Destination 2030: Making 1.5C a reality

COP26 President Alok Sharma, former Vice President Al Gore, and the UN High-Level Climate Champions Nigel Topping and Gonzalo Munoz will be joined by real economy and civil society leaders tomorrow to unpack how COP26 may have already started to close the ambition gap and explore what more is needed to reach a zero carbon world in time.

The IPCC’s Report provided a clear and sober reflection of our current pace of action and 2030 commitments from countries are still falling short. With the potential to advance collective action and push for bolder progress from governments, Destination 2030 will discuss the pivotal role of non state actors in this fundamental transformation.

Hosted by the UN High-Level Climate Champions in partnership with the UK COP26 Presidency, the event will explore the significance of actions underway – as well as what’s possible, and needed — if we are to keep the promise of the Paris Agreement and 1.5C alive.

The first panel will welcome Lord Adair Turner and UN High-Level Climate Champion Nigel Topping who will share the latest analysis on the progress of climate action in conversation with WRI Vice President and Regional Director for Africa Wanjira Mathai.

The second panel, moderated by UN High-Level Climate Champion Gonzalo Munoz, will host LafargeHolcim Chief Sustainability Officer Magali Anderson, lCAN International Director Tasneem Essop, and eminent climate scientist Johan Rockstrom to reflect on what is already underway within the real economy and what more is needed to keep 1.5 alive.

The agenda will include:

The current state of progress: The event will open with a high-level key note from Vice President Al Gore, which will reflect on the positive impact of the latest announcements on our progress to a zero-carbon world.

The art of the possible: Wanjira Mathai, Vice President and Regional Director for Africa, WRI will open a panel discussion with Nigel Topping, UN High Level Climate Champion and CEO of the ETC Lord Turner, to explore the art of the possible and the latest analysis that suggests 1.5 may be within reach.

The path forwards: The final panel will welcome real economy and civil society leaders to discuss the progress that is already accelerating within the real economy, the existing gulf between ambition and necessary action, and the next steps required to deliver 1.5.

Destination 2030 is taking place on November 5 in the Plenary hall of the Blue Zone. To watch the event, please click here or here.