2015 is a crucial year for multilateral climate negotiations seeking to secure a fair, ambitious and legally binding international agreement under the United Nations Framework convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the end-of-year Paris Conference of Parties (COP21). A successful outcome is of utmost importance for the EU and its Member States, also in light of the need to ramp up pre-2020 climate change action.

On the occasion of the European Climate Diplomacy Day (June 17), the Clingendael Institute, together with the embassies of France, Germany and the UK, and the Dutch Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of Infrastructure and the Environment, is organising a conference discussing how to achieve concerted and coordinated diplomatic action within the EU in the run-up to Paris.

The conference will bring together experts and practitioners from (local) governments, private companies, think tanks, and civil society, and will deal with how support for a successful deal in Paris can be gained from all stakeholders, while also assessing the main challenges and opportunities arising out of the EU’s evolving climate change policies and international ambitions. In order to answer this question, the afternoon will be organised in three panels:

1/How can the EU play its part to reach a deal?

2/Challenges and opportunities of new regulations for private companies

3/How to bring local governments and civil society in the preparation process?

At the end of the conference, the movie “Groënland: le voyage sous la glace” will be screened as part of the Film and Science Festival organised by the French Institute.

To register for this event please send an email to: Kareen.truschel@diplomatie.gouv.fr

Event programme:

Moderator*                                                                       *= to be confirmed

13h30-14h Welcoming coffee.

14h-15h First Panel - How can the EU play its part to reach a deal?

1/ Xavier Rey, Deputy Head of mission (French embassy): Preparation process and objectives of the Paris conference

2/ Ivo de Zwaan, Ministry for Environment and Infrastructures: The EU position in the climate negotiations

3/ Kitty van der Heijden, Europe World Resources Institute: Presentation of the New Climate Economy Report

4/ Louise Van Schaik, Clingendael Institute: Challenges in the negotiation process

15h-16h Second Panel – Challenges and opportunities of new regulations for private companies.

(moderator : Pieter Pauw, Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik)

1/ Harry Verhaar, Head of Global Public & Government Affairs for Philips Lighting

2/ German Association of Energy and Water Industries (Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft - BDEW)*

3/ Stephen Hibbert, Global head of energy and carbon efficiency at ING

4/ Hildagarde McCarville, CEO Veolia Nederland

16h-16h30 Coffee break

16h30-17h30 Third Panel – How to bring local governments and civil society in the preparation process?

1/ Stephan Brandligt, Delft Alderman

2/ Future Cities Catapult*

3/ Chris Mooiweer, Director Climate-KIC The Netherlands*

4/ Trianel Group*

17h30-19h : CNRS movie « Groënland : le voyage sous la glace » (French language with English subtitles) as part of Film&Science festival