Climate Week NYC is set to be the center of global climate action this week, with thousands of business, government, and citizen leaders gathering for over 900 climate-related events around the city. The event, organized by Climate Group, has become an important milestone for activists, politicians, and executives to showcase new initiatives and reports ahead of the upcoming U.N. Climate talks. This year, the U.N. Conference of Parties (COP) will be hosted by Azerbaijan, beginning on November 11. Anticipated announcements for Climate Week include calls to turn renewable energy expansion pledges into reality, addressing methane emissions, and a survey of net-zero emission pledges.
The political climate in the U.S. is expected to be a major topic of discussion at Climate Week NYC, with the upcoming presidential election presenting a stark contrast on climate policies. Former President Donald Trump, who pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement and has downplayed climate change, contrasts with current Vice President Kamala Harris, who played a key role in passing the Inflation Reduction Act, a significant climate action. Business leaders and climate activists are looking to the election to see which policy framework U.S. officials and businesses will be working with going forward.
International attitudes about climate commitments are also impacted by the U.S. political climate. Todd Stern, who helped negotiate the Paris Agreement, noted that other countries were angry when the U.S. withdrew from the agreement under the Trump administration. The Paris Agreement relies on climate target plans from each country, including strong commitments from countries like China, responsible for 30% of global emissions. Stern highlighted that China’s approach to the next round of Paris commitments will be influenced by U.S. leadership.
The need for certainty in climate policy is crucial for driving actions like clean energy investment and job creation. The reassertion of U.S. leadership on climate action has spurred national competition and responses from other countries aiming to grow their clean energy sectors. Creating legislative certainty through policies like the Inflation Reduction Act is important for investors and businesses to plan for the future. Regardless of the election outcome, the world is not on track to meet science-based targets to avoid dangerous warming, and urgent climate actions are needed across key sectors.
Emerging issues in the climate fight, such as the intersection of artificial intelligence and climate, are also being highlighted during Climate Week NYC. Events focused on applying AI to clean tech and climate problems are featured, indicating the growing importance of technology in addressing climate challenges. Companies are also focusing on reducing emissions along their supply chains, known as Scope 3 emissions, which make up a significant portion of greenhouse gases. Despite uncertainty over the election, business leaders continue to make sustainability commitments and work towards emission reduction goals.
Climate Group is releasing a new edition of “The Global To-Do List” during Climate Week, calling for urgent climate actions across various sectors. These actions include supporting workers in the coal industry, taxing oil and gas operations to fund clean energy sources, and using technology mandates to accelerate cleaner production. The urgency for climate action is emphasized, and regardless of the election outcome, there is a lot of work to be done to meet the targets needed to avoid dangerous warming. Business leaders are committed to sustainability goals, and Climate Week is a platform for showcasing and advancing climate initiatives.
