EDF at London Climate Action Week 2026
London, United Kingdom | June 20-28, 2026
As the world grapples with high energy costs, economic uncertainty and growing climate impacts, leaders and decision-makers are facing tough choices that will shape the pace of the global energy transition. London Climate Action Week is an essential moment to show that climate solutions can be the economically sensible choice: helping lower risks, strengthen resilience and support a more affordable, reliable energy future.
LCAW brings together leaders across business, finance, government, and civil society to accelerate investment, innovation and implementation. Discussions in London can help shape the standards, financial tools and partnerships needed to enable climate action that yields lasting results. As a key milestone on the road to COP31, this year’s United Nations climate conference, LCAW can also help build momentum by aligning public- and private-sector action around shared priorities: from accelerating emissions reductions and mobilizing finance, to strengthening resilience and implementation on the ground.
What we’re doing at London Climate Action Week:
Environmental Defense Fund will convene and engage with leaders across sectors to help unlock the practical, real-economy pathways we need to deliver climate benefits for people and nature. EDF experts will work to strengthen credible net zero standards that help companies act with clarity and accountability; mobilize finance and insurance as essential enablers of the energy transition and climate resilience; and translate global climate goals into investable opportunities that spur action with speed and scale.
Join us as we participate in events across London, working alongside our partners to drive credible, measurable and lasting climate action.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | 9-11 a.m. BST
- Hosted by: EDF and Principles for Responsible Investment
- Day of week and date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
- Time of day: 9-11 a.m. BST
- Location: London
- Dominic Watson, Director, Energy Transition, EDF
- Andrew Howell, Senior Director, Sustainable Finance, EDF
EDF-PRI methane implementation workshop 2026
Building on the momentum of the 2025 Methane Roundtable in Sao Paulo, Principles for Responsible Investment and EDF will reconvene international investors, corporates, policymakers and experts for a workshop-style roundtable during London Climate Action Week. Designed to drive implementation, the session will focus on practical tools, technologies and financing approaches that help stakeholders move from high-level commitments to coordinated methane abatement across key sectors. This is invite only.
Speakers
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | 9–11:30 a.m. BST
- Hosted by: EDF
- Day of week and date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
- Time of day: 9–11:30 a.m. BST
- Holly Pearen, Lead Counsel, Carbon Pricing, EDF
- Jordan Faires, Senior Manager, Net Zero, EDF+Business
- Kaya Axelsson, Research & Policy Fellow, Oxford Net Zero
- Lucy Erickson, Ria Sustainability
From Commitments to Progress Claims: How Can We Talk About (Missing, Adjusting, and Meeting) Climate Targets?
In a transition defined by evolving standards and a diverse political landscape, how companies communicate about climate action with integrity and clarity has never been more consequential. Companies still need ways to connect with consumers, distinguish themselves from competitors, and justify continued investment in climate action—while accommodating the dynamic reality of business strategy, uneven progress, and increasing stakeholder expectations.
This invite-only convening will facilitate an exchange on how organizations can communicate progress without overstating certainty, drawing on legal risk, accounting constraints, and norms for transparency. Insights from the session will contribute to new corporate guidance on communicating partial progress, helping companies avoid both overclaiming and paralysis.
Speakers
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | 2-4 p.m. BST
- Hosted by: EDF, Global Reporting Initiative, and World Benchmarking Alliance
- Day of week and date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
- Time of day: 2-4 p.m. BST
- Location: Toynbee Hall (Meeting Room One - Ground Floor) – 28 Commercial St, London E1 6LS, United Kingdom
- Lauren Johnson, Manager, Climate Justice Solutions, EDF
- Matilda Becker, Strategic Partnerships Manager and Research Fellow, Oxford Net Zero
- Dara Karakolis, Corporate Engagement Manager, World Benchmarking Alliance
- Margherita Barbieri, Senior Standards Manager, Global Reporting Initiative
- Alice Stewart-Cox, Sustainability Specialist, Global Reporting Initiative
Just Transition Community of Practice Peer Learning Session
This second meeting of the Just Transition Community of Practice brings together corporate sustainability leaders to share learnings about implementing just transition policies and practices within their organisations. This session focuses on jobs and the workforce impacts of decarbonisation and adaptation to climate change. With presentations from firms leading on workforce transitions, this session is a chance for peer learning on how to embed these considerations into governance and reporting. Please register to join if you are a sustainability lead at a company and are interested to learn more about advancing just transition principles in relation to jobs and the workforce in your organisation. The target audience for this event is companies.
