Allan Hsiao presenting at LSE Environment Week. Photo by Stephen Swain / IGC.
LSE Environment Week finds scope for action at COP30
As countries prepare to present enhanced climate plans at COP30, LSE Environment Week explored how they can accelerate and align climate ambition with economic growth.
The 2025 edition of LSE Environment Week boosted its reputation as an open forum for expert research and analysis. Convened by the International Growth Centre (IGC) and partners across the London School of Economics and Political Science, the annual event brings together policymakers and researchers, and presents original evidence on delivering inclusive and sustainable growth.
"As we look to COP30, the research and dialogue happening here can help shape the pathways for mitigation, adaptation and transition over the coming decades."
And for policymakers preparing for COP negotiations, it offered a public view of the economic arguments. This included climate finance, adaptation and natural capital, the themes that will underlie negotiations at Belém, with keynotes and debate from international advisers on climate and economics, such as Vera Songwe, Sir Andrew Steer, Michael Greenstone, Lord Nicholas Stern, and José Scheinkman.
“We have a very close relationship with the COP30 process,” explained IGC director Robin Burgess. “People recognise that climate change and environmental degradation are the number one challenge, and we need economists and other disciplines to bridge into that.”
Environment Week 2025 speakers (L-R): Vera Songwe, Lord Nicholas Stern, Juliano Assunção, and Melinda Bohannon. Photo by Stephen Swain / IGC.
Speaker after speaker acknowledged the global loss of consensus and confidence, yet also identified the potential for new multilateral coalitions to act on solutions.
“We have all witnessed environmental concerns slipping down the agenda. Net zero commitments are being rolled back,” said Susana Mourato, the LSE’s Vice President and Professor of Environmental Economics. “But progress is possible when evidence, ambition and collaboration come together. This is why Environment Week matters. As we look to COP30, the research and dialogue happening here can help shape the pathways for mitigation, adaptation and transition over the coming decades.”
Environment week presenters. Photo by Stephen Swain / IGC.
COP’s delegates will need more than words to create multilateral consensus. In the IGC, however, they have a powerful example of connecting research to decision making: it has helped more than 20 countries with changes in policy.
Working with academics and governments, the IGC continues to demonstrate the potential of locally designed solutions for environmentally sustainable growth.
ENDS
Contact:
Theo Gott: [email protected]