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Hidden handbrakes for climate action and social justice

29 January 2025, 1:00–2:30 PM
Online
This is a past event. See our upcoming events

Event follow up – read this blog by IIED explaining the hidden handbrakes.

What is really hindering progress to tackle climate change?  What are the obstacles which are inhibiting climate finance that might save people and planet? Join to learn about potential funding opportunities for research into new handbrakes and explore where IIED’s existing research can support your campaigns or build coalitions to release specific handbrakes.

In this session, find out more about the Hidden Handbrakes; the invisible obstacles that are inhibiting climate action, barriers that are ingrained in the way societies work and which we could all do more to expose and change. IIED and the Generation Foundation are identifying and exploring the underlying systems of power that protect the status quo, and working with others to unlock the power of climate action. Come and hear more about it!

With funding from The Generation Foundation, IIED launched the Hidden Handbrakes campaign in 2023. In the last year IIED have gathered examples and generated research about blockers to climate action and social injustice, generating significant press coverage to expose these hidden handbrakes.

But, the important question is, how do we release them?

Join us for an action-focussed workshop, hosted by Scotland’s International Development Alliance and bringing together expert researchers from IIED who will introduce the critical hidden handbrakes.

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Agenda

Introduction – Frances Guy, SIDA

Overview of Hidden Handbrakes – James Persad, IIED

Presentation of some of the key hidden handbrakes:

  • What is the handbrake?
  • What damage does it do/maintain?
  • What can be done about it?

May Aung – Climate finance

James Persad – Investor–state dispute settlements (ISDS)

Paul Steele – The debt handcuffs

Ritu Bharadwaj – Credit rating reform

Jon Sharman – Media work raising awareness of heatwaves in cities

Q&A –

Breakout room discussions – Opportunities for attendees to explore handbrakes relevant to them and identify potential for collaboration

Watch back the session below.

Speakers

    James Persad

    Director, Communications, IIED

    Jon Sharman

    Press officer, Communications Group, IIED

    Anna Ducros

    Researcher (inclusive blue and green economy), IIED

    Ritu Bharadwaj

    Principal researcher (climate governance and finance team), Climate Change, IIED

    May Aung

    Researcher, IIED's Climate Change research group

    Lorenzo Cotula

    Principal researcher and head of law, economies and justice programme, IIED

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