London Mayor Sadiq Khan Talks COP30, Zohran Mamdani

Summary

Podcast Summary: Bloomberg Talks – London Mayor Sadiq Khan Talks COP30, Zohran Mamdani
Date: November 3, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation with London Mayor Sadiq Khan from the COP30 summit in Rio de Janeiro. The discussion covers the critical role of global cities in addressing climate change, the political climate around climate action, London's portrayal in American political discourse, diversity and Islamophobia in politics, and the perception of progressive leadership in world-class cities like London and New York.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Role of Mayors and Cities at COP30

• Energy & Optimism at COP30: Sadiq Khan describes the dynamism and hope among city leaders gathered in Rio and the pivotal role cities play in tackling climate challenges.
  • "There's a huge amount of energy and dynamism and hope here in Rio… we've been tackling the climate emergency, creating great jobs, improving air quality and showing that we are the doers. At a time when many national leaders are the delayers and the deniers." — Sadiq Khan [00:48]
• Cities as Drivers of Change: Mayors are portrayed as implementers and examples for national leaders, with their successes serving as motivation for broader political action.
  • "We don't just deliver, we win elections again and again and again. And that will give them a sort of encouragement to go much further." — Sadiq Khan [01:27]

2. Setting Expectations for COP30

• Urgency and Global Impact: Khan underscores the increased severity of climate events—heatwaves, wildfires, flooding—that now affect the Global North.
  • "I think the public is demanding now much more of our national politicians." — Sadiq Khan [01:54]

3. UK Leadership & Climate Policy (Labour Party’s Role)

• A United Approach to Climate Policy: Khan emphasizes the need for integrated government action on climate, beyond individual ministries.
  • "It should be everyone in government. The new homes we need to build... They should be energy efficient... help with people's bills." — Sadiq Khan [02:44]
  • He advocates reframing the crisis as an opportunity for new jobs and industries: "There are jobs in terms of building the wind turbines, building the solar panels, building electric buses, building electric cars, installing the charging points." [03:09]
• Fossil Fuels & Alternatives: Khan calls for investment in renewables and acknowledges the environmental cost of fossil fuels.
  • "There are alternatives now, whether it's solar, whether it's nuclear, whether it's wind. We should be invested in those." [03:41]

4. London in U.S. Political Discourse, Islamophobia, and Progressive Cities

• Reputation & Multiculturalism: London's political climate is contrasted with U.S. rhetoric, particularly in relation to the New York mayoral race and criticisms fueled by Islamophobia.
  • "There's a reason why there are some people hate London and hate New York... We are progressive cities, we are liberal cities, we are multicultural cities, and we're incredibly successful." — Sadiq Khan [04:07]
  • On the criticism faced by Muslim politicians: "It says more about the people criticizing, you know, Zohra Mandani's ethnicity and faith. It says more about them...than it says about him." [04:49]

5. Insights for Zohran Mamdani (Potential First Muslim Mayor of New York)

• Khan reflects on the experience and responsibility of being a Muslim leader in a global city. He stresses authenticity and connecting with marginalized communities.
  • "I've had many great jobs in my life that I've thoroughly enjoyed. There is no greater job than being the mayor of your city." — Sadiq Khan [05:22]
  • "What's important is for you to be authentic... and to be true to yourself." [05:46]

6. Global Responsibilities of Major City Mayors

• Balancing Local and Global Leadership: Khan acknowledges the unique global profile and responsibilities of mayors of cities like London and New York.
  • "Your audience, really importantly, are your constituents. But also it's the globe, because the world's eyes are on London. The world's eyes, indeed are on New York." — Sadiq Khan [06:25]
  • On addressing Islamophobia: "Not by choice, but almost by duty. I sometimes use my role to explain we aren't the boogeyman. We are just like you. We've got the same ambitions and aspirations as you." [06:54]

7. Concerns that “Progressive” Leadership Drives Out the Wealthy

• Responses to Warnings of Wealth Exodus: Khan addresses claims by political actors (e.g., Nigel Farage) that progressive policies could cause the rich to leave.
  • "If that is the case, come to London. I'm going to run at the red carpet and welcome you to London." — Sadiq Khan [08:21]
  • He emphasizes collaboration and inclusivity: "The joy of being the mayor is you work with everyone across your city... working with the private sector, working with all Londoners, you can do a great job." [08:49]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mayors as Doers:
  "We are the doers. At a time when many national leaders are the delayers and the deniers." — Sadiq Khan [00:53]

• On Political Opportunity:
  "I want to do is turn this crisis into an opportunity, but also it's going to be a joint endeavor. It should be everyone in government." — Sadiq Khan [02:41]

