When Business Is Political: Climate commitments in an age of backlash

As the US federal government drifts further into anti-climate rhetoric and abandons its national and international commitments, can non-state actors hold the line?

With Christiana Figueres away in Vanuatu, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson take the reins to explore how climate progress is increasingly being driven by - or being left to - businesses and non-profits. They unpack the mounting challenges facing climate-aligned companies, the promise and complexity of existing voluntary initiatives, and the role that the private sector can play in driving innovation, accountability, and ambition in the absence of strong national leadership.

Later, they speak with Helen Clarkson, CEO of the Climate Group, about the shifting reality for businesses trying to lead on climate in the US and beyond. And they ask her to address some of the rumours surrounding Climate Week NYC: Is it happening? Will it definitely be held in New York? And how can it become a beacon of action in an age of political uncertainty?

Plus: Tom and Paul consider the upcoming ruling in a ground-breaking climate liability case with potentially seismic impacts.

Learn more 

Details and documents on the Luciano Lliusya v. RWE EG legal case

‘Scientists Tally Oil Majors’ Climate Damage With Eye to Legal Liability’ in Bloomberg

‘The End of Rule of Law in America’ by J. Michael Luttig, in The Atlantic

‘Every day I have been shocked and disgusted’ - J. Michael Luttig on MSNBC

Find out more about Climate Week NYC, or the Climate Group’s RE100 and EV100

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Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks

Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan

Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford

Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas 

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