<A cutting-edge vision/>
Conference
The biggest environmental challenge we face as a planet
Framed in the initiative of United Nations “Momentum for Change”, and in line with the Paris Agreement, the International Conference on Climate Change Change the Change will convey a cutting-edge vision on the challenges of climate change facing the planet and will make known the initiatives and actions that are making a difference in our environment.
The conference will be held within the framework of the “Climate Change Week” with the aim of mobilizing citizens towards personal commitment to climate change, with the premise that every action, however small, counts.
Topics
Indeed, the scientific community has raised the alarm about the climate situation, and conduct the necessary monitoring and studies to put forward policies to combat climate change.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a group under the aegis of the United Nations, brings together nearly 3,000 experts from around the world.It was created in 1988 to produce comprehensive assessments on the state of the socio-economic, technical and scientific knowledge of climate change, its causes, possible impacts and response strategies.
This group has already announced that it has it prepared a report to submit as a fundamental scientific contribution at the Climate Change Conference –COP24 to be held at Katowice (Poland) in December.The report recommends limiting global warming to 1.5 ºC instead of 2 ºC as “it would have clear benefits to people and natural ecosystems and could go hand in hand with ensuring a more sustainable and equitable society”.It also stressed that “we are already seeing the consequence of global warming of 1 ºC, with very extreme weather events, rising sea levels and shrinking Arctic sea ice, among other changes”.
The regions’ leadership is being reinforced by interregional cooperation in networks such as nrg4SD, Under2 Coalition, etc, where they share experiences. They are working collaboratively and striving to keep the global temperature under the 2 ºC established in the Paris Agreement
Cities are increasingly larger and sprawling. There are 502 urban agglomerations with over a million inhabitants, 74 exceed 5 million, 29 are over 10 million, 12 surpass 20 million and there is already one with over 30 million inhabitants. Twenty cities are forecast to have over 15 million inhabitants, 4 of which will be in China, by 2030.
That growth raises challenges for the quality of life and environmental sustainability and also pushes natural resources to their limits.
The priorities of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals include themes such as climate change, economic equality, innovation, sustainable consumption and peace & justice. The Goals are interrelated which means that the key to success of one will involve issues more frequently linked to another.
The SDGs entail a spirit of collaboration and pragmatism to choose the best options in order to improve life, in a sustainable manner, for future generations.They provide clear guidelines and targets for the SDGs to be adopted by all countries in accordance with their own priorities and the environmental challenges of the world in general.
Actions such as driving renewables, the scrapping of the “sun tax”, the Climate Change Act and the role of coal-fired power stations have marked the start of a new cycle in Spain to strive to comply with the Paris Agreement.
Far-reaching aspects, such as reforming the electricity system, environmental taxation and clean transport, are also being called on to contribute to combat and mitigate climate change.
In order for that transition to take place, it has to be a fair one that addresses the problems of the territories involved in the changes and above all does not affect the most underprivileged.
A new energy model has to be developed in accordance with the needs of the citizens, of companies and the environment. And this all must take place with maximum integration in the European market.
Climate change has become the greatest threat to the world economy.The World Economic Forum’s “Global Risks Report” has highlightedfor the first time the lack of climate change mitigation and adaptation as the risk with the greatest potential impact.It was the first time that an environment risk headed the ranking of 29 global risks, meaning that it may cause greater damage than the weapons of mass destruction, water shortages, large-scale involuntary immigrations or a shock to energy prices.
According to the Stern report published back in 2006, an investment equivalent to 1% of global GDP to mitigate the effects of climate change is needed as otherwise the world market would suffer a recession that could reach 20% of GDP.
In addition, climate change is leading to new economic models.The environmental and social challenges faced by developed countries are leading to new models that are a shift from traditional ones.Movements such as the circular economy, the shared or collaborative economy, the economy for the Common Good and responsible finances seek to generate value beyond the economic and aimed at a more sustainable society.
This core situation of women can be found in a different form in developed societies.Their role in household consumption, in educating the children and in the day-to-day decisions at home makes them a key stakeholder in any cultural change required to face the challenges of the climate change.
Women and their leadership are impacting our society at an unstoppable rate by providing a different vision in many different spheres.A vision called on to transform society and to ensure that the role of women is considered to be essential in any climate change mitigation and adaptation action.
