In his introductory words to this prestigious annual event, the Lord Mayor, Michael Mainelli, listed the 14 pan-Livery initiatives with which he strongly identifies, in ascending order by number of supporting Livery Companies, concluding with the Livery Climate Action Group with its 100 members. Two masters spoke later: the Master Mercer on “community” and the Master Grocer on “charity”. The Master Mercer, Peter Lane, spoke warmly about the work of the Livery Climate Action Group and has given permission for his speech to be shared here:
The speech of the Master Mercer
My Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Common Councillors, Masters, Prime Wardens, Upper Bailiff, ladies and gentlemen.
Lord Mayor, you have already spoken of some of the Livery Companies’ joint activities, and you are entirely right to comment on the Livery’s relevance today and its contribution to the commerce of the City. And let’s not forget the various industry groups comprised of Livery Companies with a common area of business or trade. There are, I believe, 11 such groups including construction, financial services and textiles and most Companies are involved in one or other of them. I would like to congratulate all of you who are involved in these Livery interest industry groups and wish you every success in your mutual cooperation.
But it is not just on industry and trade matters that the Livery Companies work together. A little later, the Master Grocer will, I think, be addressing our mutual philanthropy. Tonight, however, I want to address a matter of critical importance to us all: climate change and on which so much good work has already been done by Alderman Alison Gowman and the Livery Climate Action Group.
We are all aware of increasing global temperatures and the influence that this is having on our world. Forest fires are ever more frequent, whilst heavy rainfall, flooding and melting icecaps threaten the existence of those who live beside seas and rivers. Our natural environment is being degraded as we destroy rainforests, depopulate the oceans and make deserts of our farmland. We cannot destroy the world to be inhabited by our children and grandchildren.
Governments have begun to address this challenge and are aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 2050, although this is an expensive operation. The UK government is the first major economy to legislate to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a commitment from the Paris climate agreement. This will be a major task for corporations, households and, of course, City Livery Companies…
The Master Mercer, Peter Lane
…And this leads me back to the Livery Climate Action Group, LCAG. 100 Livery Companies are already members of LCAG despite it being founded only three years ago. This is testament to the vision and drive of Alderman Gowman and the founding members who deserve all our thanks, but also reflects common recognition of the urgency of the problem.
LCAG aims to assist the Livery Companies to manage their impact on climate change and the environment by reducing carbon emissions and making responsible use of resources. It has produced guidance notes on a number of key topics for Livery Companies on property, food, transport and ESG investments. It has also shared case studies and I would highlight, in particular, the exemplar sustainability policies and climate action plans you can find on their website.
I hope the lead shown by LCAG can also give us confidence to tackle even the most complicated and expensive tasks include moving from gas fired heating to electric heating or preferably the installation of sustainable energy sources, although I fear City wind farms may still be too hard a task!
Lord Mayor, having sung the praises of LCAG I must also applaud the City Corporation’s Climate Action Strategy which aims to achieve net zero in its operations by 2027; net zero across the City Corporation’s full value chain by 2040; and, also by 2040, net zero across the Square Mile. These are ambitious targets and I thank all those who have developed them and who are now implementing those plans.
Lord Mayor, the Livery can also be proud of the efforts that you, and your predecessors, have made, and are making, to address climate change worldwide. The City of London as the world’s most internationally focused financial centre, has the power to energise positive change, principally through ‘green finance’. As its leading ambassador, Lord Mayor, you have our full support in delivering this important message which I trust, in the end will benefit the economy as much as the environment.