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At this time of unprecedented crisis, bold, fresh policy thinking is more urgent than ever. The New Statesman, Britain’s leading political weekly, has been at the forefront of progressive debate since its founding in 1913. In this new event series, the New Statesman and its Spotlight policy supplement will convene leaders from politics, business, and international organisations to discuss the most pressing policy problems facing the world today.

Our inaugural Global Policy Forum in June focussed on challenges facing policymakers in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. On 09 February 2021, join us to discuss arguably the next big challenge for countries worldwide: the climate crisis and sustainable growth. Through a series of panel discussions, interviews and live Q&A's, leaders and expert speakers will talk about how the world can move to a clean energy economy, with sessions across a range of policy areas. Register now to stay up-to-date on this event series.

Agenda



9th February 2021

10:00-10:15

Session 1:

Keynote Interview

Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, on a multilateral approach to sustainable recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic .

Speaker: Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme
Chair: Emily Tamkin, US Editor, New Statesman
10:15-11:05

Session 2:

Industry: A Green Recovery

How can the government and the private sector work together to move towards green growth? A panel discussion.

Speakers:
Alzbeta Klein, Director General, International Fertilizer Association, Former Director and Global Head of Climate Business, International Finance Corporation
Philip Dunne MP, Chair of the Environmental Audit Select Committee
Luca Jahier, Former President of the European Economic and Social Committee
Claire Perry O’Neill, Managing Director, Climate and Energy, World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Chair: Philippa Nuttall Jones, Editor in Chief, Energy Monitor
11:05-11:30

Session 3:

The Circular Economy is More Relevant Than Ever: In Conversation with Jocelyn Bleriot
Sponsored by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation

The global challenges that climate change poses are clear. What opportunity does the circular economy offer in providing a solution? An interview and live question and answer session with Jocelyn Bleriot.

Speaker: Jocelyn Bleriot, Executive Lead of the Institutions, Governments, & Cities program at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Chair: Sonja van Renssen, Managing Editor, Energy Monitor
11:30-12:00

Session 4:

Transforming the Plastics Economy for a Sustainable Recovery
Sponsored by The University of Portsmouth

The world is facing a global plastics crisis. What is the importance of transforming the plastics economy? What role do universities play in offering solutions? A panel discussion.

Speakers:
Cesar Sanches, Director of Strategic Marketing and Sustainability, Valgroup
Nathan Wrench, Head of Innovation for Sustainability, Cambridge Consultants
Professor Steve Fletcher, Professor of Ocean Policy and Economy and Director of Sustainability and the Environment Research Theme, The University of Portsmouth
Roisin Greene, Engagement Lead, Global Plastics Action Partnership, World Economic Forum
Chair: Marina Leiva, Senior Reporter, Investment Monitor
12:00-12:45

Session 5:

Tech: Greening Our Digital Lives

Technology is advancing our world, and has been key to the pandemic response. Given how much of our lives are spent online, how can we ensure Big Tech contributes to achieving net zero? A panel discussion.

Speakers:
Bill Weihl, Founder of Climate Voice
Chi Onwurah MP, Shadow Minister for Science, Research and Digital
Chair: Oscar Williams, Senior Journalist, New Statesman
12:45-13:00

Break

13:00-13:30

Session 6:

The Ethics and Politics of the Climate Crisis

Climate change has implications for human rights, equality, and efforts to eliminate poverty. What are the ethical considerations of action on the climate in light of these issues? Interviews with key experts.

Speakers:
Tasneem Essop, Executive Director of Climate Action Network International
Jamie Margolin, Co-Executive Director, Zero Hour
Chair: India Bourke, International Online Editor, New Statesman
13:30-14:30

Session 7:

Education and Skills: Adapting for a New Generation
Sponsored by Zero Waste Scotland

Ensuring a sustainable future will require behavioural change, as well as a new approach to the skills needed for the workforce. What role do education systems have to play in this? And how can employers contribute? Interviews with key experts.

Speakers:
Guy Ryder, Director-General, International Labour Organisation
Andreas Schleicher, Director for the Directorate of Education and Skills, OECD
Diana Mwai, Director, Educate! Kenya
Iain Gulland, CEO, Zero Waste Scotland
Chair: Alona Ferber, Special Projects Editor, New Statesman
14:30-15:15

Session 8:

Achieving Net Zero: What Is the Role of Policymakers and the Financial Sector?
Sponsored by South Pole

Sustainable finance has been on an upwards trend, with asset managers making net zero commitments across the globe. But where does the responsibility of the financial sector begin and the responsibility of the government end? .

