Expert panel to discuss the economics of climate change

In the run-up to the COP26 Climate Change Conference, taking place in Glasgow from 31 October, alumni, staff and students of the Department of Economics are invited to join a panel of experts for an online discussion exploring what can be done by individuals as well as organisations and countries to slow or reverse global warming.

What Can We Do About Climate Change? will be hosted online, from 6.15 to 7.15pm on Thursday 28 October 2021.

On the panel, Professor Andrew Oswald (Economics) and Professor Nick Chater (WBS) will be joined by Warwick alumnae Dr Maureen Paul, Interim Chief Economic Advisor of the energy regulator Ofgem, and Sugandha Srivastav, a doctoral student in Environmental Economics from the University of Oxford. Professor Caroline Elliott (Economics) will chair the event.

Panel members will share macro and micro economic insights and possible solutions to the climate crisis, and lead discussion about the role of governments, policy makers, regulators, groups and individuals in tackling the issue.

• Professor Andrew Oswald (Economics) will discuss his recent research into attitudes to climate change and ask, do citizens really care?
• Professor Nick Chater (WBS) will ask whether policy-makers are under-estimating the willingness of the public to change, given the adaptability and resilience shown by the pubic during the coronavirus pandemic
• Dr Maureen Paul, Ofgem Chief Economist, will discuss how Ofgem harnesses data to inform decisions and protect vulnerable consumers through the transition to greener power
• Sugandha Srivastav, a doctoral student in Environmental Economics from the University of Oxford, will address the challenges of the next industrial revolution – through which all products and processes will transition to net-zero emissions, and how governments can support clean innovation.

Professor Jeremy Smith, Head of Department, said:

"I encourage everyone to engage in this important debate and learn from the experts about what can be done to reverse global warming and how we as individuals can contribute to this urgent and important goal."

To find out more about the panellists, to register to attend and to submit a question to the panel, please visit What Can We Do About Climate Change event page.