In 2023, the direct impacts of climate change – such as droughts, floods, and wildfires – have become impossible to ignore. Climate impacts are not confined within national borders however, but can cascade across and between continents, escalating through security relations, international trade, financial markets, international aid operations and displacement of people. Our societies will increasingly be impacted through these complex chains.
Drawing on four years of interdisciplinary research, this event will explore emerging recommendations on how governments in Europe and beyond can prepare to meet the challenge of cross-border cascading risks. It will both propose and explore concrete ways for policymakers and societies to build capacity to manage such risks in the years ahead.
This event is being hosted as a part of London Climate Action Week 2023.
Agenda
Welcome and introduction:
- Professor Tim Benton (Chair) – Research Director, Emerging Risks; Director, Environment and Society Programme, Chatham House
Perspectives on cascading climate risks:
- United Kingdom – Peter Bentley, Team Leader – Adaptation and Resilience, UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
- European Union – Diana Acconcia, Director for International Affairs and Climate Finance, DG CLIMA, European Commission
- African Union – H.E. Ambassador Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, African Union Commission
Panel discussion:
- Opening intervention: Emerging recommendations from the CASCADES project, and their relevance for wider governments and societies – Ruth Townend, Research Fellow – Climate Risk and Diplomacy, Environment and Society Programme, Chatham House
- Questions to panellists from chair (30 minutes)
Audience Q&A
