If the newly elected UK Government is serious about projecting London as a global player in the climate arena, it could do a lot worse than promoting the capital as the premiere destination for international climate conferences. Non-profit and impact organisations have predominantly rooted themselves in New York, perhaps because it is the home of the UN headquarters.
Climate Week NYC, hosted by Climate Group, has been convening world leaders from politics, business, industry, and culture each year in the city, since its inception in 2009. The City of New York has done very well in leveraging its status as the venue for the UN General Assembly and promotes the city as convenient for World leaders to meet and discuss climate issues.
By firmly promoting itself as the host of very many important discussions and deliberations, New York has not only become the centre of thinking on many pressing global issues, but has consequently seen significant economic benefits with packed hotels, fully booked restaurants, busy taxi drivers, and lucrative contracts for consulting firms. Its impact is felt across the city, injecting millions of dollars into the local economy, every time these international events take place. My question is as to whether London misses out when the UK seeks to rightly play a global role?
The UN is headquartered in New York, but London has the necessary world-class infrastructure, and in terms of hospitality, we are second to none – with the finest restaurants, hotels, and an efficient fleet of black cabs alongside an extensive public transport network. From a logistical perspective, London also holds a distinct advantage – a centrally advantageous time zone, bridging the time differences between the important centres of Asia, the Middle East and the Americas, all vital for coordinated global action necessary to tackle our shared challenges.
London and the UK embody, to the letter and spirit, what the UN and COP seek – a host that can recognise and demonstrate leadership in climate action. Given the apparent lack of political will in the United States, currently navigating a difficult election year, London offers a certainty in political and business inclination to act. The UK’s decarbonisation record is one of the most impressive in the world. British carbon emissions have fallen to levels not seen since 1879.
The importance of India in the global fight against climate change cannot be overstated. As the world's third-largest carbon emitter, India must be at the forefront of any serious decarbonisation efforts. However, India's unique challenges, such as balancing economic development with environmental obligations, require a nuanced approach – one that Britain, with its historical and cultural affinity, is best positioned to offer. Most importantly, we have a cultural affinity with India that the US simply does not have. Americans do not understand cricket, nor can they appreciate Virat Kohli’s finest cover drive. If the world is going to decarbonise, India, the most populous country in the world, needs to be at the top of that list.
India’s industrialists and business leaders are already making significant strides, recognising the need to steer the economy towards a sustainable future. For instance, Gautam Adani, whose Adani Group is reallocating capital from fossil fuels, has pivoted to renewable energy. His latest solar park, the largest in the world and spanning an area five times the size of Paris, is part of an ambitious plan to generate 500 GW of electricity from non-fossil sources by 2030. This shift is essential for India’s future and for global efforts to reduce emissions.
By leveraging the UK’s historic relationship with India, London is in a privileged position to directly engage with India Inc., a crucial player in the global effort to address the defining challenges of our time. We already have an attractive capital market and political will; all we need is the right platform to make the progress that is needed.
As the UN General Assembly and Climate Week kick off in New York later this month, British government officials attending the events should seize the opportunity to plant the seeds for a future where London takes its rightful place as one of the world’s leading convenors of ideas and action.
