The 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) is a pivotal moment for the world to unite around a shared vision for a healthier, fairer, more resilient future. Held in Glasgow, Scotland, from October 31 to November 12, 2021, COP26 is a key moment for countries, cities, businesses and more to keep the Paris Agreement on climate change on track and put forward ambitious, equitable solutions for a zero-carbon future.

WRI Ross Center will be active throughout the conference, both onsite and virtually. Tune in to an upcoming event or a recorded webinar with our researchers and other renowned experts at this year's climate negotiations.

For more resources and detailed info on activity across the institute, visit WRI’s COP26 Resource Hub.

 

Monday, November 1

Navigating the Transition to Zero Carbon Buildings

Over one third of the world’s carbon emissions are generated by the buildings sector. As such, the buildings and construction sector must urgently be decarbonized to meet Paris Agreement goals. The Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction and World Resources Institute will host a joint event to announce the Buildings as a Critical Climate Solution commitment and showcase countries developing roadmaps to implement these ambitious goals. Ministers and mayors from Colombia and Turkey, the first countries to join the Zero Carbon Building Accelerator, a WRI initiative aligning national roadmaps and local action plans, will highlight opportunities and challenges, and officials from Cambodia and Vietnam will discuss their framework and approach to reducing emissions from the built environment as a part of GlobalABC’s Roadmaps for Buildings and Construction in Asia.

Time: November 1, 16:00 – 17:30 GMT

Location: Buildings Pavilion + Online

Organizer(s): WRI, UNEP, GlobalABC

Speakers:

• Jennifer Layke, Global Director, Energy, WRI
• Martina Otto, Head of GlobalABC Secretariat, UNEP, GlobalABC
• Juan Nicolás Galarza Sánchez, Deputy Minister of Environmental Planning, Colombia
• Roy Alejandro Barreras Cortés, Director of City Planning, Cali, Colombia
• Luu Linh Huong, Ministry of Construction, Vietnam<
• Maria Carolina Urmeneta Labarca, Ministry of Environment, Chile
• Rasmi Hamzeh,< Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund (JREEEF)

WRI Contact: Kayla Rakes

WATCH LIVESTREAM HERE

 

Tuesday, November 2

How Cities are Inspiring Nations, Companies, and Financiers to Embrace Forest Action

This event will showcase leading mayors who will share stories of creative city leadership on forest and nature issues, as a follow-up to the launch of the Cities4Forests Call to Action. High-level representatives from national governments, businesses, and investors will reiterate their commitment to forests and lay a path forward. 

Time: November 2, 11:00 – 12:30 GMT

Location: Nature Zone + Online

Organizer(s): WRI, Cities4Forests

Speakers:

• Craig Hanson, Vice President for Food, Forest, Water & the Ocean, WRI
• Raymond Johansen, Governing Mayor, Oslo, Norway
• Mario Ramón Silva Rodríguez, Director General, Metropolitan Institute of Planning, Guadalajara Metropolitan Area
• Camila Zepeda, Director General for Global Affairs, Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Stephen O’Driscoll, Head of Environment, Climate and Social Policy, European Investment Bank
• Juergen Voegele, Vice President for Sustainable Development, World Bank
• Benigno Lopez, Vice President for Sectors and Knowledge, Inter-American Development Bank

WRI Contact: James Anderson

WATCH HERE.

 

Thursday, November 4

Climate, Clean Air and Health: An Integrated Approach

To find enduring solutions for air pollution, public health and climate change, we need to define the problem and the solution in ways that engage allies beyond the traditional environmentally-focused regulators and agencies. The “end of tailpipe, top of smokestack” approach has so far not proven effective enough to stem the tide of emissions that are causing millions of deaths each year from toxic air pollution and warming the atmosphere. This discussion will focus on the synergies between climate, health and air quality action and highlight the need for an integrated approach across sectors, agencies and levels of government, as well as society.

