The Forbes Sustainability Leaders Summit in New York, held during the United Nations General Assembly and Climate Week, brought together key figures from various sectors to accelerate efforts in addressing the climate crisis. Corporate executives, environmentalists, and investors discussed actionable strategies to promote clean energy, enhance water access, and improve ocean health. A recurring theme among speakers, such as environmental writer Bill McKibben, Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., actor Matt Damon, and former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, was the urgency to fast-track climate solutions, as the window to mitigate the worst effects of climate change is narrowing.
Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, cofounder of Urban Ocean Lab, emphasised that the challenge lies in the speed of implementation rather than the solutions themselves. With advancements in solar and wind power, clean energy's rapid scaling is seen as pivotal to reducing carbon emissions. Jared Blumenfeld, president of Waverley Street Foundation, noted that the energy revolution is transforming how power is consumed and produced but requires further acceleration.
The upcoming U.S. presidential election emerged as a significant factor, with concerns about a potential rollback of environmental regulations. Despite this, Washington Governor Jay Inslee affirmed that efforts toward sustainability would continue, regardless of political outcomes.
A key segment of the summit focused on water access, with Matt Damon highlighting the efforts of his non-profit, Water.org, which has used microloans to help 69 million people gain access to clean water and sanitation. Water access, as Damon and other experts noted, is inextricably linked to climate change, with the poorest populations disproportionately affected by water crises.
Former U.S. climate envoy John Kerry remained optimistic about the global transition to low-carbon energy. He pointed to the significant investments in clean energy technologies, such as advanced solar systems, battery storage, and geothermal energy. Kerry stressed that while progress is being made, particularly in innovation and new energy solutions, the pace needs to accelerate to meet climate targets, including limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C.