• On Metropolitans vs. Populists:
  "We are the antithesis of nativist populists, commentators and politicians." — Sadiq Khan [04:14]

• On Being a Global City Leader:
  "There is no greater job than being the mayor of your city." — Sadiq Khan [05:22]

• On Islamophobia and Leadership:
  "Not by choice, but almost by duty. I sometimes use my role to explain we aren't the boogeyman. We are just like you." — Sadiq Khan [06:54]

• On Wealth Migration Warnings:
  "If that is the case, come to London. I'm going to run at the red carpet and welcome you to London." — Sadiq Khan [08:21]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:48] – Energy at COP30, mayors as climate leaders
• [02:32] – UK Labour’s role in climate policy; opportunity in crisis
• [04:06] – London’s portrayal in U.S. politics, Islamophobia discussion
• [05:19] – Advice to Zohran Mamdani, authenticity and reaching marginalized communities
• [06:24] – Balancing local and global responsibilities as mayor
• [07:58] – Wealth migration warnings and inclusive economic leadership

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Tone

The conversation is optimistic, assertive, and at times wry (as seen in Khan's initial quip, “I hadn’t noticed,” in response to U.S. presidential climate skepticism). Khan balances pride in London’s achievements with reflections on the serious responsibilities global city leaders carry, particularly as public figures from diverse backgrounds.

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This summary captures the essential content and tone of the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and non-listeners alike.

Transcript

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[Interviewer / Journalist]

Radio news I'm here with the chairman of C40 Cities, a group that's very active here in the early days of this COP30 summit. Let me start by asking about the role of mayors in this conversation. We in the US Know well that the President has expressed more than skepticism about climate change.

[Sadiq Khan]

I hadn't noticed.

[Interviewer / Journalist]

There you go. What's the role of mayors here? And how do you see this conversation evolving over the next three weeks?

[Sadiq Khan]

Well, there's a huge amount of energy and dynamism and hope here in Rio because this is also a gathering of C40. The world may Summit's taking place in Rio and we've got great stories to tell about how in cities across the globe, including some states in the usa, we've been tackling the climate emergency, creating great jobs, improving air quality and showing that we are the doers. At a time when many national leaders are the delayers and the deniers.

[Interviewer / Journalist]

It's always a parlor game of how big a deal a cop 30 is going to be. Set the expectations for us in terms of what we will get out of this at the end of it.

[Sadiq Khan]

That over the next three days, the energy, the dynamism, the optimism from mayors leads into from Rio to Belem. So the presidents and the prime ministers who are coming to Belem will see examples of success stories here. By the way, we don't just deliver, we win elections again and again and again. And that will give them a sort of encouragement to go much further. This year at cop, it's really important. Why? Across the globe, you're seeing heat waves, you're seeing wildfires, you're seeing flooding, you're seeing people concerned about the consequences of this emergency. Not just in the global south, like yesteryear, but in the global north, in the usa, in the uk, across mainland Europe. And I think the public is demanding now much more of our national politicians.

[Interviewer / Journalist]

Your message to the British government, UK Government, was this can't be the Ed Miliband Show. It can't just be the Energy Secretary talking about climate. It has to be something that the Labour Party, the government, takes up in earnest. What is your message to them in full about how they should be looking at this event? And the role of climate change in their conversation, their policy conversations more broadly.

[Sadiq Khan]

Well, I'm really pleased and proud. Proud, unlike some countries. My national leader is here and it's really. Keir Starmer will be here, the prime minister will be here. He does not think the climate change catastrophe is a scam. He does believe the science really important, but also it's really important that he's here because it sends a message to we take it seriously. What I want to do is turn this crisis into an opportunity, but also it's going to be a joint endeavor. It should be everyone in government. The new homes we need to build, they should be energy efficient. They should be built in a way that they are cooler in summer, warmer in winter, but also help with people's builds by being energy efficient. I want us to think about what is the future of work with AI, with automation, with factories closing down. I think there are jobs in terms of building the wind turbines, building the solar panels, building electric buses, building electric cars, installing the charging points. And that's why I think this is an opportunity. And look, these fossil fuels we've used to our benefit individually and as societies for 200 years, but it's caused real damage to the environment. There are alternatives now, whether it's solar, whether it's nuclear, whether it's wind. We should be invested in those.

[Interviewer / Journalist]

I come from New York, where we're hearing an awful lot about London. It's being caricatured and stereotyped in the context of this mayoral race by the president, by one of the candidates for mayor as well. It's being portrayed as a place that's out of control, a lot of crime. There's a heavy amount of Islamophobia in there as well. What's your response to that? The way that London is being used as sort of something being held up in the New York mayoral campaign?

