The annual Climate Forward live event is now in full swing, bringing together top world leaders, policymakers, business leaders, and activists for a day of critical discussions. Unsurprisingly, the dominant theme this year revolves around the Trump administration’s stance on climate policy and its far-reaching implications.
During the inaugural session, André Corrêa do Lago, the Brazilian diplomat steering this year’s United Nations climate negotiations, confirmed that U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright would be welcomed at the conference, despite the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement. Mr. Wright is expected to speak later today.
Just last year, the U.S. was seen as a leader in climate action under the Biden administration. Now, it has significantly scaled back those efforts. President Trump’s policies openly disregard the threats of climate change and actively promote fossil fuels, marking a stark global shift.
The stakes are incredibly high. Following another year of record-breaking global temperatures and devastating climate-fueled disasters, leaders worldwide are grappling with not only a rapidly changing planet but also a drastically altered political environment. This coincides with a surge in energy demand, largely driven by the expansion of artificial intelligence, and China’s leading role in developing clean energy technologies like advanced batteries and solar power.
The conference agenda features conversations with notable figures such as California Governor Gavin Newsom and Bob Mumgaard, CEO of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, a company working to establish the world’s first commercial fusion power plant. The full speaker lineup and detailed schedule are available.
Additionally, here’s a summary of other key insights and discussions:
- Diverse Perspectives: We engaged with various world leaders to understand their strategies in the wake of the United States’ withdrawal from global climate action. You can read all of the interviews here.
- Climate Forward Podcast: Our first episode features a compelling conversation with former Vice President Al Gore, exploring the current state of the climate movement two decades after his influential documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth.” Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
- Audience Questions: Many insightful climate-related questions submitted by our readers will be addressed during the live sessions. Read some of them here.
- The Climate Forward Newsletter: Information on how to subscribe to our newsletter for ongoing updates. Here is how to sign up.
A Shifting Strategy for Environmental Activism?
A panel dedicated to the future of climate activism saw environmental leaders dismissing claims that the 2024 presidential election was solely a referendum on climate issues. However, they universally agreed that activists must refine their communication strategies.
Manish Bapna, president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, emphasized, “An important lesson from 2024 for us is, I think, we can do a better job in connecting the dots between climate, between clean energy and the kitchen-table issues that people do care about.”
Bill McKibben, renowned activist and author, warned that President Trump’s energy policies—which favor fossil fuel expansion and hinder renewable energy—risk putting the U.S. at a significant strategic disadvantage globally. He colorfully predicted that if these policies persist, the U.S. could become the “Colonial Williamsburg of internal combustion,” a relic showcasing old ways of energy production.
The U.S. environmental movement saw a peak during the Biden administration with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the most substantial federal law against climate change to date. However, earlier this year, Congress enacted Mr. Trump’s comprehensive domestic policy bill, which significantly cut many of the Inflation Reduction Act’s renewable energy tax incentives. Mr. Bapna labeled this a “Trump energy tax,” likening the legislation to “Robin Hood in reverse.”
Mr. Trump has escalated his efforts to dismantle environmental regulations beyond his first term, openly championing coal (the dirtiest fossil fuel) and pushing other nations to purchase American oil and gas. Mr. McKibben described this period as, “in certain ways, the darkest moment,” in a recent interview with The Times. These recent setbacks have led many environmental leaders to deem this a “generational setback” and question the necessity of a radical shift in strategy.
Global Climate Action: Possible Without the U.S.?
André Corrêa do Lago, the Brazilian diplomat leading global climate negotiations in November, stated that U.S. energy secretary, Chris Wright, would be welcomed at the upcoming conference, despite the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw the United States from the landmark Paris Agreement. Mr. Corrêa do Lago noted Mr. Wright’s skepticism about the economic feasibility of climate action, asserting that climate mitigation is deemed too costly.
“I think this is what we want to discuss,” Mr. Corrêa do Lago explained. “It’s what we have to discuss with oil companies, it’s what we have to discuss with many sectors of the economy that are understandably a little frightened of this transition.” He also defended the long-standing rule requiring unanimous consensus on key climate targets, while acknowledging the frustration it causes when a few countries can obstruct progress.
This year’s climate conference, known as COP30, will mark a decade since the Paris Agreement and will take place in Belém, Brazil, on the edge of the Amazon. The meeting occurs amidst a global shift away from strong climate politics. Beyond the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris pact, renewable energy and emissions reduction policies are encountering new obstacles in Canada, Europe and South America. A U.N. report last fall revealed no progress in global emissions cuts or tackling global warming over the past year, prompting questions about whether the entire system of climate diplomacy needs to be fundamentally rethought.
