7 Themes from Climate Week NYC 2024

New York City was buzzing with all things sustainability as Climate Week 2024 swept through with over 100,000 attendees, making it one of the largest climate-focused gatherings ever.  Missed it? Here are some key themes from the events held from September 22 to 29 in New York.

1. Clean Energy 

It’s here and now. Forty of the nation’s leading green banks announced a partnership to act as a hub for community-focused green banks, which will help communities secure capital for clean energy projects. Countries are being called upon to remove barriers to what some feel is a dragging rollout on renewable energy so they can make their COP28 commitments to triple global renewable energy by 2030. Energy efficiency is often  underrated. Every business is being encouraged to set a target to become 5% more efficient by managing the basics, like HVAC. Green power: buying products and services made with clean energy will shift markets.  

2. Decarbonization & Reporting is Not Going Away

Some businesses are talking about it, some are staying quiet, but either way, businesses are coming up with detailed climate action plans to move towards net zero emissions. There is an increased call to report to various government authorities on carbon and climate resilience and these will only continue to increase and expand to cover various areas, such as biodiversity, water, resilience, etc. These are meant to increase intentionality and implementation. On the industrial side, transport, shipping, aviation, iron and steel, petrochemicals and chemicals account for 20% of emissions. Much of the discussion was about how renewable energy and innovation would be needed to continue to decarbonize.

3. Nature is our Ally 

Nature-based solutions are central to protecting the Earth, its ecosystems and our communities.  Restoration of habitats and ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, and oceans will help stabilize the climate from absorbing carbon, heat and reducing catastrophic weather events, like fire, drought and floods.  

4. Indigenous Peoples and Partnership

Working towards a sustainable climate is a shared goal amongst all and must be equitable in not only its approach to understanding the problem and who is impacted, but also in solving the problem. The people of the lands are partners in climate solutions, not only to be seen as victims and beneficiaries, but true partners in forming and executing solutions.  The week highlighted environmental justice, indigenous knowledge and skill, as well as the intersection ofconflict – how corporate and government interests have pushed people off the land.

5. Invest, Invest, Invest

There is a major focus on finance to invest in climate solutions, from green bonds to loans and tying these directly to carbon reduction.  As mentioned earlier, some green banks are now helping to bridge the gap for communities that would generally be unable to access capital for clean energy projects. Investment is being viewed not only through the lens of nature but also through the perspective of communities that consider equitable investment, such as resilience, jobs, food security, and health infrastructure, etc. etc.

6. AI and Technology

AI may benefit businesses by   using predictive analytics and optimizing energy systems, but it also is very resource-intensive, with a huge thirst for water, energy and metals which will need to be balanced. AI can do amazing things for nature, with the ability to track biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, but even a simple ChatGPT AI query can produce 50 to 90 times more energy than a conventional search.

7. All Things Policy

Many climate and environmental initiatives can take a strong hold with the determination of inspired people and climate-oriented NGOs, but policy is necessary.  It provides the framework and guidelines needed to create more climate pathway solutions.  Governments on the national, state and local levels need to continue to create policies that shift practices.  Policymakers can limit or stop extractive processes for metals, water, oil and gas that are either toxic or result in overconsumption.  They can prioritize community interests over industrial practices for the health and wellbeing of those communities. They can also prioritize nature through sustainable development of new home or building construction. Policy, even more effectively, can also shift investments towards nature-based solutions.

Climate Week NYC 2024 was about real solutions. Everyone has a role to play in this transition, whether it's businesses adopting climate plans, individuals supporting nature-based solutions,  governments creating policies, or banks and governments partnering to enable creative financing for underserved communities.There are opportunities to act at every level. Climate Week NYC brings  awareness and encourages us to make meaningful choices today that will have lasting impacts on our climate and communities.