A Conversation on the Economics of Energy, Climate, and Nature Crises

In the recent weeks, the public discourse in the UK has focused on the cost of living and energy crises. Rapid and controversial measures have been taken in the Chancellor’s mini-budget. The implications for the nature and climate crises are not discussed.

Can economics offer more than price caps, windfall taxes, and whether pies can grow or wealth can trickle down? What options do we have, and what are their implications, when we take a more comprehensive and long-term view?

To discuss what our profession can offer we will be joined by Prof Paul Ekins OBE and Tom Burke, who will bring their decades of experience advising and campaigning for better integrated economy, environment, and energy policies. Following introductions, the webinar will be an open conversation, chaired by Ece Ozdemiroglu and including questions and comments from the audience.

It’s a little shorter than usual notice to join us, and not in our usual Wednesday lunch time slot but we hope you’ll understand the need to respond to the current debate outweighed the importance of sticking to the plan.

About Prof. Paul Ekins OBE
Paul Ekins is a Professor of Resources and Environment Policy at University College London, where his work focuses on the conditions and policies for achieving an environmentally sustainable economy. He is an authority of a number of areas of energy-environment-economy (E3) interaction and environmental policy. Paul is also a member of the UNEP International Resource Panel and was previously the Co-Director of the UK Energy Research Centre. Additionally, Paul has extensive experience working with and consulting for high-level government bodies and businesses.

About Tom Burke
Tom Burke is the Co-Founder and Chair of E3G. Tom’s work currently focuses on the politics of climate change and is motivated by his belief that unless climate policy succeeds, we will not be able to tackle the rest of the sustainable development agenda successfully.

He is also the Chairman of the China Dialogue Trust, a Trustee of Climate Advisors UK, and a visiting Professor at both Imperial College and University College London. Tom was the Executive Director of Friends of the Earth in the late seventies, of the Green Alliance for most of the eighties and was a Special Advisor to three Secretaries of State for the Environment from 1991-97.

Chair: Ece Ozdemiroglu: Ece is the Founder and CEO of eftec who will be moderating the discussion to ensure the webinar leaves you empowered, not demoralised.