Chief Sustainability Officers reflect on London Climate Action Week

As this year’s London Climate Action Week draws to a close, Chief Sustainability Officers present at the event share their key takeaways, from the need for a sustainability reset to the role of science, imagination and love in the transition.

London Climate Action Week (LCAW) is fast emerging as the new must-attend event in the sustainability world. This year’s edition saw over 700 events held across iconic locations in the UK capital, attended by more than 45,000 people.

In this article, CSO Futures cuts through the noise and highlights Chief Sustainability Officers’ top reflections on LCAW 2025.

Daniella Vega, Global Senior Vice President of Health and Sustainability, Ahold Delhaize: ‘Sustainability isn’t one fixed utopia’

After attending an interactive session at Somerset House on making space for inner work at the same time as driving system change, Vega said the exercise allowed her to glimpse the future in the present, “leaping the chasm from what someone described as feeling like being ‘held hostage by a dying system’ into a shared sense of something new and alive”.

“It reminded me that sustainability isn’t one fixed utopia. It’s a ‘street map for some, a satellite map for others’. As we step into Climate Week, I carry these questions, inspired by [author] Charles Eisenstein: What is the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible? How do we stay grounded in the now holding multiple realities of hope, outrage, and gratitude for being alive in these times,” she added.

Natalie Watson, Group Director of Sustainability at The Vita Group: ‘Love for each other wins the day’

Thinking back on her time at this year’s London Climate Action Week, Watson says she “felt momentum on [her] skin” as people came together to tackle the challenges of our times.

“It feels heavy - the weight of poly-crisis . The news has a tendency to keep us down trodden, beaten without alternatives. What I felt at LCAW was validation that whilst people are at the heart of the problems, we are very much part of the solutions. AI has a place - but it's still people coming together, sharing experiences, perspectives and emotional connections. Hate has caused a lot of problems, but it hasn't solved one yet. Love for each other wins the day every time!”

Joe Franses, VP of Sustainability at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners: ‘A sustainability reset is a good thing’

Franses had positive takeaways from the LCAW sessions he attended this year: “Yes, we are seeing a sustainability reset - but it's a good thing and offers a critical opportunity for businesses to lean into the complexity of delivery, outline external dependencies and prioritise topics which matter most.

“Board engagement in climate and sustainability continues to strengthen - Boards are doing more to understand the impacts, reputational risks and commercial imperatives but remain cautious about language and communications. 

“Working in partnership is key - both internally and externally. For those working in-house, Finance, IT and Internal Controls should now be your best friends,” he reminded followers on Linkedin.

Angela Hultberg, Global Sustainability Director at Kearney: ‘We have a crisis of imagination’

Reflecting on the launch of the Make Science Great Again campaign by the We Don’t Have Time coalition, Hultberg noted the importance of supporting climate science from political attacks.

She added that the US’ lack of climate leadership is nothing new, but that the sustainability community still needs to tackle some of its recurrent flaws.

“We move on too fast. Remember how Los Angeles was on fire just 5 months ago? No? It was, and people are still homeless, the impact is still there. But we move on like it’s done with leaving people behind.

“We have a crisis of imagination. We are solving problems the same way we tried to solve them 50 years ago. But the 21st century needs something different. We can’t just bring white paper energy to the table, we need to do something different.

“We need to empower ALL of the world. We need solidarity – not charity. We can save ourselves, and we need to do it with compassion, working together across communities, drawing from all the wisdom and experience in the world.”

Fiona Hyde, Head of Sustainability, Santander UK: ‘High capital costs and weak carbon pricing are still major barriers to progress’

After attending the Net Zero Delivery Summit hosted at the start of LCAW, Hyde shared the following takeaways: “We’re still short by US$1.5 trillion a year globally to stay on track for climate goals — a huge gap that needs urgent attention. High capital costs and weak carbon pricing are still major barriers to progress. And Brazil’s climate strategy could add US$100B to GDP and create 100 million jobs, which stands as a powerful reminder of the economic upside of climate action.

