The Climate Forward live event is currently in session, gathering influential figures including world leaders, policymakers, industry heads, and activists. A central theme dominating discussions this year is the Trump administration’s controversial stance on climate policy.
During the opening session, André Corrêa do Lago, Brazil’s diplomat overseeing the upcoming UN climate negotiations (COP30), confirmed that U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright is welcome at the conference, despite the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw the United States from the landmark Paris Agreement. Secretary Wright is also scheduled to speak at the Climate Forward event later today. This marks a significant shift from the previous year, when the U.S. was positioned as a climate leader under the Biden administration. Now, under President Trump, the nation is actively downplaying climate change threats and championing fossil fuels.
The urgency of these discussions cannot be overstated. With another year of unprecedented global temperatures and escalating climate-related disasters, leaders face a dual challenge: a rapidly changing planet and a profoundly altered political environment. This complex situation is further complicated by rising global energy demand, partly driven by the expansion of artificial intelligence, and China’s commanding lead in developing clean energy technologies like batteries and solar power.
The event agenda features prominent voices such as California Governor Gavin Newsom and Bob Mumgaard, CEO of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, who is spearheading efforts to build the world’s first commercial fusion power plant. The conference offers a comprehensive lineup of speakers and panels addressing these critical issues.
Beyond the live sessions, additional insights are available:
- Global Perspectives: World leaders share their strategies for navigating climate action in the wake of the U.S. shifting its stance on international efforts.
- The Climate Forward Podcast: A special episode features former Vice President Al Gore discussing the evolution of the climate movement two decades after his impactful documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth,” sparked global conversations.
- Audience Questions: Dozens of pressing climate-related questions submitted by the public will be addressed during the conference.
- Stay Informed: Subscribers can sign up for the Climate Forward newsletter for ongoing updates.
André Corrêa do Lago, the Brazilian diplomat leading global climate negotiations, reaffirmed that U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright is invited to the upcoming conference, despite the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Mr. Corrêa do Lago noted Secretary Wright’s skepticism regarding the economic viability of climate action, stating that Wright believes mitigation efforts are too costly. ‘I think this is what we want to discuss,’ Corrêa do Lago emphasized, highlighting the necessity of engaging with oil companies and various economic sectors apprehensive about the energy transition.
While defending the long-standing rule requiring unanimous consensus on key climate targets, Corrêa do Lago acknowledged that this very rule often frustrates progress, as a few nations can effectively block collective action. The upcoming COP30 climate conference, marking a decade since the Paris Agreement, will take place in Belém, Brazil, near the Amazon. This gathering occurs amidst a broader global pullback from climate politics. Beyond the U.S., initiatives to reduce emissions and accelerate renewable energy adoption are encountering new obstacles in Canada, Europe, and South America. A recent UN report revealed no significant progress in curbing emissions or addressing global warming in the past year, prompting some to question the efficacy of the current climate diplomacy framework.
Few individuals have been more instrumental in bringing climate change into public consciousness than former Vice President Al Gore, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate recognized for his environmental advocacy. His 2006 Oscar-winning documentary, ‘An Inconvenient Truth,’ played a pivotal role in galvanizing global awareness and action on climate change.
However, the Trump administration has aggressively moved the U.S. away from international climate efforts. In an exclusive interview, Mr. Gore shared his perspective on the future of the fight to protect our warming planet. This discussion is part of The New York Times’s limited series, featuring leading world figures, business executives, and policymakers addressing the escalating threat of climate change live at the annual Climate Forward conference in New York City.
In his conversation, Al Gore reflected on why climate action has been so challenging since ‘An Inconvenient Truth’. He pointed to the fossil fuel industry’s ‘massive, decades-long campaign of denial and obstruction’ and the sheer inertia of a global economy deeply entrenched in fossil fuels. Despite these hurdles, Gore expressed faith in a ‘Dornbusch’s Law’ pattern of change – slow at first, then rapidly accelerating.
