Past Events
Details of past events in the 21st Century Challenges: Policy Forum series.
A ‘United’ Kingdom?
Thursday 16 March 2017, 5.30pm – 8.00pm (followed by networking drinks)
What does the decision to leave the EU tell us about society in the UK today?
At a time when some people perceive more threats than opportunities to their standard of living, how can we build a stronger and fairer society for a more ‘United’ Kingdom?
Panellists at the Policy Forum discussed what genuine economic and social reform in the UK could look like and how this could help communities and places ‘left behind’ by socioeconomic change.
Rescaling the UK’s energy system
Tuesday 29 November 2016, 5.30pm – 7.30pm (followed by networking drinks and dinner)
In partnership with the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC). 
How can the UK decarbonise its energy system to meet the legally binding targets under the Climate Change Act and international commitments, whilst ensuring both security of supply and that energy is affordable for consumers?
Panellists at the Policy Forum event considered the dimensions of this ‘trilemma’, how this can be delivered upon in the context of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union (‘Brexit’), and the importance of taking scale into account when developing energy policy.
Achieving sustainable flood risk management in the UK
Tuesday 8 November 2016, 6.00pm – 7.45pm (followed by networking drinks)
The Government has recognised flooding as one of the most serious threats facing the country, yet only the next six years of funding for flood-risk management, to 2021, is assured. Our expert panel and professional audience at this event explored how the UK can move towards a comprehensive strategy for sustainable flood risk management in the long-term.
Seeking common ground?
Affordable, timely and sustainable housing for London’s workforce
Monday 20 June, 5.30pm – 7.15pm (followed by networking drinks and dinner)
The expert panel at this event considered the realistic potential to meet London’s housing demand, in terms of:
- how – the capacity to build at the required volume;
- where – the locational opportunities, constraints and possible priorities;
- with due environmental care – can affordable growth be accommodated sustainably and with good quality design?
- Can we identify common ground and what are the implications?
Europe’s migration crisis?
Tuesday 22 March 2016, 5.30pm – 7.30pm (followed by dinner until 9.30pm)
With net migration to the UK exceeding 100,000 each year since 1998, and the numbers of migrants unlikely to decline in the near to medium term, how can the UK adjust to this new reality, ensuring the best possible outcomes for the UK’s economy, society and for migrants themselves?
Image: Flooding at the head of Loch Tay. Copyright: nz_willowherb
Resilience to climate change: who pays (and who benefits)?
Tuesday 17 November 2015, 5.30pm – 7.30pm (followed by dinner until 9.30pm)
RGS-IBG, London
In association with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
The event marked the launch by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation of ‘Community resilience to climate change: An evidence review‘ (led by Dr Clare Twigger-Ross, Collingwood Environmental Planning Ltd.).
Cities, growth and rebalancing the UK economy
Wednesday 21 October 2015, 5.00pm – 8.30pm
Successive governments have tried to ‘rebalance’ spatial economic growth in the UK. How can policy-makers ensure that plans for a ‘Northern Powerhouse’ really address the ‘north-south divide’? What will this mean for other city regions?
21st Century Challenges 