As the summer heat rolls in, we turn our attention to planning for the last four months of the year – the fall conference season. There are top-tier conferences on virtually every major topic, from Security to Supply Chain, but this Fall, conferences focused on Sustainability kick off this busy time for conferences.

A series of significant events called Climate Week takes place in New York City September 22-29.

About Climate Week

Climate Week NYC is the largest annual climate event of its kind, bringing together over 600 events and activities across the City of New York – in person, hybrid and online. Each year, business leaders, political change makers, local decision takers and civil society representatives of all ages and backgrounds, from all over the world, gather to drive the transition, speed up progress, and champion change that is already happening.

Climate Week NYC is hosted by Climate Group, an international non-profit whose purpose is to drive climate action fast. Climate Group hosts the official program during the week that brings together the most senior international figures from business, government, civil society and the climate sector.

Also in September, the 79^th session of the UN’s General Assembly (UNGA) takes place from September 10-24 in New York City.  The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organization of the United Nations. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.

Several major conference producers hold conferences focused on the topics of Sustainability and Climate Change this week and continuing into October. If you are a thought leader doing groundbreaking work in sustainability, you may want to share your work by speaking at one or more of these conferences.

Here are some of the notable sustainability and related events taking place that week:

World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Meetings,  Sept 23-27, New York

During the week of 23-27 September 2024, coincident with the United Nations General Assembly, the World Economic Forum will host the Sustainable Development Impact Meetings. Drawing on the Forum’s dedicated communities of purpose, business leaders, policymakers, international and civil society organizations, innovators and social entrepreneurs will convene in person for a series of carefully curated impact-driven leaders’ dialogues.

Forbes Sustainability Leaders Summit, Sept. 24, New York

250 C-Suite leaders, senior business decision-makers, and public sector officials join to discuss advances in science, technology, and policy thinking to reach goals for a healthy and equitable planet and how to swiftly implement these solutions. The Summit will explore how leaders are driving and maintaining meaningful impact for a sustainable tomorrow.

Techonomy Climate, Sept. 25, New York

Techonomy Climate brings together 200 climate experts and government officials to explore and amplify sustainable practices that can drive significant environmental changes. Key topics include renewable energy, sustainable urban development, and innovative approaches to reducing carbon footprints across industries.

New York Times’ Climate Forward, Sept. 25, New York

Presents frank discussions about political and policy challenges, and new technologies that might help curb global warming. Hear from those on the front lines of climate change. Firsthand. On the mainstage, Times journalists will interview world leaders, activists, innovators and scientists, making news in real time. And at the intimate Changemaker Lunch, attendees can directly connect with an accomplished climate leader responding to the crisis in new and creative ways.

Reuters Sustainable Business Europe, 9/30-10/1/2024, London

From the CSRD and stricter rules on CO2 emissions to the CSDDD and EU Taxonomy, Europe is at the forefront of new regulation and incentives to support the transition to a low carbon economy. These new regulations, and rising stakeholder demands, are creating increasing pressure on companies and finance institutions. With an audience of over 700 700-750 leaders from across government, corporate and finance, the conference will discuss how they’re meeting the incoming regulations and driving real action on climate.

MIT Tech Review Climate Tech, Oct. 2, Cambridge, MA (2023 URL)

Join 250 leaders that are funding, creating, and deploying climate technologies to accelerate the transition to a green economy. Topics addressing innovations that will bring us to a sustainable future include electrification, AI, fusion, carbon capture, and city level solutions.

Reuters Sustainability, 10/7-8/2024, New York, NY

Sustainability has moved center-stage, through the Inflation Reduction Act, increasing reporting regulations, and rising customer expectations. At the same time political headwinds and complex financial realities pose significant uncertainties for both corporations and investors alike. 700 leaders from across government, corporate and finance delve into how sustainability and finance leaders are meeting the incoming regulations and driving real action on climate.

Fortune Impact, 10/8-9/2024, Atlanta, GA

100 C-suite leaders from Fortune 1000 companies who have primary responsibility for ESG issues. The conference covers key topics including: industry transition to net-zero and renewable energy sources; challenges and opportunities of integrating circular economy principles; implementation and measurement of ESG practices; and advancing the “S” in ESG.

Sustainable Brands, 10/14-17/2024, San Diego, CA

Over 1200 science, technology, and sustainability leaders cross industry. The conference will explore ongoing breakthroughs in innovation, new strategies, tools and solutions for turning challenge into business opportunity to redesign brands to win in a changing world. The conference will have 7 tracks: Materials & Packaging; AI & Sustainability; Supply Chain Management; Nature Friendly Design Paradigms; Organizational Transformation & Governance; Evolution of Marketing; and Purpose Led Corporate Communications.

Participate Now

If you or your organization is doing interesting work in this field, you may want to attend one or more of the events at or around Climate Week.  Better yet, if you’re a thought leader with new insights or an interesting case study to share, these could be great places to speak to share your insight with other influencers working on similar issues.  The time is now to submit your best ideas to conference organizers for the Fall conference season.