Main Stage Agenda

Enjoy breakfast on the Campus because climate action cannot wait!

The Garden Eatery at The Nest Climate Campus is an engaging food experience and a place for robust networking as thought-leaders from the Campus gather for nourishment. Serving breakfast and lunch, the Eatery will feature locally-sourced and rooftop farm-grown plant based options and “sips and bites”.

Garden Eatery open daily from 8:00am - 4pm

How do you feel about climate change – and how can we best talk to one another about global warming?  Climate scientist Dr. Kate Marvel studies the physics of the planet using computational models.  But climate change isn't just happening on a computer- it's happening here, in the real world, to us.  And even a scientist like Marvel can't help but have feelings about that.  Join her as she explores climate science and solutions through the lens of different emotions, from wonder, to anger and fear, and finally to hope.  She argues that we don't need to choose between the hard facts that help us understand climate change and the feelings that help us communicate about it.  By embracing both, we gain a fuller picture of what we stand to lose- and all there might be to hope for on a rapidly warming planet.

This keynote address will be delivered by Kate Marvel, a climate scientist and one of the premier science communicators working today. A former cosmologist, Marvel received a PhD in theoretical physics from Cambridge University. She led the “Climate Trends” chapter in the U.S. Fifth National Climate Assessment, has given a TED Talk, appeared on Meet the Press and The Ezra Klein Show, and testified before the U.S. Congress. 

Join Dr. Jonathan Foley, executive director of Project Drawdown, for the world premiere of Drawdown Explorer. This revolutionary, open-access online platform provides detailed, up-to-date intelligence on more than 100 climate solutions that, if scaled, can stop climate change. The Drawdown Explorer is what the climate movement has been missing: an all-encompassing platform using the best available data to provide decision-makers with actionable intelligence on the most effective climate solutions. Built upon trillions of data points and thousands of hours of analysis by scientific experts, the Drawdown Explorer represents a quantum leap in advancing climate solutions, ensuring that every dollar, every resource, and every moment moves us closer to a world without a climate crisis.

In an era where data is paramount, the dual challenge of managing the heat generated by data centers and the energy required to cool them has become a critical issue. This fireside chat will delve into the intricate relationship between AI and energy management in data centers, exploring how AI both exacerbates and mitigates these challenges. Discussion Points will include heat generation and management, AI-driven cooling solutions, energy efficiency metrics, and the future of sustainable data centers.

From powering camcorders in the 1990s to enabling electric trucks with nearly 500 miles of range, battery technology shows how far innovation has come—and how it is reshaping mobility, strengthening supply chains, and driving a cleaner, more competitive economy. General Motors is advancing R&D, developing next-generation chemistries, and manufacturing these technologies in the U.S to bring breakthroughs from the lab to the road. Lithium manganese rich batteries promise greater range and affordability, while partnerships with Redwood Materials extend GM’s innovation into grid-scale storage for critical infrastructure—creating a more circular economy for battery technologies. These advances are more than engineering milestones; they represent the rise of an electrification powerhouse at GM, accelerating a future where battery innovation powers not just transportation, but resilience, competitiveness, and U.S. technology leadership on the global stage.

L’Oréal Groupe's Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer, Ezgi Barcenas, takes the stage to share how the world's leading beauty company is investing €100 million to accelerate climate solutions at scale.

Discover L'Oréal's strategic approach to purposeful collaboration with innovators developing breakthrough technologies that address climate, circularity, and nature challenges. Learn how a global industry leader is working to scale sustainable innovations and drive systemic transformation across the beauty sector and beyond. 

This discussion explores the intersection of corporate leadership and climate innovation—revealing how established companies can become powerful catalysts for the technologies that will define our sustainable future.

Taking climate action is no longer just the right thing to do for people and planet – it’s the only way we ensure a thriving business and economy for generations to come.  

The good news is the case for action has never been clearer. We know from experience that by taking climate action we can reduce costs, create jobs, improve health and ensure we stay competitive. We also know the cost of inaction is simply too high, with a recent report from WEF estimating up to 7% of annual earnings are at risk by 2035.  

Many of the solutions are already in our hands. Now, we must enable implementation at speed and scale.

