23.01.2019
Investments, Infrastructure and Climate change
Climate change discussions about the Caspian Sea Basin have been taking place for a long time, as the sea level fluctuations have long been of concern. Recently, the debates have changed tone. During the most recent IPCC meeting in Incheon, South Korea (October 2018), it was said that limiting global warming to 1.5°C would require rapid, far- reaching and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society. If achieved, it would bring clear benefits to people and natural ecosystems, while at the same time going hand in hand with ensuring a more sustainable and equitable society. However, the actions called for in the Paris Agreement would not suffice to limit global warming to the targeted 1.5°– 2° C above pre-industrial levels, unless behavioral patterns were to change significantly, and technological innovation dramatically accelerated.
The moderator: Frederik Schlingemann. Speakers: Marco Gaia, Kairat Kelimbetov, Ray Leonard, President, prof. Xiankun Lu.
Climate scientists currently agree that we are reaching a point of no return, beyond which global warming will become uncontrollable. Opinions as to when that point will be reached differ but as new data is released and new scenarios are published, the tipping point becomes ever closer. At today's debate, five speakers from around the world were to elaborate on the following:
- The nexus between energy and climate change
- What should happen post COP24 (also known as the Katowice Climate Change Conference), where, in December 2018, countries agreed to set tougher targets for cutting greenhouse gases under the Paris climate agreement, as well as stronger transparency rules for countries in disclosing their emissions while leaving the question on how to use markets to limit carbon dioxide unanswered.
- How much time does the world have left to control the effects of global warming? What will be the global implications of climate change?
- In the light of the above, what advice could be given to the public and private sector in the Caspian Region, considering the fact that their GDP heavily depends on the oil and gas producing sector?
The moderator: Frederik Schlingemann. Speakers: Marco Gaia, Kairat Kelimbetov, Ray Leonard, President, prof. Xiankun Lu.
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