As NYC Climate Week 2024 approaches, the global conversation around climate action is more urgent than ever. The weeklong event will spotlight some of the most pressing topics for businesses, governments, and sustainability leaders. In a world where real-time data and decarbonization technology are reshaping industries, how can organizations leverage these innovations to drive impactful change?
Let’s take a look at some key topics that are expected to dominate the discussions during Climate Week.
One of the most anticipated topics is the role of digital technologies in advancing decarbonization. With the growing adoption of carbon management platforms like NZero, organizations are gaining unprecedented access to real-time emissions data. This kind of data helps identify carbon hotspots and optimize energy use, making decarbonization strategies far more effective. Expect experts to delve into how real-time insights can empower decision-makers and accelerate progress toward net-zero goals. (One such expert, our Chief Technology Officer John Rula, will be part of Deloitte’s conversation around Technology and the Built Environment. For more information, go here.)
As international and local governments tighten climate regulations, organizations are racing to stay compliant with evolving carbon reporting frameworks. Whether it’s Scope 3 emissions tracking or ensuring alignment with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) standards, businesses will need strategies to meet regulatory demands. Conversations at Climate Week will likely focus on how to streamline compliance while driving meaningful sustainability outcomes.
Another critical area of focus will be how to finance large-scale climate projects. Renewable energy installations, sustainable infrastructure upgrades, and decarbonization initiatives require significant capital investment. Attendees will be keen to explore new financing mechanisms, from green bonds to public-private partnerships, that can support a long-term sustainable transition.
As renewable energy technologies advance, companies are seeking to integrate these solutions into existing operations. From solar and wind to hydrogen and battery storage, the latest innovations will take center stage as organizations learn how to transition to renewable energy sources without disrupting operations.
Scope 3 emissions—those generated across the value chain, including from suppliers and product use—are notoriously difficult to measure and reduce. Businesses will be looking for practical solutions to track and mitigate these emissions, recognizing that true decarbonization cannot be achieved without addressing the full spectrum of their carbon footprint.
To dive deeper into these topics, we sat down with Verdantix Senior Analyst Emma Cutler for her take on the upcoming Climate Week.
Emma Cutler: My research at Verdantix focuses on all things climate risk. I’ve done work on carbon management software, transition plans, climate financial data, and solutions for assessing and managing physical risk. With a background in engineering, I previously worked in coastal management and also on nature-based solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation.
Emma Cutler: This is my first time attending Climate Week! I’m really excited to learn about recent innovations and what people are doing to address climate risk.
Emma Cutler: As the saying goes, “you can’t manage what you can’t measure.” A huge amount of data is required to quantify an organization’s carbon emissions, and spreadsheets aren’t sufficient anymore – software is key. Also, without first identifying sources of emissions, it’s impossible to know how to invest resources most effectively for decarbonization. For example, we’re seeing new technologies that can help with route optimization to reduce fleet emissions, detecting and preventing methane flares, improved efficiency of buildings, carbon dioxide removals, and more, so it’s important to know which of these will have the largest impact for your organization.
Emma Cutler: We’ve been seeing a lot of vendors incorporating AI into their carbon management software. For example, natural language processing and generative AI can help with data extraction. AI-enabled solutions are also helping organizations identify emission reduction opportunities.
Emma Cutler: This year’s theme for Climate Week is ‘It’s Time,’ and I expect this will come out strongly, not only during organized events but also in informal conversations. Increasingly, there’s pressure on organizations to deliver on commitments, climate risks are materializing with costly impacts, and vendors are innovating to create solutions that can help clients operationalize climate plans. I think anyone who attends Climate Week will feel this urgency.
As the built environment faces mounting climate challenges, it's clear that the need for proactive, strategic solutions has never been more urgent. Executives and technical leaders must seize this moment to reshape how we manage assets, optimize resources, and plan for a more sustainable future.
