NEW YORK CITY: Ceres, a leading sustainability nonprofit, will host a mainstage event and other programming at Climate Week NYC 2026, focused on the opportunities shaping the next phase of the transition to a cleaner, more resilient, and affordable economy. Investors, companies, policymakers, and other stakeholders will convene for critical conversations about scaling investments in climate solutions, building sustainable data centers, and securing energy affordability policies. The mainstage program is open to the media.
Climate Week NYC 2026 comes as extreme weather continues to escalate. This summer, the United States has been battered by deadly and costly heatwaves, droughts, and tornadoes. July was the hottest month on record in U.S. history, and 2026 is on track to be one of the warmest on record due to our changing climate and El Niño. At the same time, the U.S. government has rolled back more environmental policies, making it harder to combat these challenges.
Despite this, investors and companies haven’t slowed down. They have continued prioritizing responsible investment and business practices by managing growing climate-related financial risks and investing in solutions to advance the unstoppable clean energy transition. Wind and solar are now the largest, cheapest sources of new electricity generation, surpassing fossil fuels for the first time. States are capitalizing on this and pushing forward policy solutions that modernize energy infrastructure and make electricity more affordable.
At Climate Week NYC, Ceres will call for action to accelerate the market and policy solutions that drive business innovation and more climate investment and ensure the U.S. economy remains competitive on the global stage.
WHAT: Ceres at Climate Week NYC
WHEN: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET, Wed., Sept. 23 (mainstage program)
WHERE: Convene 75 Rockefeller Plaza, 75 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City
WHO: See all our mainstage speakers here.
Journalists can RSVP by emailing [email protected]. A media room (the Rockefeller Board Room) will be available to journalists for interviews from 12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m ET.
Building Access: A QR code for building access will be sent to registered journalists a few days before the event.
More information on the Ceres mainstage program:
Financing Our Future: Unlocking Capital for Deployment and Innovation
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Investments in the clean energy economy stand at $2.3 trillion annually and are growing rapidly. Real-economy allocations amplify this generational opportunity to foster innovation and scale technologies of the future. This session will examine the structural hurdles for capital flow into clean energy deployment and explore how the private sector can accelerate investment in solutions that improve resilience and competitiveness.State Leadership: Opportunities in an Era of Transformation
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
States have always served as proving grounds for innovation and where competing visions of the future are explored. Governors from red and blue states will share perspectives on balancing economic development, affordability, energy, community resiliency, and investment priorities while leading through a period of rapid change. They will also discuss how states can ensure long-term competitiveness in a polarized political environment.Powering the Digital Economy: Sustainable Data Centers
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
AI Implementation is accelerating, and data centers are driving energy and water demand. This presents an opportunity to build sustainably and incorporate clean energy and water innovations, ensuring sustainable operations, affordability, and community benefits. The program will explore risks and opportunities and highlight practical approaches for scaling digital infrastructure responsibly and efficiently.
On the following day, Thursday, Sept. 24, Ceres will convene its first Nature Hive to advance important conversations on critical business and community issues stemming from nature and biodiversity loss. The event will be held at Penthouse 45 and feature sessions hosted by partner organizations exploring sustainable food production, forest conservation efforts, and nature solutions investing. Some sessions are open to the media. Contact Bridget Vis ([email protected]) for more information.
Journalists can RSVP by emailing [email protected].
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About Ceres
Ceres is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more just, and resilient economy. With data-driven research and expert analysis, we inspire investors and companies to act on the world's sustainability challenges and advocate for market and policy solutions. Together, our efforts transform industries, unlock new business opportunities, and foster innovation and job growth – proving that sustainability is the bottom line.