UCL Political Science Events

Defossilizing The Global Economy

Episode Summary

Recorded in February 2026, this Policy and Practice Seminar explores what a just and effective global transition away from fossil fuels would require in order to limit catastrophic climate change. It moves beyond incremental emissions reductions to examine the economic, political, legal, and ethical challenges involved in “defossilizing” the global economy and transforming energy systems at scale. The discussion is led by UN Special Rapporteur on climate change Elisa Morgera, alongside Fergus Green, with chair Lisa Vanhala.

Episode Notes

Limiting catastrophic climate change requires more than incremental emissions reductions. A successful response to mitigate the climate crisis requires a fundamental transformation of the global economy away from fossil fuels. Yet efforts to “defossilize” the global economy raise major economic, political, legal, and ethical questions. 

In this event, Elisa Morgera, UN Special Rapporteur on climate change, will reflect on what a just and effective global transition away from fossil fuels entails.

Meet the speakers:

• Professor Elisa Morgera, UN Special Rapporteur on climate change. Morgera is a Professor of International Law and Sustainability at Durham University and Professor in International and European Union Environmental Law at the University of Eastern Finland. She previously worked with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in Italy and the UN Development Programme in Barbados.
• Dr Fergus Green, Associate Professor at the UCL Department of Political Science, and the Sustainable Development Theme Lead for the UCL Policy Lab. Much of his research seeks to understand the drivers of fossil fuel expansion, and to advance socially just response strategies. As well as having published in leading academic journals, Fergus has been a contributing author to three editions of the UN Environment Programme’s fossil fuel Production Gap Report (2019–2021) and has supported NGOs in multiple jurisdictions in fossil fuel-related climate litigation.
• Chair: Professor Lisa Vanhala, Pro-Vice Provost for the Grand Challenge Theme of the Climate Crisis and Deputy Head of the UCL Department of Political Science.

Recorded 12th Febuary 2026