Less than a week to go, and more excitement than ever: How to survive LCAW

With London Climate Action Week (LCAW) less than a week away, excitement is building amongst the city’s climate and business community. Now in its eighth edition, LCAW has grown into one of the world’s largest independent climate events, expected to gather more than 75,000 people at roughly 1,000 official events across London. Countless other engagement will be taking place behind closed doors, too.   

This annual festival of climate action – taking place 20-28 June – comes at a pivotal moment halfway between major UN climate summits. For businesses and organisations committed to sustainability, LCAW serves as an inclusive platform to engage and showcase leadership in climate action. 

The mood in this final stretch before LCAW is purposeful and energetic, sprinkled with a flurry of activity. Corporate affairs professionals are finalising agendas and guestlists, attendees are filling up their diaries, and many are gearing up for events and meetings at venues that span everywhere from historic churches to corporate boardrooms. 

There’s a buzz of collaboration in the air, and that goes for community groups all the way up to CEOs, each preparing to roll up their sleeves and get involved. Clearly, it’s all a bit hectic (with hundreds, maybe thousands, of invites and talks on offer), but the atmosphere remains optimistic. LCAW’s spirit is one of open, inclusive action where participation is open to all (hence its ‘action’ grass roots), with events big and small.  

LCAW 2026 fills an important gap on the global climate calendar serving as a bridge between spring negotiations (such as the UN climate meetings in Bonn) and the higher-profile gatherings later in the year of September’s UN General Assembly and COP summits in November.  

The LCAW programme is packed with forums, workshops and networking moments. Here are a few key events to consider attending: 

Monday 22 June, 6:00-8:00 pm – Rooftop Drinks with Natixis and Building Bridges (Cannon Bridge House Rooftop): An informal apéro to kick off LCAW, co-hosted by Geneva’s Building Bridges and Natixis Investment Managers. Enjoy panoramic city views, connect with sustainable finance professionals (including Nature Alpha), and even a string quartet from Orchestra for the Earth – all to celebrate the week’s launch in style. (Registration required) 

Tuesday 23 June, 9:00-11:00 am – The Business Case for Sustainability at Deloitte (Fleet Street Quarter Climate Festival): A dynamic morning panel on how sustainability is reshaping capital allocation, risk management, and long-term business value. Senior voices from finance, industry, and policy – including speakers from Deloitte, Barings, and the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group for Sustainable Finance – will share insights. Hosted by Sky News’s Paul Kelso, this session explores why green strategy is smart strategy in today’s economy. (Register to attend) 

Tuesday 23 June, 3:00-5:00 pm – Heritage Futures: The Walking Story of Fleet Street Quarter (FSQ Climate Festival): Step away from the conference rooms for a guided walk through the historic Fleet Street Quarter, starting at Temple Church. This story-led tour will explore what climate action means for London’s heritage, from medieval architecture to modern cityscapes, and how even century-old sites can adapt to a sustainable future. It’s an active, immersive way to learn about resilient cities and cultural legacy amid climate change. (Open registration) 

Wednesday 24 June, 4:00-8:00 pm – The Coalition Builder: From Reflections to Outcomes at Barings (FSQ Climate Festival): A collaborative workshop bringing together diverse professionals and climate champions in an intimate, facilitator-led session. The aim is to translate LCAW’s many ideas into practical partnerships and a shared ‘Commitment Charter’ for action. From 6pm, the conversation continues over drinks and canapés – a chance to cement new connections and plan next steps. (By invitation / register interest) 

Every day you can tune into Finance Live, the flagship daily broadcast from the Green Finance Institute (GFI) and LSEG, bringing together senior figures across global finance, policy and the real economy. 

Running 22-25 June (08:30-09:30 BST) and broadcast live from the LSEG studios in the heart of the City, the programme explores how climate, nature and resilience are increasingly shaping capital allocation, economic strategy and real world investment decisions. Register to watch live here. 

How to survive and thrive in LCAW  

With nine days of wall-to-wall programming, LCAW can feel overwhelming. 

Here is some practical advice for making the most of it: 

• Pace yourself - you can’t attend everything, so choose the events that align most with you or spark your curiosity. Quality beats quantity. 

• Focus on relationships: the real value of a climate week often comes from the people you meet, who will be your sectoral network for the coming years. Allow time for networking, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself – such as with a fellow attendee in line for coffee. 

• Come with an open mind! There’s a mix of big-picture vision and on-the-ground solutions on offer, with some wacky and some serious…  

• Follow up afterwards and don’t let the momentum fade, even after an exciting week. Share a quick note or LinkedIn invite to those you connected with at LCAW so you can stay in touch ahead of future weeks.  

And of course, SEC Newgate will be on the ground during the week, so if you need anything, let us know!