Reflections from Climate Week and What Organizations Need to Know

Recently, I had the privilege of attending events taking place across New York City for Climate Week, including New York Times Climate Forward, where I heard from passionate CEOs and spoke with clients on the urgent collective action required to address climate change.

New York City was bustling with leaders across the public and private sector discussing one of the most pressing issues of our generation and generations to come. According to our #client Deloitte’s most recent CxO report , climate change remains a top three issue for global C-suite level business leaders, surpassing political uncertainty, competition for talent, and the changing regulatory environment. That’s why we increasingly see organizations and their leaders invested in Climate Week and conversations throughout the year—because addressing climate is a strong driver of corporate reputation.

As organizations determine how they want to engage in Climate Week in 2025, there are a few key takeaways to consider:

• Policy and climate change discussions remain intertwined. Against the backdrop of both the upcoming US presidential election and others taking place across the globe, it was clear that no discussion of climate could overlook US politics. While the climate issue does not need to be a political one, it’s important for companies to be prepared to address the political questions that may come their way. With COP29 around the corner, conversations around the politics and policies of climate change will be prominent.
• Events are how companies get heard. Whether it’s official panels as part of the NYC Climate Week agenda, or gatherings hosted by organizations or top-tier media outlets, events are at the center of the climate dialogue. They’re how organizations engage their key stakeholders—from current clients and customers to public sector partners—and provide a meaningful opportunity for thoughtful dialogue and decision-making. They are also primarily where organizations have opportunities to speak on big stages and share their vision for the solutions required to address the climate crisis. For organizations looking to engage in 2025, consider either hosting your own gathering or investing in a media partnership to elevate your company and leadership among broader audiences. Events are also a natural opportunity to take a multi-channel approach, including developing video content for social, paid social, and earned media engagement. New advancements in audience intelligence and channel analysis allow companies to target key stakeholders with greater precision.
• Reporters are busier than ever before – make plans to meet well in advance. Similar to other major global summits including the World Economic Forum in Davos or CES, reporters have a jam-packed agenda with limited time for meetings. Climate Week, however, is a strong opportunity to get in front of priority journalists with introductory coffee, inviting them to attend an event, or on-the-record interviews. If your company is interested in setting up meetings with climate and business reporters while in New York, it is important that your Communications team is prepared roughly two months in advance, if not sooner, to begin setting up meetings. This way, you’re top of mind for reporters as they set their agenda, not once it is already full.

The conversation around climate action may be increasingly crowded, but there’s still room for organizations that have something valuable to contribute. Those that succeed will be the ones that not only understand the stakes but also approach engagement with a nimble and strategic mindset. Positioning on climate issues, much like other politically charged topics, requires thoughtful messaging and a clear understanding of how to reach the right stakeholders. With today’s advanced tools, companies have the ability to speak directly to their key audiences, cutting through the noise and delivering messages that resonate. Ultimately, the companies that stand out will be those that can effectively navigate this complex landscape with purpose and precision.