Bringing together researchers and policymakers, the event, organised by IIASA, NewClimate Institute, and the Alberto Luiz Coimbra Institute for Graduate Studies and Research in Engineering at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (COPPE/UFRJ), will examine how global climate goals can be translated into nationally relevant strategies that advance both emissions reductions and sustainable development. The discussion will explore emerging scientific evidence, methodological innovations, and policy perspectives on designing climate pathways that reflect national circumstances while contributing to collective global ambition.
Limiting global warming to 1.5°C requires more than ambitious international targets – it requires credible national pathways that align climate action with development priorities, socioeconomic realities, and principles of equity. As countries prepare and implement increasingly ambitious climate commitments, there is a growing need for approaches that connect global climate benchmarks with practical, country-specific actions.
This side event will present new research on equitable low-carbon transitions, advances in global scenario development, and methods for deriving national and sectoral pathways from international climate objectives. Particular attention will be given to the opportunities and challenges facing countries in the Global South, where climate action must be pursued alongside broader development goals. Through presentations and a policy dialogue, participants will explore how scientific insights can support fair, feasible, and effective climate strategies.
Following the presentations, the session will transition to a panel discussion where participants will reflect on the implications of the research for climate policy and implementation in their respective regions.
Speakers:
- Andréa Santos (COPPE/UFRJ)
- Keywan Riahi (IIASA)
- Pablo Blasco Ladrero (NewClimate Institute)
Panellists:
- Andreas Fazekas (European Union)
- Patricia Nying’uro (Kenya Meteorological Services Authorities)
Moderator:
- Ana Paola Gonzalez Alonso (Climate Strategies)