In this session presented by Action Speaks in collaboration with the B Team, Discover how business leaders envision smart climate action —and how they are translating it into real-world strategies, actions, and results.

Around the world, craft communities, which are often located in the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions, are facing growing challenges caused by natural disasters, exacerbated by climate change. This conversation with Nest, a nonprofit and global craftadvocate, and Etsy will explore how environmental shifts are impacting artisan livelihoods and what we industry leaders and consumers can do to turn the tide. We’ll examine the urgent need for intervention and how better-informed purchasing decisions can drive systemic change. Listen in to learn why sustainability in craft is not just an environmental issue, but a human one.

The Garden Eatery at The Nest Climate Campus is an engaging food experience and a place for robust networking as thought-leaders from the Campus gather for nourishment. Serving breakfast and lunch, the Eatery will feature locally-sourced and rooftop farm-grown plant based options and “sips and bites”.

Garden Eatery open daily from 8:00am - 4pm

Sustainability continues to evolve – from pledges, to plans, to pilots, to progress – and it is most powerful when it’s embedded into the way we work, think and lead.

Procter & Gamble Chief Sustainability Officer Virginie Helias will talk about how sustainability is integrated into the company’s business strategy – across its operations, supply chain, and brands.

Attendees will capture insights on how to tackle big challenges using creativity and courage, learning from P&G’s experience, including pioneering a path with suppliers to decarbonize at the source, responding to water challenges through innovation and partnerships, enabling people to reduce their environmental impact at home, and scaling innovative solutions across industries to expand the scope, speed, and reach of change.

This dynamic panel brings together leaders to explore how partnerships across industries are driving progress in the circular economy. Panelists will discuss how regulatory changes, product innovation and shared value creation are reshaping B2B relationships through the lens of an investor analyst, global consumer brand and packaging supplier. Through real-world case studies and storytelling, the session will highlight successful collaborations, lessons learned and actionable strategies for building resilient, circular systems that deliver both environmental and business value.

Where mountains meet oceans — athletes, scientists, and advocates come together.

Something new is launching at The Nest Climate Campus, and it’s sparking a new kind of climate conversation. Join us for a powerful moment at the intersection of land and water.

What are microplastics, where do they come from, and what do they really mean for our daily lives? Join an honest and hopeful conversation that cuts through the noise with scientific clarity, business innovation, and consumer empowerment.

Moderated by Jamie Richards, Director of ESG at Bansk Beauty, this panel brings together Phoebe Stapleton, PhD, Associate Professor with tenure in the Pharmacology and Toxicology Department of the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy and a resident member of the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute of Rutgers University, and Erica Cocilova, CEO of microplastic free sustainable beauty company Ethique. Together, they’ll explore what microplastics are (and aren’t), the misconceptions we should leave behind, and how businesses, scientists, and consumers can work collectively to drive meaningful change.

How do you reach new audiences about sustainability?  The ABB NASCAR Electrification Partnership is reaching the heart of America to have better conversations about energy. The leader of the partnership joins the Main Stage and brings the world’s first all-electric ABB NASCAR prototype to the Campus! This 1,360-horsepower electric prototype travels across America as we explore electric racing, including race vehicles, electrification infrastructure, and energy education. NASCAR has committed to NetZero operating emissions in its operations by 2035. ABB serves as a key strategic technology and sustainability partner as NASCAR evolves its office, track, racing competition, and long-haul transportation operations. Attend this Main Stage session and visit the inner roadway at the entrance to the Campus to learn more about electrification and sustainability at the racetrack and at home!

Join CET President & CEO Ashley Muspratt for an on-the-ground look at what it takes to mobilize climate action in homes, businesses, and communities. This talk will showcase how CET has built its 50-year legacy working one-on-one with individual decision makers to remove barriers to behavior change, to assemble solutions that achieve environmental objectives while saving money and improving health and comfort, and to provide objective advisory services that take the cognitive overwhelm out of taking climate action. Never has the environmental movement had to rely so heavily on decentralized action to achieve its goals; economy-wide decarbonization calls for a whole new playbook.

How is the interconnection between human health and the environment driving product innovation across the consumer health industry? What are companies learning as they adapt to the impact of a changing climate on forests, air pollution, extended allergy seasons and more frequent environmental disasters? And how are consumers responding?

