On November 18, at 10:30 a.m. Moscow time, the Valdai Club will host an expert discussion on the results of COP26, titled “From Paris to Glasgow: The victory of scepticism or real progress?”

       The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, has ended in Glasgow. The purpose of the conference was to summarise the results of the five-year period since the adoption of the climate agreements in Paris. According to the representatives of the Western countries, it was supposed to become a "moment of truth" for the whole world. At the same time, the conference was doomed to fail according to many experts, who argued that given the current economic conditions and pandemic-driven crisis it was impossible to achieve the intended goals - first of all, to prevent the temperature rising on Earth to more than 1.5o C above pre-industrial levels.

       However, the conference decided to stop deforestation and reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. However, not all countries agreed with these proposals. The developing nations are most challenged by new green initiatives. Some of them are experiencing instability and armed conflict, making it difficult for them to adapt to climate change.

       For Russia, the topic of climate change is more important than ever. In a video message to the participants of this year's G20 summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the average annual temperature in Russia is growing faster than average global temperatures. Russia has already joined the countries committed to achieving carbon neutrality by the middle of this century, making efforts to introduce "green" principles to the economy.

       What are the general results of the conference? Did it really contribute to the fight against climate change? What are the current forecasts regarding the achievement the goals agreed upon Paris in 2015? Why is the world still divided over how to combat climate change? Is it surmountable? These and other questions will be answered by the participants in the discussion.

       Speakers:

       Ruslan Edelgeriev, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Climate Issues;

       James Reynolds, head of delegation for the ICRC Mali;

       Alexey Kokorin, Director of the Climate and Energy Program, WWF Russia.

       Moderator:

       Oleg Barabanov, Programme Director of the Valdai Discussion Club

       Working languages: Russian, English.

       Information for the media: In order to get accredited for the event, please fill out the form on our website or call +7 926 930 77 63.