While London grapples with local issues from air pollution to transport delays, Mayor Sadiq Khan is packing his bags for a major climate conference in Brazil this November.
His destination? The C40 World Mayors Summit in Rio de Janeiro, set to coincide with the lead-up to COP30.
But as Khan continues to champion green policies worldwide, critics are questioning whether his globe-trotting is at odds with the climate message he preaches.
A High-Profile Journey With a Lofty Goal
The Rio summit is no small event. As co-chair of C40, a global network of nearly 100 city mayors focused on fighting climate change, Khan will be leading discussions on how major cities can slash emissions by 50% before 2030.
The summit promises to highlight “urgent solutions” being implemented at the local level, with cities like London, New York, and Paris leading the way.
The trip itself spans roughly 12,000 miles roundtrip, and while Khan’s office insists it’s a crucial event for climate diplomacy, not everyone is convinced.
Who’s Footing the Bill?
Khan’s travel expenses for the Brazil trip won’t come from taxpayers.
Instead, the tab is being picked up by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the charity run by former New York mayor and climate advocate Michael Bloomberg.
That same organisation also supports C40’s broader initiatives.
This hasn’t silenced the criticism, though.
Detractors argue that even if taxpayers aren’t paying for the ticket, the environmental cost of such frequent international air travel—particularly for a mayor promoting climate action—can’t be overlooked.
Critics Say the Mayor Needs to Stay Grounded
London Conservatives have been quick to pounce on the irony.
Thomas Turrell, City Hall’s Conservative environment spokesperson, accused Khan of neglecting his duties in London in favour of “international soirees.”
He also took aim at what he called the mayor’s “contempt” for local voters and Assembly business, which he says often gets disrupted by the mayor’s travel schedule.
Neil Garratt, another Tory assembly member, took a sharper jab, saying, “Nothing says climate leadership like burning thousands of gallons of jet fuel to give a speech about reducing emissions.”
City Hall Pushes Back
A spokesperson for Khan was quick to respond.
They explained that the Mayor minimizes air travel when possible, but for this particular journey there’s simply no realistic alternative to flying.
In an effort to offset the environmental impact, City Hall says it will contribute the “maximum amount” of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to reduce emissions from the trip.
They also emphasized that the summit is part of a broader strategy to promote green job creation and climate leadership—something that Khan views as essential both for London and the global stage.
A Mayor Who Travels—A Lot
This isn’t Khan’s first international climate-related appearance, and it won’t be his last this year.
Since taking office in 2016, he’s taken over 20 overseas trips, with recent visits to Paris, the US, India, and even the Vatican.
This summer, he’s also scheduled to become the first London mayor to lead a trade mission to Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa.
And just last night, he was spotted rubbing shoulders with celebrities like Cate Blanchett and Lily Allen at the Serpentine Summer Party in Kensington Gardens—alongside none other than Michael Bloomberg himself.
Tied to Tangible Projects Back Home
Despite the criticism, Khan’s climate efforts aren’t limited to photo ops abroad.
Just this week, City Hall announced a £2.8 million expansion of the Breathe London program, which will install additional air quality monitors across the capital to better track pollution levels.
Khan insists this kind of investment shows real-world action is being taken in London while also working with other mayors around the globe to scale up these solutions.
Big Promises Ahead of COP30
Calling the Rio summit a “defining moment,” Khan says cities must fill the void left by national leaders who drag their feet on climate.
“Mayors are stepping up,” he declared, adding that cities are already proving they can cut emissions, create green jobs, and improve lives without waiting for broader government action.
Michael Bloomberg echoed the sentiment, saying the Rio summit will spotlight how cities are leading the charge toward a cleaner future.
Final Thoughts: Symbolic or Strategic?
Whether this trip is seen as hypocritical or essential depends on where you stand.
Supporters argue Khan’s role in C40 and international diplomacy is a key part of getting cities aligned on climate goals.
But critics say it’s hard to talk about cutting emissions while racking up air miles.
As the Rio summit draws closer, all eyes will be on what comes out of the speeches and meetings—especially whether they translate into greener outcomes back home in London.