Join a discussion led by consumer health company Kenvue, maker of iconic brands such as Aveeno®, Listerine®, Tylenol®, Neutrogena®, and Zyrtec® on how this intersection is influencing public health, how consumers’ personal care routines are changing, and how the consumer health sector can transform to better enable people to adapt for the future?

L’Oréal Groupe is mobilizing science, technology, and cross-industry collaboration to meet the world’s sustainability challenges. This panel brings together L’Oréal leaders and partners to discuss how innovation, collective action, and shared commitment are shaping a more sustainable future for beauty and beyond.

Antonique Smith, the 2025 Ambassador of Earth Day, is a critically acclaimed Broadway, film, and television actor, a GRAMMY-nominated recording artist and writer, and a devoted social, climate, and environmental justice “artivist.” She first captivated audiences on Broadway in her iconic role as Mimi Marquez in Rent, later rising to fame portraying Faith Evans in the film Notorious. Known for her soulful, dynamic performances, Antonique has since continued to make her mark on screens and stages alike. Dubbed “the voice of the movement” by famed climate activist Bill McKibben, Antonique is mobilizing communities of faith and communities of color to address climate change as Cofounder and CEO of Climate Revival, co-founded with acclaimed climate champion Rev Yearwood. Through the power of music and storytelling, she inspires action, empowering others to join the fight for climate justice and a healthier, more just, and compassionate world.

Enjoy breakfast on the Campus because climate action cannot wait!

The Garden Eatery at The Nest Climate Campus is an engaging food experience and a place for robust networking as thought-leaders from the Campus gather for nourishment. Serving breakfast and lunch, the Eatery will feature locally-sourced and rooftop farm-grown plant based options and “sips and bites”.

Garden Eatery open daily from 8:00am - 4pm

This keynote address will be delivered by Sheldon Whitehouse, who represents Rhode Island in the United States Senate, where he is fighting to position America as a leader in the clean energy economy and protect the Ocean State from the consequences of climate change.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW), Whitehouse takes on the fossil fuel industry and spearheads policies combatting the climate crisis, leading the transition to a clean energy economy, and strengthening environmental protections.

A graduate of Yale University and the University of Virginia School of Law, Whitehouse served as Rhode Island’s U.S. Attorney and state Attorney General before being elected to the United States Senate in 2006.

The transition to a cleaner, more resilient economy needs to accelerate. In America, the freedom to invest and the opportunity to grow businesses, manage financial risks, and protect long-term value are essential. This session – which features center-right perspectives – will explore the current challenges and solutions in advancing climate action. 

Ceres CEO and President Mindy Lubber will highlight the ways U.S. businesses are prospering in the transition and spotlight innovation and job growth. Prominent industry and policy experts will make the case for championing efforts to protect the long-standing rights of businesses to make responsible investment decisions. And a leading corporate executive will explain how sustainable practices across their operations and supply chains are helping them remain profitable and competitive.

Building on a century of automotive experience, General Motors is leveraging smart business practices and thoughtful design to pursue its vision of a zero-emissions future. Chief Sustainability Officer Cassandra Garber shares what GM has learned from its portfolio of more than a dozen EVs – from crossovers to luxury SUVs to pickup trucks – and explores how, working together, we can accelerate the generational shift to electric-powered mobility.

The vision of Trust for Public Land: turn 2 million acres of schoolyards into cool, safe, and inspiring places that help students, neighborhoods, and our environment thrive. Through our Community Schoolyards initiative, students help design these spaces while gaining skills, confidence, and fostering environmental stewardship. This is project-based learning in action. 

In this panel, experts will share how policy, design, and community partnerships are transforming schoolyards into climate-resilient, nature-rich spaces—and how you can help bring this solution to your city. Everyone has a role in expanding this cost-effective, high-impact climate solution nationwide—to create healthier, more connected, and more resilient communities, starting with the schoolyard.

What are we missing? Join Toyota for a deep dive into the overlooked forces shaping carbon reductions in mobility. This session will unpack the evolving "rules of the road"—including emerging frameworks for carbon accounting, and how nature impacts and circularity are reshaping automotive sustainability.

