Jeremy Leggett Profile Picture

Keynote SpeakerJeremy Leggett

Britain’s most respected Green Energy boss and winner of the Blue Planet 2025 Award, founder of Solarcentury and SolarAid, and former chairman of Carbon Tracker Initiative.

Jeremy Leggett is a social entrepreneur and author who is one of the most respected voices in climate change and the environment. His long and varied career as an academic, climate campaigner and solar energy leader led to him being awarded the Blue Planet Prize in 2025. He has been... Read more

Biography

Jeremy Leggett is a social entrepreneur and author who is one of the most respected voices in climate change and the environment. His long and varied career as an academic, climate campaigner and solar energy leader led to him being awarded the Blue Planet Prize in 2025. He has been described as Britain’s most respected green energy boss and was the first ever chairman of the Carbon Tracker Initiative think tank. Jeremy’s current project, Highlands Rewinding, uses small- and large-scale private investors to boost rural communities in Scotland and help prevent biodiversity collapse.

In 1998 Jeremy set up Solarcentury, which grew exponentially across four continents until its acquisition in 2020 by Norwegian energy giant Statkraft. The success of the business enabled Jeremy to set up the SolarAid charity using 5% of its parent company’s profits in order to provide solar energy for two million homes in Africa. SolarAid’s success in bringing social and economic benefits to the continent won it many honours, including a Google Global Impact Award and a BITC Unilever Global Development Award.

Jeremy has written five books on climate change: The Carbon War (2000), Half-Gone (2005), The Solar Century (2009) and The Energy of Nations: Risk Blindness and the Road to Renaissance (2013). His most recent work, The Winning of the Carbon War: Power and Politics on the Front Lines of Climate and Clean Energy, was published in 2019. He has contributed to the Financial Times and The Guardian.

Following a degree in Earth Sciences at Oxford University, Jeremy became an academic at Imperial University’s School of Mines, where he researched earth history as preserved in strata. He then joined Greenpeace International as a climate campaigner, winning the US Climate Institute’s Award for Advancing Understanding. Some of his many awards include the President’s Prize and the Lyell Fund from the Geological Society, UK Climate Week’s Most Inspirational Person, the Gothenburg Sustainability Award, and was the first non-Dutch winner of a Royal Dutch Honorary Sustainability Award. In 2009 he was named Inaugural Laureate of the Hillary Institute Awards.

Jeremy has given lectures on business, the environment and society at the University of St Gallen in Switzerland, as well as Cambridge and Oxford Universities.

"Britain’s most respected green energy boss.” Juliette Jowell, writing in The Observer
"Leggett's insider perspective offers unparalleled insights into the climate debate. ….(He) is one of the half-dozen experts most responsible for putting the climate change issue on the international agenda.” Mark Hertsgaard, writing in the Washington Post
"Leggett deserves the Blue Planet Prize this just for his indomitable perseverance….never mind the brilliance, grace, inspiration and ongoing action he has brought to so many critical tables over 30+ years.” Mark Prain, Founder, Hillary Institute for International Leadership
"As part of the Solarcentury team for 8 years, I can honestly say Jeremy Leggett was the heart and soul." Guy Atherton, solar engineer, on LinkedIn

Popular Talks by Jeremy Leggett

  • Communicating in the Post-Truth Era

    Talking about the need for global change in the face of populism and AI is difficult – your audience may not understand the science behind climate change, but mention systematic inequality, cost of living, affordable housing and breathable air and they will listen.

  • Why sustainability needs to build its own superbrands

    Scaling up environmental change is a massive job – and consumers are ready for it. But where are the Apples and Coca-Colas of the green world, firms that are a global name for excellence in their field? And, most importantly, are the world’s governments ready to invest at ground level…
  • Does Capitalism have a survival reflex?

    Millions of people invest in their future via pension funds. But what if food insecurity means there is no future to invest for? What the financial sector needs to learn from treehuggers – and fast.

  • From Rainbow Warrior to the Kremlin: 40 years of frontline campaigning for a liveable future

    2025 Blue Planet Prizewinner Jeremy Leggett has spent his life advocating for the future of the human race. His career as a campaigner for peace, security and nature recovery has allowed him to step through the doors of the world’s most secretive institutions. Nuclear Weapons laboratories, the UN, oil and…

How to book Jeremy Leggett as a keynote speaker

How do I book Jeremy Leggett for a keynote speech?

You can book Jeremy Leggett through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Jeremy's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Jeremy Leggett's speaking fees?

Jeremy Leggett's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Jeremy tailored to your event.

What topics does Jeremy Leggett speak about?

Jeremy Leggett speaks on Business & Management, Climate, Entrepreneurial, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Jeremy to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Jeremy Leggett available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Jeremy Leggett for events worldwide, subject to Jeremy's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Jeremy Leggett deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Jeremy Leggett is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Jeremy Leggett?

Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Jeremy can accommodate.

Can Jeremy Leggett tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Jeremy Leggett on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Jeremy can offer.

What languages does Jeremy Leggett present in?

Jeremy Leggett delivers keynotes in English. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.

What makes Jeremy Leggett a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Jeremy Leggett's areas of expertise include Business & Management, Climate, Entrepreneurial, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation. To get a clear sense of Jeremy's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.

What kind of events can Jeremy Leggett speak at?

Jeremy Leggett can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Business & Management, Climate, Entrepreneurial, Leadership, Leadership & Motivation is relevant. Details of Jeremy's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.

Does Jeremy Leggett offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Jeremy Leggett is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Jeremy Leggett?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Jeremy Leggett, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Jeremy's current availability for your dates.