Al Gore on the Climate Movement’s Path Forward
Former Vice President Al Gore, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate for his environmental advocacy, is widely recognized for making climate change a central topic in public discourse. His 2006 Oscar-winning documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” sparked a wave of global climate action.
However, with President Trump rapidly disengaging the U.S. from the global climate fight, the discussion turned to the future of our warming planet. In a limited series from The New York Times, top world leaders, business executives, and policymakers gather at the annual Climate Forward conference in New York City to address the escalating threat of climate change.
Hear compelling insights from Al Gore on Trump and the future of climate action in the podcast episode, “Al Gore on Trump and the Future of Climate Action.” He discusses how the climate movement can advance despite the rollback of environmental regulations and where he finds renewed hope amidst continuous global warming. You can listen to and follow the Climate Forward podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Spotlight on the 2025 Climate Forward Conference Speakers
The 2025 Climate Forward conference is scheduled from 9:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, offering a comprehensive program of discussions. The full schedule and panel descriptions are provided below:
- 9:15 a.m. – The High Stakes of COP30: André Corrêa do Lago, president of COP30, highlights “economic denial” as a major challenge in climate discussions. With the U.S. stepping back, global climate policy faces a precarious future ahead of the Brazil summit.
- 9:40 a.m. – The Future of Climate Activism in the Trump Era: Environmental leaders Abigail Dillen (Earthjustice), Manish Bapna (Natural Resources Defense Council), and activist and author Bill McKibben discuss evolving strategies for climate groups amidst Trump’s regulatory rollbacks.
- 10:15 a.m. – How to Bring Power to the World: Jacqueline Novogratz (Acumen) and Damilola Ogunbiyi (Sustainable Energy for All) explore solutions for providing reliable, affordable energy to millions globally.
- 10:49 a.m. – Will the A.I. Revolution Put Climate Goals at Risk?: Kate Brandt (Google) and Melanie Nakagawa (Microsoft) examine the balance between AI-driven innovation and its growing energy demands, and the implications for climate targets.
- 11:13 a.m. – When Climate Change Is a National Security Threat: Former national security adviser Jake Sullivan discusses U.S. and allied preparations for climate-induced threats and the clean energy rivalry with China.
- 11:36 a.m. – Has the World Turned Against Climate Politics?: David Wallace-Wells shares insights from his New York Times Magazine cover story on shifting global attitudes toward climate action, questioning what will drive future progress in the absence of past solidarity.
- 11:45 a.m. – The Billionaire Betting on a Fossil-Free Future: Andrew Forrest, executive chairman of Fortescue, presents his ambitious vision to transition his mining company to net-zero emissions by 2030.
- 12:05 a.m. – The Nation That Is Sinking Into the Sea: President Hilda Heine of the Marshall Islands discusses her nation’s urgent fight for survival against rising sea levels, the limits of adaptation, and the responsibility of wealthier nations.
- 1:31 p.m. – Actor Rainn Wilson on Climate Change and Spirituality: Actor Rainn Wilson recounts his experience at a fire ceremony with Indigenous elders and King Charles III, explaining his spiritually informed approach to the climate crisis through a live performance.
- 1:42 p.m. – The Big Power Shift: Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova, discusses his company’s position amidst Trump’s energy agenda, which targets offshore wind while promoting oil and gas.
- 2:05 p.m. – Gavin Newsom on Mr. Trump, California and Climate: Governor Gavin Newsom discusses California’s leading role in climate policy, its efforts to counteract Trump’s environmental stances, and the feasibility of state-level climate action without federal funding.
- 2:52 p.m. – Secretary Chris Wright on Energy Politics Under Mr. Trump: Energy Secretary Chris Wright details the impact of his department’s deregulation and fossil fuel expansion policies under the Trump administration, and their approach to energy demand and climate challenges.
- 3:18 p.m. – Are We on the Brink of a Fusion Breakthrough?: Bob Mumgaard, CEO of Commonwealth Fusion Systems, provides an update on the progress towards building the world’s first commercial fusion power plant and its potential as a clean, limitless energy solution.
- 3:44 p.m. – Climate Change and Congress: Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) discusses the hurdles in translating climate aspirations into lasting policy and building bipartisan political will in a divided Congress.
- 4:14 p.m. – Australia on the Forefront of Climate Change: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese discusses Australia’s path to reducing emissions, balancing its reliance on fossil fuels with ambitions to become a global leader in renewable energy.