Time: November 4, 09:30 – 10:30 GMT

Location: NDC Partnership Pavilion + Online

Organizer(s): WRI, NDC Partnership

Speakers:

• Stientje van Veldhoven, Vice President and Regional Director for Europe, WRI
• Gillian Caldwell, Climate Change Coordinator, USAID
• Elena Villalobos Prats, Technical Officer, WHO
• Asep Kuswanto, Head, DLH Jakarta Environment Agency

WRI Contact: Beth Elliott

REGISTER HERE

 

The Role of Energy-Efficient Buildings on the Path to Net-Zero: Strategies for Policymakers

(Badge required in person)

In the lead-up to COP26, countries around the world are committing to new and ambitious targets to reach net-zero by 2050 or sooner. Buildings play a critical role in the transition to a net-zero future, as they are responsible for about 40% of the global energy consumption and about one-third of global GHG emissions. Transforming the built environment will be critical to tackling the climate targets. This event will present opportunities from the next generation of energy efficiency in the built environment to accelerate progress toward net-zero goals and higher global climate ambition. Specifically, it will present successful examples from the private and the public sector on innovative programs to reduce the overall costs of mitigating carbon emissions in the built environment while advancing social development, enhancing energy security and quality of life, and creating jobs.

Time: November 4, 13:30 – 14:45 GMT

Location: GEF Pavilion + Online

Organizer(s): GEF

Speakers:

• Jennifer Layke, Global Director, Energy, WRI
• Brian Motherway, Head of Energy Efficiency, IEA
• Carolina Urrutia, Secretary of the Environment, Bogotá
• H.E. Jorge Rivera, Energy Secretary, Panama
• Vincent Petit, Senior Vice-President, Global Strategy Prospective, Schneider Electric
• Melanie Slade, Senior Programme Manager, IEA
• Sayda Rodríguez, Head of the Ministry of Sustainable Development of the State of Yucatán, Mexico
• Filippo Berardi, Lead Climate Change Focal Area, GEF (Moderator)

WRI Contact: Kayla Rakes

WATCH LIVESTREAM HERE

 

The Role of Private Equity and Finance in Advancing Building Decarbonization

This virtual panel discussion will explore strategies for private equity firms and financial institutions to accelerate decarbonization and improve resilience across their building portfolios. Leaders from global private equity firms, international financial institutions and non-governmental organizations will discuss investment barriers and opportunities, and consider the role of government policy and new business models to encourage private climate-oriented investment. Panelists will share insights into how private equity and banks can leverage sustainable financial instruments and new business models to improve both financial and environmental performance in support of net-zero climate goals. The session will include panelists from NREP, World Resources Institute, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Carbon Cure, and Sustainable Energy for All.

Time: November 4, 15:00 – 16:00 GMT

Location: ICC Make Climate Action Everyone's Business Forum + Online

Organizer(s): WRI, NREP

Speakers:

• Clay Nesler, Global Lead, Buildings, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
• Mikkel Bulow, National Registry of Environmental Professionals
• Lin O’Grady, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
• Kristian Ronn, CEO and Co-founder, Normative
• J.B. Oldenburg, Carlyle Group
• Brian Dean, SEforAll
• Julia Panzer, UN Climate Action Group (Moderator)

WRI Contact: Kayla Rakes

REGISTER HERE

 

Friday, November 5

Resilient Water Accelerator and African Urban Water Resilience at the Water Action Event

(Badge required in person)

Time: November 5, 11:30 – 14:30 GMT

Location: Water Pavilion + Online

Organizer(s): WaterAid, High Level Champions, AGWA, CDP, IUCN, SIWI

Speakers:

• Wanjira Mathai, Vice President and Regional Director for Africa, WRI

WRI Contact: Marcella Kim

WATCH LIVESTREAM HERE

 

The Triple Win Scenario: Catalyzing Action for Clean Air, Health and Climate

(Badge required in person)

Join Maria Neira of the WHO and WRI's Ani Dasgupta along with youth and civil society representatives for a conversation on the synergies between climate, public health and air quality action. During the discussion, the speakers will explore the need to engage allies beyond the traditional environmentally focused regulators and agencies to find enduring solutions to climate change that offer immediate public health and development benefits.

