Upcoming Events
Information about upcoming events will be posted here soon.
Past Events
Extreme Wildfires, Distant Air Pollution, and Household Financial Health
Wednesday 21 August, 14:00-15:30 BST online
Dr Xudong An, Vice President at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, presented his latest research hosted by our colleagues in the Credit Research Centre of the Business School.
Dr An presented the findings of his recent working paper, "Extreme Wildfires, Distant Air Pollution, and Household Financial Health." This is a joint work with Stuart A. Gabriel (UCLA Anderson School of Management) & Nitzan Tzur-Ilan (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas). This research uses detailed wildfire burn data, satellite smoke plume data, and ground-level pollution data to estimate the effects of extreme wildfires and related air pollution events on housing and consumer financial behaviour.
Luca Taschini's Inaugural Lecture - Make it work: The Evolution of Carbon Pricing Policies
Wednesday 24 April 2024, 17:15–19:15
Drawing on his research and contributions to the field, Luca Taschini's lecture explores the profound evolution of carbon pricing policies, highlighting the shift from basic regulatory frameworks to sophisticated, multi-dimensional policies that now grapple with issues of market responsiveness, interconnectedness, and political acceptability.
Since their inception in the 1980s, carbon pricing policies, notably carbon markets, have undergone a significant transformation. Initially characterised by simple design features, these policies aimed to regulate emissions from a limited set of sources, drawing on the environmental economics of that era, which focused primarily on local pollutants. However, the landscape of carbon pricing has since become vastly more complex. This complexity reflects an evolution in policy structures, influenced by varying economic cycles and political climates. Today's carbon pricing mechanisms are intricate, incorporating advanced objectives and strategies to address the global scale and multifaceted nature of carbon emissions and climate change.
Energy, Climate & Finance workshop
Wednesday 8 May 2024 – Friday 10 May 2024
In May of this year, the Centre for Business, Climate Change and Sustainability (B-CCaS) will host the third workshop of Energy, Climate and ESG.
This conference will explore critical topics at the intersection of climate change, energy, finance and sustainability. From dissecting the role of finance in the climate change battle to uncovering the materiality of physical and transition risk, from using meteorological datasets to gain insights into extreme events to best practice in conducting climate change scenario analysis. Join us as we navigate the intricate realm of climate change, finance, and energy markets.
Banking on a Wilder Tomorrow: Film Screening and Panel Discussion
6 December 2023, 17:30-20:15
The short film – Banking on a Wilder Tomorrow – is inspired by Wild Isles, the iconic BBC nature documentary series produced by WWF, the RSPB, the National Trust and Silverback Films.
In the film, business leaders explore what actions they can take to reduce their impact on nature while also investing in nature-based solutions such as peatland restoration and woodland expansion.
Countdown to the General Election: Scotland’s next steps to net-zero
26 October 2023, 18:30–20:00
Please join us at the Business School for a joint event held by the British Institute of Energy Economics (BIEE) and B-CCaS, discussing Scotland’s net zero policy in the context of the upcoming general election. We will hear insights from a fantastic panel of industry and policy experts, chaired by Charles Hendry, president of BIEE.
Panel members include:
- Vicky Kelsall, CEO Scottish Power Energy Networks
- Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the Climate Change Committee
- Professor Janette Webb, chair in Sociology of Organisations, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh
- Chris Birt of the Joseph Rowntree foundation
European Network for Research on Investment meeting
20 March 2023
European Investment Bank/Hybrid
Professor Luca Taschini will be speaking at the next meeting of the European Network for Research on Investment (ENRI) focussing on the impact of the climate transition and energy crisis on EU firms’ behaviour and investment. The shock on energy prices and the need of accelerating the climate transition are intertwined issues and the network will discuss tackling the competitiveness challenge and policy levers to speed up the green transition.
Sustainable Finance Policy, Practice and Greenwashing Detection
14 March 2023, 18:00–20:00
Please join us for an evening panel at the Business School to discuss EU Sustainable Finance policy and how the global regulatory environment on sustainable finance shapes investment decision making. In addition, we will explore what greenwashing is and how the financial sector can disincentivise greenwashing practices across the investment value chain.
Dr Theodor Cojoianu, Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Finance will chair a panel made up of academic and industry experts.
Insights on Post-COP27 Finance
2 February 2023, 15:00–16:00
Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI)
Dr Ian Cochran (BCCaS Director of Impact) is organising an event with the Edinburgh Earth Initiative to discuss insights on loss & damage, adaptation, and the post-2025 climate finance architecture.
