How to decarbonize the global economy after Paris

In 2015, the G7 pledged to decarbonize the world economy by 2100. While 2100 many seem a distant goal, the G7 has committed to a medium-term target of the "upper end" of 40 to 70 percent reduction by 2050 - that gives countries around the world only 34 years to significantly redefine their energy sources and infrastructure. This necessitates large-scale changes to investment patterns and a complete halt of building new fossil fuel based infrastructure and industry. Today, fossil fuels account for 80 percent of the global energy share. As we move forward after the UN Climate Negotiations in Paris last December, the panel's challenge will be to convincingly answer if humanity can decarbonize our shared economy by the end of the 21st Century. Speakers: Bhaskar Vira Director, University of Cambridge Conservation Research Institute; Reader in the Political Economy of Environment and Development, and Fellow of Fitzwilliam College Aleyn Smith-Gillespie Associate Director, Business Advice, The Carbon Trust Victoria Herrmann PhD Polar Studies (2014) Alumni Officer, Gates Cambridge Scholars' Council Ioanna Antypas Renewables Entrepreneur & Independent Energy-Environment Analyst; PhD Materials Science and Metallurgy (2004)