Time: November 5, 17:00 – 18:00 GMT

Location: Health Pavilion, Blue Zone + Online

Organizer(s): WRI, WHO

Speakers:

• Ani Dasgupta, President & CEO, WRI
• Dr. Maria Neira, WHO
• Rosamund Kissi-Debrah, Ella Roberta Family Foundation
• Olumide Idowu, Nigerian youth climate change champion

WRI Contact: Beth Elliott

WATCH LIVESTREAM HERE

 

Saturday, November 6

Committing to Nature: Nature based-solutions for climate-positive cities

Glasgow City Council, in partnership with Cities4Forests, Dark Matter Labs and ICLEI, will host this discussion on city leadership in incorporating nature-based solutions into climate action plans to help achieve environmental, social, and economic goals. The event will engage mayors and other important political stakeholders in a conversation on nature-based solutions with a particular focus on the role of forests both near and far.

Time: November 6, 14:30 – 18:00 GMT

Location: Glasgow City Chambers

Organizer(s): Cities4Forests with partners

Speakers:

• Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council
• Audry Choi, Morgan Stanley
• Brigitte Hoyer Gosselink, Google.org
• Indy Johar, Dark Matter Laboratories
• Max Hislop, Clyde Climate Forest
• Todd Gartner, Director, Cities4Forests and Natural Infrastructure, WRI

WRI Contact: James Anderson, John-Rob Pool

REGISTER HERE

 

Localising NDCs and Supporting City Action for a 1.5 Degree World and a Green and Just Recovery

This event- co-hosted by GIZ, C40 Cities and the Coalition for Urban Transitions - aims to explore how national and local governments can work together to realise the commitments made through NDCs. This event will also dive into how to localise and finance NDCs. It will bring together national governments, mayors, experts and leaders from the finance sector to explore the importance of national policies and targeted finance in delivering local climate action. The session will focus on how national governments can place cities and local governments at the heart of their plans to increase resilience, reduce emissions and generate green jobs, thus creating a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Time: November 6, 18:30 – 19:45 GMT

Location: Blue Zone + Online

Organizer(s): Coalition for Urban Transitions, GIZ, C40 Cities

Speakers:

• Ani Dasgupta, President & CEO, WRI
• Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, Member of the Management Board, GIZ, Germany
• Andrea Meza, Minister of Environment and Energy, Costa Rica (TBC)
• Luis Donaldo Colosio Riojas, Mayor, City of Monterrey, Mexico
• Gilles Kleitz, Director, Biodiversity, Water, Agriculture and Oceans, AFD, France

WRI Contact: Pandora Batra

WATCH THE LIVESTREAM

 

Monday, November 8

Aligning Practice, Policy, and Priorities through an Urban Water Resilience Agenda

WRI, the African Center for Cities, ICLEI Africa, WaterAid, Resilient Cities Network, Arup and Reos Partners are organizing a series of consultations around developing an “Urban Water Resilience Agenda for Africa.” The aim of this effort is to catalyze a continent-wide movement to accelerate urban water resilience linked to key COP26 and COP27 campaigns and deliverables and to connect the dots across the many existing and emerging initiatives within a shared framework for ambitious, accountable and coordinated action to ensure impact at scale. At the event, partners will share their experiences and perspectives on building a joint Agenda, envision a future with water-resilient African cities, and present a path forward to launching the Agenda at COP27.  An updated zero draft of the Agenda will be shared post-COP. We invite African partners and stakeholders to join in shaping, advancing, and launching this agenda.

Time: November 8, 08:00 - 09:30 GMT

Location: Online only

Organizer(s): WRI and partners

Speakers:

• Rogier van den Berg, Acting Global Director, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
• Yiannis Chrysostomidis, Principal, Reos Partners
• DG Edward Kyazze, Urbanization Division Manager, Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda
• Fitsum Gelaye, Consultant, Programs and Engagement, Resilient Cities Network
• Edgar Pieterse, Director, African Center for Cities
• Dr. Moges Tadesse, Chief Resilience Officer, City of Addis Ababa
• Abdul-Nashiru Mohammed, Acting Regional Director, WaterAid West Africa
• Marc Manyifika, Country Lead, Urban Water Resilience Initiative, World Resources Institute
• Mahmood Sonday, Director, Reos Partners
• Barbara Schreiner, Executive Director, Water Integrity Network
• Katrin Bruebach, Global Director, Programs, Innovation & Impact, Resilient Cities Network
• Dr. Gisela Kaiser, Vice President, Water Globe Consultants
• Dr. Themba Gumbo, Director, CAP-Net, UNDP
• Martin Shouler, London Water Lead, Arup / the Resilience Shift
• Maria Salvetti, Senior Policy Analyst, Water Governance and Circular Economy, OECD
• Edmond Totin, Senior Consultant, Reos Partners
• Smita Rawoot, Urban Resilience Lead, World Resources Institute

