Climate and energy summit 2025

On the road to COP30, join governments and businesses for two days of interactive discussion exploring strategies to secure a resilient future.

Conference
18 March 2025 TO 19 March 2025 — 9:00AM TO 5:00PM
Chatham House and Online
Wind turbines on a cloudy mountain ridge. A path winds between the turbines.

Securing a resilient future

The world is increasingly presented with competing challenges to unified action on climate change, the energy transition and environmental concerns. Escalating climate hazards are matched by geopolitical shifts and upheavals that are severely testing the multilateral system, magnifying global exposure and vulnerabilities to risk. Accelerating whole economy decarbonization is crucial to minimize the chances of cascading climate risks and keep the Paris Agreement within reach. Physical climate impacts are increasingly threatening food supply and agricultural trade patterns, diminishing multilateral cooperation and mirroring the securitization and onshoring trends emerging within the energy transition. Electric vehicles, solar, wind and critical raw materials are all climbing the geopolitical agenda and reshaping trading relationships. However, the West-China competition over the energy transition is itself presenting a derailment risk to the transition with consequences for the acceleration of the transition and wider global reverberations that are redrawing north-south relations and alliances.  

This interplay between the physical and systemic risks of climate change and the derailment risks of the energy transition will be key for all nations on the path towards COP30, as will increasing securitization at a time where accelerated multilateral action is so desperately needed. With the growing urgency and technological possibility to accelerate meaningful action in climate change and nature closer than ever before - what strategies can be accelerated and how can money be made to flow to where it is needed to deliver a resilient future?

On the road towards COP30, this annual conference will gather senior leaders and decision-makers from the business community, multilateral organizations, government agencies, academia and NGOs. Two days of high-level panel dialogues, networking sessions and under the Chatham House Rule roundtables will focus on multi-stakeholder collaboration for increased ambition, action and impact. 

This year’s conference will be convened in-person at Chatham House and simultaneously broadcast on our LIVE event virtual platform. 

Why attend?

  • Understand the key geopolitical developments, policy shifts and global mega-trends shaping climate action and the energy transition.    
  • Discover innovative approaches to climate finance, the food-water nexus, and bioeconomies of the future.  
  • Explore emerging discussions around critical materials and divergent transition pathways with the potential to drive and disrupt a secure energy transition.  
  • Connect with policymakers, innovators and investors and share your perspective on which technologies and solutions will deliver transformative change for a resilient future. 

By registering for this event, attendees agree to our code of conduct, ensuring a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming space for diverse perspectives and debate.

Who attends?

Agenda

Tuesday 18 March (timings subject to change)

Opening keynote

0930–1000

Resilience and rivalry: Geopolitics of climate and the energy transitions

What is the outlook for leadership on climate action after a landmark year of elections? Have new champions for climate and the energy transition emerged on the Road to COP30? How can the competing priorities at the global and national level be overcome to boost collective climate action and transformative systems change in a world of escalating conflict? What does increasing protectionism and heightened geopolitical risk mean for the implementation of ambitious and achievable climate goals going forward with the submission of updated nationally determined contributions (NDCs) in early 2025?


How feasible and/or helpful is 1.5°C as a target in a closing window of opportunity? Looking toward COP30, what are the best multilateral institutional frameworks to engage with climate challenges and energy security?

Speakers
Laura Clarke, CEO, ClientEarth
Fatou Jeng, Climate Advisor to the United Nations Secretary General; Founder, Clean Earth Gambia
Todd Stern, United States Special Envoy for Climate Change (2009-2016, joining virtually)
Chair: Dan Quiggin, Senior Research Fellow, Chatham House

1000–1100

Networking break

1100–1130

Adaptation strategies for cascading climate risks

What are some examples of the most pressing cascading climate risks and what lessons can be drawn from recent adaptation efforts? What role can insurers play in building resilience to cascading climate risk? How might decision making and leadership at the local level be fostered to support social adaptation and resilience strategies?


