WWF at UNGA and Climate Week 2023: Events Calendar
World leaders made ambitious and unprecedented commitments in Paris and Montreal to address the dual crises of climate change and nature loss. Yet world leaders understand that their commitments were just the first step and their attention must now focus on making good on these commitments while driving finance towards the most effective solutions. The UN General Assembly in New York presents a vital moment for these leaders to strike on this opportunity and drive additional attention to solving climate change during Climate Week. To deliver on the Global Biodiversity Framework's conservation targets, as well as the adaptation and mitigation goals of the Paris Agreement, we’ll need new and innovative financial tools that catalyze funding at scale. In New York, WWF's activities and events will drive enthusiasm and investment toward these global goals. In particular, we are focused on driving finance towards nature-based solutions (NbS) and the Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) model that combine all types of finance - public and private, domestic and international - while delivering for nature, people, and climate.
All times and locations are local to New York. Events listed chronologically. Event registration and livestream access listed where available.
September 18
11:15AM to 12:45PM |
Tracking Progress Towards a Nature Positive WorldFeaturing WWF International Expert: Gavin Edwards, Director, Global Nature Positive Initiative
Pershing Room - Nature Positive Hub In December 2022, the Global Biodiversity Framework was agreed by 196 governments, including a set of 23 action targets which, if implemented, will halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by 2030 his event will explore emerging approaches to tracking action, through the lens of a Commitments -> Policies -> Implementation -> Outcomes framework. This event will discuss the need for state and non-state approaches to monitoring, consider desk research and in-country expert approaches to gathering relevant information, and identify and discuss challenges such as data availability, time lags and measurability of GBF targets. |
September 19
9:30AM to 10:30AM |
Nature's Climate Fix: Why We All Should Support Seaweed FarmingFeaturing WWF Expert: Marcene Mitchell, Senior VP, Climate Change and Paul Dobbins, Senior Director of Impact Investing and Ecosystems Services, Aquaculture
The Nest Climate Campus (Javits Center) WWF’s Senior Vice President of Climate Change Marcene Mitchell will lead a panel with Oceans 2050’s Alexandra Cousteau and other industry experts as they discuss seaweed as a climate change strategy and a conversion-free crop that builds coastal resiliency around the world. Alexandra Cousteau will also debut a new short film exploring the value of seaweed. |
11:00AM to 12:00PM |
Decarbonizing Industrial Heat: Could It Be Easier Than We Thought?Featuring WWF Expert: Marty Spitzer, Senior Director, Renewable Energy The Nest Climate Campus (Javits Center) Industrial GHG emissions are 23% of US emissions and half of those are from burning fossil fuel for heat. These long neglected and difficult to decarbonize emissions are getting new attention. Join us for an interactive session to learn about recent analysis by the Renewable Thermal Collaborative and Boston Consulting Group showing that we have more opportunities and technology options for meeting our 2030 climate goals than just going after the most difficult to decarbonize sectors that use the highest heat. This interactive session will profile industrial heat emissions in the US in key sectors, highlight opportunities across industry and dive deeper into the promise and challenges for several unsung technology opportunities. You will hear perspectives from key stakeholders, industrial energy users and solution providers. |
11:15AM to 12:45PM |
The Global Stocktake: An Opportunity to Accelerate Transformation Through Enhanced Climate-Nature-Food Synergies
Park Room - Nature Positive Hub This event will discuss the unprecedented opportunity, through the first Global Stocktake, for countries to develop a joint mandate to enhance Nature-based solutions in NDCs, strengthen food systems transformation and promote alignment with the Global Biodiversity Framework. The event will reflect on progress to date, what course correction is needed to align with the Paris Agreement, and strategies which will help achieve this shift. Concrete examples and strategies will focus on sectoral coordination within the water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus and forest transformation, highlighting the significance of governance and policy alignment for effective implementation of climate change action. |
12:30PM to 1:30PM |
Wearing it Well: How the Apparel Sector is Accelerating Change in Supply ChainsFeaturing WWF Expert: Payal Luthra, Global Apparel and Textiles Lead
The Nest Climate Campus (Javits Center) With more and more sectors focusing on Scope 3 data and emission reductions, supply chain data integrity and transparency have never been more critical. In this multi-stakeholder session, panelists from the apparel sector will share reflections, lessons learned, case studies and tools from their work, discussing the role of open data and cross-sector collaboration in enabling and advancing Scope 3 mitigation measures. |
2:00PM to 3:00PM |
Forests at the Forefront: Delivering High Quality Nature Based SolutionsFeaturing WWF Expert: Kerry Cesareo, Senior VP, Forests
The Nest Climate Campus (Javits Center) WWF will launch its Nature-Based Solutions Origination Platform (NbS-OP), an innovative vehicle to drive impact at scale for people, climate, and nature across tropical forest landscapes. Supporting a variety of conservation approaches, the NbS-OP will power quantifiable results in priority landscapes using blended finance while simultaneously shifting the global market for transparent, high-integrity NbS. |