WRI Contact: Marcella Kim

REGISTER HERE THEN WATCH BY SELECTING FROM AGENDA

 

Energy Transformation in Turkey and the East Mediterranean

(Badge required in person)

One-hour panel discussion on energy transition in Turkey and the Eastern Mediterranean. Jennifer Layke to present on the state of energy efficiency and demand side management in Turkey, including the role of cities and buildings, as well as future plans for the region.

Time: November 8, 15:30 - 16:30 GMT

Location: Turkey Pavilion, Blue Zone

Organizer(s): Chatham House

Speakers:

• Jennifer Layke, Global Director, Energy Program, WRI

WRI Contact: Kayla Rakes

 

Tuesday, November 9

UrbanShift: Transforming Cities for People & Planet through Multi-Level Governance

Join UrbanShift at COP26 to talk about the importance of multi-level governance in enabling zero-carbon, resource-efficient and socially equitable cities. Organized by Brazil, Rwanda and CGEE (the Brazil-based Center for Strategic Studies and Management) with support from UrbanShift, this event will showcase examples of multi-level governance in practice, discussing how local and national governments, as well as the international community, can come together to achieve their climate goals.

Time: November 9, 18:30 GMT

Location: Online

Organizer(s): UrbanShift (WRI and UNEP); Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation; Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA)

Speakers:

• Rogier van den Berg, Acting Global Director, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
• Martina Otto, Head, Cities Unit, UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
• Marcelo Morales, Secretary for Research and Scientific Formation, Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI)
• Faustin Munyazikwiye, Deputy Director General of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA)
• Matthew Brian Reddy, Senior Private Sector Specialist, Global Environment Facility (GEF) Secretariat
• João Campos, Mayor of Recife, Brazil
• Ladislas Ngendahimana, Secretary General, Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA)
• Aaditya Thackeray, Environment Minister, Maharashtra, India
• José Sarney Filho, Environment Secretary, Federal District Government, Brazil
• Marco Lobo, Centro de Gestão e Estudos Estratégicos (CGEE)

WRI Contact: Mariana Orloff

WATCH LIVESTREAM HERE

 

Wednesday, November 10

Linking Air Quality Management to Climate Change Mitigation [Day 1]

Hosted by the World Bank Group, the objective of this two-day meeting is to put forward a call for action by COP26 to catalyze clean air efforts around the world to simultaneously achieve climate, health and other sustainable development goals. Panel discussions will highlight the work of OECD, Environmental Defense Fund, WRI, Clean Air Fund, Clean Air Catalyst, UN Environment Programme, WHO and other institutions.

Time: November 10 and 11, 12:30 – 16:00 GMT, both days.

Location: Online

Organizer(s): World Bank Group

Speakers:

• Stientje van Veldhoven, Vice President and Regional Director for Europe, WRI
• Michael Doust, Director, Urban Efficiency & Climate, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
• Jessica Seddon, Global Lead, Air Quality, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

WRI Contact: Jessica Seddon

WATCH HERE

 

The Transition to Greater Transport Resilience and COVID-19 Recovery

(Badge required in person)

Under the leadership of the High-Level Climate Champions, the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action (MPGCA) supports the implementation of the Paris Agreement by enabling collaboration between governments and the cities, regions, businesses and investors that must act on climate change. This session regards the transport thematic event in the framework of MPGCA at COP26 and will cover transport sector resilience and green recovery.

Serving as Co-Focal Point of the Transport Thematic Group jointly with the International Transport Forum, SLOCAT continued to establish the transport community as an essential and reliable partner in the MPGCA. SLOCAT’s mandate was renewed by appointment by transport sector peers in 2020.

