Climate Festival 2026 - Decoupling Rhetoric from Reality: Financing the Transition to Net Zero
When:
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Venue:
Online
• 12:00–13:00: Research presentation delivered by Professor Emmanuel Mamatzakis followed by Q&A
Professor Mamatzakis’ research presents evidence that earnings management practices are associated with greenhouse gas emissions. His talk will open up discussion on the widening gap between corporate sustainability claims and substantive environmental action.
• 13:00–14:00: Panel Discussion: Financing the Transition to Net Zero
Join us for an engaging panel discussion exploring the financial mechanisms driving — and at times hindering — the global transition to Net Zero.
The session will be moderated by Dr Ellen Pei-yi Yu.
Panel speakers include:
Wendy Walford, Head of Climate Risk at Legal & General
Wendy will discuss Legal & General’s key climate initiatives, including their biodiversity investment project at Pudding Wood near Gatwick.
Rajashree Padmanabhi, Associate, Capital Raising and Investor Relations, Climate Fund Managers
Rajashree will explore the role of blended finance in mobilising private capital for climate infrastructure.
Invited Practitioner (TBC) — Global South Perspective
The invited practitioner will offer insights into the environmental transition from the perspective of emerging and developing economies. The financing gap facing Global South countries in achieving climate and development goals.
By attending this event, you will:
- Learn how to distinguish between genuine corporate decarbonisation and symbolic environmentalism, including how to spot red flags such as selective data disclosure and over-reliance on carbon offsets.
- Understand how current financial structures — including flawed ESG ratings and the misuse of Green Bonds — can unintentionally fund inertia rather than innovation.
- Gain a clear perspective on the systemic barriers, such as fossil fuel dependency, that are slowing the global transition to a zero-carbon economy.
- Be better equipped to anticipate tighter transparency requirements and the potential legal and reputational risks facing organisations whose sustainability rhetoric does not align with reality.
- The importance of a just transition, energy access, and climate equity.
- The financing gap facing Global South countries in achieving climate and development goals.
- How institutional capacity shapes the success of green investment initiatives.
Contact name: External Relations Events
Speakers- Dr Ellen Yu
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Professor Emmanuel Mamatzakis
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Emmanuel is a Professor of Finance at the Birkbeck Business School, Birkbeck College, University of London. He holds a DPhil in Economics from the University of London, Queen Mary College, an MSc in Economics from the University of Warwick, and a BSc in Economics from the Department of Economics of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. His research is primarily driven by its impact on the real economy.
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