Climate change is a geopolitical problem, impacting all countries. Global problems demand global solutions. Climate diplomacy is how countries cooperate, or not, to deal with this complex issue.
The Paris Agreement provides a framework for countries to act together. Building trust in this new multilateral system will lead to further cooperation and faster action.
We remain way off track to stabilise the climate. Some countries refuse to or feel unable to do their part.
We build coalitions between governments and non-state actors to give decision-makers more confidence so they feel empowered to do more to drive the global transformation to climate safety.
Ending fossil fuel use could destabilise some countries, while climate impacts threaten the survival of others. These factors impact the relationships between countries, the pace of climate action and our national security.
We work across government departments, with international organisations and alongside civil society networks in Europe, the UK and the US. Our staff have the expertise of different geographies and economic sectors.
We connect real economy dynamics to diplomatic outreach to help build momentum and confidence for faster action in key sectors. We are currently supporting catalytic initiatives on cooling solutions and zero-emission transportation, drawing on our experience supporting the creation of the Powering Past Coal Alliance.
With Sweden and the Stockholm International Peace and Research Institute, we spearheaded the creation of the UN Climate Security Mechanism to ensure the UN system is preparing for climate migration and conflagrations due to severe climate impacts.
Countries and economic actors are increasingly joining forces to achieve a safe climate.
Effective climate diplomacy must turn support for the Paris Agreement into climate action. Our foundational thinking on climate diplomacy underpins all our work on global climate action.
The Paris Agreement has made us safer – but not safe.
Growing recognition of the security and financial risks from climate change has yet to translate into policy, operations and investments. We work to modify mandates, change incentive structures and with decision makers to fix this.
The geopolitical landscape is in flux in the wake of COVID-19 and its cascading impacts; some major powers are pursuing greater isolation; and multilateralism is under attack.
The immediate task is to strengthen alliances and make the case for global cooperation – climate safety our work depends on it.
