State of Climate Politics 2026: Reframing climate action in the face of divided politics

Rising challenges such as weakened economic growth, fiscal pressures, economic inequality, information manipulation, and declining trust in institutions and governments have contributed to fragmented consensus on critical political agendas, including climate action. This panel will examine strategic approaches to strengthening public support for the energy transition by articulating everyday concerns and priorities in political discussions and policies. Speakers: Agnes Dasewicz, Chief Investment Officer, Global Energy Alliance Jennie King, Non-Resident Fellow at Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) and Center for Climate and Security (CCS) Barbara Buffaloe, Mayor of Columbia, Missouri, US. Mr Rudi Dicks, Head of the Project Management Office (PMO) in the Private Office of the President, South Africa Sir Sam Ifeanyi Onuigbo, Member of the All Progressive Congress party, Nigeria, and Sponsor of Nigeria's Climate Change Act 2021 Moderated by KarlEmma Pinchbech, CEO Climate Change Committee (UK)