Speakers
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. BST
- Hosted by: EDF and D.A. Carlin and Company
- Day of week and date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
- Time of day: 9:30-11:30 a.m. BST
- Location: London
- Kate Stein, Director, Insurance, EDF
- Guillaume Morauw, Policy Analyst, Sustainable Finance, EDF
Roundtable on climate risk transmission between banks and insurers
This roundtable discussion will explore how banks and insurers manage climate-related physical and transition risks, with a focus on risk transmission across the financial system and opportunities to strengthen climate risk management practices. This is invite only.
Speakers
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. BST
- Hosted by: EDF and Ambition Loop
- Day of week and date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
- Time of day: 9:30-11:30 a.m. BST
- Location: London
- Katharine Palmer, Maritime Lead, Ambition Loop
- Gonzalo Muñoz, High Level Climate Champion COP25 Climate Leader and Co-Founder, Ambition Loop
- Alex Springer, Technical Deputy Director, Shipping, T&E
Biofuels in shipping: Balancing decarbonization with food security and forests
This invite-only roundtable will bring together leaders from shipping, food systems, forests, philanthropy, government and civil society to discuss the growing role of biofuels in maritime decarbonization. Participants will explore how demand for shipping biofuels could affect food security, land use and forests, while identifying practical solutions that support climate goals. The discussion will focus on policy options, sustainability safeguards and collaboration opportunities.
Speakers
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 6:30-9 p.m. BST
- Hosted by: EDF, Food Tank and EIT Food
- Day of week and date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
- Time of day: 6:30-9 p.m. BST
- Location: One Park Village East, Regent’s Park, London NW1 7PX
- Britt Groosman, Senior Vice President, Agriculture, Water and Food, EDF
- Danielle Nierenberg, President, Food Tank
- Rowan Douglas, Honorary Practice Fellow, Centre for Climate Finance and Investment, Imperial College London
Voices of farmers: Finance on the table
An Immersive Dinner Featuring Farmers’ Love Stories from the Land
This immersive dinner will bring together farmers, sustainability leaders, financiers, philanthropists and changemakers during London Climate Action Week. The evening will feature music, storytelling, food, immersive projection and sound design to create meaningful conversation across sectors that do not often gather in the same room.
Speakers
Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 9:30-10:15 a.m. BST
- Hosted by: University of Edinburgh
- Day of week and date: Wednesday, June 24, 2026
- Time of day: 9:30-10:15 a.m. BST
- Location: Evelyn Partners, 45 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7BG
- Erin Leonard, Project Manager, Agriculture Finance, EDF
- Professor Nick Wheelhouse, Honorary Fellow, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh
From Edinburgh to London: Evidence, innovation and collaboration for climate finance
Session 1: climate finance in emerging markets
Held during London Climate Action Week, this session will showcase how collaborative research between the University of Edinburgh and industry partners is being applied to real-world finance challenges. The event will offer space for practical exchange and future collaboration among academics, policymakers, investors and finance professionals.
Speakers
Thursday, June 25, 2026 | 9:30-10:15 a.m. BST
- Hosted by: EDF, Cornell University, Queen Mary University of London and Fundación Ecociencia
- Day of week and date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
- Time of day: 9:30-10:15 a.m. BST
- Location: Joseph Rotblat Lecture Theatre, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ
- Dr. Richard Stedman – Professor, Cornell University
- Dr. Doreen Montag – Professor, Queen Mary University of London
- Dr. Santiago Garcia – Director, Forests Partnerships, Environmental Defense Fund
- Nema Grefa – Vice President, CONFENIAE (Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon)
- Jorge Villa – Project Coordinator, EcoCiencia
From Extraction to Knowledge: Tackling Illegal Mining in Ecuador through Science and Indigenous Leadership
Illegal mining poses a major threat to the Amazon Basin, driving deforestation, mercury contamination, biodiversity loss, and conflicts with Indigenous communities — particularly in Ecuador. Its expansion is difficult to monitor due to complex social, political, and economic dynamics in frontier regions. Addressing it requires collaboration between Indigenous organizations, scientists, governments, and civil society. This panel will unite Indigenous leaders, researchers, and conservation practitioners to share knowledge from Ecuador, exploring how scientific research, geospatial tools, community observation, and Indigenous knowledge can improve monitoring and response. The event will also underscore Indigenous Peoples' vital role as frontline defenders of forests and natural resources.
