The Paris climate agreement, adopted in December 2015, is the first-ever universal, legally binding global climate deal.
The agreement sets out an action plan to keep global temperature rise well below 2°C and to consider limiting the increase even further to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. The agreement aims to substantially reduce global greenhouse emissions and accelerate and intensify actions and investments needed for a sustainable low carbon society. The agreement also aims to strengthen the ability of countries to adapt to the impacts of climate change. The European Union has signed the Paris Agreement and now looks forward to having the agreement ratified and entering into force swiftly. The EU already has policies and targets in place including the 2030 climate and energy framework and a strategy on climate change adaptation.

At this event distinguished scientists and other experts will discuss how researchers, meteorological institutes and related organisations can support developing and implementing a transition to a low carbon society and actions to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. There will be an opportunity for EMS/ECAC participants to participate actively in the debate.

Questions and issues that will be discussed by and with the panel include issues such as:
- How will the COP21 Paris agreement and its objectives influence actions in Europe, considering already agreed EU policies and actions?
- Which mitigation and adaptation options are feasible?
- How to deal with uncertainty in climate change projections, when planning for adaptation.
- Examples of good practice in mitigation, adaptation and their synergies.
- How can science and climate services provide support ?
- What is the role of meteorological institutes and related organisations and how can they contribute?


PROGRAMME

Chairs and Moderators:
Tanja Cegnar: Slovenian Environment Agency,
André Jol: European Environment Agency

Opening by Inge Auer

Introductory statements
10-minute introductory statements will be given by invited speakers from different organisations and areas of expertise

Antonio Navarra, JPI Climate Governing Board, President of the CMCC
Peter Höppe, Munich Re, Head Geo Risko Forschung/Corporate Climate Centre
Ceri J Vincent, Chair CO2GeoNet Executive Committee, Senior Geophysicist British Geological Survey
Selvaraju Ramasamy, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN

Panel discussion with the speakers; questions and contributions from the audience.
19:00 Closing