JCI at Climate Week NYC 2025

JCI had an eventful and inspiring week at Climate Week NYC 2025, a premier gathering of energy, climate, and environmental professionals. The JCI team spent much of the week in conversation with climate leaders in policy, tech, and advocacy at events hosted by The Climate Registry, California Environmental Voters, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, The Climate Group, the Port of Long Beach, Deploy Action, and the Electric Innovation Awards.

Day 1: California Climate Leadership Forum

Our Climate Week began at The Climate Registry’s second-annual California Climate Leadership Forum, where state leaders set the tone for bold, solutions-driven climate action. We were welcomed by California Senate Pro Tempore Mike McGuire and Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, as well as Senator Lena Gonzalez who helped push for great equity solutions, and Senator Josh Becker who pushed Cap & Invest over the finish line. Southern California Edison CEO Pedro Pizarro and Tom Steyer of Galvanize brought forward perspectives on grid expansion and climate resiliency, while Chair Sustainability Officer Nancy Sutley, CalEPA Secretary Yana Garcia, Senator Christopher Cabaldon, and Assemblymembers Tasha Boerner and Cottie Petrie-Norris focused on cutting red tape in advance climate solutions. Carla Peterman of PG&E, and Toks Omishakin of CA Department of Transportation offered additional insights on innovation and scalable clean energy efforts.

The day came to a close following insights from Assemblymember Dawn Addis, Caroline Choi of Southern CA Edison, Chair of CA Energy Commission David Hochschild, CA Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, CA State Senator Caroline Menjivar, and Douglass Sims, Managing Director of Green Finance at the National Resources Defense Council on handling the climate crisis in the era of the Trump administration.

Day 2: Power On and Delegation Engagements

On the second day, JCI supported its client Deploy Action while attending The Climate Group’s Hub Live: Power On. This convening focused on accelerating progress across key areas like Industry and Built Environment, Energy and Transport, Nature, Food Systems and Health, and Leadership and Green Growth. Renowned actress Jane Fonda, investor and philanthropist Tom Steyer, and renewable energy finance innovator Jigar Shah spoke with urgency about the opportunity to drive solutions across energy, transport, food systems, and green growth.

The day also allowed for meaningful collaboration with members of California’s legislative delegation, including Senators Lena Gonzalez, Scott Wiener, and Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, as well as Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris. These interactions provided a valuable opportunity to engage with a leading state on sustainable infrastructure and building policy. Furthermore, the JCI team connected with Environmental Voters' Mike Young and Veda Banerjee to explore avenues to enhance climate awareness and encourage civic engagement.

The evening concluded with a reception hosted by the Port of Long Beach that highlighted the role of ports in greening supply chains, with remarks from CEO Mario Cordero and CalEPA Secretary Yana Garcia. Later that night, the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) gathered state leaders, including GO-Biz CEO Dee Dee Myers and Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin, for an intimate dinner in appreciation of the California Delegation.

Day 3: Innovation and Driving Momentum

The final day focused on innovation and the future of climate funding. JCI and Deploy Action held an in-depth discussion with California leaders and clean tech entrepreneurs on how to continue the momentum around incentivizing clean technology in 2026. Arnab Pal of Deploy Action also shared his vision of the future as we transition from a federal funding economy to state-based support for new energy development.

At the NEST Climate Campus at Javits Center, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, and former Representatives Ryan Costello, Carlos Curbelo, and Bob Inglis reflected on the clean energy transition. The day also featured the Electric Innovation Awards, which honored Zum, Indigenized Energy, and Electrify America for pioneering climate solutions. The week concluded with a celebratory gathering hosted by Deploy Action, Cleantech Leaders Roundtable, and Constructive, where Jigar Shah marked his birthday alongside members of Congress, state delegations, and climate leaders from across the country.

Looking Ahead

As Climate Week NYC 2025 came to a close, JCI left energized by the collaborations, innovations, and leadership on display. We look forward to continuing to work with all of these amazing figures, especially through our work with Deploy Action, which is advocating for state power in the fight for clean, affordable energy.