

The WEF's Objectives:
The purpose of the WEF is to provide a Senior UK Leadership Network & Knowledge Exchange Programme for the strategic evaluation of climate and energy transition risks.
Founded and led by Chris Lambert since 2004, the WEF functions as a small, independent and collaborative think tank, delivering nine meetings during the political year. Its primary objectives are to:
- Convene expert practitioners in the fields of climate risk and energy transition.
- Share strategic information on the challenges and opportunities of decarbonisation policy, investment and innovation.
- Inform political and corporate decisions in support of Net Zero goals and ambition.

Agenda
Session One
Global Climate Risks > situational assessment, trends and grey swans
Trends, scenarios, and the emerging impacts of most relevance now for informing strategic adaptation and resilience
Professor Jason Lowe, Head of Climate Services, UK MetOffice
Non-linear climate change consequences, and planetary solvency > opportunities to intervening early to address derailment risks
Laurie Laybourn, Director, Strategic Climate Risks Initiative
Insuring Physical Climate Risks & Enabling Transitions > review of key patterns shaping the market
Michelle Radcliffe, Director, Climate and Sustainability, wtw
Ben Howarth, Head of Sustainability and Climate, Association of British Insurers
Sid Miller, Programme Director - Climatewise, Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership
Session Two
Net Zero Delivery, and the Importance of Sustained Investment in Resilience
UK Net Zero Delivery in context > sit-rep of progress, challenges and next steps
Sonia Krylova, Deputy Director - Net Zero Strategy, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
The Value of Investing in Resilience - and aligning climate and biodiversity policy
Dr. Mark Bernhofen, Research Associate - Global Finance and Economy Group at the Environmental Change Institute; Lead on Risk Analytics for Adaptation Finance in the Resilient Planet Finance Lab, University of Oxford
The Challenge of Delivering the scale of Transition Infrastructure required, and against the clock…
Sarah Long - Market Director - Net Zero Energy Business, AtkinsRéalis
Value At Risk > sustainable financing strategies in the context of systemic change & the challenge of planetary solvency
Sandy Trust, IFOA Council member, Chair Nature Workstream, Climate Financial Risk Forum
Richard Folland, Head of Policy and Engagement, Carbon Tracker

Future Events
May 7, 2025
Systemic Risks from Disruptions in Global Energy, Climate and Nature: Evaluating Challenges to UK Net Zero, and Changing Contexts for Delivery
Jul 9, 2025
The Geopolitics & Economics of the Global Energy Transition: Evaluating International Risk, Resilience and Competition
Sep 25, 2025
Annual pre-COP Review of UK Climate Impacts, Energy Transition Solutions & Adaptation Pathways
Nov 5, 2025
UK Powergen and Gas Systems, and the National Spatial Plan
Nov 12, 2025
Global Issues in Nuclear New Build, Safety, Regulation & Insurance - No.10 (NRI webinar)
Dec 9, 2025
Global Energy Trends: Year-end Review of Market Trends, Technology Deployment and the Key Geopolitical Forces in play for 2026
Jan 28, 2026
Annual post-COP Review of International Climate Risk, Resilience & Response