Climate Week NYC 2024 is one of the most highly anticipated annual events in the global climate change calendar. Running from September 22 to 29, 2024, this week-long event will bring together business leaders, political change-makers, and civil society representatives from around the world to drive the transition to a sustainable future.

Here’s what you need to know about Climate Week NYC 2024, and how you can get involved.

What is Climate Week NYC?

Organised by international non-profit Climate Group in partnership with the UN and the City of New York, Climate Week NYC is held annually in New York City alongside the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

With over 600 events, there’s an extensive programme and an exciting line-up of speakers and panellists featured throughout the week. This year’s theme is ‘It’s Time‘, to emphasise the urgency of climate action and spotlight businesses, organisations, and governments already driving momentum and breaking down barriers to progress.

“Every year that passes with insufficient action the climate crisis becomes more acute. We cannot afford to waste another year – that’s why this year’s theme for Climate Week NYC is ‘It’s Time’,” explains Helen Clarkson, CEO of Climate Group. “It’s Time for leadership on renewables, for tough decisions on fossil fuels, and for a U-turn away from the future we’re currently heading towards.

“Climate Group will be launching a Global To-Do list of actions that governments and businesses can take in the next twelve months to get emissions down and get us on track for 2030,” she adds.

A taste of last year’s event, Climate Week NYC 2023

 

What are the key events for 2024?

The Opening Ceremony: The Climate Week NYC Opening Ceremony on Sunday 22nd September is the most high-profile moment of the week, featuring major announcements, key discussions, and interviews with international leaders from across the climate community.

Past speakers have included Jacinda Ardern, King Charles, Jane Fonda, Tim Cook, the Hon. Chris Bowen, NY Governor Kathy Hochul, and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

The Hub Live: On September 23 and 24, 2024, Climate Group will host The Hub Live. This central stage will host four key streams:

  • The New Industrial Revolution: The shift of the fossil fuel-based society to a green economy will drive a seismic change not just in corporate energy use, our business models, and the skills needed, but also in the way we build, live, and learn.
  • The Energy and Transport Transition: The global energy system and transportation are among the biggest global emitters, and the corporate sector is playing a key role in the push towards the decarbonization of the interrelated systems.
  • Nature, Food Systems and Health: The nexus between climate and health are inextricably linked, with climate change recognised as the largest public health crisis of our time where success is measured not only on carbon emission reduction but the impact it has on human lives.
  • Leadership and Green Growth: To speed up the transition, we need to finance solutions and technologies at scale – this event will be looking at the finance that exists, new models, ways of collaboration between governments and the private sector, and the importance of the transition being fair and just.

Photo: A panel event at Climate Week NYC 2023. The theme for last year’s event was “We Can. We Will.”

 

Why attend?

With 2030 fast approaching, the need to halve emissions has become ever more pressing. This event provides a platform for sharing ideas, solutions and initiatives to drive change, elevating diverse voices, and inviting everyone to be a part of the conversation and solutions.

Photo: ‘A Rallying Cry’ event at Climate Week NYC 2023, hosted by the UN’s Simon Stiell.

 

Photo: Speakers at last year’s event included Axel van Trotsenburg from the World Bank, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and Chadian environmental activist, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim.

 

For those unable to attend in-person, key sessions from the week will be streamed and available through the Climate Week NYC on-demand page. Wholly digital events are also featured within the schedule.

Explore ITN Business’ upcoming programmes  

Urban Evolution: Our Future Cities

ITN Business will produce a news style programme ‘Urban Evolution: Our Future Cities’ to be launched at the Net Zero Festival, the 22nd to 23rd October, 2024. ​Presented by broadcaster and anthropologist Mary-Ann Ochota, the programme will focus on the organisations leading the way when it comes to creating more resilient, affordable and accessible cities and innovative solutions to cutting carbon emissions.

Power Shift: The Renewable Energy Revolution

‘Power Shift: The Renewable Energy Revolution’ is a news-style programme detailing our collective pivot away from fossil fuel reliance, towards widespread adoption of renewable energy solutions. ​