In this episode, host Sarah Ladislaw talks with Archie Young about the future of climate negotiations in light of this year’s delayed COP meetings and the five-year anniversary of the Paris agreement. Archie and Sarah look at the COP leadership role that the UK takes on this year amid the Covid-19 challenges, the steps left to meet the Paris targets and improve the global action, and how diplomatic efforts are working to empower and engage all stakeholders. 

Archie Young has been the UK’s Lead Climate Negotiator since 2016, overseeing climate negotiations in the UNFCCC, EU, G7, and G20. He is also the UK’s director of Negotiations & Ambition for COP26. He has a background in both international and domestic policy. Previous roles include co-director of International Climate & Energy; deputy director of Americas and head of South America Department in the UK Foreign Office; head of delivery in the Department of Energy & Climate Change; and deputy director for Business, Environment and the Olympics in the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit.

Recommendations for Further Reading:

Summary for Policymakers of IPCC Special Report

Paris Agreement