A Flagship Session and Panel Discussion | NYC Climate Week Climate action has entered a new phase. The challenge is no longer knowing what needs to be done, it is finding the leadership to do it. Across every sector, organisations have climate strategies, net zero ambitions and sustainability commitments. Yet progress often stalls when decisions become difficult: when short-term pressures compete with long-term resilience, uncertainty undermines confidence, or meaningful collaboration across organisations and sectors is required. At the same time, the climate crisis is accelerating. Physical climate impacts are disrupting supply chains, communities and economies, while expectations from investors, customers, employees and regulators continue to rise. Climate action has moved from ambition to implementation. The question is no longer whether organisations support the transition, but whether leaders have the courage to make the decisions needed to deliver it. This is where courage becomes the missing ingredient. In this reality, one thing is becoming clear: Courage is no longer a soft skill. It is a strategic requirement. As part of NYC Climate Week 2026, this flagship session will bring together leaders from business, sustainability, policy, education, sport and civil society to explore one of the defining leadership questions of our time: What does courageous leadership look like when delivering climate action cannot wait? We'll also share a practical Courage Toolkit you can use from day one and together we'll explore the key questions that matter. What will you discover? Through honest conversation and real-world examples, our panellists will explore how organisations move beyond commitments to implementation, make difficult decisions under uncertainty, build partnerships that accelerate change, and demonstrate why courage is becoming one of the most important capabilities for delivering a more sustainable and resilient future. Together, we'll explore how courageous leadership can unlock the collaboration, innovation and decisive action needed to accelerate climate solutions—because the future depends not only on what we know, but on whether we have the courage to act. THE QUESTIONS WE'LL EXPLORE • Why do organisations that understand the climate challenge still struggle to act at the pace required? What prevents climate ambition from becoming climate implementation? • How do leaders make bold decisions amid uncertainty, financial pressures and competing priorities? • Where does courage break down;fear of reputational risk, short-term financial pressure or internal misalignment? How can organisations balance commercial resilience with long-term climate responsibility? • What role does courage play in accelerating innovation, collaboration and systems change? • How do you find the courage to move when the answers are incomplete, the cost is personal, and doing nothing feels safer? • If courage is now a strategic requirement, why isn't it on the board agenda? What kind of leadership is needed to deliver a just and resilient transition? FROM CLIMATE COMMITMENTS TO CLIMATE ACTION - THE CLIMATE LEADERSHIP COURAGE TOOLKIT The discussion will introduce a practical leadership framework built around four essential capabilities for accelerating climate action: • Clarity – Defining the principles and purpose that guide decision-making. • Commitment – Backing ambition with governance, investment and accountability. • Communication – Building trust through transparency, honesty and engagement. • Coalition Building – Creating partnerships that enable change beyond organisational boundaries. WHO SHOULD ATTEND? This session is for changemakers committed to accelerating climate action, leaders, decision-makers, sustainability professionals, policymakers, investors, entrepreneurs, academics and anyone wanted to have agency to help with climate action. Whether you work in business, finance, government, NGOs, sport, education or the wider climate ecosystem, this conversation will provide practical insights into how courageous leadership can unlock the collaboration, innovation and action needed to deliver a more sustainable and resilient future. OUR SPEAKERS – an exceptional line-up of leaders and changemakers This session will bring together entrepreneurs, activists, business leaders and changemakers who are turning climate ambition into action. It will build on the inspiring mix of voices we brought together during London Climate Action Week ( a social entrepreneur who built a B Corp beer brand donating all profits to the planet, an ocean conservationist who started his journey on Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior, an Olympic athlete turned social changemaker, an author and Purpose strategist, an innovative sustainability educator, a visionary leader connecting nearly 1,000 businesses with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and a carbon accounting pioneer who has united over 750 organisations across 60 countries around honest, rigorous climate accountability.) Our line-up is being finalised, with additional speakers to be announced shortly. Already confirmed: Hugo Valdes-Vera CEO & Founder, Think Ocean CIC Originally from Chile, Hugo began his environmental journey aboard Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior, contributing to campaigns that helped establish the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary. Today, through Think Ocean CIC, he leads innovative work addressing ocean pollution, biodiversity loss and climate resilience. His career reflects extraordinary personal commitment to protecting natural ecosystems and advancing sustainable innovation. Sanjay Silas Former President International banking, CEO and MD Axis Bank, UK Global business leader, former banking CEO with more than three decades of experience leading organisations through complexity, transformation and change. Having held senior leadership roles across India, the UK, Singapore, Dubai and Bangladesh, Sanjay brings deep experience of making difficult decisions, leading through uncertainty and building high-purposeful teams. Today, as an Executive Leadership Coach and CEO Advisor, he helps leaders develop the courage, clarity and resilience to make bold decisions, navigate uncertainty and lead with purpose when the path ahead is far from clear. Caroline Vienot Climate Education Leader & Climate Fresk Facilitator Caroline has helped thousands of business leaders, students and communities understand the science of climate change and translate knowledge into action. Through climate education and systems thinking, she empowers individuals and organisations to build the confidence and capability needed to accelerate climate action. Special Message - Neil Gaught Founder, Neil Gaught & Associates Internationally recognised for his work on purpose-led strategy and book, CORE, Neil will share reflections on why organisational purpose and courageous leadership are becoming essential competitive advantages in an era shaped by climate change, AI and systemic disruption. Neil is also part of the international committee developing ISO Standards for Corporate Purpose. MODERATED BY Ana Alonso Strategist, sustainability leader and Founding Director of PURE Value 360 and Empowering Progress, Ana has spent her career helping organisations transform ambitious sustainability goals into measurable business impact. From pioneering alternative aviation fuels to supporting large-scale energy innovation and organisational transformation, she brings extensive experience in navigating complexity and enabling leaders to create long-term value through sustainability and purpose. "This is not a panel about what should happen. It is a conversation about what happens when leaders decide to act anyway." More information at www.purevalue360.com