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Join the GCA at Climate Week NYC 2026

The Global Commons Alliance Secretariat, partners and members, joinED business, political and civil society leaders from around the world in New York for Climate Week NYC, September 20-27, 2026.

If you’re in civil society, philanthropy, or funding and will be in NYC, contact Sebastian Schienle, Co-Director (Partnerships and Programs), to talk about collaboration.

➜ Get the newsletter or follow our Linkedin for updates, and catch live recordings with We Don’t Have Time.

➜ Explore our calendar of key events in New York below.

Contact us to collaborate

EVENTS CALENDAR

LET'S COLLABORATE

If you’re in civil society, philanthropy, or funding and will be in NYC, contact Sebastian Schienle, Co-Director (Partnerships and Programs), to discuss collaboration.

 

PAST EVENTS

Sunday

SEPTEMBER 20
10am-12pm ET How to Live on Earth: Film Screening & Q&A with Climate Film Festival Member event

Organizers: Open Planet Studios + Climate Film Festival

Location: Regal Essex Crossing Cinema 9, 129 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002

Join the New York Premiere of How to Live on Earth: a visionary feature documentary from Open Planet Studios that explores our vital connection to nature and its role in our future. Presented by Benedict Cumberbatch, this ultimate “how-to video” features inspirational, cutting-edge stories and powerful cinematography from around the world to reveal how humans are learning to team up with nature to solve our biggest challenges. The screening will be followed by a live Q&A featuring Jonnie Hughes (Executive Producer & Co-Founder, Open Planet Studios), along with two of the film’s lead contributors, Sam Kass and Dan O’Neill. This special event comes ahead of the film’s global premiere on YouTube, giving audiences the opportunity to be among the first to see the film on the big screen.

Learn more →

Monday

SEPTEMBER 21
10.30-11.30am ET Planetary Health in the Anthropocene: A Live Screening & Q&A for Classrooms Member event

Organizers: Planetary Health Alliance and The Educated Choices Program

Location: Online

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.

Register →

12-7pm ET Planetary Health Club Member event

Organizers: Planetary Guardians

Location: 15 E 40th Street, New York, NY 10016

The Planetary Health Club is an immersive pop-up experience designed to make the connection between planetary health and human health tangible. Through a series of visceral installations, we want visitors to experience how pressures on Earth’s systems, from rising temperatures and air pollution to biodiversity loss and chemical pollution, directly affect our bodies and well-being. The space will also spotlight solutions already underway and give visitors clear ways to support action for a healthier planet and healthier people.

Learn more →

1.30-3pm ET Planetary Health Check Launch Member event

Organizers: Planetary Guardians in partnership with The New School’s Office of University Initiatives, and President’s Office

Location: Tishman Auditorium, The New School, 63 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10003

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.

Learn more →

4-5pm ET The Heat is On: Lessons on Culture, Sports and Climate Member event

Organizers: Project Basecamp, Count Us In, and the University of Exeter’s Nature and Climate Impact Team

Location: American Australian Association 600 Third Avenue, 34th Floor New York, NY 10016

When climate starts changing something people love, the stakes get harder to ignore. Sport lovers are already feeling the heat. Climate is changing soccer. From hydration breaks at the World Cup, to changing grassroots pitches, lovers of the game everywhere are feeling the pressure. Extreme weather has never felt closer, more visible and harder to ignore.

Join Project Basecamp, Count Us In, and the University of Exeter’s Nature and Climate Impact Team for a provocative, interactive discussion on what climate is doing to soccer, and what industry experts can share about how we respond. Special guest remarks from actor and advocate, Rainn Wilson.

Learn more →

All day event The Blue Investment Forum

Organizer: Blue Earth

Location: BakerHostetler, located at 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10111

This two-day forum connects 15+ pioneering ventures with global investors, corporate leaders, and strategic partners to scale sustainability solutions. At its heart will be two Founder Showcases featuring 14 businesses working across energy, AI, education, finance, food, agriculture and next-generation materials.

Learn more →

Tuesday

SEPTEMBER 22
8-9am ET Finding the Media Hooks: Demographics and Planetary Health Member event

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.

Register →

8.30-9.30am ET The New Security Agenda: Clean Energy, Nature Restoration, and Economic Security GCA event

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.

Register now →

8.30-10.30am ET 10 New Insights in Climate Science Member event

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. Invite only.

Learn more →

9-11am ET Turning Nature Ambition into Action: Driving Informed Business Decisions Across Value Chains

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.

Register →

10.30am-12.30pm ET Climate and Nature: Building an Integrated Pathway to 1.5°C: A UN Global Compact Leaders Summit session

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.

