Congress of Business (COB25) returned on 13 May 2025, during Glasgow Climate Week.
Building on the Glasgow Climate Pacts established at COP26, COB drives meaningful change by turning sustainable strategies into actionable results.
Bringing together some of the UK’s most prominent businesses alongside leading academics, COB sends a clear message – business and cities can and will play a leadership role in transforming our economy sustainably.
COB drives collective action by uniting businesses on a global scale through the British Chambers of Commerce international network.
We foster peer-to-peer learning and empower SMEs for climate transition by equipping them with the skills and tools required to create impactful climate partnerships and progress.
COB aims to maintain climate focus between COP summits, sustaining high-level climate engagement and engaging senior leaders to ensures that climate action remains a key priority.
If you missed any of the speaker sessions or panel discussions, or simply want to revisit the day, live content from COB25 is available on our YouTube channel.
HEAR FROM OUR COB25 SPEAKERS
Stuart Patrick CBE, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, reflects on Glasgow’s achievements so far and explores how the Chamber’s projects are helping businesses support the city’s ambitious climate and growth goals.
HEAR FROM STUART PATRICK CBE
Andy Haldane OBE, Chief Executive of The RSA (The Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce), explores how cities and businesses can drive the transition to a greener future and why convening business at COB is vital for accelerating impact.
HEAR FROM ANDY HALDANE OBE
Baroness Martha Lane Fox CBE, President of the British Chambers of Commerce, discusses how the Chamber network and technology can power a greener, more inclusive future and why convening business at COB is crucial for accelerating progress.
HEAR FROM BARONESS MARTHA LANE FOX CBE
COB was broadcast LIVE to allow anyone across the globe to join.
The in-person event took place in Glasgow:
SWG3
100 Eastvale Place
Glasgow
G3 8QG
Congress of Business 2025
was held in partnership with
British Chambers of Commerce
Scottish Chambers of Commerce
University of Glasgow
Barclays
E.ON
COB Futures – a business-led initiative designed to help young people understand the skills and opportunities arising from the journey to net zero was hailed as “pivotal for Scotland to achieve a Just Transition”.
As part of a Glasgow City Regional collaboration by the Developing Young Workforce (DYW) teams, more than 200 young people from schools across the Region took part in sessions and discussions with business leaders about the skills and roles that will shape the future workforce.
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COB Inspires helped the next generation of climate professionals looking to get their start in the sustainability space. Aimed at students and recent graduates, COB Inspires featured talks, panels and workshops from industry leaders, all with the goal of shedding light on the unique opportunities and challenges of a career in sustainability.
The event took place at Civic House, with featured businesses including Small99, Balfour Beatty and Sustainable Ventures.
Our series of Circular Mixers, in partnership with Harley Haddow and Material Source Studio, allows you to meet like-minded business professionals and help build your knowledge of how a circular economy supports business growth and the city’s climate ambitions.
Find out more
