COP26: Recognising the role of trade and the private sector in adaptation

Summary

For COP26, the UK Presidency has set adaptation and resilience as one of five priorities. But what are the expectations, and what needs to happen for a successful outcome in Glasgow?

The Covid-19 pandemic has drawn attention to the propensity for risks to cascade across sectors and borders in a globalised world. How does this relate to the challenge of building global climate resilience through the UNFCCC process? How should this influence the key adaptation issues to be discussed in Glasgow? What important issues are in danger of dropping off the agenda?

We live in an interconnected world. The effects of climate change ripple out across national borders. ​Likewise, our adaptation actions can have consequences that cascade from country to country, but many of the flows that connect countries are managed by private companies, whilst multilateral negotiations on climate change are conducted by governments. Adaptation has traditionally been seen as a responsibility of governments, who develop National Adaptation Plans and coordinate adaptation within their territories. However, as climate risks escalate, the role of the private sector in achieving a just transition to a climate-resilient future is increasingly emphasized.

The webinar was organised by Mistra Geopolitics and moderated by Annett Moehner, Team Lead, Adaptation Committee, United Nations Climate Change Secretariat.

Agenda

15.00-15.15 Opening remarks

• Magnus Benzie, Research Fellow, SEI
• Annett Moehner, Team Lead, Adaptation Committee, United Nations Climate Change Secretariat

15.15-15.30 Research input on the road to Glasgow

• Frida Lager, Research Associate, SEI –Sweden’s exposure to trade-related risks from climate change
• Maria-Therese Gustafsson, Associate Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, Stockholm University – Private sector engaging in climate adaptation

15.30-15.55 Panel discussion and Q&A

Moderated by Annett Moehner, Team Lead, Adaptation Committee, United Nations Climate Change Secretariat

• Magnus Benzie, Research Fellow, SEI
• Maria-Therese Gustafsson, Associate Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, Stockholm University
• Frida Lager, Research Associate, SEI

15.55-16.00 Closing remarks

• Annett Moehner, Team Lead, Adaptation Committee, United Nations Climate Change Secretariat