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Ruth Townend

@ruthtownend.bsky.social
1.8K followers 286 following 35 posts

Politically feasable pathways to 'adequate' public climate action with @cast-centre.bsky.social. Formerly @chathamhouse.org host of The Climate Briefing podcast. Research nerd, climate geek, parent to two glorious little women. All views my own.

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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
While the government is responding to current, real security threats, such threats will only increase in tandem with climate impacts. 🌪️🔥🌊Cutting aid to fuel defence is like swapping a smaller, slightly leaky defence bucket for a larger one with a bigger hole. 🕳️(2/2)
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
🧵Cutting the #UKaidbudget is likely to harm the UK’s security in the face of cascading climate risks – chain reactions across borders which can feed hard security threats ⛓️. UK aid supports UK security by building resilience in vulnerable countries . (1/2)
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
What now for climate action😟? Who better to discuss on the pod 🎙️ than former US Climate Envoy 🗽@tdsdc.bsky.social & @chathamhouse.bsky.social ESC Director Ana Yang? We talk turbulent times, US withdrawral from Paris & Brazil's prospects as COP30 & BRICS president. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
podcasts.apple.com
Episode 48: The 2025 international climate agenda
Podcast Episode · The Climate Briefing · 22/01/2025 · 41m
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
🚨🎙️NEW PODCAST ALERT!🎙️🚨 The @chathamhouse.bsky.social Environment team discuss the #COP29 outcome and implications for climate finance, climate plans, and multilateralism. Join me, @rking.uk, @chrisaylett.bsky.social and Ben Horton to see how the dust settled. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
podcasts.apple.com
Episode 47: What happened at COP29? Chaos, climate finance and coughs
Podcast Episode · The Climate Briefing · 10/12/2024 · 37m
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Such a pleasure to speak with delegates at the @mybisa.bsky.social #climatesim 2025 this morning. Loving the energy & ingenuity in finding solutions, and shout out to Russia's delegation lead - your method acting is 👨‍🍳👌. I had to miss lunch but hope you stayed in character for the sandwiches.
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
Not far enough! Keep going, Australia’s wrens, with your brilliant feathers and even more brilliant names. ‘Splendid fairywren’. ‘Superb fairywren.’ Yes you are, lads, carry on!
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Keiran Pedley @keiranpedley.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
😂
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
How does #COP29 fit into the wider picture of climate action? COPs 28-30 are meant to 'reset' global climate action after a poor report on Paris progress in the 'global stocktake'. If one link in the chain is weak or fails, this reset is at risk. From www.chathamhouse.org/2024/10/azer...
COP28 in Dubai sets direction in response to the global stocktake, COP29 in Baku is meant to put in place the finance for parties to deliver strong new climate plans at COP30 in Belem, Brazil.
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
We discuss the issues and what’s at stake on this week’s @chathamhouse.bsky.social Independent Thinking podcast with Bronwen Maddox, former BBC journalist Roger Harrabin and Maria Netto, executive director of the Institute for Climate and Society in Brazil. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...
podcasts.apple.com
Has COP29 made a difference on climate change?
Podcast Episode · Independent Thinking · 22/11/2024 · 36m
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
Really clear explanation of the crucial role of #COP29 in the chain of multilateral climate action from Hindustan Times: “Without adequate finance commitments in Baku, countries may be unable or unwilling to enhance their climate pledges next year in Belem.” www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/c...
hindustantimes.com
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Chatham House @chathamhouse.org · 22/11/2024
Podcast🎙️| Has COP29 made a difference on climate change? Roger Harrabin, Maria Netto and @ruthtownend.bsky.social join the podcast this week to discuss COP29 and how Donald Trump’s re-election could impact climate action. Apple: apple.co/3AGBJdW Spotify: spoti.fi/3CGFSPs
chathamhouse.org
Independent Thinking: Has COP29 made a difference on climate change?
Roger Harrabin, Maria Netto and Ruth Townend join the podcast to discuss the COP29 summit in Azerbaijan and how Donald Trump’s re-election could change global climate action.
