Chief Executive, WWF

"Nature is our greatest ally in the fight against climate change" 

Tanya Steele, chief executive of WWF UK, underscores the urgency of addressing climate change through decisive action. WWF's primary focus at the conference is the phase-out of fossil fuels, a crucial step towards limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Equally important is transforming our food and agriculture system, which is the number one driver of biodiversity loss. Steele emphasises that finance plays a pivotal role in driving the transition to a sustainable economy, highlighting the need for financial institutions to scrutinise their investments for environmental impact. 

Steele is optimistic about the growing voices of young people and indigenous leaders, who are key in shaping climate action. She stresses the importance of collaboration across sectors to tackle the climate crisis effectively. The private sector's engagement is critical, as over half of the global economy is driven by businesses. Steele calls for national legislation to implement COP commitments and urges the world to move beyond delays in climate action, advocating for a future where nature is at the heart of the agenda.