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URL:https://lectures.london/london-school-of-economics/the-evolving-role-o
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SUMMARY:The evolving role of global climate agreements
LOCATION:London School of Economics: In-person public event (Old Theatre\,
  Old Building)
DESCRIPTION:Thursday 30 July 2026 6.30pm - 8pmSpeakerProfessor Jonathan Pe
 rshingChairLord SternGlobal climate agreements have successfully created a
  near-universal framework for cooperation\, but they have not yet delivere
 d emissions reductions at the scale and speed required to avoid the most d
 angerous impacts of climate change. A new phase of climate diplomacy is ne
 eded\, and is likely to depend on a combination of strong multilateral ins
 titutions and complementary coalitions that can accelerate implementation\
 , mobilize investment\, and raise ambition.This year's Pete Betts Memorial
  Lecture reflects on the evolution of the international climate regime fro
 m the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change through the Kyoto Protocol
  and Paris Agreement to the latest outcomes of COP28 and COP30\, examining
  how climate diplomacy has adapted to changing political realities\, econo
 mic opportunities\, and scientific imperatives. While the Paris Agreement 
 achieved near-universal participation and helped embed climate action into
  national policy frameworks\, and while technological advances such as low
 -cost renewable energy and rapid growth in electric vehicles offer grounds
  for optimism\, global emissions continue to rise and current commitments 
 remain insufficient to achieve agreed temperature goals.The lecture explor
 es whether smaller\, focused "coalitions of the willing" on issues such as
  methane\, forests\, cities\, finance\, and fossil-fuel transitions can co
 mplement the UN process. It argues that the most effective path forward is
  a pragmatic combination: maintaining the UN climate regime at the centre 
 of international cooperation while building practical partnerships that ca
 n drive implementation\, accountability\, and accelerated action during th
 is decisive decade for climate change.Meet our speaker and chairIn this le
 cture\, Jonathan Pershing\, the Inaugural Dean of the LSE Global School of
  Sustainability\, will share his memories of Peter Betts from many interac
 tions over international climate policy. Professor Pershing has extensive 
 experience at the highest level of US climate policy and has played a key 
 role in creating international climate agreements. He has held significant
  positions in the US Department of State — including as the US Special E
 nvoy for Climate Change — and at the US Department of Energy\, as well a
 s leadership roles in the World Resources Institute and the International 
 Energy Agency.Chairing this event is Professor Lord Stern of Brentford. Lo
 rd Stern is also Chair of of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Ch
 ange and the Environment\, and Chair of the LSE Global School of Sustainab
 ility.More about this eventThe Grantham Research Institute on Climate Chan
 ge and the Environment was established by LSE in 2008 to create a world-le
 ading multidisciplinary centre for policy-relevant research and training o
 n climate change and the environment\, bringing together international exp
 ertise from across LSE and beyond\, including on economics\, finance\, geo
 graphy\, the environment\, science\, law\, international relations\, devel
 opment and political science.The Global School of Sustainability at LSE (G
 SoS) is the interdisciplinary centre for sustainability research impact at
  the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). GSoS works in
  partnerships to advance pioneering sustainability research\, global polic
 y engagement and world-leading educational opportunities. Grounded in LSE
 ’s interdisciplinary excellence across the social sciences\, GSoS’s gl
 obal networks target the systemic challenges to sustainability embedded in
  the world’s economies\, politics and societies.Any questions?Contact us
  at Gsos@lse.ac.ukFrom time to time there are changes to event details so 
 we strongly recommend that if you plan to attend this event you check back
  on this listing on the day of the event.Whilst we are hosting this listin
 g\, LSE Events does not take responsibility for the running and administra
 tion of this event. While we take responsible measures to ensure that accu
 rate information is given here this event is ultimately the responsibility
  of the organisation presenting the event.LSE holds a wide range of events
 \, covering many of the most controversial issues of the day\, and speaker
 s at our events may express views that cause offence. The views expressed 
 by speakers at LSE events do not reflect the position or views of the Lond
 on School of Economics and Political Science.
URL;VALUE=URI:https://www.lse.ac.uk/global-school-of-sustainability/events
 /peter-betts-memorial-lecture-2026
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