Tom Rivett-Carnac

Tom Rivett-Carnac is a highly respected authority on sustainability. The political lobbyist has worked extensively with the United Nations, advising former Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres. As a speaker on the environment, ESG and renewable energy, Tom’s insight will unleash a business’ carbon-neutral potential, through practical, solution-driven strategies. Events featuring Tom are guaranteed to spark transformational change, as he unites audiences against climate change.

As a Founding Partner of Global Optimism, Tom works with businesses to inspire “stubborn optimism”. The approach was coined by Tom and Christiana and challenges systemic processes that drive climate change, like the reliance on fossil fuels. Intending to reach carbon net-zero by 2050, his tireless work with global leaders is pivotal to reducing the effects of climate change. At events, Tom reflects on the achievements made in this position, translating his strategies to corporate audiences.

Tom was a Senior Advisor at the UN Climate Convention, a role in which he spearheaded bold political policies centred around sustainability. One of Tom’s greatest achievements was the history-defining Paris Agreement, a pledge made by hundreds of countries in 2015. His speeches reveal his role in the Agreement and predict the positive impact such drastic action will have on our planet’s survival. From Government bodies to businesses, Tom’s speeches supply a how-to for sustainability.

Previous roles also include as President and CEO of CDP North America and author of The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis, published in 2020. His work with the CDP encouraged greater disclosure of climate change-related risks in financial markets, by creating a resource for thousands of companies to report their findings. Tom’s honest approach to sustainability inspires businesses to reflect on their impact, a vital step leading to large-scale change.

From working with Dyson to holding advisory positions for the likes of the Global Impact Investment Network, Clinton Global Initiative, Leaders’ Quest and the NY Stock Exchange, Tom’s international impact is evident. He now combines his academic knowledge, as a graduate in Environmental Economics and Systems Science at a Masters’ level, with his professional experience, to produce balanced, practical speeches on sustainability.