Why I am not a complete skeptic (yet!) of the annual circus that is #ClimateWeekNYC and the opening of the UN General Assembly

It’s late September and, therefore, time for the annual dual gatherings that many-a-New Yorker loves to loath:? Climate Week NYC and the opening/high-level week of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) , which conclude today.?

Estimates suggest that over 100,000 people travelled to participate in the hundreds of events, side meetings, summits and gala dinners taking place throughout the five boroughs during the week, making travel throughout the city – already a competitive sport – nearly impossible, while also inspiring many of us working in the sustainability arena to ask ourselves, is it worth it??

On my LinkedIn feed, many have answered that question with a resounding ‘no.’? I have seen posts from Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) explaining why they will no longer participate in Climate Week and climate activists urging others to boycott what they consider to be pointless talk-shops.

It’s understandable why many of my sustainability peers are cynical.? Despite our best efforts, climate denialism continues while emissions rise , wildfires burn , and the weather continues to get more extreme .? They rightly question whether having a bunch of elites descend on New York to offer up platitudes on solving the crisis is actually translating to action and impact.

While acknowledging the validity of this criticism, I would like to offer an alternative view.

This year marks 25 years since attending my first UNGA.? It was 1999 and I was just out of college working as a proofreader in what was then known as the UN Press Office.? Since that time, I have participated in almost every UNGA, both during my 21-year tenure working at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) , and for the last (almost) 3 years, as a Senior Vice President of Sustainability at WE Communications .? So here are a couple of personal observations on what has changed for the better since that time, and why Climate Week and UNGA discussions can and do impact real world operations and solutions for our planet.? ????

It’s not just for the international policy wonks and UN watchers anymore

While UNGA and Climate Week are often mentioned in the same breath, they are actually two distinct events. The annual opening of the UN General Assembly – marked by the General Debate where world leaders address the Assembly – is currently in its 79th year, while Climate Week only started in 2009.?

Before Climate Week existed, the opening of UNGA was an event that was largely attended by government and UN leaders with some participation from civil society organizations (CSOs) and the occasional business leader.? That has changed quite dramatically in the last 15 years, and the creation of Climate Week played a big role in accelerating that transition.? Because Climate Week is strategically timed to the opening of UNGA, business leaders, sustainability-focused entrepreneurs and climate financiers are mingling with international government decision-makers which is essential for forging the public-private partnerships required to properly finance and implement the climate solutions the world needs .?

Younger generations have a seat at the table

As someone that worked at UNICEF for nearly 21 years, this one is personal.? In one of my key roles at the organization, I was charged with leading UNICEF’s engagement in the consultations and negotiations that led to the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the opening of the 70th UNGA in 2015.? Two of our key messages throughout those processes were that 1) children and youth had the right to learn about sustainability in and outside of the classroom; and 2) children and youth deserved a seat at the table in expressing their views, concerns and ideas for solutions.?

Fast-forward to 2024 and nearly every event I have attended this week has either included young speakers or has talked about the importance of inter-generational dialogue and co-creation of solutions with young people.?

The work of UNICEF on this issue has also contributed to real world impacts for the private sector.? The first cohort of children who learned about the SDGs in school when the Goals were first adopted are now young adults who are employees and consumers -- and they are helping to shape the companies that they work for and patronize into organizations that are more socially and environmentally responsible.? Even the NY Post this week – hardly a beacon of positive climate coverage – featured a story about the sustainability-focused brand PANGAIA , quoting a GenZ influencer who noted that her generation “is very socially and environmentally active, so we make an extra effort four our clothes to reflect our activism and take initiative.”

What you say here does matter

While critics might argue that events at UNGA and Climate Week are just a lot of talk, there are some pretty striking examples from the last few years that what you say here does matter.?

In 2022 at the NY Times Climate Forward Event, then-World Bank President David Malpass had a viral media moment when he refused to acknowledge that the burning of fossil fuels played a role in driving climate change .? This event was a clear marker of the beginning-of-the-end for Malpass’s tenure as Bank President: he resigned a few months later after facing months of criticism and calls to step down.?

In the two years since, the Bank has made a pointed shift in leadership . Under the stewardship of current World Bank President Ajay Banga, the organization has committed to raising the proportion of its annual financing that goes to climate change adaptation from 35 percent to 45 percent starting in fiscal year 2025, which began in July. Already in FY2024, the Bank delivered a record $42.6 billion in climate change financing; a fact that was shared with pride by World Bank Chief Information Officer Amy Doherty at a dinner I attended on Tuesday night.? ??

Conclusion

These are just a few anecdotes from my own experiences and observations, but I know I’m not alone.? And while I would also acknowledge that I have certainly heard my share of empty promises articulated at banal events over the years; I have also learned so much, met fascinating and incredibly committed people, and left with ideas and inspirations that I have been able to translate into action and impact for the organizations I have worked for and the clients that my team supports.? So, for me, UNGA and Climate Week are still worth the effort…but ask me again in another 25 years!? ?