Press & Policy

Five years on from COP26, Glasgow is no longer defined by the summit it hosted but by what it has done since.

I was delighted to return to Congress of Business (COB26) hosted by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce this week. I was struck by how far the conversation has moved. The Glasgow Chamber of Commerce team has worked tirelessly to deliver such an impactful event, shining a spotlight on the environment and the critical role that business plays in driving meaningful change I would like to congratulate the team on yet another outstanding and highly successful event. As a partner organisation, Scottish Chambers of Commerce was proud to support an event that is quickly becoming one of the key convening moments between COP summits, not for setting ambition, but for demonstrating delivery.

The new Glasgow Chamber of Commerce report on COP26’s legacy reinforces that point. It highlights how the city has evolved into a centre for practical climate leadership, where businesses, public bodies and others are working together to cut emissions, build skills and attract investment.

Programmes like Circular Glasgow and Step Up to Net Zero are helping firms move from intention to action, embedding sustainability into day-to-day operations while strengthening long-term competitiveness.

There is a major growth prize if we get the energy transition right. Done well, it can reduce long-term energy costs, improve resilience and create the conditions for businesses to invest and expand.

At COB26, a poll of around 300 delegates showed that 82% of businesses see cost as the biggest barrier to the energy transition. That is a reminder that while businesses are ready to act, the numbers still must work.

Alongside the cost pressures highlighted at Congress of Business, planning constraints were repeatedly raised by delegates as a key obstacle to delivering projects at pace, particularly in areas such as energy infrastructure and development.

Put simply, we cannot deliver the energy transition at scale with a planning system that struggles to keep pace with investment decisions.

This is why planning reform remains a central ask within SCC’s Plan for Growth. If we are serious about accelerating the transition to net zero and unlocking the investment that comes with it, we need a planning system that is faster, more predictable and better aligned with business needs.

If there is one lesson from Glasgow’s COP26 legacy, it is this: progress depends on partnership. The success we have seen so far has come from collaboration between business, government, academia and communities. That collaborative model now needs to be scaled.

We are beginning to see what that looks like in practice. The proposed transformation of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Lighthouse building into a net zero innovation hub is a great example, bringing together heritage, private investment and clean tech to create a focal point for Scotland’s climate economy.

At the same time, organisations like the University of Glasgow are playing a vital role, driving innovation through projects such as the James Watt Centre and wider net zero and health initiatives, helping to inspire the next generation and build the skills pipeline our economy will depend on.

Looking ahead to COP31 and beyond, the focus will increasingly be on cities and on delivery.

Glasgow has a strong story to tell, but the next phase will be about scaling what works. That means creating the conditions for investment, reducing barriers and ensuring that businesses of all sizes can participate.

From an SCC perspective, we have been closely engaged throughout this journey. From COP26 through to our international engagement at COP28, and we will continue to ensure that the voice of business is central to what comes next.

Glasgow has shown what is possible. Now we need to build on that momentum and make sure businesses across the country can benefit.

• Charandeep Singh BEM, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce