Five years ago this summer, Glasgow was in the final stages of our preparations for COP26. As host, one of our key responsibilities was finding common cause on the climate emergency with our peers from across the planet. But also, with cities here in the UK, making the case to Westminster to better support urban leaders in unlocking their potential to deliver Net Zero.

It was both on the road to and during COP26 that I shared platforms with the expected next occupant of 10 Downing Street, Andy Burnham. Here in Glasgow, Andy and I both forcibly made the case that cities are the real drivers of climate action, and I’ve continued to respect his championing of urban leadership in delivering for people across numerous agendas. 

In the intervening half decade, Glasgow and the wider city region has cemented its place as a global leader on climate action. And despite the onslaught of numerous headwinds, these  years have also seen the emergence of metropolitan Glasgow as a city region of real meaning and substance. 

Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken believes local devolution could have a massive impact on Glasgow (Image: Susan Aitken)

We’ve graduated far beyond our founding purpose as the vehicle for delivering the City Deal to become one of the UK’s economic powerhouses. Whether it’s on attracting Foreign Direct Investment, the growth of our new innovation-led industries or delivering on housing investment, Glasgow and the surrounding City Region are now increasingly setting the pace across these islands. 

Read More in the series:

Report reveals what Glasgow School of Art brings to the city

'Astonishing': Glasgow city centre living targets 'lack ambition'

Our record of delivery, underpinned........

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