adelphi

adelphi will hold four roundtables in major European cities to better understand the future landscape of climate diplomacy in a time where populists agitate against the globalized world – be it migration, the free flow of goods, of information, or institutions of international cooperation.

Populists agitate against the globalized world – be it migration, the free flow of goods, of information, or institutions of international cooperation. Yet, climate change and sustainable development – among many other topics – are challenges that cannot be tackled by any single country alone. The Western world finds itself at a crossroads – with political drawbridges rising – and time is running short for the international community to develop a coherent strategy in the fight against climate change.

Berlin, Brussels, London, Paris - climate diplomacy in times of populism in focus

What are the implications for climate diplomacy resulting from the rise of populism in Europe? What will the consequences be of a new US president with an agenda that does not recognize the realities of a changing climate? How can climate and energy policy strengthen the vision for the EU? How will Brexit impact climate and energy policy and cooperation in Europe, and the EU’s leadership role in climate negotiations? What impact will the elections in Germany and France have on energy relations?

In order to find answers to these and other questions, adelphi will hold four roundtables in major European cities to better understand the future landscape of climate diplomacy and energy relations given changing international political circumstances. adelphi partners with the Institute for European Studies in Brussels, the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) in Paris, and the Grantham Institute for Climate Change at Imperial College in London. The series Drawbridges up, climate policy down - decarbonization without leadership? is supported by the German Federal Foreign Office. Each of the roundtables will address a specific theme, namely:

  • The Future of Decarbonization and EU Cooperation (Brussels)
  • Implications for Climate Policy and Ambitions (London)
  • Implications for International Climate Negotiations (Paris)
  • Implications for the Climate Science-Policy Interface (Berlin)

adelphi and our partner institutions will summarize the key findings from the four-part discussion series in a single policy brief that will be disseminated to policy-makers. A public discussion will take place during this year’s Climate Diplomacy Week (19-25 June) in Berlin.

Keep yourself updated by following us on Twitter: @ClimateDiplo.


Climate Diplomacy
Europe
Global Issues
Raquel Munayer, adelphi

Climate Diplomacy Week is a perfect opportunity to highlight positive climate action, set new goals and engage more and new actors in the fight against the devastating impacts of climate change. Each year, the week has its own character. Climate Diplomacy Week 2018, from 24-30 September, was marked by action – throughout the world, civil society participated in inspiring educational activities and engaged the wider public in the climate cause.

Climate Change
Climate Diplomacy
Europe
North America
Megan Darby, Climate Home

In a move that underscored Donald Trump’s isolation on trade and climate change, the two major economies inserted a reference to the Paris Agreement into Ceta.

Climate Diplomacy
Security
South America
Central America & Caribbean
Diálogo Chino

Fourteen Latin American and Caribbean countries made history at the UN General Assembly on September 27 by signing the Escazú Agreement, a regional accord on public participation and access to information and justice in environmental affairs. It is the first region-wide agreement of its kind and has been touted a big step forward in recognising the rights of environmental defenders. Signatories now need to ratify the Agreement internally before it can enter into force.

Climate Change
Climate Diplomacy
Early Warning & Risk Analysis
Asia
Florian Krampe (SIPRI) and Ashok Swain (Uppsala University)

Though India is now pushing for BIMSTEC, geography dictates that it cannot ignore SAARC. South Asia is extremely vulnerable to a range of climate impacts, ranging from shrinking glaciers and water scarcity to floods and rising sea levels. Responding to these risks is a complex task, also because often impacts affect more than one country and their severity exceeds the capacity of national governments. Climate change creates new challenges for regional organisations, and simultaneously increases their relevance.