ABSTRACT
Much of the value-added associated with Wilton Park lies in its combination of socio-economic topicality, academic and technical rigour and wide accessibility. In some 30 conferences since 1972, discussions about environmental sustainability considered adaptation and resilience, how to develop circular and ‘green’ economies, the role of research and evaluation, and climate and development. It has become ever clearer that climate, environment and energy are linked to and profoundly affect numerous other sectors. It is now accepted that environmental degradation and climate disruption can and do influence economics, social stability, migration patterns, investment decisions, aid, infrastructure and housing, agriculture and food security, education, social planning, medical care, and military security. As part of attempts to mitigate the harmful impacts of climate change, a series since the early 2000s involved preparing for and responding to rapid-onset disasters, whether man-made or natural. If government and global energy businesses now routinely factor climate into decision-making and environmentalists accept the need to work with, rather than simply campaign against, government and business, then this reflects the effects of debates such as those held at Wilton Park.
