17
Feb
2022
San Francisco
via Zoom
San Francisco, CA
United States of America

Cooperation among countries is central to addressing the climate crisis. Despite concerns about the results from COP26 in Glasgow, it is critical that climate advocates understand how global cooperation has arrived at this point and how it will influence immediate future climate actions. To understand the complexity of the issue, this Forum will provide an overview of the international climate collaboration process, starting with where previous international efforts have failed. This will help explain why the current international approach is organized the way that it is. 

The peculiarities of the current approach can only be understood through a study of the evolution over time, from the Paris Agreement, adopted by 197 countries in 2015, to the current approach to country commitments and the framework for international action. This includes an exploration of the role that subnational governments, local governments, businesses, civil society, and organizations (such as Rotary) play in supporting the international climate process and advancing climate action under the Paris Agreement framework. This framework and the role of all countries and subgroups is key to recognizing the actions Rotarians must take in advocating with their local and national governments to assure realization of the 2030 and beyond emissions targets.

Nathan CogswellNathan Cogswell is a Research Associate with the International Climate Action Initiative and a core member of World Resource Institute’s work on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change process and other international climate policy initiatives. In particular, Nathan's research, engagement, and work are focused on supporting the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations and implementation of the Paris Agreement’s rule-based regime with attention to issues related to transparency, accountability, and capacity building. Prior to joining WRI’s International Climate team, Nathan focused on advancing US-domestic climate resilience and preparedness as part of WRI’s U.S. Climate Impacts project.

Nathan holds a Master of Arts in Environmental Resource Policy from the George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from American University in Washington, DC.

To find out more about the Rotary Climate Action Teams (RCAT) Network and the Speakers Forum, go here