Latest news with #LondonClimateActionWeek
The Star
20 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
London climate week receives boost as Trump policies weigh on New York event
LONDON (Reuters) -London's climate week attracted record attendance, bolstered by the cloud hanging over its sister event in New York in September as the U.S. government turns its back on efforts to stop global warming and tightens entry requirements. The annual London Climate Action Week (LCAW), which ends on Sunday, more than doubled in size compared to the 2024 edition, hosting 700-plus events and more than 45,000 attendees. That was helped by the UK's more robust stance on climate action and support for visitors from developing countries, two dozen business, political and civil society sources told Reuters. "We have gone much bigger on LCAW this year - we are hosting several events and putting considerably more effort (in) than in the past. If we do send someone to New York, it will almost certainly just be an American citizen member of our team," said Alexis McGivern, Head of Stakeholder Engagement at Oxford Net Zero. Under President Donald Trump, the United States has left a global deal to lower climate-damaging carbon emissions, cut development aid, rowed back on environmental standards and moved to slash support for green technologies. By contrast, the British government was present across multiple events during LCAW, with energy secretary Ed Miliband saying he wanted Britain to be a "clean energy superpower" and to "get off the roller coaster of fossil fuel markets". 'YOU CAN TALK FRANKLY' Given the U.S. pushback, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, a U.N. Indigenous Peoples representative and climate change expert, said London offered more freedom to discuss climate change, diversity and human rights. "You can talk frankly with the government of the UK or any government here in London without being afraid of how you get treated, or targeted," she said. Philanthropists and private investors, too, are able to speak more openly without being targeted politically, or risking damaging business interests, she said. "This year the New York Climate Week is going to be very challenging," she said. "Not only to indigenous peoples, but even to governments. There are so many barriers that are making people say, let's act now in London." Among steps taken in London was a push by governments for indigenous peoples' land rights to be better protected and a plan to encourage companies to buy more carbon credits. Chief among the concerns about New York, particularly for civil society representatives, was whether they could even get in. TRAVEL BANS This month, the U.S. banned travellers from countries including Afghanistan, Congo Republic and Somalia - many exposed to rising extreme weather events and in need of the most help - and may yet add more. Ibrahim, whose home country Chad is also on the list, said she would travel using her diplomatic passport but was uncertain if she would be allowed in - a concern flagged by half a dozen other LCAW attendees. Helen Clarkson, CEO of Climate Group, which runs New York Climate Week, said she understood it would be harder for participants from certain countries to attend but that many businesses, governments and civil society were planning to come and were "super up for New York." " is shaping up similar to other years," she said. "This is a critical moment before COP." COP30 will take place in Brazil in November. (Reporting by Virginia Furness and Simon Jessop; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
London climate week receives boost as Trump policies weigh on New York event
FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales walks with former Mayor of New York, Michael R. Bloomberg during the \"Leading with Impact\" event, as part of London Climate Action Week, at Bloomberg headquarters in London, Britain, June 24, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso/Pool/File Photo LONDON - London's climate week attracted record attendance, bolstered by the cloud hanging over its sister event in New York in September as the U.S. government turns its back on efforts to stop global warming and tightens entry requirements. The annual London Climate Action Week (LCAW), which ends on Sunday, more than doubled in size compared to the 2024 edition, hosting 700-plus events and more than 45,000 attendees. That was helped by the UK's more robust stance on climate action and support for visitors from developing countries, two dozen business, political and civil society sources told Reuters. "We have gone much bigger on LCAW this year - we are hosting several events and putting considerably more effort (in) than in the past. If we do send someone to New York, it will almost certainly just be an American citizen member of our team," said Alexis McGivern, Head of Stakeholder Engagement at Oxford Net Zero. Under President Donald Trump, the United States has left a global deal to lower climate-damaging carbon emissions, cut development aid, rowed back on environmental standards and moved to slash support for green technologies. By contrast, the British government was present across multiple events during LCAW, with energy secretary Ed Miliband saying he wanted Britain to be a "clean energy superpower" and to "get off the roller coaster of fossil fuel markets". 