Speakers
Thursday, June 25, 2026 | 10:30 a.m. BST to noon BST
- Hosted by: EDF, Climate Law and Policy and Queen Mary University of London
- Day of week and date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
- Time of day: 10:30 a.m. BST to noon BST
- Location: Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ
- Nema Grefa – Vice President, CONFENIAE
- Santiago García – Director, Forests Partnerships, EDF
- Maria Elena Herrera – Director REDD+, Fonafifo
- Roselyn Adjei, Senior Advisor, EDF
- Priscila Reyes – REDD+ Focal Point, Jalisco Representative
- Moderator: Monica Vidal, EDF
Building Trust in Climate Finance: The Role of Benefit Sharing Plans in Strengthening IPLC Participation
As REDD+ and climate finance initiatives advance globally, attention is shifting toward governance, participation, and Indigenous territorial leadership as key drivers of long-term success. This panel brings together Indigenous leaders, national governments, and technical partners to share experiences from Ecuador, Costa Rica, Ghana, and Jalisco, Mexico. Discussions will focus on participatory governance, institutional coordination, and how Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities are shaping climate and forest strategies. The session will also explore how countries are translating participation into practical mechanisms that build trust and collaboration. The goal is to identify shared challenges and opportunities for more inclusive, effective climate and forest governance.
Speakers
Thursday, June 25, 2026 | noon – 1:30 p.m. BST
- Hosted by: EDF, EDF India, Queen Mary University of London, CTrees, Wildfire Action Accelerator Pledge and IPAM
- Day of week and date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
- Time of day: noon – 1:30 p.m. BST
- Location: Joseph Rotblat Lecture Theatre, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ
- Dr. Ane Alencar – Science Director, IPAM (Instituto de Pesquisa Ambiental da Amazônia)
- Dr. Anita Varghese, Keystone Foundation
- Manjusha Mukherjee, Environmental Defense Fund India
- Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and Forests Department, Government of Tamil Nadu
- Janet Smith – Director of Development, CTrees
- Moderator: Edgar Godoy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
Enhancing Wildfire Resilience in India: Integrating Science, Communities, and Innovation
Wildfires threaten biodiversity, climate stability, and forest-dependent communities, yet tropical forests remain underrepresented in global wildfire management efforts. India highlights this gap, where fires impact ecosystems, carbon stocks, and local livelihoods. Effective resilience requires moving beyond suppression toward integrated approaches combining science, traditional knowledge, policy, and technology. This session brings together government, civil society, academia, and technology experts to explore wildfire challenges in tropical forests, with a focus on India. Discussions will cover community-led approaches, Indigenous relationships with fire, government initiatives in Tamil Nadu, and emerging technological solutions — offering practical lessons for building multi-stakeholder wildfire resilience across tropical forest regions globally.
Speakers
Thursday, June 25, 2026 | TBD
- Hosted by: EDF and Systemiq
- Day of week and date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
- Time of day: TBD
- Location: London
- Guillaume Morauw, Policy Analyst, Sustainable Finance, EDF
Breaking the Financing Bottleneck in Aviation Decarbonisation
This closed-door discussion will bring together a small group of financial institutions, aviation and fuel-sector experts, Sustainable Aviation Fuel developers, public finance practitioners and policy specialists. Participants will discuss practical tools investors need to assess aviation decarbonisation opportunities and accelerate initiatives, capital deployment and financing of solutions. This is invite only.
Speakers
Thursday, June 25, 2026 | 10 a.m.-noon BST
- Hosted by: EDF, Rocky Mountain Institute and Climate High-Level Champions Team
- Day of week and date: Thursday, June 25, 2026
- Time of day: 10 a.m.-noon BST
- Location: The Hoxton Hotel, 199-206 High Holborn, Holborn, London WC1V 7BD
- Katharine Palmer, Climate High-Level Champions Team
- Pablo Munoz, Rocky Mountain Institute
- Marie Hubatova, EDF
Maritime community of action workshop: Building maritime climate action toward COP31
As momentum builds toward COP31, the maritime sector has an opportunity to translate climate ambition into practical action. This workshop will bring together members and partners of the Maritime Community of Action to strengthen coordination across shipping, climate and ocean stakeholders and explore maritime priorities, collaboration opportunities and practical pathways for implementation.
Speakers
Delegates
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Executive Vice President, Impact
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Executive Director, Europe
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Senior Vice President, Agriculture, Water and Food
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Vice President, Net Zero Ambition & Action
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Senior Director, Sustainable Finance
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Director, Insurance
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Vice President, Global Transportation
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Associate Vice President, Carbon Markets and Private Sector Decarbonization
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Associate Vice President, Global Engagement and Partnerships
MEDIA CONTACT
Sommer Yesenofski
(949) 257-8768 (office)
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