We’ll also shine a light on one of the biggest blind spots in transportation decarbonization: the more than one billion vehicles already on the road. Could reducing emissions from vehicles in operation (VIO) be our most powerful—and underused—climate lever? With new behavioral science, data, and technology, Toyota believes the answer could be yes.

Leave with a reframed understanding of the tools and technologies available to drive down emissions—now and in the decades ahead.

Nature has always been a master innovator—from fungi that decompose waste to the dazzling, pigment-free color of butterfly wings. Today, businesses are translating these natural breakthroughs into powerful climate and sustainability solutions. But scaling them takes more than brilliance—it takes partnership.

How large corporations are teaming up with nature-inspired innovators to drive meaningful, market-ready impact? How corporations embed nature’s principles into their operations? And if we truly let nature lead, what business decisions would look different tomorrow?

The Garden Eatery at The Nest Climate Campus is an engaging food experience and a place for robust networking as thought-leaders from the Campus gather for nourishment. Serving breakfast and lunch, the Eatery will feature locally-sourced and rooftop farm-grown plant based options and “sips and bites”.

Garden Eatery open daily from 8:00am - 4pm

Amidst the Climate Week in New York, VELA will unveil its decarbonised, 100% wind-powered, transatlantic freight service. This next-generation shipping solution offers up to 99% lower carbon emissions and faster lead times than traditional sea freight while offering high-end service for product integrity and traceability at air freight standards. Long term, VELA aims at operating the world’s largest fleet of sailing cargo vessels. On this panel hosted by VELA’s US investor, 11th Hour Racing, customers of VELA's solution from the pharmaceutical and industrial sectors will discuss the challenges of decarbonising overseas transportation while maintaining the quality of service and complying with the business requirements of demanding supply chains.

Wildfires are not just a consequence of climate change - they’re accelerating it.

In just one month, the January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles pumped 4 million metric tons of CO₂e into the atmosphere, while an average California fire season erases 5 to 7 years of all climate progress from all the states green initiatives combined.

Led by Wayne Coulson, CEO of Coulson Aviation, the global leader in aerial firefighting, this session will spotlight rapid wildfire suppression as one of the most cost-effective, immediate, and scalable climate solutions available today.

The American Institute of Architects believes that design can shape a zero-carbon, resilient, and equitable built environment. But architects can’t do this alone. We need supportive community leaders and policies to ensure that clients can make the best choices easily. 

The energy transition is at a pivotal moment. Momentum built in recent years is facing new challenges, and rising energy demand from AI, data centers, and heavy manufacturing is adding more complexity.

The question now is: What’s next? This session will explore how industry can join forces to accelerate and implement market-ready solutions that deliver impact today while continuing to invest in the innovations that will shape the future. It will also highlight practical ways industry can overcome current obstacles and maintain progress so that the energy transition continues to advance, even amid uncertainty.

The utility sector is the backbone of the clean energy transition — but with just five years left until 2030, are we moving fast enough? In this session, Motive Power and the National Public Utilities Council (NPUC) debut the Fall 2025 Decarbonization Report, benchmarking the progress of the nation’s largest utilities. Through personal stories, fresh data, and a rapid-fire panel of utility leaders, we’ll explore where utilities stand today, the challenges threatening momentum, and where cross-industry collaboration is most urgently needed. Expect a candid, energetic conversation that leaves you inspired to help utilities meet the climate goals we all share.

In a week packed with bold ideas, here’s one you can act on: conservation that delivers for people, climate, and biodiversity—all at once.
 
New research from the National Audubon Society reveals that less than 3% of protected U.S. lands provide overlapping benefits for birds, carbon, and people. Even more striking: 95% of socially vulnerable populations in key conservation areas face multiple inequities—and are largely left out of current protections.
 
Audubon’s new framework identifies 312 million acres—14% of U.S. lands—where we can do better. This session offers a practical, people centered path forward, showing how strategic land protection and local engagement can drive real impact across communities, climate, and ecosystems.
 
If you're working at the intersection of equity, nature, and climate—or want to be—this is a session you won’t want to miss.

How do we power new AI data centers sustainably and responsibly on the U.S. current electrical grid? Energy use from large-scale cloud computing providers known as hyperscalers is forecasted to grow substantially—anywhere to 6.7% to 12% of total U.S. load by 2030.

