NATURE IN THE CITY - NEW SPEAKERS ADDED

Extended line-up announced for Summer Solstice gathering of climate conversations at Sea Containers London, including ‘climate comedian’ Dr Matt Winning

New speakers have been added to the lineup of Nature in the City — a Summer Solstice gathering of climate conversations by The Datai Pledge, Bouteco, LORE Group and The Long Run, on Sunday 21 June 2026 at 12th Knot, the rooftop bar at Sea Containers London.

Taking place at the start of London Climate Action Week, the event brings together voices from across hospitality, food, farming and conservation, along with attendees who have signed up via Eventbrite to be part of creating a brighter future. Hope-inspiring sessions will explore the role nature plays in shaping cities and the responsibility the industry carries within that. The event is designed to be inclusive, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to feel part of London Climate Action Week, with many of the key voices in climate, nature, and hospitality joining as participants, as well as speakers.

Set above the Thames, Nature in the City is designed as a considered alternative to the traditional conference format. 250 guests will hear from a line-up spanning regenerative farmers, naturalists and hospitality leaders, with conversations centred on food systems, nature-based solutions, and the connection between rural landscapes and urban life.

The afternoon will be hosted by Juliet Kinsman, sustainability journalist, broadcaster and Ambassador for The Datai Pledge — with a live recording of her Funny Old World: What’s Giving Us Hope? podcast, sponsored by The Long Run. Speakers include scientists, farmers, investors, conservationists, comedians and editors who have devoted their careers to the questions that matter most right now.

They will explore why regenerative farming and ethical food systems are among the most powerful climate tools at our disposal, and hearing from the people growing and cooking their way to a more nature-positive world. They will talk about why protecting rainforests and investing in biodiversity is not a niche concern but an economic and moral imperative, and why wildlife crime — the fourth-largest criminal offence in the world after drugs, firearms and people-smuggling — is something every one of us should know about. They will discuss why getting inner-city children onto real farms, hands in soil, surrounded by animals and open sky, might be one of the most radical things we can do for the next generation's health, nutrition and relationship with the natural world. Stand-up comedian Dr Matt Winning, who also happens to hold a PhD in climate change policy, will offer his genuinely entertaining take on the state of the planet.

The afternoon runs from 2pm, with talks from 3pm to 5.30pm covering nature-based climate solutions, the politics of food and drink, hospitality’s sustainability accountability, and the relationship between rural landscapes and cities. Guests are welcome to stay on for informal drinks until 6pm.

TALKS & SPEAKERS 

Why we need to love nature

• Juliet Kinsman, Sustainability Editor, Condé Nast Traveller and Ambassador for The Datai Pledge, welcomes gusts with some thought-provoking conversation starters — why nature is the most undervalued climate solution we have, and why storytelling is one of our most powerful tools. With Brynn Garner of the Rainforest Trust making the urgent opening case for why nature deserves our full attention and investment, and Chief Inspector Kevin Lacks-Kelly, Head of the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit and Chair of the INTERPOL Wildlife Crime Working Group, on why wildlife crime is the fourth-largest criminal offence globally — and why protecting nature is inseparable from protecting communities. 

The case for investing in nature

• Siddarth Shrikanth, Investment Director for Natural Climate Solutions at Just Climate and author of The Case for Nature (Penguin), in conversation with Julie Cheetham, CEO of Travalyst and Chair of The Long Run, Rosie Stubbs of The Long Run, and Jacqueline Kneebone, Director of Sustainability & Wellness at LORE Group. Cutting emissions alone won't be enough — here's why investing in nature is the missing piece. 

Food, drink & the land - Tackling the biodiversity crisis one bite and sip at a time

• Geetie Singh-Watson, founder of The Bull Inn in Totnes — one of the most radical regenerative hospitality businesses in Britain — and Ed Faulkner of Sapling Spirits, in conversation moderated by Juliet Kinsman. What we eat and drink is a direct vote for the landscapes that sustain us. 

Citizens, community and the power of showing up

• Why individual participation matters — from rewilding urban spaces to the science of how time spent in nature, and getting stuck in together, is genuinely good for us. With Lauren Scott-Harris of earnt, Lucy Cleland, Editor of Country & Town House, and a spokesperson from Farms for City Children, on why reconnecting city children with nature and farming is one of the most important things we can do. 

Closing — Dr Matt Winning

• Stand-up comedian, environmental economist, UCL researcher and BBC Radio 4 presenter. Dr Matt Winning's show Solastalgia is running at the Soho Theatre during London Climate Action Week — which says everything about the kind of voice he brings. Sharp, funny and genuinely expert: exactly the person to send attendees home feeling activated rather than overwhelmed.

“As a sustainability solutionist and sustainability editor of Conde Nast Traveller, I always aim to platform voices that inspire action rather than anxiety — and this line-up makes my heart sing: Siddharth Shrikanth, author of The Case for Nature and one of the most compelling minds in climate finance, Kevin Lack-Kelly, chair of Interpol's working group on wildlife crime, opened my eyes to work I never knew was so needed. And Geetie Singh-Watson, who created the world's first organic pub, speaks with a warmth and radical honesty that makes you want to repeat everything she thinks and says to everyone you know. We also wanted to help make sure hospitality has a meaningful, joyful, solutions-led voice during London Climate Action Week. The right vibe, the right tribe, and conversations that leave people feeling activated rather than overwhelmed — in the most beautiful river-view rooftop space” Juliet Kinsman, compere and The Datai Pledge Ambassador. 

All ticket proceeds go to Farms for City Children — a charity giving urban children transformative experiences working on real farms, reconnecting them with the natural world and the food that sustains it.

