Debate @Academy: Climate Action in Times of War

About

The war in Ukraine has not only disrupted the European security order but led to geopolitical uncertainty and complicated multilateral cooperation, for example on international climate action. For the G7 summit on 26 - 28 June 2022, the German government had set the goal of advancing international climate action. However, with much of the political attention in Western capitals focusing on military and short-term energy supply issues, ambitious climate action plans could take a back seat. 

At the same time, climate change continues to have devastating consequences and the urgency of climate action is greater than ever. Many countries of the Global South are concerned about international pledges for climate finance and climate adaptation in light of peaking energy prices and the rising defense expenditures of the G7 and G20 states. Against this backdrop, the panel will discuss the following questions: 

• What are the results of the G7 summit with regard to international climate cooperation? 
• How will the altered geopolitical context affect international climate cooperation and the collective goal to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees?
• What are the repercussions on the Global South and its climate action agenda?
• What multilateral action is needed to ensure that COP27 in Egypt will make a substantial step forward in international climate cooperation in the midst of a polarized and strained international politics?

A light meal and drinks will be served.