Sustainability

Climate action takes centre stage: insights from London Climate Action Week

  • from Phoebe Stone Partner, Chief Sustainability Officer UK
  • Date
  • Reading time 5 minutes

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For LGT Wealth Management, sustainability is one of our core values, and an integral part of our offering to our clients. London Climate Action Week (LCAW) 2025, which was held June 21-29, is a hugely important moment for our city, the sustainability community and our team. With over 700 events held across nine days, LCAW is powerful testament to London's role as a global hub for climate innovation and collaboration. From policy discussions to technology showcases, the week highlighted the diverse facets of climate action and the many stakeholders driving change.

LCAW provides a brand and a platform under which hundreds of organisations, communities and individuals host their events, creating a large and vibrant programme of climate-focused activities. This year’s events showcased the incredible momentum that has gathered across all sectors to address climate change and demonstrated a vibrant, engaged community committed to turning ambition into real progress.

A consistent and truly encouraging takeaway from the events we attended was the strong focus on actionable outcomes, not just talk. There's a clear shift from simply acknowledging the challenge to actively seeking and implementing solutions. Discussions consistently gravitated towards practical applications, exploring how businesses, governments and individuals can accelerate decarbonisation, build resilience and foster a fair transition.

Here are some key insights and highlights our team gathered from a truly impactful week:

Empowering investors to manage climate risk

The Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change Summit, kicking off LCAW, served as a timely reminder that investor momentum around climate action remains vital and real. A standout moment was the launch of PCRAM 2.0 – the Physical Climate Risk Appraisal Methodology. This practical guide helps investors systematically assess physical dangers from climate change and consider solutions to adapt. It means investors now have better ways to measure risk and find new ways to build climate resilience. PCRAM 2.0 vividly shows how climate science can be applied in real-world asset management, reinforcing the idea that resilience isn't just about managing downsides, but also about identifying valuable investment opportunities and ultimately mitigating risk and enhancing the long-term value of their assets in a changing climate.

Investing in nature for a more resilient future

A crucial event, "Harnessing Nature for Resilience," co-hosted by Marsh McLennan, brought together leading experts to discuss aligning nature, finance and climate adaptation. As climate risks escalate, nature-based solutions (NbS) are no longer a 'nice-to-have' but an essential part of our strategy.

Across the UK, both public and private sectors are investing in NbS, including wetland restoration and natural flood management. These interventions offer dual value: they reduce exposure to hazards like floods and wildfires, and they deliver economic and social benefits. For instance, in Asia-Pacific, mangrove forests have cut coastal flooding by up to 75% and lowered insurance premiums.

Despite proven benefits, a significant global funding gap of $942 billion for biodiversity finance remains. To channel more capital into protecting vital ecosystems, we need cross-sector collaboration, clear policies, financial incentives, better data and scalable business models. If these challenges are met, nature can become not only a shield against climate risk but a driving force for resilient, regenerative economies.

The optimism of innovation: a view from The Earthshot Prize

A truly inspiring event, coordinated by The Earthshot Prize and Bloomberg Philanthropies, featured a keynote from HRH Prince William. Our key takeaway was a resounding sense of optimism from founders, venture capitalists and asset owners. While the financial industry sometimes discusses pullbacks around ESG, the consensus in these innovative circles was clear: there has never been a better time to invest sustainably and for impact.

Every day, more solutions are emerging. Notably, during times of doubt or perceived "recessions," there's often a doubling down on innovation. This is precisely where opportunities are found. This optimism isn't out of place; it's simply the perspective gained when looking beyond short-term political cycles and news headlines. It was particularly encouraging to see that HRH Prince William and some of the distinguished families present shared this forward-looking view, aligning with our own convictions at LGT Wealth Management and those of our owner, the Princely Family of Lichtenstein.

HRH Prince Wales speaking at the London Climate Action Week
HRH Prince of Wales speaking at London Climate Action Week.

Committed to a sustainable future for our clients

Our participation in LCAW directly reflects our deep commitment to sustainability and our clients. Recognising climate change as one of the most pressing issues of our time, we firmly believe that networking, advocacy and partnering with others are crucial for collaborative progress. LCAW provided an unparalleled opportunity to immerse ourselves in diverse discussions and initiatives, hear the very latest thinking and connect with the leaders driving change.

This deep engagement and firsthand insight is vital for us and all those working in the sustainable space. It's incredibly encouraging to see that, beyond the noise, people and firms are putting actionable outcomes in place. We are dedicated to creating more than just financial returns for our clients, aligning their investments with a future that is both prosperous and sustainable.

A city engaged and empowered

As we reflect on London Climate Action Week 2025, the overriding impression is one of sustained momentum and unwavering commitment. The energy, passion and expertise displayed by all involved underscore a vital truth: climate action is still very much on the agenda, and a vast number of people are deeply engaged and dedicated to making a difference. This week served not only as a vital platform for discussion and networking but also as a powerful reminder that collective action is gaining pace, and the pathways to a sustainable future are being forged right here, in London.

LGT Wealth Management UK LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Registered in England and Wales: OC329392. Registered office: 14 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3NR.  LGT Wealth Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in Scotland number SC317950 at Capital Square, 58 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8BP. LGT Wealth Management Jersey Limited is incorporated in Jersey and is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission in the conduct of Investment Business and Funds Service Business: 102243. Registered office: Sir Walter Raleigh House, 48-50 Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3QB.  LGT Wealth Management (CI) Limited is registered in Jersey and is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission: 5769. Registered Office: at Sir Walter Raleigh House, 48 – 50 Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey JE2 3QB.  LGT Wealth Management US Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is a Registered Investment Adviser with the US Securities & Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Registered in England and Wales: 06455240. Registered Office: 14 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3NR. 

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About the author
Our people - Phoebe Stone
Phoebe Stone Partner, Chief Sustainability Officer UK

Phoebe Stone is a Partner and Chief Sustainability Officer (UK) at LGT Wealth Management, having joined as a portfolio manager in 2014. Phoebe founded LGT Wealth Management’s sustainable investing division in 2018 and is responsible for LGT WM’s Sustainability Strategy across investments, client proposition and business operations. Phoebe chairs the Sustainable Investment Committee and Sustainable Governance Committee and the socio-economic diversity workstream of #included, LGT’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

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