Nigel Topping
UN Climate Change High-Level Champion
Nigel Topping is the UK’s High-Level Climate Action Champion, appointed by the UK Prime Minister in January 2020. Mr. Topping works alongside the Chilean High-Level Climate Action Champion, Gonzalo Muñoz. The role of the high-level champions is to strengthen collaboration and drive action from businesses, investors, organizations, cities and regions on climate change and to coordinate this work with governments and parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Previously, Mr. Topping was the CEO of We Mean Business, where he drove radical collaboration for climate action among NGOs working with the world’s most influential businesses. This coalition played a key role in bringing the constructive voice of business in support of the Paris Agreement and, under Mr. Topping’s leadership, drove ambition and action to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon economy.
Mr. Topping also served as Executive Director of CDP, launching new programs and partnerships including supply chain, water, forests, and cities. Mr. Topping has 18 years’ experience in the private sector, including as a member of the management board of the world’s largest manufacturer of brake pads, TMD Friction.