Sixteen high-level leaders have formed a global commission aimed at targeting climate change as the world inches closer to the global heating limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels that were established in the Paris Climate accords. The members include four former presidents and prime ministers, six national ministers, senior international officials and leaders of environmental organizations. UCLA’s Ted Parson, faculty director of the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, will serve as a senior advisor to the commission.  

Research and public engagement by UCLA faculty and fellows has been an integral part of the conception and development of the commission. One of these contributions includes Parson’s policy paper that was published five years ago, which initially proposed a commission on the related issue of governance of solar geoengineering. In addition, Parson served on a steering committee addressing the need for robust action and efficient dialogue pertaining to climate change. Currently, Parson is leading a world-renowned research initiative on the study of legal and policy issues presented by renewable technologies. 

The commission will consider potential responses to supplement accelerated emissions cuts under conditions of severe climate change. These include more comprehensive approaches to climate adaptation, large-scale removal of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere and technologies to reflect incoming sunlight in hopes of cooling the planet.  

“The effects of climate change are already upon us and more severe impacts are coming. It is essential to begin planning for the stronger policy and technology responses needed to limit overshoot of the 1.5 degree C target and manage the devastating impacts that could follow such overshoot,” Parson said, “The commission brings together a truly global set of wise expert perspectives to consider the whole range of options.” 

The commission’s goal is to deliver an integrated strategy of climate responses, including the laws and policies to govern them, by late summer 2023, when international leaders will gather for annual United Nations climate talks. To achieve this objective, the commission will gather input from leaders of civil society organizations and youth movements, as well as leading scientists. 

Learn more about the Global Commission on Governing Risks from Climate Overshoot at UCLA Newsroom. 

Study Authors: 

Ted Parson, Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment 

Adrien Abécassis, UCLA Law 

Jesse Reynolds, UCLA Law (2018-2021) 

Alex Wang, Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment 

William Boyd, Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment 

Image Source: United Nations Photo/Marco Dormino