Barriers to climate action: transitional costs, distributional issues and politics
Despite the potential in production of abundant green energy, global warming is on track to exceed 2.5°C this century. Multiple economic and political barriers are preventing fast emissions reduction, and in order to overcome them, we must first understand them. Join Adair Turner in the second lecture of this special public lecture series for a deep dive into the economic and political backdrop in the fight against climate change.
This lecture – the second of three in a special series on growth and climate change from Adair Turner – focuses specifically on barriers to action.
Despite the technological possibilities described in lecture one, the world is not on target to limit global warming to well below 2°C, indeed on current policies an increase of +2.5°C this century is likely.
These include vested interests and lobbying power; confused ideas and ill-designed policies; “friendly fire” opposition to needed investments; physical wars, culture wars and other policy priorities. But they also include transitional costs and distributional issues which must be recognised and managed, avoiding the delusion that green growth will provide a costless path to the future described in lecture one.
About the series
This deep-dive lecture series will conclude with:
- Lecture three - Keeping global warming below 2°C: a feasible action plan on Monday 9 February, 7-8.30pm
While the series is designed to be attended in full, participants are welcome to join the number of sessions they are able.
Meet our speaker and chair
Adair Turner (@AdairTurnerUK) has served in a number of prominent public roles in the UK, including as Chairman of the Financial Services Authority, the Committee on Climate Change, the Pensions Commission and the Low Pay Commission. He has also served as the Director General of the Confederation of British Industry.
Nicholas Stern is IG Patel Chair of Economics and Government and the inaugural Chair of the Global School of Sustainability at LSE. His latest book is A Growth Story for the 21st Century: building sustainable, resilient and equitable development.
More about this event
Launched in 2025, the Global School of Sustainability at LSE (GSoS) is the centre of social science expertise for sustainability impact at LSE. We work in partnerships across the LSE community and beyond to advance pioneering sustainability research and global policy engagement.
LSE holds a wide range of events, covering many of the most controversial issues of the day, and speakers at our events may express views that cause offence. The views expressed by speakers at LSE events do not reflect the position or views of the London School of Economics and Political Science.