​The world is entering an era of climate overshoot, with a significant risk of crossing various planetary boundaries and tipping points with the potential to result in large-scale climate shocks, impacting water, food, and ecosystems. As global temperature increase surpasses 1.5°C, impacts will increasingly cascade across borders. No country can deal with these problems alone.

​At the same time, the global community and the multilateral approach to dealing with climate change is facing a retreat from globalization and international cooperation, including reduced funding for international development and the United Nations. Meanwhile, the UN80 Initiative is examining how the UN system can be reformed and reorganized to foster synergies, strengthen implementation, and improve coherence. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is part of this overhaul and faces its own challenges: the shift from negotiation to implementation of the Paris Agreement; budgetary pressures; and the impacts of geopolitical tensions.

​The 2025 International Court of Justice advisory opinion underscores Parties’ obligations to deliver on their commitments under the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement and to enhance international cooperation.

​This panel will explore whether the UN system, including the UNFCCC, can deal with the consequences of crossing tipping points and resultant climate impacts. Or is a new approach needed? A 2024 proposal for the creating a Climate Change Council pointed to the need for a new body to provide stronger climate governance; expedite decision making; better coordinate key actors, fragmented processes, and mechanisms; and raise climate finance.

​Moderated by Kaveh Guilanpour, Vice President of International Strategies at C2ES, this event will feature high-level experts and policymakers. Additional details will be announced soon.

Panel

Kaveh Guilanpour — Moderator

Vice President for International Strategies, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions

Kaveh Guilanpour is the Vice President for International Strategies at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, overseeing the international aspects of the work of C2ES including in relation to the United Nations negotiations process and implementation of the Paris Agreement. Mr. Guilanpour has worked in the environmental sector in…