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A decade after the Paris Agreement, COP30 was a pivotal moment for climate action. While it reinforced global urgency, plans to triple adaptation finance for developing countries were delayed until 2035, and no timeline was set to phase out fossil fuels. Leaders, including the UK, now face a critical role in boosting ambition, securing climate finance, and driving a fair, just transition worldwide.
Carbon mitigation also requires global effort, but adaptation is often a domestic challenge. Developing countries are struggling to adapt – the recent hurricane in the Caribbean left governments facing multi-billion-pound bills, not only for recovery and repair but for strengthening homes and businesses against even larger storms as the climate warms. Yet even where funding exists, are governments taking adaptation seriously enough? Climate expert Dr Susannah Fisher thinks not, as she tells Chris Seekings.
At the political leaders’ summit ahead of COP30, the absence of the world’s three largest carbon emitters – the US, China and India – was striking. The Trump administration has made its hostility to climate action clear; so will another nation, perhaps China, step into a global climate leadership role? Dr Yixian Sun shares his thoughts.
As the year ends, many cultures have a tradition of gift giving or exchange. For those of Christian culture, Christmas gifts can become overwhelming in scale and impact. Is there a way of keeping the joyful spirit of gift giving alive while using fewer resources? ISEP Fellow Beth Knight looks at traditions and innovations that offer inspiration.
As always, we welcome your thoughts on Transform. It's your magazine, and many of our articles come from the conversations we have with our members.
May I also take the opportunity to wish you, wherever you are, a peaceful end of the year, or festive season, and, on behalf of the team, our very best wishes for a successful and prosperous 2026.
Sarah Mukherjee MBE is the CEO of ISEP. Previously Sarah was the BBC’s Environment correspondent, presenting on national and international BBC radio and television, winning awards across the world. After leaving the corporation, she held leadership roles in various sectors including utilities and agriculture. Sarah was a panel member for the National Parks Review and the Glover Review and also sat on the National Food Strategy Advisory Panel. She is co-chair of the Natural England Landscape Advisory Panel as well as Non-executive Director on the Board of the Environment Agency. In 2021 Sarah was awarded an MBE for her services to agriculture and farmer well-being. Since joining ISEP Sarah has been instrumental in implementing a Diverse Sustainability Initiative (DSI) strategy. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys martial arts, has been a 'Campaign for Real Ale' judge, as well as a rugby reporter.