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Simon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 22/11/2024
NEW TEXTS DROPPED AT #COP29 * NCQG: Draft finance target of $250bn * UAE dialogue: clear ref to GST para 28 * UAE dialogue: Options on taking GST fwd * MWP: GST remains absent www.carbonbrief.org/... 1/3
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
Waiting for new texts at #COP29 and asking myself 'why is this so hard?' For a lot of reasons, but boiled down to one word: incentives. This finance COP and its #NCQG on climate finance could still change the game, by changing the stakes for parties in the negotiations. COP, heal thyself.
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Listen to the excellent Professor Patrick Bolton, E-axes report co-author, talk to me and climate and nature finance inspiration Dr Nicola Ranger on the Climate Briefing podcast 🎙️ here: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e... Ends.
podcasts.apple.com
Episode 45: Climate finance 2 - Private finance, polycrisis and positive shocks
Podcast Episode · The Climate Briefing · 07/08/2024 · 40m
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
Climate finance is not charity and the 'donor' base is a misnomer. By supporting countries which lack the means for ambitious mitigation and adaptation action, developing countries are investing in their own economies, their own resilience, the stability of the climate in which they operate. (2/3)
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
All eyes are on the #NCQG climate finance prize at #COP29. New research from e-axes shows a $2.8 tn climate mitigation investment by developed countries would delivers them a net economic benefit of $5.1–$40 tn over 2025–2035, an economic return of 180%–1457% e-axes.org/research/cop... 🧵 (1/3)
e-axes.org
COP29: The Economic Case for a New Common Quantified Goal of Climate Finance (NCQG) at Scale - E-Axes Forum
Patrick Bolton (Imperial College London) and Alissa M. Kleinnijenhuis (Cornell University, Imperial College London) assess the importance of New Common Quantified Goal (NCQG) in order to meet the Pari...
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Richard King @rking.uk · 18/11/2024
I was pleased to be guesting on this episode and opining down the line from #COP29 in Baku
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Looking for a weekend #podcast while you fold relentless washing, tidy the kitchen, or pick up tiny, brutally sharp pieces of Lego out of the rug before stepping on them YET AGAIN? @chathamhouse.bsky.social's Climate Briefing from has you. Listen on #COP29, vibes & Azerbaijan as climate leader.
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Agreement between parties on how to realize the benefits & limit the potential damage from the system of rotating COP presidencies could help shore up future global climate cooperation. With analysis from @arzugeybulla.bsky.social @laurencebroers.bsky.social End.
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
In it, we recommend that Parties to the UNFCCC UN should mandate the secretariat to develop best practice and guardrails for the COP presidency. Faith and trust in the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement and the COP process are the bedrock of multilateral climate ambition. (2/3)
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
In response to the @clubofrome.bsky.social letter today, the world must work with the #ParisAgreement process compromised as it certainly is & broken as it may be. There is no time to begin again. Read our report on Azerbaijan's #COP29 presidency here chathamhouse.org/2024/10/azer... (1/3)
chathamhouse.org
Azerbaijan’s climate leadership challenge
What’s at stake at COP29 and beyond
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
* 🎙 NEW PODCAST ALERT 🎙 * As #COP29 kicks off in Baku, the team talk Azerbaijan's climate leadership, COP vibes, prospects, and why working on climate change makes you a terrible dinner party guest. With dispatches from @chathamhouse.bsky.social in Baku: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
podcasts.apple.com
Episode 46: COP29, Azerbaijan's climate leadership, and prospects for climate action
Podcast Episode · The Climate Briefing · 14/11/2024 · 43m
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
What is all this #COP29 Climate Conference malarkey anyway? This @chathamhouse.bsky.social video explainer covers what the COP is, who goes, what they hope to achieve, and prospects for this year's summit. Sort your NDCs from your NCQG from your UNFCCC here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZe2...
youtube.com
Explained: What is COP29?
YouTube video by Chatham House
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
Thanks Martin, glad it's useful to you.
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 13/11/2024
Yesterday, President Ilham Aliyev again called oil and gas 'a gift from god' 'just like the sun, wind and minerals'. Unlike the sun and wind, fossil fuels are destabilising our planet and threatening its liveability. Read our report on Azerbaijan's climate leadership at #COP29 and beyond.