Time: November 10, 14:20 GMT

Location: Blue Zone + Online

Organizer(s): SLOCAT, Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action

Speakers:

• Stientje van Veldhoven, Vice President and Regional Director for Europe, WRI

WRI Contact: Benjamin Welle

WATCH LIVESTREAM HERE

 

Financing Innovative Nature-Based Solutions in Cities: Lessons Learned for the Next Generation of Urban NBS Projects

This event will focus on how to leverage mechanisms such as the Natural Capital Financing Facility (NCFF), to support projects that use NBS for climate adaptation and/or biodiversity benefits, that generate revenues or demonstrate cost savings, and how to catalyze political, social and economic support among city governments and urban residents to integrate inner, nearby, and faraway forests into city development plans, programs, and investments.

Time: November 10, 15:00 GMT

Location: Online

Organizer(s): WRI with partners

Speakers:

• Stefanie Lindenberg, Coordinator, Natural Capital Finance Facility, European Investment Bank (Moderator)
• Julie Delcroix Coudun, Policy Officer Biodiversity and Nature-based Solutions, DG RTD, European Commission
• Elissavet Bargianni, Landscape architect, Department of Resilience and Sustainability, City of Athens
• Doris Schnepf, Managing Director of the Green4Cities: Green Deal Neighbourhood Vienna
• Todd Gartner, Director, Cities4Forests and Natural Infrastructure, WRI
• Laura Nolier, ESG and Impact Officer, GINKGO Fund
• Holger Robrecht, Deputy Regional Director, Sustainable Resources, Climate & Resilience, ICLEI European Secretariat
• Vasco Ferreira Costa, Senior Loan Officer Climate Finance, European Investment Bank
• Guy Hudson, Senior Advisor, Innovation Finance Advisory, European Investment Bank

WRI Contact: Todd Gartner

REGSTER HERE

 

Transport Day: Driving the global transition to zero-emission transport

(Badge required in person)

Time: November 10, 15:30 - 17:30 GMT

Location: Colombia Pavilion

Organizer(s): National Government of Colombia

Speakers:

• Adriana Lobo, CEO, WRI México

WRI Contact: Angelica Vesga

 

Transport Decarbonisation Investment (TDI) Series Synopsis Event

An event capping off a series of webinars on Transport Decarbonization Investments in key areas, including walking/cycling, public transport/demand management, electrification, freight, and the used vehicle trade. These events have engaged several high-level leaders on these topics and the summary event aims to bring together the key partners, World Bank, Government of the Netherlands, and WRI, on key messages around COP26 and beyond.

Time: November 10, 16:00 GMT

Location: MDB Pavilion, Blue Zone + Online

Organizer(s): WRI with Partners

Speakers:

• Francois Bausch, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Luxembourg
• Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, African Union Commission
• Gloria Hutt, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Chile 
• Sophie Shulman, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, Department of Transportation, USA
• Riccardo Puliti, Vice President of Infrastructure, World Bank

WRI Contact: Benjamin Welle

WATCH THE LIVESTREAM

 

Accelerating Electrification of High-Mileage, Ridehail Vehicles

Focusing policy and investment on high-mileage ridehail vehicles can amplify the impact of electrification and ameliorate inequitable access to electric vehicles. World Resources Institute will host a hybrid virtual/in-person panel at the COP26 Business Pavilion on Wednesday, November 10, bringing together Uber with a panel of private- and public-sector stakeholders. The discussion will highlight opportunities for private-sector innovation and public policy to accelerate decarbonization and increase access to electrified transportation by focusing on policies to electrify ridehailing. WRI will introduce research examining opportunities and challenges on the road to 100% EV use by ridehail drivers.

Time: November 10, 16:00 - 17:00 GMT

Location: Blue Zone, We Mean Business, Business Pavilion, Board Room + Online

Organizer(s): WRI

Speakers:

• Dan Lashof, Director, WRI United States
• Adam Gromis, Global Lead on Sustainability Policy, Uber
• Dr. Shelley Francis, Co-Founder and Director, EVHybridNoire
• Lauren Faber O’Connor, Chief Sustainability Officer, Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti
• Other speakers TBC

WRI Contact: Matthew Cronin, Matt Herbert

WATCH HERE

 

Thursday, November 11

Better management of export of used cars, fuel standards and motorization

This event will discuss the triple benefits of pollution, climate and safety when addressing the export of used cars. The session will communicate solutions to preventing and improving the export of dirty and unsafe vehicles, particularly from geographies like Europe, the United States, and Japan to African countries where most vehicles are used imports. This event is hosted by UNEP and the Government of the Netherlands.

