The politics of climate change

The climate crisis is a global challenge requiring global cooperation to tackle it, but the political world seems further than ever from a consensus about how to do that. What explains the rollback of net-zero commitments, and the growing green backlash?

This panel brings together political, media and academic perspectives to examine the shifting politics of climate action and assess the future of green transition. Join us for a frank conversation about navigating the politics of the possible in an era of increasing polarisation and geopolitical competition—and what it means for the future of climate governance.

Meet our speakers and chair

Jess Asato MP is the Labour Member of Parliament for Lowestoft. Prior to this she was Head of Policy and Public Affairs for Barnardo's and led the Public Affairs and Policy function at SafeLives. She has recently been appointed VAWG adviser to the Department of Health and Social Care, and she sits as Chair of multiple All Party Parliamentary Groups including the APPG on Perpetrators of Domestic Abuse, the APPG on Care-Experienced Children and Young People, and the APPG on Children.

Laila Cunningham is a former Senior Crown Prosecutor in London and a Westminster councillor for Reform, having defected in June 2025. She is standing as Reform’s Mayoral candidate for London.

Michael Lerner is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and Public Policy in the Department of Government. Michael studies comparative environmental politics with a broad interest in the challenges and strategies related to adopting timely policy responses to environmental change. His research focuses primarily on policy advocacy, including corporate lobbying on climate change, transnational advocacy networks, and the innovation and diffusion of environmental policy.

Donnachadh McCarthy is an author, broadcaster and journalist on environmental issues.

Tony Travers is Professor in Practice in the LSE Department of Government, Associate Dean of the LSE School of Public Policy and Director of LSE London. His key research interests include local and regional government, elections and public service reform. He provides expert analysis for broadcast and print media, regularly appearing on major television and radio networks.

More about this event

This event is part of the LSE Festival: How to save the planet running from Monday 15 to Saturday 20 June 2026. This year's Festival explores how existential threats including the climate crisis, conflict and AI are affecting all parts of the world, transforming the way and where we live, and how our societies function. With a series of events asking what can we be doing to save the Earth, its people and environment? Booking for all Festival events will open on Monday 18 May.

Hashtag for this event: #LSEFestival

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