“Plenty to reflect on and even more reason to keep pushing for bold, collaborative solutions,” she added, noting that the UK is “stepping up as a global hub for net zero transition finance, carbon markets, and nature-based solutions”.

Carrie Harris, director of sustainability at British Airways: ‘ESG winter seems to be passing’

Harris participated in a large number of events over the course of the week, including CUR8’s Carbon Removal Summit and sessions by The Earthshot Prize, London Stock Exchange Group and Isometrics on carbon markets and removals. 

“At one session, a Government rep talked of the opportunity to put the UK back in a position of global climate leadership. Recent sense of an ESG winter now seems to be passing. Times are of course volatile and complex and the task at hand is vast and hard but momentum is there and I’m pleased to say climate action feels in full bloom in London’s summer,” she commented.

Karen Pflug, CSO at IKEA: ‘Sustainability and affordability must go hand in hand’

In a Linkedin post reflecting on LCAW 2025, Pflug makes the point that while the climate conversation often focuses on what individuals aren’t doing, “most people are already taking action in their daily lives, and 81% say they want to do even more”. 

“The biggest driver behind sustainable choices? Cost. Over half of respondents in our research said saving money is the biggest driver behind sustainable choices. Sustainability can’t be a luxury for the few – it has to be the easy, obvious choice for the many. 

“That’s where business comes in. The real opportunity is to remove the barriers, earn trust, and show people what they have to gain. Because when sustainability means healthier lives, money saved, and a better future for their families and communities –  what’s not to love?,” she added. 

Kathleen McGinty, CSO at Johnson Controls: ‘No one can do this alone’

“From panels to press to policy, London Climate Action Week 2025 was a powerful reminder that collaboration is key! I was honored to join other sustainability leaders and government officials to explore how partnerships are accelerating real progress in decarbonizing the built environment. The message was clear: no one can do this alone, but together, we can scale solutions that cut emissions, reduce costs, and build resilience,” McGinty shared at the end of LCAW.

“Climate action isn’t just about sustainability, it is about smart business, too. And the companies that lead will be the ones that thrive with lean, resilient and agile operations,” she added.

Andrew Walton, Chief Sustainability Officer, Lloyds Banking Group: ‘A thriving natural environment is central to resilience’

Walton focused particularly on a session hosted by Lloyds Banking Group on how business and finance can work with government to support the delivery of the UK’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).

“It was clear from the discussion that a thriving natural environment is central to UK resilience and growth. The challenge laid down yesterday was to embed nature and climate considerations into financial systems, business strategies, and public policy at pace," he said. 

“We are all well versed in the risks of nature degradation, so it was great to have a lively and applied discussion on the huge economic opportunities to be found in nature recovery and protection. From rewarding UK farmers for sustainable practices to coordinating the first sterling Blue Bond issuance, we’re committed to restoring nature – and unlocking the environmental and economic gains available in the process.” 

Darshana Myronidis, Global Director of Sustainability at Virgin: ‘A cultural and strategic win’

Myronidis called London Climate Action Week 2025 “a strategic inflection point”, with London as a catalyst. Summarising some of the positive shifts observed at the event, she said: “Nature-based solutions moved from the margins to the mainstream, with £12.2 trillion in finance represented to scale regenerative models. AI and climate tech demonstrated real-world deployment – from emissions tracking, to sustainable packaging and ecosystem restoration. The Just Energy Transition gained traction, with new financing platforms ensuring equity is embedded in decarbonisation. Cities, particularly London, showcased bold leadership – proving that local action can drive global ambition.

“What shifted? This week marked a cultural and strategic win: sustainability is no longer a specialist concern. It is a boardroom priority, a creative brief, a financial strategy, and a leadership imperative. Let’s not lose this momentum. Let’s operationalise it.”