Time: November 11, 09:30 - 10:45 GMT

Location: Benelux/EIB Pavilion + Online

Organizer(s): UNEP, Government of the Netherlands

Speakers:

• Stientje van Veldhoven, Vice President and Regional Director for Europe, World Resources Institute

WRI Contact: Benjamin Welle

REGISTER HERE

 

Be Bold: Accelerate the Transition to Zero Carbon Buildings

According to a recent UNFCCC synthesis report, 72% of countries have included building energy efficiency actions in their latest NDCs. While this is certainly encouraging, meeting the Paris goals will require the built environment to achieve a 50% overall carbon emissions reduction by doubling existing building renovation rates and assuring that all new buildings are zero carbon or zero carbon ready by 2030. This session will share key lessons learned from five years of engagement with the 60 cities in the SEforALL Building Efficiency Accelerator, implemented by World Resource Institute and supported by GEF. It will also introduce the new Zero Carbon Building Accelerator which supports countries and cities in developing national zero carbon building roadmaps as well as local action plans for implementation. The tools, resources and learnings shared in this session can support countries to achieve their climate goals and the broader sustainable development goals.

Time: November 11, 10:45 – 11:30 GMT

Location: SDG7 Pavilion + Online

Organizer(s): WRI, SEforAll, GEF

Speakers:

• Jennifer Layke, Global Director, Energy, WRI
• Brian Dean, Head of Energy Efficiency & Cooling, Sustainable Energy for All
• Filippo Berardi, Senior Climate Change Specialist, GEF
• Munkhchuluun Nyambayar, Head of the Capital City Environment Department, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
• Kedibone Modiselle, Director, Mitigation Programmes and Sustainability Resource Mobilisation, City of Tshwane, South Africa
• Carolina Duarte, International Affairs and Liaison Officer of the Ministry of Sustainable Development of the State of Yucatán, Mexico
• Alex Saer, Director of Climate Action, Colombia (TBC)
• Roland Hunziker, Director, Sustainable Buildings & Cities, WBCSD

WRI Contact: Kayla Rakes

REGISTER TO WATCH LIVE HERE

 

Advancing Equity in Cities: The Bedrock for Transformative Climate Action

(Badge required in person)

WRI is organizing an event hosted by the Global Environment Facility at its COP26 Pavilion. Heads of organizations, including from WRI, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO), and global mayors and ministers, as well as key urban stakeholders, including from European Commission, IIED, Oxford University, and PEAK Urban will gather for a two-part event. The event will feature a Leadership Moment for Action focused on Urban Equity and Climate, followed by an Urban Stakeholders' Dialogue on Scaling Equitable Climate Solutions. This event will build on the World Resources Report: Towards a More Equal City synthesis and series, and it aims to galvanize broad-based support for a forward-looking agenda to shape more equal cities via inclusive climate action and COVID recovery.

Time: November 11, 11:00 - 12:30 GMT

Location: GEF Pavilion + Online

Organizer(s): WRI
Speakers:

• Ani Dasgupta, President & CEO, WRI
• Wanjira Mathai, Vice President and Regional Director for Africa, WRI
• Leo Horn-Phathanothai, Head, WRI UK Office, and Director, Strategy and Partnerships, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
• Gustavo Alberto Fonseca, Director of Programs, GEF
• Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, CEO, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ)
• Matthew Baldwin, Deputy Director-General Mobility and Cities, European Commission
• David Dodman, Director, Human Settlements, International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
• Vijay Rangarajan, Director General, Americas and Overseas Territories at the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office, UK
• Lochan Sehra, Secretary to Government, Urban Development and Urban Housing Department for State of Gujarat, India
• Sarah Colenbrander, Director of Climate and Sustainability Programme, ODI
• Felipe Ramírez, General Manager, TRANSMILENIO, City of Bogotá, Colombia 
• Michael Keith, Professor at COMPAS, University of Oxford, and Director of the PEAK Urban Research Programme

WRI Contact: Anjali Mahendra

WATCH HERE

 

Practitioner Gathering on Cities and Nature-Based Solutions

(Badge required in person)

The UK Government, C40, Cities4Forests and Conservation International will host an intimate gathering of policymakers, experts and community members to discuss cities and nature-based solutions.

