<A cutting-edge vision/>
Conference
the_climate_change
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.

topic_blocks
Topics


Planet Health: Science for action
The panel therefore wishes to address the scientific view of climate change. It seeks to pinpoint the challenges and where answers can be found as knowledge is driving the response to a global challenge that affects everyone living on Planet Earth.
Over the last 200 years, Humanity has left such a profound mark on the environment that the scientific community has defined a new geological era: the era of human impact on Earth or Anthropocene. Will the Anthropocene era be when we destroy the planet?
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”.
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”.

Regional and Urban Environment
This panel will showcase the experiences of the regions particularly committed to fighting climate change and how they are facing the main challenges in their territories.
Climate change is a threat that can only be overcome through cooperation. Regional, local and subnational governments worldwide are showing a level of conviction regarding climate change that often exceeds the very ambition of the national states. This was demonstrated at the Bonn Conference of the Parties (COP23) where the local and regional activities displayed a spectacular energy and drive.
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
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

Susanne Buch
Co-President at ENCORE and Minister of Climate, Sustainability and Resources
Central Denmark (Denmark)

Roseanna Cunningham
Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform
Scottish Government (UK)

Cities
This panel will be the showcase for experiences and measures that are already being adopted in the cities, climate action from the local level and the view of what should be the course and priorities of these actions.
The world population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050 and 70% will be living in urban areas.Over half the world’s population currently lives in cities, compared to 3% in the 19th century.
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.
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.

Sustainability
During this panel, we will learn about international progress in sustainability policies, the application of the 2030 Agenda, their involvement with climate change and the future challenges facing us. This is all from the Basque Country´s commitment to sustainable development and the aforementioned agenda.
On 25 September 2015, nearly two hundred world leaders adopted a set of global goals to eradicate poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for everyone as part of a new sustainable development agenda.They are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, a universal call to adopt measures to put an end to poverty, protect the planet and guarantee that everyone enjoys peace and prosperity.
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.
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.

Energy Transition
This panel will considered the different aspects involved in achieving a fair energy transition.
The major point of discussion is currently the transition of the current energy model based on fossil fuels towards a sustainable economy based on renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable development, and how to do so and at what rate.
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.
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.

Economy
Facing this global economic challenge from financial and banking system or from the insurance sector will be some of the topics discussed on this panel
This strategic approach combines climate change and the economy.Relevant entities’ experiences leading to a change of paradigm in the behaviour of companies and financial institutions will be considered.
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.
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.

Education, Culture and Society
Social transformations that have to occur as the result of climate change and how to address them, are the focal point of this panel.
Climate change is a cross-cutting challenge that impacts many different sectors leading to cultural and social changes.The effect of climate change on the agroforestry, fisheries and food sector, including on health, safety and transport,raises new challenges that have to be addressed from the perspective of housing and urban planning, culture, waste management or citizen awareness.

Impulse for the Leadership of Women
The effects of climate change are much greater in population sectors that directly rely on basic natural resources for their livelihoods and for those people who live in territories where there is a greater risk of natural disasters.
Therefore, women and children in rural areas are more vulnerable than the men themselves.According to studies by UN WOMEN, girls and women are the last people to eat and be rescued, meaning that their safety and their health are at great risk.However, some women regularly face this risk situation to safeguard their families and communities, but they are not present in the decision-making processes, which limits their involvement in the climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.
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.
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.

Isabel Elizalde
Minister for Land Development, Environment and Local Administration
Government of Navarre

Cristina Monge Lasierra
Director of the Conversations Division at ECODES and Sociology Proffesor
University of Zaragoza
an_advance_of_speakers
Speakers
heroes_heroines
Inspiring actions

HEROES AND HEROINES OF THE PLANET
On each day of the Change the Change Conference, the thematic panels will be complemented with a "Heroes and heroines of the planet" special session. These people are running innovative initiatives and projects for climate change action and awareness in different fields and at different points around the world.
The aim is to shift the theoretical climate change debate to real projects that are proving to be successful.