COP28, the UN Climate Change Conference, is taking place in Dubai from 30 November to 12 December 2023. The geopolitical negotiations are being watched with particular interest, as the reality of the climate crisis is drawing ever closer for many people. Particularly in 2023, climate catastrophes have caused great damage in Europe. All the more reason for citizens to expect political answers to the climate issue.

With this in mind, the Austrian Society for European Politics (ÖGFE) will hold a panel discussion on the COP28 conclusions on Wednesday, 20 December, 13:30 to 14:30, at the House of the European Union in Vienna, in partnership with the Trans European Policy Studies Association (TEPSA).

What was achieved at COP28 and what do these decisions mean for climate policy in Austria and throughout Europe? How can the national, European and global levels be coordinated in the fight against climate change? And which climate policy steps must now take top priority? These and many other questions will be debated by an exciting panel of experts:

• Leonore Gewessler: Federal Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology
• Martin Selmayr: Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Austria
• Wolfgang Eder: Member of the Supervisory Board of Voestalpine and representative of Austrian industry
• Lena Rauter: UNFCCC Senior Youth Delegate to COP28 from CliMates Austria
• Moderated by Paul Schmidt, Secretary General of the Austrian Society for European Politics and one of the editors of TEPSA’s most recent book Climate Change and the Future of Europe: Views from the Capitals.

This event is held in the framework of the promotion of TEPSA’s book Climate Change and the Future of Europe: Views from the Capitals, edited by Michael Kaeding, Johannes Pollak and Paul Schmidt, and published by Springer. While the ambitious objectives outlined in the EU’s Green Deal aim at making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, national implementation greatly varies depending on local geographies, history, culture, economics, and politics. This book analyses Member States’ and EU neighbours’ national efforts to combat climate change. It subsequently draws on these factors to highlight local challenges, tensions, and opportunities on the road towards climate neutrality. In the context of inter-country dependencies following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, it addresses strategic questions regarding EU integration, the transformation of our economies, the reduction of energy dependencies, and public perception of the above. The book also makes concrete recommendations, in various policy areas, on how individual countries and the EU as a whole should deal with the climate crisis.

This event will be held onsite in Vienna, in German language.