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Chatham House @chathamhouse.org · 11/11/2024
At COP29, avoiding backsliding on existing commitments will be vital, and progress on new measures will be difficult to achieve, writes @ruthtownend.bsky.social.
chathamhouse.org
What is COP29 and why is it important?
The COP29 summit will see negotiators try to agree how to finance the climate action the world urgently needs.
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
Thanks to @timgbenton for analysis, and @CH_Environment for contributions and insights. @chathamhouse.bsky.social
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
Under Trump, we can expect a more tense, protectionist, populist and polarised world. The burden on global environmental action will be significant. COP29 is now more important than ever, as countries must rally against a vortex of likely US climate antagonism and inertia. 11/11
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
Trump’s significant admiration of “hard man” authoritarian leaders, and their approval of his disruptive effects, which can benefit their strategic ends, may support increasing dominance of populist and right-wing politics that neglect environmental action and downplay risks. 10/11
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
Trump plans heavy military investment, at a time when climate impacts are already feeding instability. As global tensions increase, countries may be driven to focus on security, defence, energy, food and critical supply-chains, at the expense of decarbonisation targets. 9/11
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
Replacing imports with domestically manufactured goods – so called on-shoring – will be driven through the trade tariffs, increasing US emissions through domestic economic growth and by deprioritising manufacturing efficiency in favour of domestic production. 8/11
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
Trump plans to de-prioritise environmental considerations across US federal government through structural, mandate or staffing changes, ‘slashing regulations’ to drive economic growth through cheap fossil fuel energy, AKA ‘drill baby drill,’ driving up US emissions. 7/11
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
Putting aside climate diplomacy, direct impacts on the environment will also arise from Trump’s reshaping of America’s economy and its role in the world, and Trump is likely to drive a new era of international relations capable of derailing global environmental governance. 6/11
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
However, as the world is likely to pass the 1.5 degrees Paris threshold, perhaps within the period of the next Trump Administration, US actions which lock in further rapid emissions growth now might be the fatal blow to the Paris agreement temperature limits. 5/11
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
Exiting the Paris Agreement, or the UNFCCC more broadly, would change the international leadership space for climate action. As with Trump’s last withdrawal from Paris, other countries (such as the UK, EU or China) may step forward, and US State-level action may continue. 4/11
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
Trump’s foreign policy will inevitably both change multilateral environmental action. Trump’s distrustful approach to multilateralism goes hand in hand with actions to undermine it (whether the UN, the WTO or NATO), instead relying on transactional bilateral negotiation. 3/11
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
The United States is the world's largest fossil fuel producer. As the climate crisis deepens and key temperature thresholds buckle under the strain of ever rising emissions, climate change denier and fossil fuel enthusiast Donald Trump stands ready to take America's helm. 2/11
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 06/11/2024
Trump’s election comes days before the start of the crucial COP29 climate summit, framed as a vital financial staging post in a three year ‘reset’ for global climate action. Trump has promised to withdraw the USA from Paris Agreement. What does his victory mean for our planet?🧵1/11
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 28/02/2024
Welsh farmers protests have me thinking. Failure to meaningfully engage citizens on behaviour, I think, unfairly positions farmers as vanguards of change ahead of better off citizens and business owners. Fairness was key to acceptance for Climate Assembly UK. www.chathamhouse.org/2024/01/euro...
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Ruth Townend @ruthtownend.bsky.social · 15/02/2024
Join Gwynne Dyer author of Climate Wars & @chathamhouse.bsky.social's Dr Daniel Quiggin on this week's Climate Briefing pod. We pit climate unicorns 🦄against climate workhorses🐴, and discuss the moral hazard of relying on unproven tech to tackle climate change 🤖🌎🌡️. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/e...
podcasts.apple.com
‎The Climate Briefing: Episode 39: Unicorns vs workhorses on Apple Podcasts
‎Show The Climate Briefing, Ep Episode 39: Unicorns vs workhorses - 13 Feb 2024
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