With a record breaking 585 official affiliated events, Climate Week NYC proved once again to be the global gathering for anyone and everyone working on the climate crisis, from sustainability officers and scientists to major brands, non-profits, and global government leaders. The event takes place every year in partnership with the United Nations General Assembly. It’s a week for all things climate: major progress announcements, keynotes and panels, and in-person networking opportunities, with all of the major players from leading media organizations like Forbes and The New York Times. Organizations like the Clinton Global Initiative host day-long events featuring leaders in the climate space sharing solutions, progress, debating approaches, and committing to accelerating action.

Taking advantage of the massive influx of climate leaders in NYC, The Climate Pledge hosted our second annual Climate Pledge Summit on Thursday September 21. With over 200 signatory representatives and Pledge partners in attendance from across the globe, the Summit was a day-long gathering—of businesses committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2040—for keynotes, panel discussions, workshops, and plenty of opportunities to network, build connections, and learn more about the multiple Joint Action projects we're driving to help companies solve hard problems faster.

The Climate Pledge announced our first major Joint Action project, Laneshift, a partnership with C40 Cities to tackle carbon emissions through zero-emission freight by reimagining medium- and heavy-duty shipping vehicles and the routes they travel. The Climate Pledge has committed $10M to C40 Cities to kick-start the development and deployment of zero-emission electric trucks and charging infrastructure across major cities in India and Latin America, and we’re looking for more signatories to join us.

Here's a recap of The Climate Pledge's noteworthy moments at our event:

Driving Climate Policy with Washington Governor Jay Inslee

After State of the Union remarks by Kara Hurst, Vice President of Worldwide Sustainability for Amazon, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee kicked off the day reminding all of us of our collective power to make a difference in the climate crisis, sharing how he has seen the ripple effect of what local leaders can do in our State, and how that can lead to exponential change.

Signatory Spotlight: Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines’ Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Sustainability, Diana Birkett Rakow, joined us to peel back the curtain on Alaska’s sustainability strategy – reminding leaders to control what they can with current technology, while working to accelerate enabling technologies, and building partners (like the signatory community) to advance their progress towards their goals.

Activating for COP 28 with SPEC John Kerry

John Kerry, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, joined us to both remind us of the tremendous challenge we’re up against and to celebrate the progress we’ve made, acknowledging that change (for the better) is happening at an unprecedented rate. He reminded Climate Pledge signatories that we have the power to demand accountability and that we need businesses to continue to step up and lead.

The Climate Pledge Joint Action Project Announcement

Together with C40 Cities, we announced our first Joint Action project, Laneshift, an international initiative to decarbonize freight trucks in developing countries. C40 Executive Director Mark Watts joined Amazon VP of Sustainability Kara Hurst, and Mumbai’s Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal on stage to discuss the importance of driving change at the local level, and how partnerships can help address some of the biggest challenges like financing.

Breakout sessions gave signatories an opportunity for more collaborative discussions and to build connections:

Breakout Session | Accelerating Action in Our Cities

The Accelerating Action in Our Cities breakout session featured Sarah-Dimson Tararuj (The Climate Pledge’s Head of Programs and Partnerships) and Lusanda Madikizela (C40 Cities Head of Zero Emission Freight Programme) doing a deep dive into Laneshift and the challenges to driving freight electrification. Signatories like CBRE shared that they’re excited to get involved as they look to tab better EV infrastructure in Latin America and India.

Breakout Session | Climate Justice and the Just Transition

A breakout session on Climate Justice and the Just Transition featured Susan Beverly (Director, Worldwide Sustainability and The Climate Pledge, Amazon), Kristen Sheeran (Director of Sustainability Strategy and Resource Planning, Portland General Electric), Jonah Smith (Vice President, Environmental Social Governance Strategy and Programs, IBM), and Gloria Walton (President and CEO, The Solutions Project). This group discussed the importance of partnering with communities and grassroots organizations when driving decarbonization strategies at the community level.

Less Garbage, More Fish: Our Oceans and the Plastics Problem

Malin Fezeha (Photographer, Filmmaker, and Visual Reporter), Adrian Grenier (Environmental Thought Leader, Actor, Investor, and UN Ambassador), Garrett McNamara (Big Wave Surfer and Ocean Defender), and Nicole McNamara (CEO of McNamara Adventures) took to the stage for a session titled “Less Garbage, More Fish: Our Oceans and the Plastics Problem,” emphasizing how their love for nature and their families are sources of continued inspiration to drive change.

Signatory Spotlight: MiiR

Bryan Papé, Founder and CEO of MiiR, shared his life-changing story of how he decided he needed to build a company dedicated to improving the world through the mindset of “If we can’t make it better, we’re not going to make it,” an ethos that he believes can spread from business to the environment.

Breakout Session | Finance for Net-Zero by 2040

Kristina Kloberdanz (Chief Sustainability Officer, Macquarie Asset Management), Edward Mason (Director of Engagement, Generation Investment Management LLP), and Sue Reid (Climate Finance Advisor to Christiana Figueres, Global Optimism) joined us for a session on financing for net-zero. This interactive session explored how financial institutions and other corporations are identifying and overcoming challenges around financing the transition to net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Breakout Session | Playing for Zero: How Value Chain Emissions Reductions is a Team Effort

Todd Cline (Senior Director of Sustainability, Fabric Care, Procter & Gamble) and Mark Porter (Vice President, Clean Energy Buyers Alliance) joined us to break down practical approaches to reduce upstream and downstream emissions via anecdotes from their experiences that detailed both pain points and progress.

Climate Initiative Networking Session

The day closed out with a series of quick pitches from four initiatives to highlight the work they’re doing and opportunities for companies to get involved.

• Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA)
• Climate Gender Equity Fund
• Amazon's Sustainable Transportation Program
• Mastercard’s Priceless Planet