A message from the Lord Mayor on the Green Horizon Summit

Dear Coachmakers

Several Livery Companies have expressed an interest in the City of London Corporation’s forthcoming Green Horizon Summit, which will take place virtually next week, from 9th-11th November. It will focus on the pivotal role of green finance in the recovery from COVID-19. Sustainability is an increasingly significant consideration for all of us in the Livery and this event will bring together business leaders and policy makers to discuss how financial services can support a green recovery and an economy-wide transition to net zero. I am circulating some additional information about the content of the summit and how to participate, should you or others in your company like to join the virtual conference.

We see this summit as an opportunity to build momentum and ambition for COP 26, the UN Climate Change conference, which will be hosted by the UK in November next year. The summit is being co-hosted by the City of London Corporation in collaboration with the World Economic Forum and the Green Finance Institute. Mark Carney is also supporting in his role as UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance. We have been able to draw together a stellar list of speakers, some of whom we anticipate will be making significant announcements. In light of the new national restrictions, the summit will now be fully virtual.

In summary, the green transition is the commercial opportunity of a generation. Capturing this opportunity will drive job creation and speed the return to growth. But for now, there is a persistent financing gap between net zero ambitions and reality. The Green Horizon Summit is our moment to close this gap. The objective is to mobilise capital by converting momentum into action ahead of COP26.

The Summit will cover five major themes:

Reporting, risk, and returns
The energy transition
Infrastructure and green growth
Resilience and adaptation
Nature and net zero

The Summit will conclude with a focus on the concrete actions and commitments that financial firms need to make ahead of COP26 in Glasgow.

You can find details of the agenda, speakers and how to register here: www.greenhorizonsummit.com.

I am keen that the Livery is involved in these important discussions about the future and would strongly encourage you to register and participate in what looks to be an incredibly exciting event. It would also be very helpful if you can help promote the event within your networks, particularly in business, if you think they may benefit from attending the event. We are targeting a range of businesses and key international government departments.

I do hope that you will be able to join for at least some of the sessions of what promises to be a very interesting event and a significant undertaking for the Corporation.

Best wishes,
Alderman William Russell
Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor