Climate action is reaching all areas of the global economy, displayed in full force at Climate Week NYC 2024 in New York City.
Drawing together over 100,000 elected officials, business executives, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, scientists, policymakers, and activists, Climate Week NYC 2024 is underway with the express goal of advancing climate action, corporate sustainability commitments, public policy, and regulations.
900 events over the course of the week are covering a broad spectrum of topics, from financial opportunities to carbon markets, emerging technologies to regenerative agriculture.
Big Themes About Climate Change
Top of mind this year: enhancing the sustainability of supply chains, ESG best practices, climate risk disclosure, and greenwashing. A series of sessions are focusing on leveraging ESG to drive growth, attract consumers and investors, retain employees, and thrive in today’s market. Other sessions will address changing compliance requirements, Scope 3 emissions, DEI and ESG backlash, and the role of business in solving societal issues.
President Biden participated in the United Nations General Assembly with a speech that warned that the world is at an inflection point, emphasizing that “the choices we make today will determine our future for decades to come.”
While the speech largely focused on international diplomacy, wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and the promise and dangers of AI, he also highlighted his administration’s climate initiatives, including investments in renewable energy, clean water, and green infrastructure. He reminded listeners that the U.S. is on track to cut emissions in half by 2030 and to quadruple climate financing to developing nations.
Many sessions throughout the week have focused on enabling technologies, recognizing the environmental impact of AI while also spotlighting ClimateTech solutions that can streamline decarbonization efforts, such as using AI for optimizing energy grids and reducing waste, and scalable innovations that could significantly boost renewable energy capacity.
The youth voice has been stronger than ever this year, as emerging leaders facilitate large climate marches and participate in a broad range of sessions to push for systemic change.
FEMA and EPA are getting in on the action as well, hosting sessions on climate resilience, disaster mitigation, and environmental justice, emphasizing that climate change is as much a matter of public safety and human rights as it is an environmental issue. Sessions hosted by the two agencies are specifically focused on educating emergency management and environmental justice professionals about how they can prepare for the impacts of climate-related disasters.
There have been many corporate announcements, including the 24/7 Carbon-Free Coalition, an initiative supported by behemoths like Google, AstraZeneca, and Vodafone UK designed to support corporations in utilizing 100 percent clean power around the clock.
The Coalition aims to demonstrate how emerging energy storage and flexible grid technologies are making it possible or companies to access clean power in real time so that they can achieve their net zero emissions goals without the need for backup fossil fuels.
Financial Trends Around Climate
An influential investor group, the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance (NZAOA), which manages about $9.5 trillion in assets, lobbied governments to act “pressingly and decisively to provide policies in line with climate goals, urging governments to undertake “systemic interventions that can reduce demand for oil and gas, increase clean energy supplies, and implement appropriate and equitable carbon pricing mechanisms aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement.”
Financiers are deliberating crisis scenarios presented by a quickly warning planet, planning for the massive challenges in reaching net zero carbon goals and recognizing that we have already passed the 1.5C warming threshold.
Heather Zichal, global head of sustainability at JPMorgan Chase & Co. asserted, “the world needs to be realistic about the challenges to closing that gap, what it would take, and who can help deliver. We don't have all the answers to that question, but we do know everyone has a role.”
Millennials and Gen Zs, who have turned out in droves for the Climate Week NYC 2024 protests, are perhaps the most eager to learn the outcome of the week’s meetings. According to COGNITION Smart Data, Green Builder Media’s market intelligence division, 87% of these younger individuals report that they are worried about climate change and 56% believe that humanity is doomed because of climate change.
These individuals are making their voices heard, namely because 75% of these younger individuals report feelings of sadness, anger, powerlessness, and helplessness when it comes to mitigating the impacts of climate change. Nearly 50% have felt ignored when trying to express their climate anxiety to older generations, so it’s no surprise that they’re demanding action.
The Future Can Be Bright
We can only hope that this week’s meetings and events will lay the foundation for expedited and significant transformation, enabling us to claw our way out of crisis.
Want to learn more about topics like decarbonization, ESG, climate risk disclosures, circularity, and net zero carbon? Check out Green Builder Media’s COGNITION Academy, which offers robust sustainability training and education. Make yourself an expert today!
As cofounder and CEO of Green Builder Media, Sara is a visionary thought leader and passionate advocate for sustainability. A former venture capitalist, she has participated in the life cycle (from funding to exit) of over 20 companies, with an emphasis on combining sustainability and profitability. She lives in Lake City, Colo., with her husband, where she is an avid long-distance runner, snowboarder, and Crossfit trainer. She is also on the Board of Directors at Dvele, runs the Rural Segment for Energize Colorado, and is a former County Commissioner.
Global Climate Action Update From NYC
Climate action is reaching all areas of the global economy, displayed in full force at Climate Week NYC 2024 in New York City.
