Lewis Pugh

The Hudson River swim

Rivers and lakes support an extraordinary diversity of life yet are amongst the most degraded ecosystems globally. Wildlife populations in freshwater ecosystems are suffering losses greater than in any other habitat.

There will be irreversible change once critical thresholds are passed – we believe inaction is not an option. In August 2023, UNEP Patron of the Oceans Lewis Pugh swam the length of the Hudson River to call for the protection of our endangered waters.

The swim, in partnership with LGIM, was in the run-up to key global events, including UN General Assembly and Climate Week where Lewis urged the world’s leading decisionmakers to urgently tackle biodiversity loss.

Our partnership

In September 2021, we announced a global partnership with Lewis Pugh.

Lewis’ swims highlight the precarious state of our natural world and he has witnessed first-hand the damaging effects of climate change. He is calling on all nations to cut their emissions significantly, and to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. An urgent mission that we at LGIM fully support.

At LGIM, we are united with Lewis in our aim to tackle the climate crisis. We believe inaction is not an option and are proud to support Lewis’ efforts to raise awareness and push for positive change. As one of the world’s largest investment firms*, we are clear in our purpose. To create a better future through responsible investing.

Lewis’s previous swims

The Red Sea swim

In October 2022, Lewis swam across the Red Sea to raise awareness of the rising water temperatures starving and even killing coral reefs, which support essential biodiversity.

This swim, in partnership with LGIM, was strategically timed to take place ahead of COP27 in November, where governments, policymakers and businesses convened in Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt, to move the dial on climate-related issues.

The Greenland swim

In September 2021, Lewis swam across the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord in Greenland to highlight the urgent need for climate action. This swim kicked off the partnership with LGIM.

Navigating icebergs and brash ice in near freezing waters has been a brutal challenge, even for a highly experienced endurance swimmer.

Further reading

Find out more about our ongoing work as a responsible investor and how we’re engaging for positive change

Butterfly on a sunflower

Climate Impact Pledge

In recognition of climate change’s potentially catastrophic outcomes for the world, we support efforts to limit carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. Under our Climate Impact Pledge, we commit to helping companies to reach this objective.

Read more

*LGIM internal data as at 31 December 2020 and IPE 2021. The AUM disclosed aggregates the assets managed by LGIM in the UK, LGIMA in the US and LGIM Asia in Hong Kong. The AUM includes the value of securities and derivatives positions.

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