Register →

2-3pm ET How can we communicate better for life within Planetary Boundaries? Member event

Organizers: We Don’t Have Time, Stockholm Resilience Centre (SRC), Future Earth, Planetary Guardians, Global Commons Alliance, SDSN

Online & at Climate Nest Campus, North Javits Center, NYC

Hear from experts about communicating for a just world on a safe planet, including Wendy Broadgate, Executive Director, Earth Commission and Global Hub Director, Sweden, Future Earth.

Watch online →

3-5pm ET Expert Convening on a Global Earth System Policy Innovation Hub Member event

Organizer: Climate Governance Commission

Helping to connect researchers and policy innovators across climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution to identify and synergise pathways toward a global knowledge-sharing platform which can identify and socialise the most effective and equitable policies for addressing Earth system disruptions across planetary boundaries. By invitation only. Please express interest to Emma Broholm ([email protected]).

7.30am-8.30pm ET UN Global Compact Leaders Summit

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.

Register →

9am-7pm ET Planetary Health Club Member event

Organizers: Planetary Guardians

Location: 15 E 40th Street, New York, NY 10016

The Planetary Health Club is an immersive pop-up experience designed to make the connection between planetary health and human health tangible. Through a series of visceral installations, we want visitors to experience how pressures on Earth’s systems, from rising temperatures and air pollution to biodiversity loss and chemical pollution, directly affect our bodies and well-being. The space will also spotlight solutions already underway and give visitors clear ways to support action for a healthier planet and healthier people.

Don’t miss the Solutions Panel at 2.30-3.30pm ET.

Learn more →

Wednesday

SEPTEMBER 23
10.30am-12pm ET Step Up for Nature: From Corporate Ambition to Science-Based Action Member event

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:

  • Announce the latest corporate progress – from validated targets and milestones to companies signaling their ambition through our Step Up for Nature initiative.
  • Share corporate insights & highlight corporate leadership via a panel of senior leaders implementing science-based targets for nature at their companies.
  • Build momentum toward the launch of SBTN’s 2026 release of updated methods and guidance, which expands the scope of available targets and enhances feasibility, making the target-setting journey clearer and more accessible for companies.

Register your interest in attending →

11am ET The international launch of Planetary Communications with Johan Rockström Member event

Organizers: Stockholm Resilience Centre, Future Earth, We Don’t Have Time, Planetary Guardians, Global Commons Alliance, UN Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change (YAG) and The Sustainable Development Solutions Network

Location: Online

Join the international launch of the Planetary Communications, a new framework and handbook for sustainability communication, developed in collaboration with Johan Rockström and 100 other researchers and experts from across the globe. Participants will meet contributors to the handbook and discuss how we can communicate sustainability science more impactfully in a polarized world of mis- and disinformation.

Register →

5-6pm ET Driving Freshwater Resilience for Climate-Threatened River Basins Member event

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.

More info →

Thursday

SEPTEMBER 24
8am-6pm ET Ceres Nature Hive Member event

Organizers: Ceres, Accountability Accelerator, Accountability Framework initiative and Rainforest Foundation Norway

Location: Penthouse 45-432 W 25th St., New York

For the first time, Ceres is convening the Nature Hive at Climate Week NYC 2026 to advance important conversations about addressing critical business and community issues stemming from nature and biodiversity loss. This year’s event will feature three sessions hosted by partner organizations exploring sustainable food production, forest conservation efforts, and nature solutions investing.

GCA member Accountability Accelerator will host two sessions; ‘Systems of Consequence: Building the Infrastructure for Agrifood Accountability through Intervention Stacks’ at 10.30am-1.00pm, and ‘Can JREDD+ help companies meet supply chain goals?’ at 4-6pm.

Request invite →

9-11am ET Expert Convening on Enhancing Accountability across the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biodiversity Member event

Organizers: Climate Governance Commission

Bringing together key academics, lawyers, members of civil society, and other relevant experts, this convening will focus on identifying synergies between the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biodiversity with regard to accountability mechanisms, as well as on identifying pathways to enhancing existing mechanisms and establishing new mechanisms to improve planetary accountability with regard to Earth system disruptions across planetary boundaries. By invitation only. Please express interest to Emma Broholm ([email protected]).

Friday

SEPTEMBER 25
10am ET We Support Transitioning Away From Fossil Fuels Member event

Organizers: We Don’t Have Time

In Santa Marta, Colombia, 59 countries and the European Union came together to advance a just, orderly, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels. 5 months have passed; how can we take this process forward? How can we engage society and anchor it beyond governments? At Climate Week NYC, We Don’t Have Time brings together leading scientists, policymakers, and civil society organizations for an open discussion on what needs to happen to take this process to the next level.

10am-12pm ET Collaboration with the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Youth Advisory Board Member event

Organizers: Climate Governance Commission

Focused on enhancing the science-policy interface and early warning systems for the planet, in the face of grave Earth system disruptions across planetary boundaries, with particular attention to the role youth and civil society can play in developing pathways to strengthening the role of science in global policymaking. By invitation only. Please express interest to Emma Broholm ([email protected]).