Climate change governance and the challenges of multi-level action –  Friday 15 October 2021, 1230-1330 (GMT +1)  

What climate change means for national and international security - Thursday 28 October 2021, 1230-1330 (GMT +1) 

Prompting action to address climate change is a pertinent issue for parliamentarians in the Commonwealth.

The comprehensive nature of both climate governance and climate security means that continuous discussions are required to strengthen and promote innovation, problem-solving capacity, and the development of climate solutions across the Commonwealth. 

The Climate Webinar and Roundtable Series will begin ahead of the 26th UN Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP26), with the webinar launch of two discussion papers:

Webinar 1. Climate Change Governance and the Challenges of Multi-Level Action, by the Global Legislators Organisation (GLOBE)

The discussion paper is an introduction to climate governance and devolution in national and sub-national contexts in the following seven countries: Australia, Canada, Maldives, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and United Kingdom. This initial exploration will cover key issues and challenges with a view to deepening examination of the implications of different governance structures for climate action and implementation of the UNFCCC Paris Agreement. For example, how does devolution affect national climate strategies (e.g. UK context with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)? Are national federal structures or sub-nationals, such as states/ regions/ provinces/ territories, more effective in addressing climate change? What are the key issues and challenges depending on difference in governance systems?

Speakers will include:

• Ms Malini Mehra, Chief Executive of GLOBE International (United Kingdom)
• Ms Yasmin Ratansi – Former Chair of the Environment and Sustainable Development committee, Canada
• Hon. Sarah Boyack MSP- Campaign Cabinet member for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Scotland

Webinar 2. What climate change means for national and international security, by E3G (Third Generation environmentalism)

It is now widely recognised that climate change poses direct and indirect risks to national security. About 70% of nations in the world have explicitly stated that climate change is a national security concern. The systemic nature of climate risk means that it also has consequences for international security and geopolitics. This discussion paper explores the role of commonwealth parliamentarians in climate legislation, oversight and representation and asks how governments are responding to climate security risks.

Speakers will include:

• Mr. Taylor Dimsdale Program Director for Risk and Resilience, E3G
• Ms. Erin Sikorsky, Director of The Centre for Climate and Security &, The International Military Council on Climate and Security US
• Major General Muniruzzaman, former Military Advisor to the President of Bangladesh

Regional roundtables will facilitate further discussion on the papers, as they provide participants with a unique opportunity to increase their knowledge on climate security, climate governance and devolution within their regions, while also providing a space to network and exchange ideas.  

Join this webinar and roundtable series - held in collaboration with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FDCO), the Global Legislators Organisation (GLOBE) and E3G – to hear climate experts discuss the findings their regional application.  

Registration 

To register for the workshop please follow this link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining. For further information on the Climate webinar and roundtable series please email Emma Hansen at, hansene@parliament.uk.