Helen Clarkson, CEO of the Climate Group, has played a pivotal role in advancing global efforts to achieve net-zero emissions, notably through the expansion of Climate Week in New York, an annual event that has grown significantly since its inception in 2009. Having previously worked with Médecins Sans Frontières in humanitarian crises across Sudan and Pakistan, Clarkson shifted her focus toward environmental sustainability, leading initiatives that bridge business and governmental collaboration to address climate change.

Under Clarkson’s leadership, Climate Week has evolved from a modest panel discussion into a major series of events that attract international stakeholders committed to tackling climate challenges. The Climate Group, a non-profit organization, aims to accelerate corporate commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while advocating for comprehensive climate policies.

In June 2026, the Climate Group organized the Opportunity Summit during London Climate Action Week, which convened government officials and business leaders to discuss Europe’s transition from fossil fuels. Clarkson highlighted Europe’s current vulnerability due to continued reliance on fossil energy sources and underscored the importance of investments in clean technologies and electrification as means to bolster economic resilience and sustainability.

Clarkson also pointed to the need for integrated solutions that address both energy affordability and climate action simultaneously. Her efforts in environmental advocacy were recognized in 2022 when she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her contributions to environmentalism and support of the UK’s presidency of COP26.

Through her work at the Climate Group, Clarkson continues to promote systemic change, encouraging ambitious climate policies and facilitating cooperation between the private sector and governments worldwide to meet net-zero goals.