While the outcomes of COP27 have been seen by many as mixed, it has nevertheless heralded a new era in how we define and deliver climate change-related finance. On one hand, adaptation finance is increasingly taking a central role in discussions on how to scale-up the 100 billion USD of climate finance to be provided annually by developed countries. On the other hand, COP27 saw the addition of loss & damage funding as an agenda item and the decision to create a new delivery mechanism for these resources. Finally, discussions are slowly starting to take shape as to what the climate finance architecture could look like post-2025 in terms of donors, recipients, and delivery channels.
Our alumni panel will provide insights on a number of questions and issues and includes:
Ulfath Ibrahim
A graduate of the MSc Environment and Development programme, Ibrahim is a potential climate refugee, multi-disciplinary social scientist and environmentalist with 7 years experience working for the government of Maldives in various capacities on issues pertaining to foreign relations and sustainable development policies. She currently works as an international climate negotiator in the Special Envoy Office for Climate Change of the Maldives.
Elena Pereira
A graduate of the MSc Carbon Finance programme, Pereira is the lead negotiator for Honduras and one of the lead negotiators for AILAC on climate finance. She has over 10 years of experience in international development, working with government and international cooperation agencies on climate change mitigation and adaptation. As a climate finance advisor, she is currently supporting the Honduran government in the development of the financial strategy for its adaptation commitments established in the National Adaptation Plan and NDC.
Luisa Weber, moderator
A current Master's student from Germany studying Climate Change Finance and Investment at the University of Edinburgh, Weber is following international climate negotiations closely and had the opportunity to attend COP26 as a civil society observer as a member of Young Friends of the Earth Germany.
The Future Rise or Fall of ESG Investment
1 November 2022, 18:00–20:00
The Business School are hosting a joint event with the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute, Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, and the Global Ethical Finance Initiative in which our expert panel will discuss the future of ESG investment.
Professor Luca Taschini will be chairing the event and will be joined by:
- Callum Stewart, Head of DC Investment, Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, Hymans Robertson
- Amanda Young, Chief Sustainability Officer, CFA UK, Abrdn
- Omar Shaikh, Co-founder and Managing Director, Global Ethical Finance Initiative
Himalaya - Crisis on the roof of the world?
Join us at the Business School to hear historian John Keay discuss the wider issues of this region, both environmental and man-made, and how we should respond.
15 November 2022, 18:30
Frontiers of Climate and Nature in Macroeconomics and Finance
24 and 25 October 2022, Paris
B-CCaS Member Luca Taschini will be presenting his research at the Frontiers of Climate and Nature in Macroeconomics and Finance Conference, jointly organised by the Banque de France, NGFS, sustainable macro, and INSPIRE.
ESG Investing—Climate Transition and Asset Prices
14 October 2022, 09:00–15:00
Dr Luca Taschini will be presenting on the effects of volatile temperature on asset prices and how to disentangle the exposure to transition risk through credit default swaps.
COP27, Climate Justice and Human Rights
27 September 2022, 18:30
In advance of the UN climate talks in Egypt, Egyptian civil society activists are calling for a global week of action to draw attention to state repression and violence. Dr Samer Abdelnour will be chairing a discussion on the importance of human rights and climate justice, and what these mean for COP27 and the climate movement more broadly.
Green Lairds and the great carbon offset: how to reconcile natural capital, net-zero and just transition priorities?
4 May 2022, 18:30–20:00
Our expert panel will discuss the trends for large-scale land purchases for carbon offsetting in Scotland, what is driving these trends, and what the future holds.
Public lecture on climate and startup building with G-Force CEO, Marian Gazdik
6 April 2022, 14:30–15:15
Dr Luca Taschini moderates a session with Marian Gazdik. Marian will present a few case studies and startups working in the field of climate/net zero transition supported by G-Force and explain how G-Force enabled them to grow their climate offering.
B-CCaS x New York Times Climate Hub
B-CCaS was the academic partner for the New York Times (NYT) Climate Hub in Glasgow during COP26 from 3 November to 11 November 2021. B-CCaS curated a diverse selection of innovators across the globe and moderated several key sessions on climate science and innovation.
View details from B-CCaS x New York Times Climate Hub Event
B-CCaS @ COP
Built on the success of COP26Cast, we are proud to present B-CCaS @ COP — a series of curated events held in the month leading up to COP26 that started Tuesday 5 October, 2021.
These integrated engagement activities were designed with the intent to complement the upcoming discussions at COP26 in Glasgow, focusing on the intersection of climate issues with society, business, and policy.
COP26Cast
COP26Cast provided the much-needed information, discussion, and stimulus for continued attention and action on climate issues generally, and on the UK and Scotland's role of these crucial climate negotiations.
How Can FinTech Support the Transition to Net Zero?
On Wednesday 6 October, 2021, A panel of experts discussed the role of FinTech in supporting the transition to net zero.