The key takeaways from NY Climate Week, with Climate Group CEO Helen Clarkson

Oct 1, 2024

Join Helen Clarkson, CEO of the Climate Group, and Geoffrey Pyatt, US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, as they dissect the highlights of Climate Week in New York. Helen discusses how Climate Week has transformed from a business-focused gathering to a major platform for actionable climate solutions. They delve into the pressing need to overcome regulatory barriers for renewable energy investment and celebrate the launch of a coalition aiming for 24/7 clean electricity. Geoffrey also shares insights on the U.S. efforts in supporting Ukraine’s energy security.

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INSIGHT

Renewables and Energy Security

Corporate and government climate ambition remains strong, despite energy security concerns.
Renewables are now discussed within energy security, not solely as climate action.

ANECDOTE

Climate Week Highlights

The opening ceremony featured leaders like the Prime Minister of the Bahamas and Brazil's Indigenous Peoples Minister.
Climate Group launched a "global to-do list" with concrete climate action steps.

ADVICE

Overcoming Regulatory Barriers

Regulatory obstacles hinder renewable energy investment, not cost.
Focus on removing specific regulations like siting restrictions to unlock demand, says Helen Clarkson.

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The Energy Gang wraps up Climate Week in New York, after six days of debates, discussions, initiatives and pledges. Scheduled alongside the UN General Assembly, Climate Week brought together leaders from business, policy, finance, academia and activism to share ideas and push forward real solutions for climate change.

Host Ed Crooks sits down with Helen Clarkson, CEO of the Climate Group which organizes Climate Week, to talk about the big stories that emerged from the week. Climate Week has evolved from a small business-focused event to a larger platform, engaging diverse sectors in climate action. This year it included about 900 separate events, attended by an estimated 100,000 people.

Helen explains the evolution of the event, and its shift of focus from the question of why companies should act on climate, to ideas for implementing solutions. Regulations that obstruct investment in low-carbon energy are emerging as one of the biggest challenges in the transition, and Helen and Ed discuss how to break down these barriers and facilitate the growth of renewables. Support from tech companies and other businesses for the development of clean energy was a key theme through the week. The launch of the 24/7 carbon-free coalition of energy buyers, backed by the Climate Group, was one of the big announcements of the week.

Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt, US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, also joins the show to discuss the Biden administration’s role in supporting Ukraine's energy security amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, and the importance of building a resilient energy infrastructure. He says one of the key issues at his meetings at Climate Week has been the importance of the supply chain for critical minerals, and the need to reduce dependence on China by creating new capabilities for mineral extraction and processing. Plus, Ed and Ambassador Pyatt debate the role of the U.S. in leading the energy transition globally.

Find all our Climate Week reporting on The Energy Gang, wherever you get your podcasts.

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