What It Means To Be A Climate Champion
For several years, Nigel has been a prominent advocate for sustainable business practices and climate action. He has played a key role in mobilizing businesses and governments to act against climate change, leading many to embrace circular economies and renewable energy sources.
In this exclusive interview, courtesy of The Sustainability Speakers Agency, discover what it means to be a climate champion.
After being named the UK's High-Level Climate Action Champion, how did you feel about the appointment?
“Well, sometimes you get asked to do something and it takes you a long time to go, ‘I'm not sure whether I should do this.’ It took me about three seconds to accept the role; it felt like something I had been preparing for my whole adult life. So, it felt great, I’m very honoured.”
How would you describe a ‘climate champion’?
“Well, I think a climate champion is somebody who commits to going further than they're really comfortable. I'm getting really tired of people making safe bets; we're facing an existential crisis and we have to go really fast. That's why we call it a ‘race.’
“A champion is somebody who commits to act now and gets out of their comfort zone, so they get to the edge of where they're comfortable and they take one more step.”
What is your proudest achievement from your role as CEO of WE MEAN BUSINESS?
“I am really proud of our part in bringing a very positive business voice to Paris and securing the Paris agreement, that was a really crucial moment of global solidarity.
“The conditions were created for businesses, cities, civil society, all the countries of the world from the very big to the very small, to come together and do something that really transcended selfish individual actions. I think whatever small part I played in securing the Paris agreement would be my proudest achievement.”
Why should businesses, investors, and Governments work together to tackle climate change?
“No one can do this on their own... everything's interconnected, businesses respond to investors and customers and Governments and vice versa. So, it's important for us to act with the appropriate urgency because this is an inevitable transition.
“We know that not dealing with it is going to be disastrous in terms of economics and human suffering, that's inevitable. It will only happen in a controlled way if we get on with it together. We often talk about radical collaboration; you can’t win this race on your own.”
How have you become more sustainable in your personal life?
“Easy one is using 100% renewable electricity, by putting solar panels on the roof.
“A more significant change has been my diet. I'm almost exclusively vegetarian now, I'm what people call a flexitarian. But from growing up as a kid eating meat every single day of the week, I might eat it once a month now.”
This exclusive interview with Nigel Topping was conducted by Jack Hayes.