Which emerging technologies and infrastructural approaches can help to enable better early warning systems, risk assessment, and greater resilience in the face of escalating transboundary climate risks? How can regions avoid maladaptation?

Speakers
Paolo Albrito, Director, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)
Kristin Hughes, Global Health of Sustainability, Diageo
Olivia Lazard, Fellow, Carnegie Europe
Clare Shakya, Global Managing Director for Climate, The Nature Conservancy
Chair: Ruth Townend, Senior Research Fellow, Chatham House

1130–1230

Lunch

1230–1330

Spotlight 1 | The food-water nexus

Spotlight roundtable sessions will run concurrently. They are in-person only and will be held under the Chatham House Rule. 

How can we effectively balance water resource management with food production to ensure sustainability in the face of climate change and a global population growth? How can governments institute synergistic change in all elements of food and water systems, including value chains, from food production through to consumption, as well as environmental, health and social outcomes? What trade-offs must they navigate?


How can policies to deliver sustainable food, transport and energy systems take better account of the needs of rural communities? What else is needed to overcome the politicization of food systems transformation?How can non-state actors (businesses, academia, CSOs) best mobilise to deliver successful outcomes for food and water systems?

Speakers
Rebecca Brooks, Food Systems Lead, High-Level Climate Champions
Nick Hepworth, Executive Director, Water Witness
Zitouni Ould-Dada, Senior Advisor, FAIRR Initiative
Co-chair: Glada Lahn, Senior Research Fellow, Environment and Society Centre, Chatham House
Co-chair: Richard King, Senior Research Fellow, Environment and Society Centre, Chatham House

1330–1445

Spotlight 2 | Innovation and the bioeconomies of the future

Spotlight roundtable sessions will run concurrently. They are in-person only and will be held under the Chatham House Rule. 

How can policymakers create a regulatory environment that fosters innovation while ensuring sustainability and equity within future bioeconomies? What role should public and private investment play in accelerating research and development for bioeconomy innovations, and how can we ensure that these investments lead to long-term, transformative impact?


How can businesses leverage emerging bioeconomy innovations to meet both economic goals and the need for environmental resilience, and what partnerships are critical for success in this space?

Speakers
Elizabeth Cottier-Cook, Head of the United Nations University Associate Institute, Scottish Association of Marine Science
Karen Ellis, Chief Economist, WWF
Jennifer Jordan Saffi, CEO, Sustainable Markets Initiative
Justin Perrettson, Head of Partnerships and External Engagement, Novonesis
Monique Simmonds OBE, Director of Commercial Innovation Unit and Deputy Director of Science, Partnerships, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Chair: Ana Yang, Director, Environment and Societies Centre, Chatham House

1330–1445

Finance fit for the future: Closing the finance gap and economic transition in the BRICS+

In a rapidly shifting geopolitical environment, what are the most effective channels to leverage private finance and deploy public finance for differentiated climate objectives? How does finance for climate action compete with high-priority non-climate objectives and how is the role of multilateral development banks, central banks and other publicly backed institutions evolving to leverage risk-bearing private finance? How should a focus on carbon markets and Article 6.4 mechanisms be balanced with other considerations to help overcome financial challenges for emerging and developing economies, particularly around adaptation and resilience in the BRICS+ and other emerging economies?  


What role can the private sector and BRICS+ nations play in advocating for and implementing governance frameworks that build trust and accountability in the NCQG and other global climate finance initiatives?

Speakers
Champa Patel, Executive Director Governments and Policy, Climate Group
Ndongo Samba Sylla, Head of Research and Policy for the Africa Region/International Development Economics Associates (IDEAs), Senegal
Chair: Creon Butler, Director, Global Economy and Finance Program, Chatham House

1445–1545

Networking break

1545–1615

In conversation with Apple

This conversation explores how sustainability and innovation are integrated within Apple’s global business strategy and the supporting policy frameworks that enable transformative systems change within an international business context. The conversation will discuss Apples initiatives driving environmental responsibility, including ambitious goals for carbon neutrality, renewable energy, and the development of a circular economy.

