Finance can’t just stop funding emissions – it’s time to put a real price on carbon Expectations are high for Cop26. Many have described the coming years as “a decisive decade”, and the summit in Glasgow is possibly one of our final chances to strike an agreement to tackle climate change and its devastating effects. The science is clear. Only action will save us. But nothing will be possible without urgently [...]
The City of London should once again be a 24/7 city packed full of culture Seeing the old familiar buzz returning to the streets of the City of London is a welcome sight and one which cannot help but bring a smile to one’s face. The sight of friends and colleagues greeting one another, restaurants and cafes thriving once more and a vibrant cultural scene underlines what we always knew: [...]
UK talent pools will run dry without easier immigration The UK’s credentials as a leading global financial centre are undisputed. Our time zone, language, and regulatory system all contribute to this unrivalled status. Over the centuries the sector has combined tradition with innovation and shown openness and willingness to change and adapt. This has made the Square Mile an attractive arena with unique strengths [...]
A net zero future depends on open trade of green goods and services September 20, 2021 In the future when historians look back at 2021 they could well see it as a turning point. A time when after witnessing unprecedented wildfires, flash flooding and extreme winds, the world finally took notice and came together to tackle climate change. Or they could see it as a time when the world squandered this [...]
9/11 tribute: America and Britain have always bound together in adversity and will help solve future crises September 6, 2021 Twenty years ago on this coming Saturday, almost 3,000 people were killed in an act of barbarism. As the world marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the City of London will remember all of those who fell. Trinity Church Wall Street, at Ground Zero in New York, and it’s twin in the Square Mile, the [...]
Global Britain must pivot towards Asia but it must also ensure polluting countries take climate change seriously August 23, 2021 If the Government’s Global Britain vision is to be a success, the UK must strengthen ties with the most populous continent in the world: Asia. An agreement to boost cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – ten member countries in the Indo-Pacific, home to nearly 10 percent of the world’s population – [...]
London needs to work with cities around the country for economic recovery August 9, 2021 As Lord Mayor, I would normally have visited more than 20 countries over the course of the year, to promote partnership with the UK’s world-leading enterprises – mainly financial and professional services – and showcase our unique cultural offer. Since the start of the pandemic I have replaced these with over 2,500 video calls. It [...]
Cop26 is our last chance to tackle climate change as extreme weather takes hold July 26, 2021 With less than 100 days to go until the UN Climate Change Conference – also known as COP26 – kicks off in Glasgow, preparations are well underway for the most important summit since that held in Paris back in 2015. Expectations are high, and rightly so. After all, to quote Sir David Attenborough, this is [...]
Finally ending Covid-19 restrictions in the UK will be a new dawn for business July 12, 2021 Last week the Prime Minister outlined the Government’s long-awaited plans to ease social and economic COVID-19 restrictions in England. July 19 is the expected date, with a final decision to be taken today. If the PM goes ahead, this would be a new dawn and the first step towards returning the Square Mile to the [...]
London must become a world leader on climate change action June 28, 2021 It’s London Climate Action week and a chance to celebrate the work being done to tackle climate change in our capital city. It’s an opportunity to highlight and bring to the forefront the challenges we are facing and need to address to make a real difference. Climate change is a major global issue affecting everyone [...]
