us to do -what it means for people.
• Irene Garcia (Catalonia, Spain) Looking towards COP and the issues young persons’ perspectives.
• Miriam Kennet (UK) – Leader of the Green Economics Institute’s Delegation to the COP 26. How to inspire a much greater climate ambition and public understanding in an age when ‘Our House is already on Fire’ (Patricia Espinosa Head of UNFCCC Dec2018 Katowice) we need an appropriate response. The United Nations tells us that when our house is on fire we put the flames out immediately- we don’t wait till 2050 or even 2030 -! we act now.