Join the Duke University's AI-Ready Grids: Integrating Hyperscale Loads Faster, Cleaner, Cheaper to learn more about how we can manage electrical loads flexibly and power our AI future sustainably. You won't want to miss this session!

Invited guests will celebrate the tremendous collaboration, community engagement, and collective climate action taking place on the Campus.  

They'll enjoy: 

• Networking with top executives across industry and sector from The Nest Climate Campus communities.
• Hor d'oeuvres and cocktail reception.
• Gorgeous views of the Hudson River and Manhattan with access to the Javits Center’s outdoor rooftop, weather permitting.

Enjoy breakfast on the Campus because climate action cannot wait!

The Garden Eatery at The Nest Climate Campus is an engaging food experience and a place for robust networking as thought-leaders from the Campus gather for nourishment. Serving breakfast and lunch, the Eatery will feature locally-sourced and rooftop farm-grown plant based options and “sips and bites”

Garden Eatery open daily from 8:00am - 4pm

This keynote address will be delivered by Jeff Gitterman, a Partner at Gitterman Wealth Management and the CEO of Gitterman Asset Management. He  is a widely recognized leader in the climate-focused investing field, with a particular emphasis on climate adaptation and resilience, and the co-creator of the firm’s SMART (Sustainability Metrics Applied to Risk Tolerance)® Investing Services, which offer climate-focused investing solutions to individual investors and other financial advisory firms. 

His keynote will focus on how two of the fastest moving issues in today's world are climate change and rise of AI. While we have no historical frame of reference as to how creative or destructive AI can become, at the same time, the politically divisive nature of climate change has made addressing it extremely difficult. From a wider perspective, how are we able to respond to each of these issues effectively, from both an investing and a personal vantage point?

At The Nest Climate Campus during Climate Week NYC 2025, Mike Silvestrini, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Energea, will share Energea's unique investment platform that  connects retail investors to solar portfolios around the globe. From powering off-grid installations in Colombia and commercial & industrial projects in Africa, to community solar developments in the U.S. and Brazil, Energea transforms impactful energy transition projects into accessible, sound investments for thousands of investors across the country. Energea demonstrates that investing in sustainability can deliver both meaningful environmental benefits and strong financial returns. Discover how this approach is helping shape a cleaner, more equitable global energy future.

Nearly 40% of the annual food supply in the U.S. goes to waste while at the same time over 40 million Americans live in food insecure households. It makes no sense. In this fireside chat two visionaries, Elizabeth Bagley, the Managing Director of Project Drawdown and Joe Robbins, the Chief Product Officer of Food Rescue US will discuss the significant impact keeping nutritious food out of landfill is having on mitigating climate change and feeding the food insecure. Food recovery is a rewarding climate solution available to almost everyone and it is a powerful way for employers to get their associates engaged in meaningful climate action. Technology can make it fast, easy and super efficient.

As cities continue to grapple with the challenges of climate change, food insecurity, and urban density, innovative approaches to sustainability have become more essential than ever. Join us for a dynamic panel discussion exploring the intersection of urban farming and responsible design, with a spotlight on the groundbreaking one-acre rooftop farm at Javits Center. Moderated by Javits Center’s President & CEO Joyce Leveston, the panel includes Kenneth Sanchez, SVP of Facilities and Chief Sustainability Officer at the Javits Center; Claire Weisz, Founding Principal at WXY; and Ben Flanner, Co-Founder of Brooklyn Grange. Together, they will explore how thoughtful architecture, green infrastructure, and cross-sector collaboration can transform urban spaces into resilient, environmentally conscious hubs that will support both communities and the planet for future generations.

When we think of the causes of climate change, often the first thing that comes to mind is the use of fossil fuels for electricity production, transportation, or industry. At the same time, an equally significant, yet far less recognized, contributor to climate change often gets short shrift: the global food system. A whopping 22–33% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from the food, agriculture, and land use sector. To accelerate the adoption of science-based climate solutions in the sector, Project Drawdown has identified seven key areas where actors should focus their efforts. Join Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Foley to learn more and get a sneak peek at a food campaign Project Drawdown will be launching later this year.

Climate solutions often begin with people and communities driven by purpose—and grow when backed by a strong business case.