Speakers
Chris Busch, Senior Director, Environmental Initiatives, Apple

1615–1645

The business of resilience

How can corporate and financial institutions effectively understand and account for evolving climate risks and environmental dependencies? What impact have renewed geopolitical tensions had on supply chain sustainability? How are drivers for corporate sustainability evolving amid political uncertainty, and what steps ensure economic incentives align with a climate-resilient future in key sectors?


What are the implications of ‘greenhushing’ for efforts to improve transparent reporting and how should this be addressed?

Speakers
Peter Bragg, EMEA Sustainability & Government Affairs Director, Canon
Nancy Gillis, Senior Director Industrial Decarbonization, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Safine Hadri, Partner, Kennedys
Sherry Medira, CEO, CDP
Chair: Daianna Kairarian, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Today Do This

1645–1745

End of day one

1745

Wednesday 19 March (timings subject to change)

Accelerating the energy transition

Is the current policy and investment environment aligned to triple the world’s installed renewable energy generation capacity to at least 11,000 GW by 2030? Is the refocusing on energy security and onshoring/friendshoring likely to help or hinder this acceleration? How should demand and supply side measures be balanced to double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements to over 4% every year until 2030?


What is the role of zero and low-emission technologies, including abatement and removal technologies in keeping warming to well below 2°C?

Speakers
Claire Dykta, Director of Strategy and Policy, National Grid ESO
Jane Dennett-Thorpe, Decarbonisation & Energy Transition lead at Ofgem
Jon Fuller, Director - United Kingdom, Breakthrough Energy
Ben Parsons, Partner, Oaklin
Chair: Mike Hemsley, Deputy Director, Energy Transitions 

1000–1100

Critical materials

Held under the Chatham House Rule. 

Where are the emerging chokepoints in critical minerals processing and supply and how might these impact the pace and scale of the energy transition alongside the growth of new resource superpowers? How are national energy security and mineral sovereignty concerns shaping multilateral alliances and strategic geopolitical relationships? How are current trade tensions affecting the supply chains of critical raw materials and what strategies can countries adopt to derisk supply chains?  


What are the potential environmental and social implications of onshoring critical materials in the context of the energy transition? How does the growing demand for critical material intersect with wider conversations around climate risks, land use and agricultural policy?

Speakers
Ian Anderson, Chief Commercial Officer, Teck Resources
Claudia Rodriguez Lagos, Executive Vice-President, Cochilco
Rohitesh Dhawan, President and Chief Executive Officer, ICMM
Olivia Lazard, Fellow, Carnegie Europe

1100–1200

Lunch

1200–1300

Removals vs reduction: Investment in divergent transition pathways

What are the risks and barriers to pursuing a pathway towards CCUS and carbon removals relative to the risks and barrier of a greater emphasis on demand side policies, efficiency and sufficiency measures? In what ways can policy frameworks enhance the effectiveness of removals technologies such as CCUS technologies, and what role does government support and investment play in their deployment? How can the effectiveness of CCUS investments be measured in terms of actual carbon reduction versus projected outcomes?


What types of efficiency measures and demand management strategies present the greatest potential for reducing emissions, and how can investments in these areas be prioritized? To what extent are CCUS and carbon removals relative to efficiency measures considered ‘outliers’ in the broader discourse on climate action and investment strategies, and how does this perception impact their adoption and funding?

Speakers
Alan Fotheringham, Global Director of Low Carbon, Jacobs
Niall Mac Dowell, Professor in Energy Systems Engineering, Imperial College London
Yamina Saheb, Senior Researcher and Lecturer at Sciences Po
Aniruddha Sharma, CEO and Chair, Carbon Clean
Chair: Dan Quiggin, Senior Research Fellow, Environment and Society Centre

1300–1400

In conversation with Damilola Ogunbiyi

Speakers
Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO and UN SRSG for Sustainable Energy for All, Co-Chair of UN-Energy
Chair: Ana Yang, Director, Environment and Society Centre, Chatham House

1400–1430

Networking break

1430–1500

Spotlight 1 | Unlocking private finance

Come prepared to have your say during our interactive spotlight discussions focussed on Unlocking Private Finance in the Energy Transition and Energy Security on the Frontline. Choose a topic, hear from your peers, and shape the conversation with your insights. To foster a candid and open conversation, each session will be held under the Chatham House Rule.

