Theme: Race to Zero campaign

Date: 29th September, from 14:30 to 16:00; 

Format:

• Small in-person event at Villa Wolkonsky for the speakers.
• Event recorded, short interviews with the participants at the end of the round-table discussion. Production of a video clip for social media to be shared after the event.

Format:

Introduction by HMA, presentation by Nigel Topping, followed by free-flowing interventions from participants.

Chair:  HM Ambassador Jill Morris, British Embassy Rome

Keynote speaker: High-Level Climate Action Champion, Nigel Topping. 

Proposed participants:  

• Enrico Giovannini, Director, ASVIS 
• Edo Ronchi, Director, Sustainable Development Foundation
• Stefano Ciafani, Director, Legambiente 
• Gianni Silvestrini, Director, Kyoto Club
• Antonio Navarra, President, Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change 
• Donatella Bianchi, Director WWF Italy

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted devastating and continuing human suffering worldwide. The crisis, and necessary protection measures such as lockdowns, have had dramatic repercussions on economic activity – far exceeding the impact of the 2008-9 financial crisis.   

Despite everything, the pandemic is giving us the tremendous opportunity to build back better and radically change both our economic and social models. This change cannot - and must not - be achieved by governments alone. On the contrary, all non-state actors must be at the core and an integral part of this shared process.

It is with the goal of promoting ad hoc strategies to contain and reduce emissions that the Race to Zero campaign was launched, bringing together companies, cities, regions, and investors from around the world to create the largest ever alliance to achieve the goal of zero net carbon emissions by 2050.

This campaign, led by High-Level Climate Action Champions - Nigel Topping and Gonzalo Muñoz, aims at building momentum around the shift to a decarbonised economy ahead of COP26, where governments must strengthen their contributions to the Paris Agreement. This will send governments a resounding signal that business, NOGs, cities, regions, and investors are united in meeting the Paris goals and creating a more inclusive and resilient economy. This initiative was further reinforced 21st September 2020, with the launch of the SME Climate Hub, whose aim is to encourage small and medium-sized companies to commit to halving greenhouse gas emissions before 2030 and reaching net-zero emissions before 2050.

Therefore, this meeting with Nigel Topping will be an extraordinary opportunity to learn more about the Race to Zero campaign and to discuss ideas to build back better and support a healthy and resilient recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.