The Highlights of Climate Week NYC 2024

It's a Wrap

Climate Week NYC 2024 has come to a close, with more than 900 events—50% more than last year. The atmosphere throughout the city was one of positivity and collective determination, as highlighted in the opening remarks by CEO Helen Clarkson, who urged immediate action on five key principles:

Prioritize people

Clarkson emphasized that we have to ensure a just transition, as benefits thus far have been shared by a rich minority. Especially thinking about renewable energy and electric mobility, the future needs to prioritize fair distribution.

Mobilize long-overdue climate finance

The impacts we see today are particularly caused by the Global North. That means the same countries need to step up to finance the green transition in climate hotspots, which are often developing countries.

Listen to citizens

80% of citizens want stronger climate action. Governments need to listen and take decisive, tangible action. 

Be realistic about the role of technology

While technology plays an important role in solving climate change, we need to be realistic and pair it with the right regulations. Regulations have been and continue to be the most effective tool in climate action.

Have tough discussions about fossil fuels

Oil producing countries and adjacent industries (FYI: that includes plastics) are doing their best to slow down the transition to a sustainable energy mix. It is time to address the geopolitical levers that are needed to agree on a plan to phase our fossil fuels.

The week saw high-profile speakers such as The Honourable Philip E. Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, who starkly reminded the audience of the severe consequences of global warming surpassing 1.5°C.

Many prominent figures—including The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland, John Podesta, and Dame Jacinda Ardern—echoed calls for immediate, ambitious action.

One of the key moments was the launch of Climate Group’s Global To-Do List, outlining seven actionable steps for governments and businesses to accelerate climate solutions.

Major Announcements

Major announcements also peppered the week, including:

• New research on positive tipping points for clean technologies, launched by Professor Tim Lenton and Climate Group.
• A lawsuit against ExxonMobil by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, accusing the company of exacerbating the global plastics pollution crisis.
• U.S. Steel's groundbreaking certification for producing ResponsibleSteel at its Big River facility.
• A new partnership between 40 green banks to drive clean energy investment in the U.S.
• A comprehensive framework for tracking oil and gas emission progress was presented.

Corporate leaders also stepped forward, with Saint-Gobain’s Benoit Bazin sharing that 75% of the company’s revenue now goes toward sustainable solutions, while 80,000 employees have been trained in sustainability practices.

The Hub Live facilitated numerous discussions on subnational climate leadership, innovative climate finance, and the future of environmental justice. Key contributors included the likes of Salesforce, Hitachi, the World Meteorological Organization, and AstraZeneca, among others.

The real work starts now

As the event wrapped up, the message was clear: while we’ve made strides, the real work begins now. The urgency to take concrete, collective action has never been greater, and with this momentum, we can approach COP30 ready to leave the world in a better place.

What is your take on Climate Week this year? Let us know in the comments.

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