This session examines the evolving role of private finance in closing the climate finance gap.


  • What incentives can better support engagement of private finance with green objectives and a pragmatic transition within the overarching global financial architecture?

  • Where should efforts be focused to support alignment initiatives given recent political shifts?

  • How does the private finance community most effectively support the mobilization of public finance for adaptation and mitigation objectives?

     

Speakers
Amal-Lee Amin, Managing Director and Head of Climate, Diversity and Advisory, British International Investment
Harry Boyd-Carpenter, Managing Director, Climate Strategy and Delivery, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Michelle Capiod, Co-Founding Partner, Blume Equity
Joanna Cound, Global Head of Public Policy, BlackRock
Rahul Ghosh, Head of Global Sustainable Finance, Moodys
Nicola Ranger, Director of the Resilient Planet Finance Lab, ECI, Oxford University
Peter Taylor, Corporate Programme Director, IIGCC
Steve Waygood, Chief Sustainable Finance Officer, Aviva Investors
David Zalaznick, Professor Emeritus of Business & Professor Emeritus of Economics, Columbia Business School
Chair: Creon Butler, Director, Global Economy and Finance Program, Chatham House

1500–1615

Spotlight 2 | Energy Security on the Frontline

Come prepared to have your say during our interactive spotlight discussions focussed on Unlocking Private Finance in the Energy Transition and Energy Security on the Frontline. Choose a topic, hear from your peers, and shape the conversation with your insights. To foster a candid and open conversation, each session will be held under the Chatham House Rule.

Exploring the critical intersection of energy infrastructure, resilience, and geopolitical tensions, this roundtable unpacks how lessons from Ukraine can redefine the role of energy security in national defense in Europe, and the wider implications for energy security strategies around the world.


  • In an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, where do the risks and supply chain vulnerabilities lie in facilitating a secure energy transition? 

  • What lessons can be drawn from Ukraine in terms of building and financing inherent resilience aligning energy security with national security objectives? 

  • What kinds of security architecture is needed to ensure the defense of energy related critical national infrastructure (CNI) and mutual energy assets to ensure energy security at the national and international level?

 

Speakers
Heather Buchanan, Director and Founder, Bankers for Net Zero (B4NZ)
Imogen Payter, Director, UK Friends of Ukraine
Svetlana Romanko, Founder and Executive Director, Razom We Stand
Louis Wilson, Head of Fossil Fuel Investigations, Global Witness
Chair: John Lough, Associate Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House

1500–1615

TeX Factor

What does the future of climate tech look like?

Bringing together five innovators to present their solutions to a panel of expert respondents, this dynamic session explores the technologies supporting the next generation of climate action and the energy transition.


The discussion examines policy incentives, investment needs and commercialization timelines of current innovations and features an audience poll to assess the impact of the current policy and investment landscape on solutions development. Key technologies to be discussed might include – adaptation solutions, network optimization technologies, CCUS, energy storage and enhanced geothermal systems.

Expert Panelists
Richard Delevan, Founder, Wicked Problems
Marisa Drew, Chief Sustainability Officer, Standard Chartered Bank
Christian Hernandez Gallardo, Co-founder & Partner, 2150

Presenters
John Hartley, CEO, Lividian
Julia Kumari Drapkin, CEO & Founder, ISEECHANGE

1615–1730

End of conference

1730
Chatham House exterior.

The venue

Chatham House is a trusted forum for debate and independent analysis. Our conferences provide access to thought leadership, market insight and influential ideas by bringing together policymakers, world leaders, senior business executives and sector specialists.

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