[Sadiq Khan]

Well, first, I've got lots of friends who are in New York and I think New York is the second greatest city in the world. Look, there's a reason why there are some people hate London and hate New York. There's a reason why they demonize London and now, indeed, New York. Why? Because we are progressive cities, we are liberal cities, we are multicultural cities, and we're incredibly successful. We are the antithesis of nativist populists, commentators and politicians. And I think, listen, the fact that in New York you may elect somebody who's a Muslim is neither here nor there. It's what are his policies? What are his vision? What does he want to do for the people of New York. And I think, listen, it says more about the people criticizing, you know, Zohra Mandani's ethnicity and faith. It says more about them and, you know, what they're all about than it says about him.

[Interviewer / Journalist]

You spoke with him after the Democratic primary, and I wonder if you could kind of characterize what that conversation was like. You say it's neither here nor there, that he could be the first Muslim mayor of the. Of New York. And I'll go with your hierarchy, London and New York, these two major, major cities. What did you tell him about what that is? Like you were the first Muslim mayor of London, what that means?

[Sadiq Khan]

Conversations I have with others are private conversations. But I'm quite clear, when you are from a city like London or New York, I think the greatest honour and the greatest privilege is to be the leader of that city. I've had many great jobs in my life that I've thoroughly enjoyed. There is no greater job than being the mayor of your city. I've seen from afar the campaign that Zohar Mamdani has run. He appears to be having fun. He appears to be connecting. He's doing something that I know a lot about, which is reaching parts of your city that are underserved, reaching people that hit the two feel as if politics isn't for you. Understand that actually, you know, sometimes cities aren't fair. Sometimes in a city, you've got two separate tales taking place. And what's important is for you to be authentic. And whether you're in New York or London or other parts of the globe is to be true to yourself. And I'm looking forward to seeing the results in the next couple days, actually.

[Interviewer / Journalist]

See what happens with your mayorality and perhaps his. There is an element of being the mayor of London or New York that is a global responsibility. You're here in Brazil. How much of that is a surprise to you and how much do you think about the role of London on the global stage?

[Sadiq Khan]

Well, the reality is, when you are from a global city, when you are leader of that global city, your audience, really importantly, are your constituents. But also it's the globe, because the world's eyes are on London. The world's eyes, indeed are on New York. That is a huge privilege, but it comes with a huge responsibility. So I've never campaigned to be a Muslim mayor. I don't use those sort of words. I'm a mayor who happens to be Muslim. But I recognise, and this is just a fact of life, there are some people that May not be a bit of Muslim. There are some people who only see things in movies or when they hear from presidents. And I want to address some of the fears people have. Sometimes because I am a Muslim, I recognise sometimes people prejudge what it means to be a Muslim. So not by choice, but almost by duty. I sometimes use my role to explain we aren't the boogeyman. We are just like you. We've got the same ambitions and aspirations as you. I never asked for that responsibility, but I recognised as the leader of a great city, as a proud Brit, a proud Englishman, a proud Londoner, but also a proud Muslim. I'm more than happy to talk about my faith and what it means. And I'm sure you'll see if Zohar Mamdani does win. Mamdani doing the same, not because he necessarily wants to, but because he recognises that our religion has been demonized. I think we both would recognise that actually a small minority of people who claim to follow our religion have done some bad stuff that doesn't represent the more than 2 billion people on this planet who are Muslims.

[Interviewer / Journalist]

Last question. Kind of playing off of this in New York, in this campaign, there's a lot of warning from a lot of wealthier New Yorkers saying that people will leave the city were he to win. If the city were to get too progressive as they see it, we had Nigel Farage issuing the same warning in London today that there's a chance that people who are of means in London might elect to lead if we go farther to the left there. Your response to that warning or that that proposed trend?

[Sadiq Khan]

Well, firstly, I've got no idea whether that is the case, whether that will happen. If that is the case, come to London. I'm going to run at the red carpet and welcome you to London. I think the reality is New York's a great city. I hope New York continues to flourish and thrive. Of course, like London, we have challenges. But the joy of being the mayor is you work with everyone across your city. I campaigned to be a mayor for Londoners, Yes. I campaign for those who live in deprived communities, those who desperately need social housing, those who are facing the consequences of cost of living crisis. But also recognising that I, as a politician, don't create the wealth, I don't create the jobs. But working with the private sector, working with all Londoners, you can do a great job.

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