Governor Hochul, NYC Comptroller, highlight plans to expand clean economy investments at Ceres Mainstage

NEW YORK CITY: In a standing-room-only crowd, industry and government leaders announced plans to increase investments in the clean energy transition, capitalizing on the enormous opportunities in the shift to a stronger, more resilient economy.  

Ceres Mainstage at Climate Week NYC highlighted ways to scale and speed the transition—from addressing hurdles that slow climate capital flow to improving state energy systems to investing in sustainable data centers and other solutions. Held at Convene 75 Rockefeller Plaza, the event included New York Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, ALTERRA CEO H.E. Majid Al Suwaidi, senior representatives from CalPERS, JPMorgan Chase, Nucor, PG&E, Amazon, and Siemens, and leading sustainability experts from Ceres.  

“Being a sustainable business, a responsible investor, means being clear-eyed about the risks of a warming planet, nature loss, water scarcity — and then deploying capital, innovation, and policy to meet them head-on,” said Ceres CEO and President Mindy Lubber. “That pivot — from managing risk to building solutions — is where the real money is. From clean energy to transportation to regenerative agriculture, businesses are turning sustainability challenges into engines of growth.” 

Ceres Mainstage comes as extreme weather and rising energy and water demands are putting enormous strain on businesses and communities. At the same time, the U.S. government has rolled back many federal environmental policies, making it harder to address these challenges. Despite this, a record $2.3 trillion worldwide went to the clean energy transition, with estimates predicting a similar outcome this year. Renewable energy is on track to overtake coal worldwide as the largest source of electricity. This momentum underscores that clean energy is embedded in business decision-making.  

“Let's be clear about what this means: clean economy investment isn't a talking point anymore,” Lubber added. “It's a competitive necessity. It's a fiduciary duty. It’s an alpha generator. It's happening with or without Washington.” 

Ceres called on investors, companies, and policymakers to work together to accelerate investments in climate solutions by breaking down the hurdles that keep large-scale climate capital from flowing. Experts talked about working sector by sector to invest in solutions ready to scale today, from clean steel to grid infrastructure to sustainable data centers. If built responsibly, data centers can advance a clean energy economy and protect water resources, ensuring sustainable operations and community benefits.  

States are also navigating rising energy prices and reliability concerns, seeking clean energy solutions that address affordability while keeping costs in check. This week, New York Governor Hochul announced a $1 billion investment to address the state’s growing energy needs and strengthen grid reliability. New York City Comptroller Mark Levine proposed a new $5 billion plan to expand private market investments in climate solutions for three of the City’s public pension funds. His office noted that these investments will support grid modernization, energy efficiency and storage, clean transportation, and building decarbonization, among other initiatives. 

“Execution is everything. I believe that it's not an either/or proposition — that we're going to protect us from climate change and to have smart strategies, but we're also going to power our states,” said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “They have to help each other. They have to coexist.”

“I firmly believe that the best way to meet the demand in this new economy is clean energy,” said New York City Comptroller Mark Levine. “This is a more cost-effective and time-effective way to meet the demands of this evolving world. It is a huge investment opportunity, and I want New York City to be part of that.” 

 
Hear the full remarks of Ceres Mainstage speakers by registering here for an on-demand video recording.  

 
Editor’s Note:  

Tomorrow, Ceres and partners will convene the Nature Hive at Penthouse 45 for important discussions on sustainable food production, forest conservation, and nature solutions.  

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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.