Time: November 11, 11:00 - noon GMT

Location: The Clydeside Distillery, Blue Zone 

Organizer(s): UK Government, C40, Cities4Forests, Conservation International 

Speakers:

• Leo Horn-Phathanothai, Head, WRI UK Office, and Director, Strategy and Partnerships, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

WRI Contact: James Anderson

REGISTER HERE

 

Race to Resilience Transformations: 1000CAN Announcement

(Badge required in person)

This space will be provided for R2R Partners working on Transformations to share their vision for the future and the impact they aim to create through the implementation of the solution. The session will have a moderator who will weave a story to bring on each Transformation to speak. Partners include grassroot organizations, the private sector and knowledge sharing organizations. Their work creating stories of resilience across the world are prime examples of how systems can be changed or influenced by addressing operational challenges.

Time: November 11, 11:15 - 12:30 GMT

Location: Blue Zone

Organizers(s): TBD

Speakers:

• Rogier van den Berg, Acting Global Director, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

WRI Contact: Marcella Kim

 

Building New Coalitions to Win the Race to Zero Emissions by 2050!

Academy Award-winning film producer Dirk Wilutzky (CITIZENFOUR, 2014) will discuss a series of short films that are planned as part of the Transformative Urban Coalitions project, which strives to achieve socially inclusive, fast and radical CO2 emissions reductions in five selected pilot cities in Argentina, Mexico and Brazil. There will be a conversation on how filmmakers and artists can cooperate with scientists to reach, inform and inspire people across different communities to engage in concrete action towards drastically curbing carbon emissions. 

Time: November 11, 12:00 - 13:00 GMT

Location: Green Zone Cinema Auditorium + Online

Organizer(s): WRI with partners

Speakers:

• Rogier van den Berg, Acting Global Director, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
• Adriana Lobo, CEO, WRI México
• Dirk Wilutzky, Film Producer
• Dr. Simone Sandholz, Senior Urban Expert, UNU-EHS
• Pablo Lazo, Director of Urban Development and Accessibility WRI México

WRI Contact: Tini Tran

WATCH THE LIVESTREAM

 

Linking Air Quality Management to Climate Change Mitigation [Day 2]

Hosted by the World Bank Group, the objective of this two-day meeting is to put forward a call for action by COP26 to catalyze clean air efforts around the world to simultaneously achieve climate, health and other sustainable development goals. Panel discussions will highlight the work of OECD, Environmental Defense Fund, WRI, Clean Air Fund, Clean Air Catalyst, UN Environment Programme, WHO and other institutions.

Time: November 10 and 11, 12:30 – 16:00 GMT, both days.

Location: Online

Organizer(s): World Bank Group

Speakers:

• Stientje van Veldhoven, Vice President and Regional Director for Europe, WRI
• Michael Doust, Director, Urban Efficiency & Climate, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
• Jessica Seddon, Global Lead, Air Quality, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

WRI Contact: Jessica Seddon

WATCH HERE

 

Climate and Transport: What’s Needed for Sustainable Mobility and How to Get There

A panel discussion co-hosted by the Benelux Pavilion and WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. The session will focus on the role that sustainable transport modes, such as walking, cycling and public transit, should have in addressing climate change and achieving a green recovery in the aftermath of COVID-19. A high-level panel of Ministers of Transportation and leaders from multilateral institutions will discuss, from their experiences in the developed and developing world, the need for decarbonizing investment and the importance of shifting away from building private-vehicle-reliant systems.

Time: November 11, 12:30 - 14:45 GMT

Location: Benelux/EIB Pavilion + Online

Organizer(s): WRI with partners

Speakers:

• Stientje van Veldhoven, Vice President and Regional Director for Europe, World Resources Institute
• François Bausch, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Luxembourg
• Dagmawit Moges, Minister of Transport, Ethiopia 
• Riccardo Puliti, Vice President for Infrastructure, World Bank Group 
• Kris Peeters, Vice-President, European Investment Bank

WRI Contact: Wesley Uhl

WATCH HERE

 

Adaptation and Resilience in Urban Water: Convergence of Water and Sanitation

With increasing vulnerability to climate change, acceleration of adaptation and resilience building in water and sanitation will be crucial to cities thriving in the future. Join us for a high-level roundtable with representatives from government, financing and non-government institutions on the enablers and barriers they face, and the potentials and opportunities that climate resilient sanitation presents to accelerate climate action in cities. Featuring Ingrid Hoven and Birgit Pickel.

