ILC-UK, in collaboration with ILC-Australia and the ILC Global Alliance will work together over the next year ahead of a launch alongside the UN Climate Change Conference to take place in November 2021 (COP26).

The programme of work will explore the relationship between longevity and climate change and seek to answer the following questions:

• How can we deliver a sustainable economy which works for all ages?
• How can we recognise and support intergenerational activity on climate change?
• How can we ensure our housing meets the needs of all generations?
• How can we protect the most vulnerable as more of us are living longer?

Jonathon Porritt will kick off our programme of work in his session at Future of Ageing 2020. Ahead of the conference he said:

“Today’s climate emergency provides the starkest – and most morally reprehensible – justification for any generational grievances that young people today may have. As more and more young people find out about the inevitable impact of climate change on their lives, for the rest of their lives, I believe we will hear more and more cries of intergenerational rage coming from them. And that phenomenon will become one of the most significant factors in the climate debate.”

Roz Bullied, Deputy Policy Director, Green Alliance added:

“Climate change is already reshaping our world. We’re seeing new weather patterns and extremes, but also an emerging policy response that will increasingly affect how we heat our homes, how we travel and what foods we are encouraged to eat. It’s crucial that we consider all sections of society in the transition to a lower carbon economy to find solutions that are effective, equitable and can work for everyone, and it’s great to see the ILC take up this agenda.”

David Sinclair, ILC Director said:

“Climate change is impacting on young and old alike. Older people are often portrayed as casualties of or contributors to climate change. Yet all generations must play a part in creating and delivering solutions to address climate change.”

Chris Knight, CEO of Legal & General Retail Retirement, Legal & General added:

“As a business we value the work of the ILC in highlighting the need to create a sustainable economy that works for all generations. Today’s retirees include the original climate activists of the 1960s and 70s. These are our customers, and we know they care about the climate crisis and the environmental challenges we are facing. At Legal & General we believe we have a responsibility to effect positive change in the companies and assets in which we invest, and in society as a whole. We need to direct capital into ‘green’ projects at scale and deliver a sustainable economy which works for all ages. The money is there, held in assets across generations: the UK’s housing equity, belonging predominantly to older members of society, and the DC pension savings of the younger generations.”

Des Fitzgerald, Senior Policy Advisor, PIMFA said:

“PIMFA is delighted to take part in this event and discuss with peers the important role the financial services sector can play in creating an optimal operating environment so that our member firms can focus on delivering the best service to clients, providing responsible stewardship for their long-term savings and investments.

We believe the ILC-UK (International Longevity Centre – UK) has a vital role to play in identifying the needs of all those impacted by the changes required to meet the challenge of climate change and build a new sustainable long term economic model that can meet the evolving needs of an aging population and ensure economic participants can contribute to and benefit from future innovations and structural changes”

James Beckford Saunders, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Association of Gerontology said:

“Climate change and ageing are arguably the two most important and pressing issues facing the world today. Only a global, interconnected and collaborative approach will provide the right approaches and solutions. AAG is delighted to partner with ILC UK and other ILC Global Alliance partners to provide a platform and act as a catalyst for evidence-based change.”

Professor Thomas Scharf, from Newcastle University said:

“I welcome ILC-UK’s focus on connecting two of the most pressing issues of our time – demographic ageing and climate change. Too often, the climate emergency is pitched simplistically as a source of conflict between young and old. This ignores the fact that any meaningful response to the climate and nature crises has to cut across populations regardless of age and generation.”

Find our more information on our Future of Ageing conference and get your tickets here.