New York Prepares for Record Climate Week Amid U.S. Policy Headwinds

New York City is gearing up for its largest-ever Climate Week, with organizers reporting more than 1,000 events this year, a record compared with around 900 last year. The week-long series of presentations, panel discussions, and networking events runs alongside the U.N. General Assembly, attracting CEOs, investors, philanthropists, and environmental nonprofits eager to advance climate action despite what some describe as a “Trump chill factor.” Climate Week organizers were initially uncertain whether stakeholders would engage this year, given the U.S. administration’s pro-fossil fuel agenda, regulatory rollbacks, and cuts to science and climate funding. But enthusiasm has surged, driven by private-sector and market forces rather than government mandates. Former U.N. climate chief Christiana Figueres noted that, unlike a decade ago, momentum is now coming from businesses and investors rather than national governments. Companies are responding: Swiss carbon capture firm Climeworks is participating in four times as many events this year after raising $162 million to scale its technology. Interest from senior corporate leaders has never been higher, reflecting growing demand for carbon removal solutions. While many major fossil fuel companies and some oil-dependent governments continue to backtrack on climate commitments, Climate Week remains a hub for networking with global leaders. The U.N. General Assembly’s climate summit on Wednesday will see announcements of new national emissions targets, though neither the U.S. nor the European Union is expected to unveil ambitious measures, leaving fast-developing countries like China and Brazil to shape the agenda. Experts emphasize the urgency for companies to align investment with their net-zero pledges. Data from Net-Zero Tracker shows over half of the world’s largest firms have committed to mid-century net-zero goals, yet 98% lack clear plans to align spending with these targets. “The challenge for New York Climate Week and beyond is to ensure that individuals and institutions come together in new ways to cooperate against common threats,” said Rajiv Shah, president of The Rockefeller Foundation. A recent Rockefeller survey indicated 86% of people worldwide view international cooperation as essential for climate action. Amid policy headwinds from Washington, Climate Week 2025 demonstrates that business, civil society, and global stakeholders are stepping up to keep the climate conversation alive and accelerate real-world solutions.