The Climate Briefing

This season of droughts, heatwaves, and wildfires has shone a light on a growing vulnerability: the security of our water resources. Following the Stockholm World Water Week that took place last month and an upcoming UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi later this year, this episode explores questions around how climate change and growing demand are reshaping global water security. It considers: Where is water becoming a source or a tool of geopolitical tension? Is the international system equipped to manage these pressures? What can be done about it?
To find out, Bhargabi and Beatrice Mosello speak to Susanne Schmeier, Professor of Water Cooperation, Law and Diplomacy at IHE Delft and Utrecht University, and David Michel, Senior Associate (non-resident) at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
Read more expert commentary around this topic here: The world is far off meeting its growing water needs. Can the UN still lead the response? | Chatham House – International Affairs Think Tank, India and Pakistan still cannot agree to restore the Indus Waters Treaty – but re-engagement could help bring lasting peace | Chatham House – International Affairs Think Tank and Europe's summer of fires: Burnham must centre climate adaptation in policies | Chatham House – International Affairs Think Tank.

The World Bank Group (WBG), along with the other multilateral development banks (MDBs), plays a critical role in helping its client countries transition to low-carbon economies and strengthen their resilience to the impacts of climate change. In late June, however, following pressure primarily from the United States, the WBG abandoned its target of allocating 45 per cent of its financing to climate-related activities. The Bank's broader Climate Change Action Plan, which was due to expire on 30 June 2026, was nevertheless extended.
What are the implications for the WBG's work on climate change? How can 'climate-progressive' MDB shareholders navigate these challenging dynamics? And what might the US administration do next?
To find out, Anna and Bhargabi speak with Melanie Robinson (Global Climate, Economics and Finance Program Director at the World Resources Institute) and Dr Nancy Lee (Senior Fellow and Director for Sustainable Development Finance at the Center for Global Development).

At COP30, Parties agreed to develop a 'Just Transition Mechanism', which many hailed as one of the real bright spots of the conference. Climate Action Network International, for example, called the decision 'one of the strongest rights-based outcomes in the history of the UN climate negotiations'.
 
What is the Just Transition Mechanism? What impact could it have? And what are the next steps in operationalizing it?
To find out, Anna and Bhargabi speak to Anabella Rosemberg, Senior Advisor on Just Transition at Climate Action Network International (CAN) and Beatriz Mattos, Projects and Research Coordinator at Plataforma CIPÓ.

Attention is increasingly turning to artificial intelligence as its capabilities and influence permeate nearly every sector.  AI's growth raises important questions about its environmental footprint; risks associated with future scale, and how such a globalised industry can be effectively governed.
 
This episode of the Climate Briefing explores:
Where are we today in terms of AI capability and use?
Is AI's environmental footprint being addressed in product design and the industry more widely?
Looking ahead, across national and international levels, what could effective governance look like?
 
To discuss this, co-hosts Anna and Bhargabi are joined by Boris Gamazaychikov (CEO and Co-Founder of the Sustainable AI Group) and Rowan Wilkinson (Research Associate, Digital Society Programme at Chatham House).

All eyes are currently on the Gulf due to the US–Israel conflict with Iran and the disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. In this two-part series, the Climate Briefing co-hosts and their guests take a deep dive into the region, which plays a crucial role in the global supply of oil and gas.
The first part of the series (released on 21 April) delved into the history of the region, addressing questions such as: How did the Gulf countries become such dominant fossil fuel exporters? What has this dominance meant for their geopolitical influence? And what role have oil and gas played in conflicts and coups in the region?
Part 2 focuses on how the countries around the Gulf are approaching — and may be impacted by — the energy transition. It also explores the implications that the US–Israel–Iran conflict could have for the region in the medium to long term.
To discuss these issues, Anna and Bhargabi are joined by Robin Mills (CEO of Qamar Energy and Non-Resident Fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University), Dr Neil Quilliam (Associate Fellow with Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa Programme and Partner at Azure Strategy), and Jessica Obeid (Founding Partner at New Energy Consult and Board Advisor to various energy and policy institutions).