Top of the Agenda

• Episode 19: What can the private sector do to promote and scale up climate adaptation?

  Climate change is no longer a future threat, it’s a present-day reality that is reshaping economies, ecosystems, and societies around the world. As mitigation is no longer enough; adaptation is essential. Yet, despite increasing recognition of the need to invest in adaptation, global efforts remain fragmented and underfunded. In our latest episode of Top of the Agenda, guest host Tim Jenkinson is joined by Sophie Talarico, Climate Policy Manager, and Sandra Hanni, Head of Climate Policy, both from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), alongside Georgia Davies, Senior Consultant at Oxera. Together, they explore how the private sector can play a pivotal role in advancing and scaling up climate adaptation solutions.

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• Episode 18: Should pensions be a source of funding for a country’s investment needs?

  The UK government aims to stimulate economic growth by encouraging more investment in British businesses. One potential source of that investment is pension funds, but would such policies truly serve the long-term interests of savers and/or the short-term needs of the economy? In this episode of Top of the Agenda, Dr Helen Jenkins speaks with Julian Franks, Professor of Finance at London Business School, and Sean Thomas, Principal at Oxera. Together, they explore the challenges governments face in designing policies that boost productivity and drive sustainable growth.

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• Episode 17: What are the challenges of decarbonising industry in the transition to a green economy?

  Earlier this year, the European Commission set out its recommendations for implementing its clean industrial deal—aimed at supporting the EU’s decarbonisation goals while maintaining global competitiveness. Although sectors like electricity generation have seen substantial emissions reductions, many industrial areas still face a steep path ahead. In this episode of Top of the Agenda, Dr Helen Jenkins speaks with Christophe Schramm, Head of Strategy and Sustainability at Siemens Energy Transformation of Industries, and Sahar Shamsi, Partner at Oxera. Together, they discuss how decarbonising industry throughout Europe is essential for achieving net zero goals and examine the key challenges—including policy gaps, regulatory uncertainty, and the need to align financial investment with climate ambitions.

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• Episode 16: What’s driving the loss of skilled women in STEM?

  Despite progress in education, women remain significantly underrepresented in many STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) fields—and those who do enter are more likely to leave mid-career. In the UK, for example, women make up 30% of economics undergraduates, but just 15% of professors. So why are we still failing to retain this highly skilled and educated talent? In this episode of Top of the Agenda, Dr Helen Jenkins is joined by Doctor Clémentine Van Effenterre, Professor at the University of Toronto, and Professor Sarah Smith OBE, from the University of Bristol. Together, they delve into the structural barriers, unconscious biases, and rigid career pathways that contribute to the attrition of women in STEM—and discuss what needs to change to build more inclusive and sustainable careers in the field.

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• Episode 15: Why is productivity slowing down—and what does it mean for growth?

  Across developed economies—including the UK, France, Japan, and the US—productivity growth has been slowing for decades. This trend appears to contradict the rapid pace of technological innovation, particularly in AI, and the transformative effects of globalisation. So why, despite all this progress, is economic growth falling? In this episode of Top of the Agenda, Dr Helen Jenkins is joined by Professor Ian Goldin, Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford. Together, they explore the paradox of declining productivity in an age of innovation, drawing on Professor Goldin’s extensive experience advising global institutions on economic growth, development, and migration.

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