Grantham Institute Annual Lecture 2026 with Anne Hidalgo

Progress in the face of pushback Around the world, the leaders driving the most ambitious climate action are increasingly finding themselves at the centre of political polarisation, misinformation campaigns, and public backlash. Yet history shows that transformative change has rarely been achieved by following the path of least resistance. From redesigning cities and defending climate science to challenging vested interests, bold leadership often demands the willingness to go against the grain and withstand intense scrutiny. In this keynote address, Anne Hidalgo, former Mayor of Paris, Global Ambassador for the Global Covenant of Mayors and one of Europe's most influential urban climate leaders, will reflect on her experience leading the transformation of one of the world's largest cities. From reclaiming streets for people and expanding active transport to tackling air pollution and embedding climate resilience into urban planning, she will examine how sustained political opposition…