COP26 or Flop 26? – Meet Our Panel…

COP26 or Flop 26? – Meet Our Panel…

Posted 19th July 2022

Join our CEO Isabelle Parasram, on Thursday 29th September, 2022 from 12pm-1:30pm (drop in and out whenever suits you) as she chairs a panel discussion dissecting the question – what is next step for climate justice in the UK?

COP26 in Glasgow could be seen as a step forward in global efforts to address climate change, including a material increase in ambitions to reduce emissions across the world, finalisation of rules on reporting emissions and international carbon trading, and the launch of a range of new initiatives and sector deals.

But how far this could be considered a success depended entirely on follow-up actions over this last year.

At Social Value UK we follow 8 Key Principles (read here).These Principles of Social Value provide the basic building blocks for anyone who wants to make decisions that take this wider definition of value into account, in order to increase equality, improve wellbeing and increase environmental sustainability.

As such, we believe the concept of accountability is central to making real and meaningful change.

Ahead of COP27 we pose the questions to our supporters:

Meet our Speakers:

Rebecca Willis

Professor in Energy and Climate Governance

Rebecca Willis was one of the driving forces behind Climate Assembly UK, which brings together over 100 people from across the country and all walks of life to discuss their thoughts on how we could reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. A researcher with over 20 years’ experience in environment and sustainability practice, she also researched how MPs understand climate issues, later using those results to inform the Climate Leadership Programme.

For her remarkable efforts in this arena, in 2020 Rebecca made BBC Radio 4 Women’s Hour Power List!

Rebecca is also a Professor in Practice at Lancaster Environment Centre. She is working hard to make climate solutions open to everyone, and include them in creating policy.

Benali Hamdache

Migration and Refugee Support

Benali Hamdache is a Green Councillor on Islington Council, representing Highbury ward. He serves as a national spokesperson for the party, covering migration and refugee support. 

Professionally Benali is a campaigner, having worked for a variety of causes. He worked for the official Remain campaign during the EU referendum and was the Campaign Manager for Sian Berry’s most recent campaign for Mayor of London, delivering the best result in the Green’s history. He currently works for an international development charity.

Shaun Spiers

Executive Director, Green Alliance

Shaun became executive director of Green Alliance in June 2017. He was chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity, for 13 years. Previously he led ABCUL, the credit union trade association.

From 1994 to 1999, he was MEP for London South East, serving on the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.

Shaun chairs the board of Greener UK, a coalition of 12 environmental groups set up in the immediate aftermath of the Brexit referendum. As chair of Greener UK, he sits on the government’s Strategic Trade Advisory Group.

His book, How to build houses and save the countryside, was published by Policy Press in March 2018.

Posted 19th July 2022