Management & Regulation, Processed Water, Water Resources

In the run up to the globe's most important meeting on climate change, the #CIWEMtalksCOP26 series asks thought leaders from the water and environmental industry and beyond to answer a common question: what do you most want COP26 to deliver? Here we'll be serialising their answers.

Lila Thompson is chief executive of British Water a dynamic trade association with a membership of companies across the supply chain of the water and wastewater industry. She has also recently been appointed a CIWEM trustee.

She has over 20 years of international experience supporting business growth, innovation, policy development and stakeholder engagement in a variety of industry sectors.

"With less than two months to go until the UK hosts COP26 in Glasgow, is it encouraging to see the water sector uniting through numerous channels such as the sector-supported series of Climate Discussions, including #CIWEMtalksCOP26. COP26 will be the biggest international summit the UK has hosted in decades and a shared voice for the water industry has never been more important.

"United Nations recognises that water is the primary medium through which we will feel the effects of climate change and there is an expectation for it to be given a prominent platform in Glasgow. As such, a collective voice for the industry, including the supply chain, has never been more important.

"The UK industry has already shown tremendous leadership in its drive to reduce emissions, with its Net Zero 2030 Routemap being the world’s first plan to get an entire sector to net zero by the end of the decade. Trade association Water UK was in January 2021 confirmed as one of the first industry trade bodies to join the UN’s Race to Zero campaign ahead of COP26.

"Underpinning the sector’s response to climate change is the expertise of the supply chain. We now therefore need to drill down and identify the specific technologies, solutions and skills that are needed to drive the development of low carbon treatment, nature-based solutions and innovative trials so we can deliver on our climate goals.

"My hope is that at this critical moment for water, more doors will open, so that suppliers with the ideas, technologies and solutions necessary to build a resilient water future have their voices heard at COP26 and beyond."

Connect with Lila

Connect with Lila

Lila Thompson is chief executive of British Water and has also recently been appointed a CIWEM trustee.



Become a member

Whether you are studying, actively looking to progress your career, or already extensively experienced, our membership will add value and recognition to your achievements. We can actively help you progress throughout your career.

Become a member

View our events

We organise a wide portfolio of UK and international thought leading events, providing an industry recognised forum for debate, CPD and sector networking. These events also support our policy work and inform key initiatives.

View our events