UN Appointment for Dr. Tara Shine
5th October 2020
Dr Tara Shine has been appointed as co-facilitator of the Structured Expert Dialogue of the Second Periodic Review under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The Structured Expert Dialogue is a science – policy discussion as part of the Periodic Review of the long term goal to hold global temperature rise to well below 2°C, aiming for 1.5°C. It will assess progress towards the goal and identify challenges and opportunities for achieving it.
Dr. Shine specialises in climate change science, science communications and policy with a PhD in Environmental Science. She has over 20 years’ experience influencing and informing international and national policy making to ensure equity, gender equality, inclusion and environmental protection. A seasoned scientific adviser past clients include the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice, the OECD, The Elders, SIDA (the Swedish government’s development agency), the World Bank, the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland. Tara is a proven thought leader on climate justice and environmental issues in the context of international development.
Welcoming the recent appointment, Minister for Climate Action Eamon Ryan said: “I would like to congratulate Dr Shine on her appointment as co-facilitator of the Structured Expert Dialogue under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Her nomination and successful appointment in the role is in recognition of her wealth of experience and engagement as an environmental scientist, international climate change negotiator and adviser to governments and world leaders on environmental and climate policy, and matters of climate justice.
“I am delighted to support Dr Shine in this role, it reflects Ireland’s commitment to a science-based approach to climate decision making, and the need to continually engage with other countries at an international level on the shared global climate challenge. It is fundamental that we listen to the scientific evidence and what is it telling us about the future of our planet”.
Dr Shine is an alumnae of Homeward Bound – a global leadership programme for women scientists where participants share their knowledge and expertise, form international networks and research collaborations to address climate change, and increase the visibility of women scientists in academia and industry.
Dr Shine, Director of Change by Degrees (which she co-founded in 2018) and Chair of the International Institute for Environment and Development, welcomed her appointment and said: “I am honoured to have been appointed to this role and look forward to co-facilitating this dialogue between scientists and policy makers. Our work together will assess the progress made to achieve the 1.5°C goal and the opportunities we have today to provide a safe climate system for future generations.”
