By MSL U.S. Sustainability and Social Impact team
Climate Week NYC is more than a calendar event—it’s a pulse check on progress, a convergence of energy, and a proving ground for ideas that matter. It’s the kind of week that demands months of prep, sleepless nights and full-throttle commitment. And yet, every year, it delivers.
This year—the community showed up loudly and proudly. Despite headwinds impacting sustainability and its communication, Climate Week 2026 became the largest in its 16-year history, with over 1,000 events and a sea of changemakers running between sessions, sharing wins unpacking challenges and building new alliances.
The audience brought together corporations, policymakers, NGOs, startups, journalists, consultancies, as well as people passionate about sustainability, demonstrating climate action as mainstream and cementing the gathering as THE climate event in the U.S.
What Communications Professionals Should Know:
- It’s okay to talk sustainability commitments: In a landscape where climate messaging can feel risky, Climate Week proofed transparency and ambition still have a place. Sharing commitments here isn’t just safe—it’s strategic.
- Pragmatism opens doors for leadership: As some brands retreat, those with real action plans are stepping up. The cautious tone of the moment creates space for bold, credible leadership.
- Messaging discipline Is non-negotiable Every brand on stage came prepared—with clear, non-polarizing language and intentional storytelling. Precision matters.
- Consumer communication has room to grow: By integrating specific, verifiable sustainability attributes into product communications, brands can generate added value and loyalty without overburdening consumers.
Coming out of Climate Week, our team is energized. The momentum is real, and the insights we gathered will shape how we help clients communicate with purpose and influence in the months ahead.
If you're interested in learning more, please contact Anna Andreis, EVP, Sustainability and Social Impact at anna.andreis@mslgroup.com.