Leading in the Age of Climate Realism
Claire is a global expert in decarbonisation, with experience spanning government, the UN climate system and the boardroom. A former G7 Minister, she now advises and serves on the boards of leading global companies.
She speaks globally on the energy transition, geopolitics and climate strategy, focusing on facts, economics and practical action.
Her first book, Corporate Courage and Climate Realism, will be published in 2026.
About Claire
The Rt Hon Claire Perry O'Neill has had a 20-year career in consulting and finance before entering public service as the Member of Parliament for Devizes. She held several ministerial roles in the UK Government, including Minister of State for Energy and Clean Growth, where she helped shape and accelerate the UK's decarbonisation strategy from 2017.
During her time in government, she established global initiatives such as the Powering Past Coal Alliance, pioneered public—private climate action with the UK's Offshore Wind Sector Deal, and led the UK's successful bid to host COP26. She subsequently left politics to lead climate and energy teams at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and now holds a portfolio of board and advisory roles, including NED roles with Occidental Petroleum, the Singapore Exchange, Climate Impact X and the Gren Group. She is a Senior Global Advisor to McKinsey & Company, and an advisor and investor in several clean technology companies.
Claire studied Geography at Oxford University and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. She is a member of the UK Privy Council, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Energy Institute, and a Business Fellow at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at Oxford University.
Artistic impression of the book cover.
Writing
Corporate Courage and Climate Realism
Claire's first book, Corporate Courage and Climate Realism: the CEO's Guide to Reframing Net Zero, will be published later in 2026.
It draws on her extensive public and private sector experiences as well as interviews with global corporate leaders, to describe the rapid changes occurring in the Age of Climate Realism; the need for truth telling and factual analysis in reframing new targets and plans and how to navigate this new era with clarity and confidence.
Speaking Events
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Speak at Your Event
Claire is an accomplished global speaker, known for factual, pragmatic, and inspiring speeches. Over the last three years she has addressed dozens of corporate events and delivered keynote addresses at major international gatherings, including New York Climate Week, Ecosperity, the Saudi Green Finance and Sustainable Innovation Conference, the UK Responsible Energy Forum, the UK Investment Management Industry Conference, the 2025 Swiss Economic Forum, and the Norwegian One Ocean and Nor-Shipping events.
Claire speaking at the One Ocean Conference