Speakers:
John Glen MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury
Steve Waygood, Chief Responsible Investment Officer, Aviva Investors
Rebecca Self, Director of Sustainable Finance, South Pole
Chair: Rachel Cunliffe, Deputy Online Editor, New Statesman
15:15-16:00

Session 9:

ESG, Climate Change and Corporate Strategy: The New Imperative
Sponsored by Herbert Smith Freehills

Successfully managing the risks and opportunities stemming from environmental, social and corporate governance issues may hold the key for business value and ensuring a sustainable recovery. How does a strong ESG approach make financial sense and why should it be integral to corporate strategy? A panel discussion.

Speakers:
Alex Sobel MP, Chair of Net Zero APPG
Victoria Gorman, Director of Investor Relations, Dalmore Capital
Silke Goldberg, Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills
Chair: Sofia Karadima, Senior Editor, Investment Monitor
16:00-16:40

Session 10:

Cities of the Future

Mayors and local authorities have been at the forefront of the pandemic response. In this session, local government representatives from across the globe will discuss reshaping their cities’ agenda for a sustainable future. A series of interviews.

Speakers:
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol
Jess Miller, Councillor of Sydney
Chair: Sommer Mathis, Editor-In-Chief, City Monitor
16:40-17:10

Session 11:

Net-Zero Diplomacy: Foreign Policy and the Climate

COP26 is due to take place in Glasgow this year, having been postponed in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. How can the international community make up for lost time and ensure the Paris Agreement targets are met? And in a world where geopolitical dynamics are shifting, how can the international community ensure multilateral cooperation on this global problem?

Speaker: Michal Kurtyka, Poland’s Minister of Climate and Environment and President of COP24
Chair: India Bourke, International Online Editor, New Statesman
17:10-17:35

Session 12:

Closing Keynote Address and Interview

Anneliese Dodds MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, will discuss the Labour Party's green recovery policy.

Speaker: Anneliese Dodds MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer
Chair: Stephen Bush, Political Editor, New Statesman

Speakers

Anneliese Dodds MP

Shadow Chancellor

Chi Onwurah MP

Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne Central, Shadow Minister for Science, Research and Digital

Guy Ryder

10th ILO Director-General

Rt Hon Philip Dunne MP

Alzbeta Klein

Director General, International Fertilizer Association, Former Director and Global Head of Climate Business, International Finance Corporation

Inger Andersen

Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme

Tasneem Essop

Executive Director of Climate Action Network International

Andreas Schleicher

Director for the Directorate of Education and Skills, OECD

Michal Kurtyka

Poland's Minister of Climate and Environment, President of COP24

Diana Mwai

Kenya Program Director, Educate!, Kenya

Jocelyn Blériot

Executive Lead of the Institutions, Governments, & Cities program at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Jamie Margolin

Co-Executive Director, Zero Hour

Marvin Rees

Mayor of Bristol

Professor Steve Fletcher

Professor of Ocean Policy and Economy and Director of Sustainability and the Environment Research Theme, The University of Portsmouth

Cesar Sanches

Director of Strategic Marketing and Sustainability, Valgroup

Steve Waygood

Chief Responsible Investment Officer, Aviva Investors

John Glen MP

Economic Secretary to the Treasury

Bill Weihl

Founder and Director of Climate Voice

Claire Perry O'Neill

Managing Director for Climate and Energy, World Business Council for Sustainable Development

Luca Jahier

Former President of EESC 2018-2020

Rebecca Self

Director of Sustainable Finance, South Pole

Iain Gulland

Executive Director and CEO, Zero Waste Scotland

Jess Miller

Councillor of Sydney

Alex Sobel MP

Chair of Net Zero APPG

Silke Goldberg

Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills

Nathan Wrench

Head of Innovation for Sustainability, Cambridge Consultants

Victoria Gorman

Director of Investor Relations, Dalmore Capital

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Contact Us

To enquire about sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Dominic Rae on dominic.rae@newstatesman.co.uk Phone: +44 (0) 7856 479 616

For any enquiries about the event, please contact: Oihana Almandoz on oihana.almandoz@ns-mediagroup.com Phone: +44 (0)20 7406 6798