News on Monday that the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund plan to pair climate change goals with debt-reduction programs for poorer countries underscores the dramatic measures financial regulators and policy leaders are prepared to take to battle global warming. And Europe is in the lead.

On Tuesday, European Union Climate Commissioner Frans Timmermans will address Callaway Climate Insights readers on Europe’s future in a special webinar supported by EY, the multinational professional services network, and Ibec, Ireland’s domestic and international business lobby. His speech is titled, “The Climate Crisis and the Global Race to Zero: Opportunities in Action.”

The webinar begins at 2 p.m. GMT (9 a.m. Eastern).

• To register, follow this link and you’ll receive all the info you need to join us for Tuesday’s climate summit.

Also featured will be Irish Environmental Minister Eamon Ryan and a host of other leaders and investors in the sustainable space.

Timmermans is one of the most important climate voices in the world, and is the man behind the European Union’s bold plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions in Europe by 55% by 2030. Last year, he unsuccessfully pushed for the goal to be raised to 60%. But but even at 55%, it’s at a level that many believe will be impossible to achieve without a complete transition from the fossil fuels, such as coal, that much of Europe depends on.

Issues like Brexit, Covid-induced recessions in every major economy, and the desire by some Eastern European countries to push more toward nuclear energy, are all obstacles to finding the money to create a zero-carbon economy.

But much improvement is being made, particularly in the areas of offshore wind energy, electric vehicles, carbon markets, and the desire of many governments to move toward green hydrogen as an alternative fuel source.

In addition to Timmermans and Ryan, the event will feature Danny McCoy, CEO of Ibec; Rachel Bronson, president and CEO of The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists; Sarah Fay, managing director of Glasswing Ventures USA; and Marsha Vande Berg, CEO of MJV Global Insights and former CEO of the Pacific Pension and Investment Institute.

A question-and-answer session will be held after Timmermans’ speech, and a recording of the webinar will be available at a future date. — Dave

More insights below. . . .

Don’t forget to contact me directly if you have suggestions or ideas at dcallaway@callawayclimateinsights.com.

Today’s insights: What harm could it do? Facebook won’t remove false climate posts

. . . . Facebook’s reputation for backsliding on issues of false content remained intact this week after the social media giant said it would start labeling controversial climate change posts but stop short of removing them because the information does not relay an imminent threat. Huh? Read more here.

. . . . A dangerous trend in climate disasters was confirmed in Texas last week when authorities said the rush to shut off gas lines and power plants led to a surge in flaring that caused a massive release of greenhouse gas emissions. Following a similar phenomenon after a hurricane last year, and huge emissions caused by the California wildfires, it’s becoming clear that these disasters not only cause chaos and panic, they also perpetuate the emissions cycle in dramatic form. Read more here. . . .

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