Paris Agreement - Where to now and what are the impacts to Australia
The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, revitalised efforts to tackle climate change. The Agreement entered into force less than a year after its adoption, having been ratified by well over 100 countries, including Australia. The 22nd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP22), which took place from 7-18 November 2016 in Marrakech, delivered a work plan to develop the rules that will underpin the Paris Agreement over the next couple of years. It also recognised the strong complementary emissions-reduction efforts being made this year under the Montreal Protocol, International Civil Aviation Organisation, and International Maritime Organisation. There are many opportunities for Australia in the global shift to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. There will also be challenges to international efforts to tackle climate change, including the recent election of Donald Trump, a self-professed climate sceptic.
This seminar brings together three participants of COP22 to consider:
- The main outcomes of the COP and other developments in addressing climate change
- Challenges and opportunities that lie ahead
- How these efforts will affect Australia
Panel Members:
- Sam Johnston is a Senior Research Fellow at the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU IAS) - a policy think tank for the United Nations based in Japan. He has 26 years’ experience in working on climate change issues at an international level. Sam is also a Senior Fellow at the Faculty of Law for 2017 and a member of the advisory board at the Centre for Resources, Energy and Environmental Law, University of Melbourne; and a member of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law.
- Emily Gerrard is Co-Head of Allens' Climate Change Group and a specialist environmental lawyer. Emily's experience includes advising clients on a range of environmental regulatory and compliance matters, including the Australian Government's Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF), ERF Safeguard Mechanism and the inclusion of Indigenous land tenures in the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011, as well as participation in native vegetation, biodiversity, carbon and water markets.
- Alexandria Rantino is a senior policy officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which leads Australia’s negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Alex negotiates on technology and trade-related issues under the UNFCCC, and shipping emissions under the International Maritime Organisation. Previously, Alex has worked at the Climate Change Authority, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and United Nations Environment Programme.