London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

How can greater transparency, accountability and international cooperation help turn climate commitments into faster, fairer action?

Join our official UNFCCC COP31 Side Event to find out - hosted by the Pathfinder Initiative at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental (CEMDA), Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and Greener Impact International (GII).

This session will explore how initiatives alongside the formal UNFCCC process – including coalitions of willing actors, international cooperation, innovative financial mechanisms and improved emissions transparency – can help accelerate a just and healthy transition beyond fossil fuels.

With methane as a key focus, speakers will consider how better monitoring, accessible emissions data and accountability mechanisms can help identify major sources, track progress and strengthen implementation of climate commitments. The discussion will also look at how rapid methane reductions and reduced dependence on fossil gas can support wider energy transitions across different regional and development contexts.

Drawing on perspectives from Africa, Latin America, the United States and the international climate process, the event will examine the political, financial, institutional and governance conditions that can enable – or hinder – effective climate action. It will consider the role of public participation, human rights and transparent decision-making in ensuring transitions are equitable and respond to the priorities of affected communities.

The session will also explore the health case for faster action. Reducing methane emissions and fossil-fuel use can bring near-term benefits through improvements in air quality and associated health outcomes, alongside reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions. Speakers will consider whether these immediate health co-benefits are being sufficiently recognised in climate and energy decision-making, and how evidence on health and equity can help strengthen the case for implementation.

Through short contributions and audience discussion, the session will bring together environmental organisations, researchers and practitioners to explore how transparency, inclusive governance, health evidence and international cooperation can combine to deliver climate action that is accountable, equitable and effective.

Please note: To join this event in person, you will need a UNFCCC COP31 pass. The event will be livestreamed online via the UNFCCC COP31 virtual platform, and the UNFCCC YouTube channel. 

The event start at 18:30 Türkiye time (TRT) – for audiences watching online from the UK, the event will begin at 15:30 GMT.

Speakers

• Jack Corscadden, Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA UK)
• Avipsa Mahapatra, Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA US)
• Mauwena E Goka, Greener Impact International
• Dr Lorna Benton, Pathfinder Initiative, LSHTM

Moderator

Dr Iris Blom, Pathfinder Initiative, LSHTM

Event notices

• Please note that you can join this event in person or you can join the session remotely. A UNFCCC delegate pass will be required for in-person attendance
• Please note that the recording link will be listed on this page when available