London goes global in its climate leadership ambitions

London Climate Action Week draws to a close tomorrow having attracted record numbers of delegates to a global discussion showing strong ongoing momentum behind the transition to sustainable economies and a greener future, regardless of global political headwinds.

While on the surface London has continued about its daily business, even in sweltering heat, in conference rooms, closed-door meetings and in cyberspace, around 50,000 delegates have discussed the economic transition to a sustainable economy in more than 700 separate events.

This London Climate Action Week has been double the size of previous editions, in part due to many seeing it as a more open, less politically charged space in which to discuss climate action than New York Climate Week held later this year.

It has convened climate scientists, bankers, investors, businesses, climate leaders and politicians together with activists and environmentalists.

Popularism and cynicism around net zero and climate policies have framed some discussions but the mood has been optimistic and forward facing. “The time for finger pointing is gone, we need a spirit of co-operation. London Climate Action Week is now part of COP30.” So said Ana Toni CEO of COP 30, summarising the spirit of determination that has been a thread through many meetings and panels.

A realisation that climate science can no longer be presented as an acknowledged ‘given’ and that more effective communications and stakeholder engagement is needed to maintain public, political and corporate trust in the economic and social benefits of climate action has been a common thread.

Opportunity has also shone through:

• A pragmatic view that the world needs more energy as it electrifies and embraces AI and that this energy will come from multiple sources but that clean power represents the lowest cost solution which can accelerate growth (if its cost benefits are fairly distributed and captured through better infrastructure and pricing policies);  
   
• Green jobs, new industries and a circular economy fuelled by less waste and more reuse (of everything from consumer goods to entire buildings) will create new industries in the near future;
   
• A desire to get political consensus on climate policies as a framework for that economic transition but an acceptance that what will really drive change is getting money into projects that drive economic growth and jobs;
   
• A vision for COP that envisages an end to repetitive political negotiations and instead lasers in on action;
   
• Calls to safeguard nature not just for its intrinsic value but also its ability to offset carbon emissions and build healthier, happier societies;
   
• And on the politicisation of climate, a recognition that popularism isn’t necessarily anti saving the planet but is using sustainability as a low-hanging lever to exercise its voter base about cost of living and perceived inequalities;
   
• That resetting the climate narrative on jobs, growth and security is ever more important.

For corporates, while many are changing their language and narrative on climate and net zero, their mission to build greener business models remains on course. 

The risk is that political noise and climate denial continue to drive a bigger wedge between public and planet which makes a clearly articulated mission on climate action more important than ever.

While exercising consideration on the messages you put out is a central part of corporate risk management, that shouldn’t stop business having a clear view on what its vision for the future is and standing tall behind that mission to lead transition and progress for the benefit of all stakeholders

London Climate Action Week has shows that the business, politicians and civic society remain united behind a common goal to drive forward a cleaner, greener future. It has shown strong public support and huge commercial opportunity.

The challenge now is implementation, galvanising business to push forward despite choppy waters and to communicate the benefits of what they are doing in a way that gains trust and support and allows them to lead an effective transition.