The off-grid energy sector in East Africa is vital to the region’s sustainable development. However, it has been badly impacted by the pandemic and needs urgent government support. But what actions should policy makers take to help the sector and unlock its full potential?

Join Oxford Smith School researchers Tonny Kukeera and Aoife Brophy as they present, and take questions on, findings from their policy brief, ‘Supporting the East African Off-grid Energy Industry post COVID-19.’

The brief, which will publish on the day of the event, urges policy makers in Africa to:

When the pandemic began, the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker began capturing government policies to confront COVID-19. Two years later, what have we learned, and why does it matter for the next phase of this challenge? Why have countries developed different responses, what impact have they had, and how do they vary both across and within countries? How have policies affected people’s behaviour? How has the rapid but uneven rollout of vaccines globally changed our defense strategies against COVID-19? What may come next as more and more countries shift to “living with” the virus?

This event will look at the military situation unfolding in Ukraine—how the invasion has developed, and what we know now about both militaries—and examines its political implications for Ukraine, Russia, NATO countries, and globally. Prussian general and military theorist Carl von Clausewitz famously remarked that war is the continuation of politics by other means. But he also noted that war is ‘the realm of uncertainty’ and ‘the realm of chance’, with unanticipated outcomes on the battlefield changing the political calculus.

Under the Paris Agreement, 197 countries have agreed to limit global warming to well below 2 °C and make efforts to limit it to 1.5 °C. and on 13 November 2021, COP26 concluded in Glasgow with all countries agreeing the Glasgow Climate Pact to keep 1.5C alive and finalise the outstanding elements of the Paris Agreement. A key part of keeping 1.5 alive will be reaching Net Zero carbon emissions, meaning that emissions are reduced as far as possible and what can't be reduced is balanced by carbon sequestration, by mid-century. But what are the scientific challenges to achieving Net Zero?

As the invasion of Ukraine continues, more than two million Ukrainians have fled the country and fears that President Putin may resort to the use of nuclear weapons are rising.

For this panel event, Professor Cathryn Costello and Dr Målfrid Braut-Hegghammer join the Blavatnik School's Ngaire Woods, Tom Simpson and Dapo Akande to assess the implications of Russia's invasion of Ukraine for the refugee system and global security.

This lecture is open to members of the public and entry will be free of charge. No prior booking required.

Biography

Understanding the dynamics of carbon and biodiversity across the world’s tropical forests and how these change with our changing climate requires global teamwork and a multidisciplinary approach.

But how can researchers and policymakers work together to monitor and develop the forests impact on slowing, or speeding up, the rate of global climate change.