When political or corporate support slows, community-led initiatives can keep momentum alive. Join us to explore how these grounded efforts can inspire companies and policymakers to aim higher, offering scalable, people-centered models that drive lasting climate impact.

A behind the scenes look into managing millions of fans and guests per year and maximizing the sustainability impact.

Discover how bold ideas in sustainability are reshaping the way we eat, cook, and serve. Join Ed Brown, CEO of Restaurant Associates, and Amy Keister, Global Director of Sustainability at Compass Group, for a fast-paced, inspiring conversation on why sustainability is not just a buzzword—it’s the result of intentional choices made every day.

Guided by Ann Sheridan, Vice President of Communications at Compass Group, this 20-minute session promises practical insights, fresh ideas, and a new way of thinking about food and change.
Don’t miss it—come hungry for inspiration.

As aviation accelerates toward Net Zero, demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is surging—but supply is constrained by feedstock and technology challenges. Firefly, in partnership with Synagro, unlocks a scalable solution by converting biosolids into high-quality SAF using a pioneering two-stage HTL and hydrotreating process. This innovative approach not only delivers drop-in SAF but also addresses PFAS contamination— providing a new solution for beneficial use of biosolids, transforming waste into a climate-positive impact and reshaping the future of flight.

Join livestock producers and industry leaders as they offer insights into the role of animal agriculture within our food system, from pasture to plate. Discover how collaborative efforts across the entire supply chain can foster actionable sustainability solutions, gain perspectives from livestock producers and animal health experts on on-farm sustainability practices, and explore strategic initiatives designed to enhance and harmonize sustainable actions throughout the value chain. Engage in dynamic discussions that underscore the role of animal agriculture in driving solutions for a sustainable future.

This panel brings together leading voices in theater, television, film and climate problem solving to explore how stories both shape and stall our collective response to the climate crisis. At this moment, our communication strategies are hitting a real stride, relying less on fear-based messaging and more on nuanced and personalized content, finding new ways to engage the public around the state of our world.  

But what about the powerful and often invisible scripts that hold us back from meaningful change? Whether self-created or a manufactured PR offensive, there are narratives we all battle that make us question or deny the benefits of our own actions. Does my recycling even matter? Am I a real climate activist if I take a plane to this conference? If billionaires aren't fixing the problem, why should I? Do our individual actions actually help achieve a meaningful sum? So while we continue to create stories that embolden and empower people, we must simultaneously pay close attention to the tales of discouragement that must be untangled from our collective conscience.

With that in mind, our panelists will reflect on the internal and external narratives that made them and their characters hesitate, question, or doubt their role as climate stewards. By shining a spotlight on these observations, we hope audience members will reflect on their own beliefs, what holds them back, and eventually, what moves them forward. Providing insights not only relevant to the arts, but everyone looking to pass policy, move donors, or motivate themselves to continue the work.

• Why and how to frame climate initiatives as part of running a responsible and profitable business
• How to talk about climate risk being business risk
• What messaging does and doesn’t resonate with consumers  

Continuing the conversation on effective climate communications, this session provides additional insight on what we’ve learned about how to engage with consumers and how advertising can be a force for better, inspiring more sustainable outcomes through everyday ads, alongside increasing climate content in entertainment.

Former Unilever UK & Ireland chief executive, who is co-author of Sustainable Advertising - How Advertising Can Support a Better Future and also chair for ad industry climate action program Ad Net Zero, hosts a conversation with two leading organizations working to help equip agencies and brands not only drive positive environmental outcomes but drive stronger business growth.

This session will unpack findings from several new resources and demonstrate how small changes, and tweaks in language, matter more than you think:

• Ad Net Zero’s Every Brief Counts, an easy-to-use toolkit for strategists and creatives to consider how more sustainable behaviors can be incorporated into every day ads
• EPIC’s “Health Blueprint”, a new report that demonstrates how a health and well-being lens is effective across demographics and viewpoints, making the issue more personal and approachable for audiences
• Revolt’s groundbreaking “Cost of Silence report”, which demonstrates with new granularity the financial and reputational benefits—and watchouts--for brands that authentically communicate their sustainability efforts, and their “Poking the Bear” research on what language inspires and what language polarizes.