The Global Commons Alliance Secretariat, partners and members, will join business, political and civil society leaders from around the world in New York for Climate Week NYC, September 20-27, 2026.
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➜ Explore our calendar of key events in New York below.
Contact us to collaborateOrganizer: Planetary Guardians
The Planetary Health Check is an annual scientific assessment of Earth’s vital signs based on the Planetary Boundaries framework. First launched during Climate Week NYC in 2024 by the Planetary Guardians and Earth system scientists, the report tracks indicators across nine global processes to evaluate planetary stability and risk.
programming (running September 20–27, 2026), the two-day forum connects 15+ pioneering ventures with global investors, corporate leaders, and strategic partners to scale sustainability solutions.
Organizers: Planetary Health Alliance and The Educated Choices Program
From the food on our plates to the health of the whole planet, this live, classroom-friendly session explores Planetary Health through the story of modern agriculture. The Educated Choices Program, in partnership with the Planetary Health Alliance, opens with a short introduction, screens the 18-minute film Planetary Health: Agriculture in the Anthropocene, and closes with a live Q&A. Designed to fit a single class period, it connects climate, biodiversity, water, and human health to everyday choices students make – and ends where Planetary Health does: on solutions and the power of every meal. Built for secondary and post-secondary classrooms, educators are welcome to tune in with their students.
Organizers: The Planetary Health Alliance, the Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health (JHIPH), the Hopkins Population Center (HPC), and William H. Gates Sr. Institute for Population and Reproductive Health (WHGI)
Location: One Penn Plaza, New York City
Five experts will each pitch an urgent, underreported storyline on how population growth, aging, and urbanization are colliding with climate change, migration, and geopolitical strain. The 60-minute session includes five expert pitches, a live Q&A, and details on how to enter the Demographics and Planetary Health Story Prize, which will award cash prizes and editorial placement to the winning reporters or content creators. Attendees will leave with a Story Starter Kit, including the expert presentations, their contact information, and additional resources.
Organizers: ClientEarth + GCA Secretariat
Location: BakerHostetler, 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111
The climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and geopolitical energy shocks are intensifying security risks and urgency for governments to rethink resilience within planetary boundaries. A just and sustainable energy transition, alongside nature protection and restoration, can reduce fossil fuel dependence, limit exposure to destabilising shocks, and accelerate the shift to clean, renewable and resilient energy systems: strengthening energy, climate, and economic sovereignty, and protecting communities.
As global leaders gather in New York for the UN General Assembly, this event will explore how clean energy, resilient food and water systems, and nature restoration are advancing systems transformation within planetary boundaries: and how these shifts are shaping a new security agenda. The discussion will examine how governments can strengthen strategic resilience and planetary stewardship in an era of climate risk, conflict, and economic volatility.
Organizer: WSP
Location: One Penn Plaza, New York City
Join WSP for an interactive discussion on how leading companies are moving beyond disclosure to strengthen resilience, create business value and accelerate nature-positive outcomes. Hear lessons from pioneering Science Based Target Networks Ocean target-setting pilots and engage with peers on practical approaches to advancing nature strategies across business operations and value chains.
Organizer: UN Global Compact
Location: Marriott Marquis (Royale Room)
The UN Secretary-General has emphasized the importance of maintaining the 1.5°C threshold by the end of the century, requiring rapid emission reductions and a shift to clean energy. This session will explore the private sector’s role in achieving these goals through target setting and solution implementation focused on climate and nature. This session is for business leaders addressing climate and nature-related issues, aiming to set science-based targets, and for leaders with target-setting experience seeking to enhance corporate action and engage stakeholders. Speakers include the Science Based Targets Network’s CEO Erin Billman, and the Science Based Targets Initiative’s CEO David Kennedy.
Organizer: Future Earth
The 10 New Insights in Climate Science report is an annual series that has been published every year since 2017. It provides a concise science-policy brief specifically timed to inform negotiators and world leaders at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conferences (COP). Preview the upcoming global 10 New Insights in Climate Science report.
Location: New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square
The UN Global Compact Leaders Summit 2026 is held during the UN General Assembly High-Level Week to unite global business leaders, policymakers, and UN partners to turn sustainability ambitions into concrete actions.
Organizers: Science Based Targets Network, in collaboration with UN Global Compact and Accountability Accelerator
Location: Marriott Marquis (Playwright Ballroom)
Science Based Targets Network’s (SBTN) flagship event will bring together stakeholders from across business, finance, civil society, funders and media to:
Organizers: WWF, the Lincoln Institute for Land Policy, and Science Based Targets Network
Location: WWF’s Panda House
Join WWF, the Lincoln Institute for Land Policy, and the Science Based Targets Network (SBTN), for the launch of the Freshwater Basin Threshold Tool, a new resource designed to help companies translate water commitments into meaningful action across their supply chains. Speakers from WWF, SBTN, the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, and the private sector will discuss the future of science-based water stewardship and the partnerships, data, and tools needed to drive action at scale.
No events scheduled for this day yet — check back soon.
No events scheduled for this day yet — check back soon.