Organized by the Columbia Global Center in Athens and Columbia Global.
This panel discussion will explore how the Eastern Mediterranean is navigating escalating climate threats—from wildfires and rising sea levels to biodiversity loss and water stress—and how Greece and neighboring countries can shape regional leadership and inform global discussions ahead of COP30.
The conversation will bring together experts from academia, think tanks, and the Columbia Climate School. Panelists will address topics including disaster preparedness, economic planning, climate diplomacy, and research-driven policy design.
This event is part of a global series, Road to COP30: Local Voices, Global Pathways, hosted by the Columbia Global Centers. Each week, one of the Columbia Global Centers convenes an online event that looks at the big questions shaping local climate conversations and how they connect to global climate negotiations. Explore the full series and sign up for future events here.
Speakers
Jeffrey Schlegelmilch, Associate Professor of Professional Practice of Climate, Director National Center for Disaster Preparedness, Director Executive Education and Non-Degree Programs Columbia Climate School, Columbia University
Phoebe Koundouri, Professor at Athens University of Economics and Business & University of Cambridge; Co-Chair, United Nations IGS Global Sustainable Development Report; President, World Council of Environmental and Resource Economists Associations; Director, AE4RIA
Efthymia Kyriakopoulou, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Athens University of Economics and Business, Greece's representative to the European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (EAERE), Research Fellow, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Uppsala)
Moderator
Irene Nomikou Lazarou, Fulbright Scholar, Columbia Climate School; Research Associate - Foundation for Economic & Industrial Research (IOBE), PhD Candidate on Climate Risk Management - Department of Economics, Athens University of Economics and Business