Speakers
Climate Change and Natural Heritage Director_Basque Government
Aitor Zulueta
“The first step that we must take is to strive to change ourselves as people”
Activist for Human Rights, Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras_COPINH
Laura Zúñiga Cáceres
.
Executive Director_ECODES Foundation
Víctor Viñuales
“Economy and ecology have to be reconciled"
General Secretary_Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development (nrg4SD)
Natalia Vera
"Local governments’ contribution to protect biodiversity is important"
General Coordinator for Environment, Sustainability and Mobility_City of Madrid
Paz Valiente
President of the Basque Government
Iñigo Urkullu
Minister for the Environment Climate Protection and Energy_Baden-Württemberg (Germany)
Franz Untersteller
“We can combat climate change effectively only if we act in concert”
General Director of the Spanish Climate Change Office_Government of Spain
Valvanera Ulargui
"Greater visibility must be given to possible solutions to help raise awareness"
Chair of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment_London School of Economics
Nicholas Stern
"Fighting Fascism was the crisis of my father’s generation. Our fight is to combat climate change. It is much more difficult as we cannot see it (…)but the solution is in our hands"
Scientific Director_Basque Center for Climate Change BC3
Mª José Sanz
"Nobody can be left out in the fight against climate change"
President of the Government of Spain
Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón
Director of Climate Change_Iberdrola
Gonzalo Sáenz de Miera
“Climate change communication and awareness-raising has to be positive"
Mayor_Leuven
Mohammed Ridouani
.
Ministry for Ecological Transition_Government of Spain
Teresa Ribera
“The time is now: we are facing a need for ecological transition in Spain”
Former Minister of Environment of Peru and Leader of the Climate and Energy Practice_WWF International
Manuel Pulgar-Vidal
"Urgent measures need to be implemented for the rapid decarbonisation of the economy”
Director of the Corporate Sustainability Division_Global Omnium
Juan Luis Pozo
“Climate change will continue to be a problem until we make the public aware of its real impact on essential public services”
Minister for Land, Energy and Mobility_Balearic Islands (Spain)
Marc Pons i Pons
Global network of 1.000 women in STEMM against Climate Change_Homeward Bound
Ana Payo
“If we are the problem, we are also the solution”
Advisor on Climate Change and Energy Transition of the Ministry for Ecological Transition_Government of Spain
Antxon Olabe
Economist and Former Minister of the Environment_Government of Spain
Cristina Narbona
"The GDP also has to be measured by its impact on health and the environment"
Professor of Ecology_University of Castilla-La Mancha
José Manuel Moreno Rodríguez
“How long do we have to stabilise this? The answer is, very little; there is no time”
Deputy Minister for the Environment_Basque Government
Elena Moreno
"There is a pressing need to change from the linear consumption and production model, the disposable model, to a circular model"
Secretary of State for the Environment_Government of Spain
Hugo Morán
"We are talking about guaranteeing a country’s development beyond the present; not jeopardizing the future of coming generations because we are abusing our privilege of going before"
Director of the Conversations Division at ECODES and Sociology Proffesor_University of Zaragoza
Cristina Monge Lasierra
Executive Director_Greenpeace International
Bunny McDiarmid
"People who join forces and work together, rise up together and make themselves heard are really powerful"
Global network of 1.000 women in STEMM against Climate Change_Homeward Bound
Uxua López Flamarique
“We have to act integrally to combat climate change”
Director of the Weather Department of the TVE and President_Association for Meteorology Communicators (ACOMET)
Mónica López
Chef of the Sea_Aponiente Restaurant, Cadiz
Ángel León
Deputy Minister of Housing_Basque Government
Pedro Jauregui
Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance_GLOBERNANCE
Daniel Innerarity
“The issue of climate change has become a major political and ethical controversy”
Founder of Oihulari Klown and Emakunde's Equality Award 2017
Virginia Imaz
Chief Officer for Business Development_CAF
Josu Imaz
Dynamic and experienced executive, he has held different positions in multinational companies, such as organization director, sales director, industrial director, business development director, managing director, chief officer, board member and board president. He has always played a key role in international markets and enjoys that environment. Diversity makes richness is his skill. His performance is strongly focused on combining both commitment with customer’s expectations and own compa