Gore observed a significant shift in public understanding and concern about climate change over the past two decades, largely driven by ‘Mother Nature’s participation.’ He described the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events as ‘a nature hike through the Book of Revelation,’ highlighting the alarming catastrophes occurring globally. While acknowledging the severity, he emphasized the importance of hope and action over despair, drawing parallels to social movements where collective engagement drives change.
Addressing the Trump administration’s impact, Gore noted its most significant effects have been within the U.S., particularly through increased subsidies and policy favors for fossil fuels, while actively undermining renewable energy initiatives. He starkly contrasted the $4.4 trillion in annual fossil fuel subsidies with the $4.5 trillion estimated by the International Energy Agency as needed for the energy transition, suggesting that eliminating subsidies could fund the shift. He also discussed the difficulty in changing perspectives when ‘income depends upon him not understanding it.’
On the most alarming climate scenarios, Gore refrained from singling out one but mentioned the mysterious disappearance of cold water upwelling off South America as an example of unexpected and concerning developments. He found immense hope in the ‘largest global grassroots movement in history,’ driven by young, energetic activists who are actively pressuring elected officials to prioritize climate action. He underscored the economic benefits of sustainability, which creates more jobs than the fossil fuel economy, and emphasized that ‘the antidote to climate despair is climate action.’
The 2025 Climate Forward conference, held on a Wednesday, featured a diverse lineup of speakers and panels, covering crucial aspects of climate policy and action. Key sessions included:
- The High Stakes of COP30: André Corrêa do Lago, president of COP30, discussed ‘economic denial’ as a new challenge for climate talks, especially as the U.S. retreats from global action.
- Climate Activism in the Trump Era: Abigail Dillen (Earthjustice), Manish Bapna (Natural Resources Defense Council), and author Bill McKibben explored how environmental groups are adapting their strategies amidst Trump’s regulatory rollbacks.
- Global Power Access: Jacqueline Novogratz (Acumen) and Damilola Ogunbiyi (Sustainable Energy for All) addressed strategies to provide reliable, affordable energy to millions worldwide.
- A.I. and Climate Goals: Kate Brandt (Google) and Melanie Nakagawa (Microsoft) examined how AI innovation impacts sustainability and energy consumption, and the challenges for powering AI without compromising climate targets.
- Climate as a National Security Threat: Jake Sullivan, former National Security Advisor, discussed U.S. and allies’ preparedness for rising climate threats and the clean energy rivalry with China.
- Global Climate Politics Shift: David Wallace-Wells, in remarks based on his New York Times Magazine cover story, questioned the future of climate solidarity and who will lead the next era of climate action.
- Billionaire’s Fossil-Free Bet: Andrew Forrest (Fortescue executive chairman) presented his ambitious vision to transition his mining company to net-zero emissions by 2030.
- Sinking Nations: Hilda Heine, President of the Marshall Islands, detailed her nation’s fight for survival against rising sea levels, highlighting adaptation limits and the responsibilities of wealthier nations.
- Rainn Wilson on Climate and Spirituality: Actor Rainn Wilson shared his spiritually informed approach to the climate crisis through a live performance.
- The Big Power Shift: Scott Strazik (CEO of GE Vernova) discussed his company’s position amidst Trump’s energy agenda, which favors oil and gas while opposing offshore wind.
- Gavin Newsom on Climate Leadership: California Governor Gavin Newsom outlined the state’s role in pioneering climate policy and its efforts to counter federal environmental rollbacks, raising questions about state-level action without federal funding.
- Secretary Chris Wright on Energy Politics: Energy Secretary Chris Wright detailed the Trump administration’s deregulation and fossil fuel expansion agenda, and his department’s approach to energy policy, rising electricity demand and the challenge of climate change.
- Fusion Breakthrough? Bob Mumgaard (CEO of Commonwealth Fusion Systems) provided an update on the progress towards the world’s first commercial fusion power plant.
- Climate Change and Congress: Senator Brian Schatz discussed the complexities of translating climate ambitions into effective policy within a divided Congress.
- Australia’s Climate Front: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed Australia’s challenge in reducing emissions, given its reliance on coal, and its ambition to become a global leader in renewables.