Institute for Government

COP26 has been called the “last best chance” for the world to avoid catastrophic climate change, and the UK has an opportunity to broker a landmark agreement. But turning months of preparation into an ambitious deal won’t be easy. Success will depend not only on diplomatic skill but on leading by example in demonstrating how to achieve a transition to net zero. With less than a month until the conference, what are the potential sticking points in negotiations? And what must the UK do to ensure that the COP26 is a success? On our panel to discuss these questions: Allegra Stratton, Prime Minister's spokesperson for the COP26 conference James Close, Head of Climate Centre of Excellence and Environment at NatWest Group Simon Eaves, CEO for Accenture in the UK and Ireland Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency and interim Chair of the Green Finance Institute The event was chaired by Tom Sasse, Associate Director at the Institute for Government. We would like to thank Accenture for kindly supporting this event.

To listen to the full conversation visit https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/getting-cities-to-net-zero

To listen to the full conversation visit https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/getting-cities-to-net-zero

To listen to the full conversation visit https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/getting-cities-to-net-zero

To listen to the full conversation visit https://soundcloud.com/institute-for-government/getting-cities-to-net-zero

Hitting the UK’s net zero target depends on the transformation of the UK’s cities. Many had already declared climate emergencies and set ambitious emissions targets before the pandemic, while big changes in the last 18 months – less commuting, more walking and cycling – have had big implications for urban areas. But to help people permanently shift to low-carbon lifestyles requires local leaders to develop long-term approaches to infrastructure, taxes and regulations. What needs to be done to ensure long-term transformation? Which pandemic-enforced changes should remain in place? How can cities and central government work together to make progress towards net zero? On our panel to discuss these questions: Baroness Blake of Leeds, Shadow Spokesperson for Housing, Communities and Local Government and former Leader of Leeds City Council Professor Hayley Fowler, Professor of Climate Change Impacts in the School of Engineering at Newcastle University Christopher Hammond, Network Membership Director, UK100 Steve Turner, Director, Devolved and Local Government at Connected Places Catapult The event was chaired by Tom Sasse, Associate Director at the Institute for Government, with opening remarks by Giles Clifford, Partner at Gowling WLG. We would like to thank Gowling WLG for supporting this event.

Better use of data is key to more effective government. Across government, teams are doing fascinating work with data. But those projects don’t get the attention they deserve. At this month's event, the 23rd in our series, the speakers presented their work in an exciting, quickfire format. Each speaker had eight minutes, followed by eight minutes of questions from the audience. This month's speakers were: Or Lenchner, CEO of Bright Data, presenting lessons learned from how the commercial world draws insight from online public data Andrew Engeli, Deputy Director for Environmental Monitoring for Health Protection at the UK Health Security Agency, on the challenges of developing novel data sources in the context of the pandemic response Bethan Charnley, Head of National Data Strategy Implementation at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, on monitoring and evaluating the National Data Strategy Patrick Royce, Energy Engineer at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, on the My2050 Calculator for exploring pathways to net zero The event was chaired by Gavin Freeguard, Associate at the Institute for Government.

Science has played a key role in the Covid crisis, and the pandemic has shone a light on the way government accesses, uses and communicates scientific evidence and data. This panel discussed the lessons learned and how the government can use science effectively to achieve its aim of making the UK a “science superpower”. This event was part of the IfG's fringe events programme at the 2021 Conservative Party Conference in Manchester. Speakers: Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Chair of the Science and Technology Select Committee Polly Toynbee, Columnist at The Guardian Professor Ian Walmsley FRS, Provost at Imperial College London Sir Mark Walport, Fellow at the Royal Society This event was chaired by Tom Sasse, Associate Director at the Institute for Government. Kindly supported by Imperial College London and the Royal Society.

Homes produce 15% of the UK’s emissions, and little progress has been made on decarbonising their energy use. The UK needs local solutions to this problem. But local governments lack the resources, powers and capabilities needed. We considered the roles of central and local government, and how to drive progress towards the UK’s net zero goals. This event was part of the IfG's fringe events programme at the 2021 Conservative Party Conference in Manchester. Speakers: Lord Callanan, Minister for Business, Energy and Corporate Responsibility Joss Clarke, Director of External Affairs at SGN Laura Sandys, Chair of the Energy Digitalisation Taskforce Councillor Dan Watkins, Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport for Kent County Council This event was chaired by Tom Sasse, Associate Director at the Institute for Government. Kindly supported by SGN.

Growing waiting lists, staff burnout, and a social care system in urgent need of reform. With a spending review imminent, this event discussed spending pressures on health and care, how to pay for them, and whether the government will be able to meet its pledges to build 40 new hospitals and recruit tens of thousands of nurses, doctors, and GPs. This event was part of the IfG's fringe events programme at the 2021 Conservative Party Conference in Manchester. Speakers: Paul Bristow MP, Member of the Health and Social Care Committee Anita Charlesworth, Director of Research and the REAL Centre at the Health Foundation Sarah Neville, Global Health Editor at the Financial Times Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government This event was chaired by Graham Atkins, Associate Director at the Institute for Government. Kindly supported by the Health Foundation.