As the conflict in the Middle East rattles energy markets, this episode explores the connections between climate change, energy, and geopolitics. It addresses questions such as:

• What does the war in Iran reveal about the links between fossil fuels, vulnerability, and power? What lessons can be drawn?
• What does the energy transition mean for global geopolitics, and how should governments manage the 'messiness' of the process?
• How are the impacts of climate change reshaping our world, and what can be done to navigate the challenges that arise?

To unpack these dynamics, Anna and Bhargabi are joined by Arthur Snell (a former diplomat and author of 'Elemental: The New Geography of Climate Change and How We Survive It'), Michael Bradshaw (Professor of Global Energy at Warwick Business School, Associate Fellow at Chatham House, and author of 'The Geopolitics of Energy System Transformation: Managing the Messy Mix'), and Dr Beatrice Mosello (Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House).

China is the world's largest emitter and dominates global production of green technology. A few days ago, the National People's Congress approved the country's 15th Five-Year Plan, China's main economic and policy blueprint for the period 2026–2030. What does the new plan say about China's climate and clean tech ambitions? And what does it reveal about China's broader geopolitical and foreign policy goals?

To discuss this, Anna is joined by James Kynge (Senior Research Fellow for China in the World at Chatham House's Asia-Pacific Programme) and Lauri Myllyvirta (Lead Analyst at and Co-founder of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, CREA).

Want to learn more? Please see:

• The expert comment 'China's Five Year Plan commits to economic resilience – as the Iran war exposes the fragility of global supply', by Dr Yu Jie (Senior Research Fellow on China, Chatham House). Available here.
• The article 'China's 5-Year-Plan: Latest draft shows emission targets out, clean energy targets in', by Bernice Lee (Distinguished Fellow, Chatham House). Available here.
• The article 'Can the West recover from China's hi-tech knockout blow?', by James Kynge (Senior Research Fellow for China in the World, Chatham House). Available here.

What are the most important changes the Paris Agreement has brought about? How should the COP process evolve? And why does geoengineering need to be approached with caution?

The fourth part of the Future of Climate Diplomacy mini-series features a fascinating conversation between Chatham House's Chris Aylett (standing in for Anna and Bhargabi) and Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and previously France's Climate Change Ambassador and Special Representative for COP21.