Time: November 11, 12:45 – 13:45 GMT

Location: Blue Zone + Online

Organizer(s): WRI with partners

Speakers: TBD

WRI Contact: Marcella Kim

WATCH LIVESTREAM HERE

 

Adaptation and Resilience in Urban Water: Accelerating Action in Water Resilience in Cities and the Built Environment

This joint session between the Resilience Hub and Water Pavilion will begin with dialogues between cities sharing the foundational elements and opportunities for resilience. In the second part of the session, join us for a roundtable with financial institutions, non-government organizations and practitioners on shared future objectives for water resilience and hear about the exciting developments aiming to accelerate action in water resilience.

Time: November 11, 17:10 – 18:45 GMT

Location: Blue Zone + Online

Organizer(s): Resilience Hub and Water Pavilion

Speakers:

• Rogier van den Berg, Acting Global Director, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

WRI Contact: Marcella Kim

WATCH LIVESTREAM HERE

 

Community Voices Equitably Shape Urban Infrastructure Resilience

This WRI-cohosted event will offer insights on how advancing urban equity is the bedrock for transformative climate action. Speakers will share international examples of people-centered design and adaptation to enhance resilience and offer support and solutions to both policymakers and private sector investors. The event will take place as part of the Cities, Regions and Built Environment Day with the Infrastructure Theme of the Resilience Hub.

Time: November 11, 19:15 - 20:45 GMT

Location: Blue Zone, Resilience Hub + Online

Organizer(s): WRI, PEAK Urban/Oxford Martin Programme on Informal Cities/University of Oxford, Climate Chance Association, Google

Speakers:

• Robin King, Director of Knowledge Capture & Collaboration, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
• Francisco Obando, Policy Manager, PEAK Urban, University of Oxford 
• Fernando Escobar, Mayor of Itagüí, Colombia
• Susan Parnell, Deputy Principal Investigator, PEAK Urban and Professor, University of Bristol
• Nithya Sowrirajan, Director of Global Solutions, Google Earth and Earth Engine
• Juan Carlos Duque, Professor, EAFIT University and Lead Researcher, PEAK Urban 
• Michael Keith, Professor, Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS) and Director of Peak Urban, University of Oxford
• Shuaib Lwasa, Researcher, Global Centre on Adaptation
• Charlène Kouassi, Director Observatoire des Mobilités Africaines (Movin'On LAB Africa)
• Nidia Ruda, Representative of DiMu Women’s Group in Itagui, Colombia
• Juan Pablo Orjuela, Senior Research Associate and Executive Education Programme Director, Transport Studies Unit, University of Oxford

WRI Contact: Anjali Mahendra

WATCH LIVESTREAM HERE

 

Understanding Systems and Tools are Key to Building More Resilient and Inclusive Cities

This WRI-cohosted event will showcase the PEAK Urban framework for catalyzing productive urban change and highlights of WRI’s flagship World Resources Report: Towards a More Equal City, that offers seven crucial transformations for equity and sustainability. It will highlight the value of funding both cities-focused research and knowledge exchange activity in LMICs. The event will take place part of the Cities, Regions and Built Environment Day.

Time: November 11, 22:30 - 23:30 GMT

Location: Online

Organizer(s): WRI, PEAK Urban/Oxford Martin Informal Cities/University of Oxford, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)/Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF)

Speakers:

• Anjali Mahendra, Director of Global Research, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities
• Francisco Obando, Policy Manager, PEAK Urban, University of Oxford 
• Jaideep Gupte, Cities and Sustainable Infrastructure Portfolio of the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), UKRI
• Michael Keith, Professor, Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS) and Director of Peak Urban, University of Oxford
• Susan Parnell, Deputy Principal Investigator, PEAK Urban and Professor, University of Bristol
• Tim Schwanen, Director of Transport Studies Unit, Senior Research Fellow and Professor of Transport Geography, University of Oxford 

WRI Contact: Anjali Mahendra

WATCH LIVESTREAM HERE