'YOU CAN TALK FRANKLY' Given the U.S. pushback, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, a U.N. Indigenous Peoples representative and climate change expert, said London offered more freedom to discuss climate change, diversity and human rights. "You can talk frankly with the government of the UK or any government here in London without being afraid of how you get treated, or targeted," she said. Philanthropists and private investors, too, are able to speak more openly without being targeted politically, or risking damaging business interests, she said. "This year the New York Climate Week is going to be very challenging," she said. "Not only to indigenous peoples, but even to governments. There are so many barriers that are making people say, let's act now in London." Among steps taken in London was a push by governments for indigenous peoples' land rights to be better protected and a plan to encourage companies to buy more carbon credits. Chief among the concerns about New York, particularly for civil society representatives, was whether they could even get in. TRAVEL BANS This month, the U.S. banned travellers from countries including Afghanistan, Congo Republic and Somalia - many exposed to rising extreme weather events and in need of the most help - and may yet add more. Ibrahim, whose home country Chad is also on the list, said she would travel using her diplomatic passport but was uncertain if she would be allowed in - a concern flagged by half a dozen other LCAW attendees. Helen Clarkson, CEO of Climate Group, which runs New York Climate Week, said she understood it would be harder for participants from certain countries to attend but that many businesses, governments and civil society were planning to come and were "super up for New York." " is shaping up similar to other years," she said. "This is a critical moment before COP." COP30 will take place in Brazil in November. REUTERS Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
China, Britain deepen green finance cooperation with new work stream
LONDON, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Financial professionals and experts from China and Britain on Thursday formally launched a joint work stream in London, in a bid to strengthen bilateral cooperation on sustainable finance and biodiversity protection. The UK-China Nature and Biodiversity Finance Work Stream, initiated by the China-UK Green Finance Taskforce and co-led by Bank of China and Standard Chartered, will focus on cross-border collaboration and innovation in areas such as natural capital valuation, biodiversity-related disclosure tools and nature-focused investment mechanisms. The launch coincided with a high-level forum hosted by Bank of China's London branch, titled "From Policy to Impact: A Global Perspective on the Current State of Sustainable Development." The forum, part of the official program of this year's London Climate Action Week, brought together over 100 participants from financial institutions, government agencies, regulators, think tanks and academia across China, Britain and Europe. "Green finance and sustainable development have become central to global high-quality growth and the transformation of financial systems," said Fang Wenjian, CEO of Bank of China (UK) Limited, during the forum's opening remarks. Charles Bowman, co-chair of the China-UK Green Finance Taskforce, said the initiative came at a critical time. "We must accelerate global capital flows to tackle the climate crisis," he said. "China and the UK are co-leading this effort through their net-zero commitments and renewable energy investments." London Climate Action Week, founded in 2019 by climate think tank E3G and the Mayor of London's office, serves as a global platform for policymakers, business leaders, investors and academics to advance climate action and sustainable development.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Prince William implores leaders to act with 'urgency and purpose' to end climate crisis
Prince William has called for global leaders to act with "urgency and purpose" to solve the climate crisis. The Prince of Wales hosted a roundtable meeting highlighting the important work Indigenous people do to protect the environment as he stressed the need to preserve the natural world during the summit at St James's Palace in London on Thursday (26.06.25). William said: "All life begins with nature. Our forests, rivers, and the ocean are not just landscapes, they are the foundation of life on Earth. They regulate our climate, provide food and water, and sustain economies worldwide. "We are here today not only to recognise the truth, but to act on it with urgency and purpose. "Across the world, Indigenous peoples and local communities live in deep relationship with land and sea, guided by knowledge passed down through generations. Nature is not seen as a resource to be extracted, but as something sacred – to live with, respect, and sustain. Their stewardship and protection are among the most effective forces for conservation." The 43-year-old royal added: "If we are serious about achieving climate and biodiversity goals, Indigenous peoples and local communities must be central to the effort as partners, leaders and co-creators of solutions." William believes that "momentum is growing" in the battle against climate change and highlighted the importance of worldwide unity in environmental efforts in the meeting – which formed part of London Climate Action Week. The prince said: "I've invited you here because of our shared goals and the opportunity we have, together, to build a coalition that delivers. This is a moment for courage. We are not starting from zero. "Let us move forward – united in purpose and committed to protecting nature as the foundation for a just and healthy future for all." William teamed up with Australian conservationist Robert Irwin for an event earlier this week and the 21-year-old TV star can see that the heir to the British throne "truly cares" about the environment. Robert – the son of the late Crocodile Hunter star Steve Irwin – told The Sunday Mirror newspaper: "I love being around passionate people, it inspires me. The prince is just that - passionate, curious and thoughtful. I've been fortunate enough to share many great discussions about the things we love about the natural world. And it's clear that he has a profound love for wildlife and wild places. "He knows that he can put a spotlight on people making a real difference. He takes this responsibility very seriously, and he has a great ability to direct attention to where it needs to be. He is very compassionate and works hard to make sure that his conservation efforts benefit people as much as the environment. "I am always impressed by his knowledge and dedication and in the conversations I have had with him, I often learn something new. Most importantly though, he truly cares about a healthy planet for our future generations."
Evening Standard
2 days ago
- General
- Evening Standard
William urges investment in environmental projects
This is one of the events that William, who is also the founder of the Royal Foundation's United for Wildlife, has attended around the city to mark London Climate Action Week, which runs from June 21 to 29.
