(Washington, D.C.)—As the world prepares for the Paris Climate Agreement’s first Global Stocktake, the Environmental Law Institute is proud to present the Firestone Policy Forum on October 24 in Washington, D.C. This timely event will convene leading experts to discuss and evaluate both national and global efforts toward achieving the greenhouse gas reduction targets set forth in the Agreement.
The Firestone Policy Forum is named in honor of the late Judge Nancy Firestone (1951-2022). An exemplary figure in the environmental law sphere, Judge Firestone's legacy as an attorney, policymaker, and judge continues to inspire and guide our community. Her tireless commitment to the environment echoes in the very ethos of this forum.
"Judge Nancy Firestone's legacy was one of commitment, vision, and transformative action for our environment,” says Scott Fulton, President Emeritus of the Environmental Law Institute. “The Firestone Policy Forum is not just a tribute to her mark on environmental law, but a continuation of her mission: to galvanize meaningful dialogue and inspire collective action for a sustainable future."
The Firestone Policy Forum promises to delve deep into the first ever Global Stocktake, to be presented at the highly anticipated 2023s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) this December, and its implications for global climate policy. The Paris Agreement requires Parties to undertake a Global Stocktake every five years to evaluate collective progress toward achieving its long-term goals and purpose. This global “inventory” comprises three distinct phases:
- Collection and preparation of relevant information;
- A technical assessment of the gathered data; and
- The presentation and consideration of findings.
With so much focus on the inaugural Global Stocktake, COP28 promises to be a pivotal moment in our global climate journey, providing an opportunity to assess our collective strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It will also serve as a platform for the international community to decide on the necessary measures to further the Paris Agreement's objectives.
A central question for many is the progress the United States has made toward its pledge of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. Furthermore, how does the broader global community stack up in their commitments? And what impact could the Global Stocktake have on global climate policy? These are just some of the issues to be discussed at the Firestone Policy Forum.
The Firestone Policy Forum will take place on October 24 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.
For event details, registration information, and panelist announcements, please visit https://www.eli.org/award-dinner/firestone-policy-forum-2023.