Time to Zero In

Climate change – and the transition to a net-zero economy and society – is the existential challenge of our time. Unless governments have a clear route map, this transition will be all the more difficult.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we are uniquely positioned to help governments navigate the challenges posed by climate change and the net-zero transition. We exist to equip leaders with fresh, progressive, practical policy ideas and solutions, and our expert team brings together specialists from climate policy, technology, innovation and economic development.

Our work makes the case for an inclusive transition to net zero that recognises the unique needs of low- and middle-income countries alongside developed economies, and we also see transformative technology as a key enabler. You can read more about our vision for net zero and the work we’re doing below.

Buildings reflecting a forest rise into the sky

COP 27

Moving to Delivery: The COP27 Challenge

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have contributed minimally to the climate crisis – but they bear the brunt of its impact. COP27 moves the focus from pledges to delivery, highlighting the need for LMICs to drive their energy transitions on their own terms. The energy path that LMICs take will be key to mitigating the worst impacts of climate change, and finding the right one requires more than just an investment plan.

It’s in the global interest for developed countries to work with low-income countries as genuine partners, collaborating on tech-enabled transitions as part of a new equitable global approach.

Model man standing around talking while the planet melts

Closing the Climate Divide: How Energy-Transition Plans Can Turn Pledges Into Projects

To mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, the global community must act now to ensure low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are not left behind in the energy transition while developed nations must follow through on their existing climate pledges. Building on the Tony Blair Institute’s experience of supporting governments to deliver energy-transition plans as well as clean-energy reforms and investments in Africa, Europe and Asia, our paper offers a five-step framework to LMIC governments setting out how to achieve effective energy transition while highlighting the role that international partners need to play.

Paper

A squiggly line show a transition from city to forest to green energy production like solar and wind

Tech Beyond COP27: An Agenda to Develop, Scale and Deploy

Climate tech is key to tackling the climate emergency, but progress in bringing innovations to market at scale is still too slow. Along with the private sector and other actors, wealthier nations need to step up and address the challenge of developing, scaling and deploying climate tech in the markets where it matters the most.

Commentary