Nature in the City — London Climate Action Week, Sunday 21 June 2026, 2pm–6pm 

12th Knot rooftop bar, Sea Containers House, 20 Upper Ground, South Bank, London SE19PD 

£20 charitable donation to Farms for City Children, via Eventbrite. Includes a welcome Sapling Spirits cocktail on arrival. 

To book: Eventbrite

-ENDS-

ABOUT LORE GROUP

Lore Group is an international hotel group that designs, transforms and manages hotels, restaurants and bars across Europe and the United States. Its portfolio includes Pulitzer Amsterdam, Sea Containers London, One Hundred Shoreditch, Riggs Washington DC, Lyle Washington DC and Hotel Park Ave NYC. The group is committed to responsible hospitality, with a long-standing sustainability programme led by Global Head of Sustainability Jacqueline Kneebone. loregroup.com Through its loyalty programme, Lore DISCOVERY, guests can access benefits, upgrades and DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) to spend across a global network of hotels.

ABOUT SEA CONTAINERS LONDON

Located in the cultural heart of the South Bank, Sea Containers London is a remarkable hotel, with a design reminiscent of a 1920s transatlantic cruise liner, award-winning food and drink outlets and an electric energy — a London anchor on the River Thames. From its sleek design to its unparalleled views of the city skyline, every aspect of this lifestyle hotel reflects a commitment to luxury, style and exceptional hospitality. Housed within Sea Containers London is Lyaness, the bold and vibrant bar from award-winning Mr Lyan and his team, 12th Knot, the eclectic rooftop bar and terrace with panoramic views of London, agua Spa London, a treatment spa with a focus on spirituality and the mind-body connection, Curzon Cinema and of course, Sea Containers Restaurant, offering a relaxed dining experience with stunning views across the River Thames.

ABOUT THE DATAI PLEDGE

The Datai Pledge was established in 2020. It is founded on the belief that travel has the potential to be transformative; not only for the traveller but also for the host community. The Datai Pledge was created on the premise of protecting biodiversity and supporting the local community of Langkawi, for today and the future. It comprises four pillars: Pure For The Future, Fish For The Future, Wildlife For The Future, and Youth For The Future, working to make The Datai Langkawi’s business operations more sustainable, and support marine life, terrestrial wildlife and local youth, respectively. For guests of the resort, The Pledge aims to create educational experiences and inspire responsible living with us, and when they go back home. The Datai Pledge’s vision is to integrate conservation and sustainability into the business operations, company ethos and guest experience of The Datai Langkawi and future properties, to protect and help regenerate the rich biodiversity and enable the local community to thrive. The Datai Pledge is working towards these goals by implementing a robust programme, together with local non-governmental organisations, social enterprises and community partners. 

Instagram: @thedatailangkawi · @thedataipledge  

For high-resolution photos and press kit of The Datai Pledge, please click here.

ABOUT THE LONG RUN

The Long Run is a global membership organisation and UK-registered charity connecting, supporting and inspiring nature-based tourism businesses committed to holistic sustainability across Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce — the 4Cs. Its members, including The Datai Langkawi, collectively safeguard over 23 million acres of irreplaceable ecosystems and improve the lives of over 750,000 people.

thelongrun.org Instagram: @thelongrunorg

ABOUT BOUTECO

Bouteco is a sustainability communications consultancy specialising in solutions-led storytelling for eco-driven luxury hospitality brands, founded by Juliet Kinsman — former founding editor of Mr & Mrs Smith and Condé Nast Traveller’s first Sustainability Editor. Juliet Kinsman is Ambassador for The Datai Pledge. The Datai Langkawi sponsors Bouteco Loves, Juliet’s list of her favourite boutique ecohotels.

bouteco.co Instagram: @JulietKinsman

ABOUT THE BULL INN

The Bull Inn is an organic, radical and ethical pub with nine consciously designed bedrooms and a seasonally-led restaurant in Totnes, Devon. Founded by Geetie Singh-Watson, pioneer of the organic pub movement and one of the most compelling voices in regenerative hospitality.

bullinntotnes.co.uk Instagram: @bullinn_totnes

ABOUT SAPLING SPIRITS

Sapling Spirits is a climate-positive, B Corp-certified British spirits brand. For every bottle sold, a tree is planted — fully traceable via GPS. Organic, four-times distilled, and committed to regenerative farming and refillable packaging.

saplingspirits.com Instagram: @saplingspirits

ABOUT FARMS FOR CITY CHILDREN

Farms for City Children is a UK charity giving urban children transformative week-long experiences working on real farms, growing food and connecting with the natural world. Ticket proceeds from Nature in the City go directly to this work.

farmsforcitychildren.org Instagram: @farmsforcitychildren

ABOUT LONDON CLIMATE ACTION WEEK

Now in its eighth year, London Climate Action Week (LCAW) is Europe’s largest city-wide climate festival, attracting over 45,000 participants annually. Taking place 20–28 June 2026, it mobilises London’s unparalleled ecosystem of climate and non-climate organisations to accelerate global climate action — demonstrating the whole-of-society engagement needed to drive decarbonisation and resilience. Nature in the City is the hospitality sector’s flagship event for LCAW 2026.

londonclimateactionweek.org Instagram: @ldnclimateweek · #LCAW2026

bouteco.co · thedatai.com · thelongrun.org · loregroup.com · londonclimateactionweek.org

PRESS ENQUIRIES AND GUEST LIST

Christina Dendrinou (christina@frogandwolfpr.com), Iustina Roman (iustina@frogandwolfpr.com), Nat Frogley (nat@frogandwolfpr.com) and Flora Gandolfo (flora@frogandwolfpr.com) at Frog & Wolf PR