From Vision to Reality, Getting the Job Done: UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell

The Institute for Development and Diplomacy hosted UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell. Delivering a lecture under the title, “From Vision to Reality, Getting the Job Done”, Mr. Stiell talked about the key issues and actions needed in the crucial years ahead, building on progress at COP28 in Dubai. The event highlighted the challenges and solutions to global climate change, leading to the development of a rough plan for the future.

The lecturer highlighted the role of international cooperation in combating climate change and the generation of innovative solutions and policies for reducing carbon emissions. The UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, also gave a comprehensive answer to the questions raised by students on the current strategies for engaging governments, businesses, and communities in climate action.

While talking about the future of global climate policy and the urgent actions needed to meet climate goals, Mr. Stiell said: “I want to start imagining what the world will look like in 2050, if we do succeed in both limiting global warming to 1.5°C and protecting all peoples from climate change impacts. Of course, it will be no utopia, and there is a potential extinction to contend with, but I will come back to that. In this vision of success, global energy systems are at net-zero emissions. Countries – or at least regions – will largely be energy self-sufficient.”

Following the lecture, the meeting was followed by a Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage with a high-caliber climate action expert.