Sculptor
Cristina Iglesias
Adaptation Strategies Divsion at Spanish Climate Change Office_Government of Spain
Francisco Heras
“The networks that connect social organisations, educational institutions, public administrations and companies need to be strengthened”
Secretary General at the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB) and Chair of the Board of Trustees_International Institute for Environment and Development
Rebeca Grynspan
“A commitment to openness, multilateralism, the global. No Latin American country has pulled out of the climate change agreement”
Researcher and Coordinator of the Low Carbon Group_BC3 Basque Centre for Climate Change
Mikel González-Eguino
“We are still in time to position ourselves to lead an energy transition that can have a very positive impact on job creation”
PhD in Atmospheric Physics_Eltiempo.es
Mar Gómez
"Evidence shows climate change to be a fact and we have experienced the warmest decades in recent years"
Deputy Mayor_City of San Sebastián
Ernesto Gasco
“Cities can fight against climate change”
High Commissioner for the 2030 Agenda_Government of Spain
Cristina Gallach
“We are the last generation that can curb the disaster”
President and CEO_Iberdrola
Ignacio S. Galán
Representative in Spain_United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees-UNHCR
Francesca Friz-Prguda
President_Renovables Foundation
Fernando Ferrando
Head of Wholesale Banking_ING
Isabel Fernández-Niemann
“Sustainability is a strategic priority: we must steer our customers towards more sustainable and greener financing options”
CEO_ArtINGENIUM
Lourdes Fernández
Mayor of Seville and Chair_Spanish Network of Cities for Climate
Juan Espadas Cejas
“The municipalities are the most useful instrument to combat climate change”
General Secretary for External Affairs_Basque Government
Marian Elorza
"There is a political will to work on sustainable development"
Minister for Land Development, Environment and Local Administration_Government of Navarre
Isabel Elizalde
Oceanographer of National Geographic and 2018 Princess of Asturias Award for Concord
Sylvia Earle
.
Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform_Scottish Government (UK)
Roseanna Cunningham
Since 2009, Roseanna has been a Minister in the Scottish Government, covering four varied and interesting portfolios. In 2009 she was appointed Minister for the Environment. In 2010, Climate Change was added to her portfolio. As Minister, Roseanna led the Crofting Bill and the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill through Parliament. In 2011, Roseanna took on a new role in the Scottish Government as Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs. This is a role which she equally enjoyed, given
General Director for Operations_SEN (Spanish Electric Network)
Miguel Duvison
Former Executive Director_UN HABITAT
Joan Clos
"Sustainable urbanization can really help to prevent climate change”
PhD in Geology and Lecturer in Micropaleontology_University of the Basque Country
Alejandro Cearreta
"The footprint we are leaving could last for millions of years"
Minister for the Environment and Climate Change_Lombardy (Italy)
Raffaele Cattaneo
“Our approach must not be to make life impossible for the citizens, we must fight pollution, not mobility”
Managing Director for Climate and Water_Rare
Paula Caballero
"We are running out of time if we want to curb the trends that are undermining our natural systems and human societies"
Co-President at ENCORE and Minister of Climate, Sustainability and Resources_Central Denmark (Denmark)
Susanne Buch
“Climate adaptation is crucial, we must now adapt to new climate conditions”
Chair of the Commission for Climatology_World Meteorological Organization
Manola Brunet
"The data confirm climate change. We are probably in the warmest time since 8,000 years ago"
Vice Chairwoman_OMIE
Carmen Becerril
Global Head of Responsible Business_BBVA
Antoni Ballabriga
“Climate change cannot just be seen from the risk perspective. But also as opportunities”
Former Director of the Climate Change Analysis and Attribution Programme_AEMET
Luis Balairón
“Combating climate change requires radical lifestyle changes"
Councillor for the Environment and Hydraulic Works_Gipuzkoa Provincial Council, Basque Country
José Ignacio Asensio
"It does not make sense to continue burying valuable resources in landfill for an environmental mortgage to be the legacy for our children"
Minister for Environment, Territorial Planning and Housing_Basque Government
Iñaki Arriola
“Plastic pollution is one of the most impact impacts we are facing”
Chef_Mugaritz Restaurant, Gipuzkoa
Andoni Aduriz
United Nations Champion of the Earth & Sustainability provocateur
Leyla Acaroglu
Inspiring actions