Lecture: Can Society Achieve the Goals of the Paris Climate Agreement?

In keeping with an almost 50-year history of developing energy scenarios to explore ways forward, Shell has envisioned a possible pathway for the world to meet the climate change goals of the Paris Agreement. The Sky Scenario outlines what Shell believes to be a technologically, industrially and economically viable way to limit the global temperature rise to below 2°C from pre-industrial levels.

While the scenario is an encouraging first step in combating climate change, success is not guaranteed. Consumers, companies and governments will face tough choices, and the paths toward lower-carbon energy will vary by country and sector. Join us as Shell’s chief energy advisor Wim Thomas discusses the potential for a system that brings modern energy to everyone without delivering a detrimental climate legacy.

This event is part of the Shell Distinguished Lecture Series. The Shell Distinguished Lecture Series is the Baker Institute’s flagship speakers program, reflecting the vision of our honorary chair, former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker, III, and Shell’s commitment to defining the role of statesmanship, integrity and bold leadership in meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

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AGENDA

8:00 a.m. — Breakfast and Registration
8:30 a.m. — Presentation

FEATURED SPEAKER

Wim Thomas is the chief energy advisor and leader of the Energy Analysis Team at Shell. He advises Shell companies on a wide range of energy issues, including global supply and demand, regulations, energy policy, markets, pricing and industry structure. His team is also responsible for worldwide energy analysis and long-term global energy scenarios. He has been with the Shell Group for over 33 years, with prior positions in drilling operations, subsurface reservoir management and commercial and regulatory affairs in gas. Thomas is the chairman of the U.K. national committee of the World Petroleum Council and is a former chairman of the British Institute of Energy Economics. He holds a postgraduate degree in maritime technology from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.