The Fossil Fuel Phase Out and Climate Futures conference builds on the expanding climate science and growing policy momentum toward the need for global fossil fuel phase out. The COP26 Glasgow climate pact called for “accelerat[ing] efforts towards the phasedown of unabated coal power and phase out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies”, and climate policy advocates around the world are focusing on how to phase out fossil fuels. Not only is there a growing belief among governments that action needs to be taken to reduce fossil fuel usage, but there is also growing recognition of the need to restrict fossil fuel supply.

Despite the limited attention to fossil fuel phase out in the UN climate negotiation process, there is growing support for phasing out fossil fuels, with many nations building international agreements outside the UN negotiation process. It is increasingly clear, however, that to reduce human suffering and ecological destruction from the climate crisis, a rapid reduction in the exploration, extraction and burning of coal, oil, and gas is necessary; a global fossil fuel phase out is critically important.

The transition towards a more sustainable, equitable low-carbon future requires embracing climate justice principles that intertwine human rights and development with the adoption of a people-focused approach. Ensuring the protection of the rights of those who are most susceptible to harm, and distributing the consequences and advantages of climate change are essential for a more stable and sustainable future.

This interactive one day event will include:

– Keynote speaker: Jennie Stephens, Northeastern University, Dean’s Professor of Sustainability Science and Policy

– Short talks:
     – Sian Sutherland, co-founder of A Plastic Planet
     – Mark Martin, Assistant Professor in Computer Science & Education Practice at Northeastern University London
     – David Dunstan, Professor of Experimental Physics at Queen Mary University London

Three panel discussions focusing on:

– International cooperation for global fossil fuel phase out:
     – Peter Newell (Sussex)
     – Caterina Gennaioli (Queen Mary, Uni London)
     – Dr. Shounak Set, Visiting Lecturer in International Relations at King’s College London
     – Panel chair: Dr. Diana Bozhilova, Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations at Northeastern University London

– The potential for social innovation versus technological innovation:
     – Naomi Hallum, CEO of GenV (joining online)
     – Dr Rupert Read, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of East Anglia and climate and environmental campaigner
     – Dr Leah Bamberger, Executive Director of the Climate Justice and Sustainability Hub at Northeastern University (joining online)
     – Jo Weston, member of Clean Creatives
     – Panel chair: Dr Hossein Dabbagh, Northeastern University London

Keynote speaker: Tzeporah Berman, Chair and founder of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative (joining online)