Jul 01, 2026

REA at London Climate Action Week 2026

What a week it’s been! As London Climate Action Week comes to a close, we’re reflecting on a whirlwind of events. From venue to venue, the REA team joined industry leaders and policymakers to help drive the conversation on the clean energy transition.

Panel: Watt Communities Want: Community Engagement for Building Clean Energy 

In partnership with Field, Watt Communities Want explored how meaningful engagement can put communities at the heart of the clean energy transition. REA and Field Consulting brought together experts from across politics, public affairs, energy infrastructure and community energy to discuss: unlocking clean energy investment and navigating public perception.

The panel featured:

  • Trevor Hutchings, Chief Executive of REA (moderator)
  • Pippa Heylings MP, Energy Security and Net Zero Spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats
  • Vincent Fabri, Head of Insights, Field Consulting.
  • Dina Potter, Vice President of Social Impact at National Grid
  • Sarah Burgess, Board Director at Grand Union Community Energy Ltd

Panel: Circular, Sustainable Cities and Towns 

Alongside WRAP, SUEZ and enfinium,Circular Sustainable Cities & Towns: Enabling Transformation in Urban Food Systems examined how circular economy approaches can reduce food waste, cut emissions and create more sustainable urban environments. REA, enfinium, SUEZ and WRAP brought together leading experts from across the food, waste and circular economy sectors. At the heart of the discussion is the REA’s new Circular Sustainable Cities & Towns Briefing, setting out practical recommendations for delivering more sustainable urban communities. They explored: How food systems can strengthen local economies and minimise waste, Building integrated food partnerships and maximising the impact of England’s new food waste collection reforms and How unavoidable food waste can be transformed into renewable biogas and sustainable biofertiliser

The panel featured:

  • Estelle Herszenhorn (moderator), Director of Food System Transformation at WRAP
  •  Jenny Grant, Head of Organics and Natural Capital, REA
  • Dr Adam Read MBE, Chief External Affairs and Sustainability Officer, SUEZ
  •  Pauline Metivier, Head of Business and Sector Support, ReLondon
  • Linda Drummond, South African Food Loss and Waste Initiative Manager, CGCSA

Across the city:

The conversations continued. Chief Executive Trevor Hutchings joined DTEK’s roundtable on investing in energy resilience in a volatile world, where leaders from finance, policy and industry explored the lessons emerging from recent global events.The discussion offered plenty of practical insight on what needs to happen next and why investment in resilience matters. Meanwhile, Commercial Director Lara Martini took to the stage at Reset Connect to discuss how renewable energy is strengthening local economies and building resilience across the UK.

Reception: Resourcing the Future – Decarbonising the UK Waste Management Sector

Decarbonising the UK Waste Management Sector reception, brought together stakeholders to continue the conversation on the future of the sector.

Private Breakfast: AI to Accelerate the Energy Transition

Private Breakfast: Roundtable – Clean Energy Sector and the Road to COP31.

We held a private breakfast roundtable, supported by BAM UK & Ireland. We were delighted to be joined by Katie White OBE MP for a discussion on the road to COP31. It was a valuable discussion and a strong addition to a packed week of climate conversations across the (rather hot) city!

Reception: LCAW Business Reception

We held the London Climate Action Week Business Reception alongside partners University of Cambridge, CBI, UK Finance, British Chambers of Commerce at Madano offices, bringing together leaders from business, government and academia to mark the close of London Climate Action Week 2026. The reception provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress made during the week and to discuss the collaboration needed to deliver the UK’s clean energy transition. Guests heard from Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, who emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum behind clean energy, and His Excellency Osman Koray Ertaş, Turkish Ambassador to the United Kingdom, who spoke about the value of international cooperation ahead of COP in Antalya.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussions. We look forward to continuing to work with partners across business, government and academia to support the transition to a net zero economy.