Ahead of the UK hosting COP 26 later this year, the Trade Justice Movement and Queen Mary University of London invite you to join a virtual international conversation on what can be done to make sure trade agreements help rather than hinder climate action:
How trade can support climate action: an international conversation ahead of COP 26
13 July 2021 10am - 12pm BST
Online: Register here
The event, facilitated by Ruth Bergan, Senior Adviser of the Trade Justice Movement, will explore how trade, investment agreements and WTO commitments can either block or enable important climate interventions such as decarbonising the economy, creating green jobs and supporting sustainable agriculture and food systems.
The high-level international panel will bring a wealth of experience looking at where the opportunities for innovation and progress lie in the months and years ahead given encouraging recent signals from the US and the WTO.
The panel will be followed by a ‘teach-in’ session where you can ask any question on trade and climate to a panel of friendly experts.
Speakers:
Golriz Ghahraman MP, Green Party spokesperson on trade, New Zealand
Golriz Ghahraman is a former human rights lawyer who made history as the first refugee to be sworn in as an MP in New Zealand. She holds the trade brief for the Green Party who are governing in coalition and has been an outspoken opponent of ISDS in New Zealand’s FTAs and regional deals such as the CPTPP.
Fiona Harvey, environment correspondent for The Guardian
Fiona Harvey is an award-winning environment journalist for the Guardian. Prior to this, she worked for the Financial Times for more than a decade. She has reported on every major environmental issue, from as far afield as the Arctic and the Amazon, and her wide range of interviewees include Ban Ki-moon, Tony Blair, Al Gore and Jeff Immelt.
Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise
Ivan McKee is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician. In January 2021 the Scottish Government launched Scotland's 'Vision for Trade' which sets out the 5 principles which will guide future decisions on international trade: Inclusive Growth, Wellbeing, Sustainability, Net Zero and Good Governance. The Vision sets out the role of international trade as a lever in increasing progress towards net zero targets and improving our global environmental impact.
Dr. Vera Songwe, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
Dr. Vera Songwe is the Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Prior to ECA, she held a number of senior leadership roles with the International Finance Corporation and World Bank. ECA has recently launched the Building Forward for an African Green Recovery report which outlines bolder intra-African trade and climate-smart measures for the continent's recovery.
Shaun Spiers, Executive Director, Green Alliance
Green Alliance is an independent think tank and charity focused on ambitious leadership for the environment. Shaun also chairs the Board of Greener UK which is a coalition of 12 major environmental organisations, with a combined public membership of over 8 million. Prior to this he was chief executive of CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) and from 1994 to 1999, he was an MEP for the South East, serving on the European Parliament's Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.
Gareth Thomas MP, Shadow Minister for International Trade
Gareth has been the Labour MP for Harrow West for twenty-four years. He has held a number of Shadow Ministerial positions including International Development, Business and Africa. He has been Shadow Minister for International Trade since 2020 and has taken a keen interest in climate change and local environmental issues.