Drawing together over 100,000 elected officials, business executives, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, scientists, policymakers, and activists, Climate Week NYC 2024 is underway with the express goal of advancing climate action, corporate sustainability commitments, public policy, and regulations.
900 events over the course of the week are covering a broad spectrum of topics, from financial opportunities to carbon markets, emerging technologies to regenerative agriculture.
Big Themes About Climate Change
Top of mind this year: enhancing the sustainability of supply chains, ESG best practices, climate risk disclosure, and greenwashing. A series of sessions are focusing on leveraging ESG to drive growth, attract consumers and investors, retain employees, and thrive in today’s market. Other sessions will address changing compliance requirements, Scope 3 emissions, DEI and ESG backlash, and the role of business in solving societal issues.
(For more information about ESG for the building industry, be sure to check out Green Builder Media’s ESG Defining Principles.)
President Biden participated in the United Nations General Assembly with a speech that warned that the world is at an inflection point, emphasizing that “the choices we make today will determine our future for decades to come.”
While the speech largely focused on international diplomacy, wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and the promise and dangers of AI, he also highlighted his administration’s climate initiatives, including investments in renewable energy, clean water, and green infrastructure. He reminded listeners that the U.S. is on track to cut emissions in half by 2030 and to quadruple climate financing to developing nations.
Many sessions throughout the week have focused on enabling technologies, recognizing the environmental impact of AI while also spotlighting ClimateTech solutions that can streamline decarbonization efforts, such as using AI for optimizing energy grids and reducing waste, and scalable innovations that could significantly boost renewable energy capacity.
The youth voice has been stronger than ever this year, as emerging leaders facilitate large climate marches and participate in a broad range of sessions to push for systemic change.
FEMA and EPA are getting in on the action as well, hosting sessions on climate resilience, disaster mitigation, and environmental justice, emphasizing that climate change is as much a matter of public safety and human rights as it is an environmental issue. Sessions hosted by the two agencies are specifically focused on educating emergency management and environmental justice professionals about how they can prepare for the impacts of climate-related disasters.
There have been many corporate announcements, including the 24/7 Carbon-Free Coalition, an initiative supported by behemoths like Google, AstraZeneca, and Vodafone UK designed to support corporations in utilizing 100 percent clean power around the clock.
The Coalition aims to demonstrate how emerging energy storage and flexible grid technologies are making it possible or companies to access clean power in real time so that they can achieve their net zero emissions goals without the need for backup fossil fuels.
Financial Trends Around Climate
An influential investor group, the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance (NZAOA), which manages about $9.5 trillion in assets, lobbied governments to act “pressingly and decisively to provide policies in line with climate goals, urging governments to undertake “systemic interventions that can reduce demand for oil and gas, increase clean energy supplies, and implement appropriate and equitable carbon pricing mechanisms aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement.”
Financiers are deliberating crisis scenarios presented by a quickly warning planet, planning for the massive challenges in reaching net zero carbon goals and recognizing that we have already passed the 1.5C warming threshold.
Heather Zichal, global head of sustainability at JPMorgan Chase & Co. asserted, “the world needs to be realistic about the challenges to closing that gap, what it would take, and who can help deliver. We don't have all the answers to that question, but we do know everyone has a role.”
Millennials and Gen Zs, who have turned out in droves for the Climate Week NYC 2024 protests, are perhaps the most eager to learn the outcome of the week’s meetings. According to COGNITION Smart Data, Green Builder Media’s market intelligence division, 87% of these younger individuals report that they are worried about climate change and 56% believe that humanity is doomed because of climate change.
These individuals are making their voices heard, namely because 75% of these younger individuals report feelings of sadness, anger, powerlessness, and helplessness when it comes to mitigating the impacts of climate change. Nearly 50% have felt ignored when trying to express their climate anxiety to older generations, so it’s no surprise that they’re demanding action.
The Future Can Be Bright
We can only hope that this week’s meetings and events will lay the foundation for expedited and significant transformation, enabling us to claw our way out of crisis.
Want to learn more about topics like decarbonization, ESG, climate risk disclosures, circularity, and net zero carbon? Check out Green Builder Media’s COGNITION Academy, which offers robust sustainability training and education. Make yourself an expert today!
By Sara Gutterman
As cofounder and CEO of Green Builder Media, Sara is a visionary thought leader and passionate advocate for sustainability. A former venture capitalist, she has participated in the life cycle (from funding to exit) of over 20 companies, with an emphasis on combining sustainability and profitability. She lives in Lake City, Colo., with her husband, where she is an avid long-distance runner, snowboarder, and Crossfit trainer. She is also on the Board of Directors at Dvele, runs the Rural Segment for Energize Colorado, and is a former County Commissioner.Also Read