09.20pm ET
The skyline is green and the city is ready.
Climate Week NYC 2026 opens tomorrow morning with the Opening Ceremony from 9.00am ET. The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, gives the opening keynote, and the morning closes with H.E. Kristrún Frostadóttir, Prime Minister, Iceland, on why resilience is built before the crisis. The Hub Live follows in the afternoon.
We'll be bringing you the highlights here through the day.
See you in the morning.
08.30pm ET
Helen Clarkson named in The Independent's Climate 100 List
Our CEO, Helen Clarkson OBE, has been included in the third edition of The Independent's Climate 100 List, published today to coincide with Climate Week NYC.
The list recognizes the campaigners, changemakers and innovators making a difference on the climate crisis. Helen is included for her advocacy for systemic change, for pushing ambitious climate policies, and for building collaboration between business and government, alongside her role in growing Climate Week NYC from a single panel discussion in 2009 into the week the city is hosting now.
The full Climate 100 List is on The Independent.
08.00pm ET
How the week began
Climate Week NYC opened across the city on Sunday, with events running from early morning birdwatching to evening panels at the UN. A few that caught our eye:
-
Come to the Cove. More than half of US bird species are in decline, and climate change is a major driver. On Sunday afternoon, a group spent time at Sherman Creek in Manhattan, New York City's largest remaining wetland, spotting the birds stopping off on their fall migration and pitching in on restoration work.
-
First Timers. Emma Wilson, Head of Marketing, Climate Group, joined First Timers, hosted by Neha Arora, Founder, The Climate Chain Reaction, to share what she's learned about navigating the week. Her advice: be intentional about how you spend your time. Get out from behind the laptop, step away from the noise and misinformation online, and make room for genuine human connection.
-
A hackathon on health and extreme weather. The UNFCCC partnered with Climate in Health on a hackathon exploring how technology can help vulnerable communities prepare for and respond to extreme weather.
-
Alcohol and climate at the UN. Leaders from health and climate met at the UN in the evening to discuss the links between alcohol harm and climate change, and why the two are better tackled together.

07.00pm ET
Mayors from around the world arrive in New York
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani welcomed mayors from across the G20 welcomed mayors from across the G20 to the city for the 2026 Urban 20 Mayors Summit, co-chaired by New York and Los Angeles and running through today. More than 25 mayors, representing 34 cities, are meeting on three problems their residents have in common: the cost of housing, climate change, and migration.
"New York City was built by people who came here from every corner of the world, so there is no better place for the world's mayors to meet."
06.40pm ET
New York City's skyline is going green tonight in honor of Climate Week NYC. Head outside around 7.30pm and look up. Seven buildings are joining in, from Midtown to Coney Island:
- One World Trade Center
- Sven LIC
- Javits Center
- One Bryant Park
- One Five One
- Pier 17 at The Seaport
- The Phoenix at Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park
Got a good shot? Share it with #ClimateWeekNYC.
02.17pm ET
Adam Lake, Head of North American Communications, Climate Group, joined NY1 this afternoon to talk about what's arriving in the city this week.
Since launching in 2009, Climate Week NYC has grown since into the largest climate gathering in the world outside of COP. This year is the biggest yet, with well over 1,500 public and private events taking place across the city.
Adam Lake, Head of North American Communications, Climate Group speaking to NY1
06.15am ET
Climate Week NYC 2026 starts today
Welcome to Climate Week NYC Highlights, where we'll be bringing you updates from across New York City, September 20-27.
Expect interviews, photography, and the biggest moments from the Opening Ceremony, The Hub Live, and beyond.
Here's how to make the most of the week:
📹 Watch from anywhere. Can't make it in person? The Opening Ceremony and The Hub Live sessions will be available to watch on demand.
🗽 Find your events. Well over 1,500 events are taking place across the city. Browse the official events calendar and events map to plan your week.
💬 Follow along. Keep up on LinkedIn and Instagram, and join the conversation with #ClimateWeekNYC.
✉️ Get it in your inbox. Subscribe to our newsletter for the headlines from New York City and what comes next.
📍 Bookmark the Highlights page. We'll be updating the blog all week with everything as it happens.
The week starts now. Let's go.