In the lead-up to New York Climate Week 2025, many wondered whether the world still had the appetite to unite around climate action. After all, in a crowded news cycle, climate change can feel like it’s slipped down the agenda, even as its effects grow more visible.

But the reality in New York was very different. This year’s event was the largest yet, with over 1,000 sessions bringing together leaders, innovators, policymakers, and changemakers from around the world. It was a privilege to be among them and witness a clear truth: the energy transition is accelerating.

Across the week, the sense of momentum was unmistakable. While sustainability may not dominate every headline, professionals across sectors are working tirelessly—often behind the scenes—to reshape how nations, industries, and communities act on climate. With COP30 on the horizon, it’s clear that climate action has moved from the sidelines to the mainstream, defining the future of business and society alike.

As I reflect on the week, four themes stood out:

Speakers at the NYC climate week

1. AI as a catalyst, not a cure-all

Artificial intelligence was a strong theme throughout the week but framed in a pragmatic light. This wasn’t about AI as an entertainment buzzword; it was about Industrial AI as a tool to deliver measurable business and climate impact.

At the Environmental Sustainability & Climate Innovation forum, I had the opportunity to present “Artificial Intelligence as a Catalyst for Sustainable Growth.” In that session, I drew on International Energy Agency research showing that the broad adoption of existing AI solutions could cut energy-related emissions by around 5% by 2035, equivalent to 3.2 to 5.4 gigatons of CO₂ reductions annually across sectors such as power, meat and dairy, and light road transport.

At IFS, we’ve been exploring this intersection of AI and sustainability through our own research with 1,700 industrial leaders, where 86% reported that AI has already had a positive impact on their environmental goals—particularly in hard-to-abate sectors.

Industrial AI tools like IFS.ai can optimize operations, enable predictive maintenance, improve grid resilience, and reduce waste across complex industries. For example, by using AI-driven tools such as Dynamic Line Rating to optimize existing grid capacity, we can help address the significant backlog of clean energy waiting to get onto the grid—without the need for new, costly transmission infrastructure.

Importantly, the decarbonization potential of AI far outweighs the energy and water required to power it. It’s a reminder that while AI is not a cure-all, it is already proving to be a powerful catalyst for sustainable growth.

2. Economics are driving the energy transition

The conversation this year was driven less by politics and more by economics. Clean energy has become cheaper, faster to deploy, and less exposed to geopolitical volatility than fossil fuels. Globally, investment in renewables is nearly double that of fossil energy, and last year 93% of new power added to the grid came from clean sources.

Solar is emblematic of this shift. Its cost has fallen by 94% in a generation, and solar, EVs, and batteries together now represent 10% of China’s GDP. With China producing 80% of solar panels, it has not only secured a dominant position in global supply chains but also contributed to driving down costs and making renewables accessible worldwide. Time and accessibility are other key factors: solar is one of the fastest forms of energy to install, and the rise of ‘plug and play’ solar is changing the dynamic by allowing homes and offices to be energy producers, not just consumers. It’s increasingly clear that we will “win” the transition on economics, not politics or green ideals.

3. Collaboration accelerates innovation

Climate Week also highlighted that no company can achieve systemic change alone. One example that stood out was Microsoft’s partnership with green steel producer Stegra, pioneering lower-carbon data centers. These are the kinds of cross-industry collaborations that demonstrate what’s possible when technology, manufacturing, and sustainability come together with purpose.

4. More transparency, less reporting

Finally, the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, and while there may be bumps along the way, the trajectory is clear. California – the world’s fifth-largest economy has mandated that over 4,000 companies disclose their emissions and climate-related risks starting in 2026. This reflects a global trend towards transparency and accountability in corporate climate strategies. Leaders are leveraging AI to free up Sustainability teams from the process-heavy work of reporting and enable them to focus on strategy, using tools to automate data collection, analysis and content creation.

Speakers at the NYC climate week


The story of this year’s Climate Week was one of progress and pragmatism. The economics of clean energy are now irrefutable. The Industrial AI revolution is reshaping how industries operate. Collaboration is proving essential to scaling solutions. And regulation is embedding climate into the very fabric of corporate responsibility.

It was a week of listening, learning, and engaging with leaders across sectors. I return both inspired and more certain than ever that while the challenges are vast, the solutions are within our reach and the momentum is only building.