3:30PM to 4:30PM |
Moving Faster Without Breaking Things: Accelerating Just and Sustainable Renewables DevelopmentFeaturing WWF Expert: Marcene Mitchell, Senior VP, Climate Change
The Nest Climate Campus (Javits Center) The U.S. has committed to taking decisive action to curb greenhouse gas emissions and avoid the worst impacts of climate change by containing the rise in global temperatures to 1.5°C. To meet this goal, the U.S. and global partners will need to accelerate the deployment of clean and renewable energy resources at an unprecedented scale and pace. Escalating demands on the electrical grid, increasing constraints on siting, and the relentless pressure of climate change along with a simultaneous worsening biodiversity crisis continue to present headwinds. However, a rapid and responsible transition to clean and renewable energy is not only a far better future for both people and nature, but also presents vast opportunities for communities, ecosystems, and our domestic workforce. This session will provide national, regional, and local perspectives on these opportunities and how we can increase progress toward an accelerated, just, and sustainable transition to clean and renewable energy resources. |
3:30PM to 5:00PM | From Policy to Practice – Bringing Rio Conventions To Life Through Women’s Leadership in Climate and Biodiversity Agendas
Madison Room - Nature Positive Hub In this side event, WWF will explore the potential of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) in connecting and implementing the Climate, Biodiversity and Land Conventions, with a particular focus on how land restoration and agroecology can serve as a bridge between the conventions and introduce projects where women are the initiators and agents of change. Materializing the synergies between conventions is only viable via integrated approaches such as agroecology, land restoration and integrated planning. We will hear how the CARE-WWF Alliance is supporting women to lead landscape restoration and climate solutions by creating economically sustainable restoration programming through equitable financial opportunities – both enhancing access to credit for small and medium-sized enterprises and unlocking direct climate financing for locally led climate solutions. We will also listen to the voices of women who are improving livelihoods while contributing to climate and biodiversity conservation through agroecological approaches. |
5:00PM to 6:00PM |
LIVE PODCAST: How Can Companies Advance Global Climate and Nature Goals?Featuring: Sheila Bonini, Senior Vice President for Private Sector Engagement, WWF and James McCall, Chief Sustainability Officer, HP Inc.
The Nest Climate Campus (Javits Center) This live edition of WWF’s Nature Breaking podcast will focus on the role of companies in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss globally. Hear from leaders at WWF and HP Inc. about how they are working together to unlock the power of forests to stabilize climate, nurture complex ecosystems, and support local communities. |
6:30PM to 9:30PM |
High Level event for Nature and People: From Ambition to ActionOrganized by the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC N&P), the Global Ocean Alliance (GOA), and the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature (LPN)
Virtual only At this VIP event, Government leaders and partners will demonstrate accelerated transformational domestic and international action for biodiversity on both land and ocean, as well as finance towards achieving an equitable and Nature Positive world by 2030 for sustainable development - from ambition to action. This event seeks to build on previous LPN/HAC/GOA events and to be a key contribution to complement the SDG Summit, the Climate Ambition Summit, the High Level Meeting on Finance for Development and the High Level Meeting on Pandemics Prevention and Preparedness and the upcoming COP28. More information can be found on the event website. |
September 20
9:00AM to 5:00PM |
Food Day @ UNGAFeaturing WWF experts: Kirsten Schuijt, Director General; Joao Campari, Global Leader, Food Practice; and Melissa Ho, Senior Vice President, Freshwater and Food Virtual event, livestream only. The special Food Day, hosted by the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, The Rockefeller Foundation and WWF, will be a highly interactive event with attendees participating in Action Labs to discuss the opportunities that will maximize impact in the shortest time possible, enhance collaboration and unlock the potential of food systems as a solution to the climate and nature crises. Inspirational speakers will open and close the event. Event website. |
5:00PM to 07:00PM |
Meet and join the Nature Positive Initiative and Partnership
Grand Central Lounge Social reception to meet a new coalition – representing environmental NGOs, civil society, sustainable business platforms, research institutes, Indigenous Peoples and local government – focussed on aligning and coordinating efforts in support of nature-positive actions across all sectors. Following on from the historic adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at COP15, it is vital we maintain momentum to halt & reverse nature loss by 2030, and ensure Nature Positive does not simply become a buzzword or a vector for greenwashing. |
6:00PM to 7:30PM |
WWF Corporate Partner Happy HourThe Campbell Bar in Grand Central This will be an informal gathering for corporate partners to connect and network with WWF staff. Click here to RSVP. |
September 21
10:30AM to 11:15PM |
Decisive Decade Calls for Whole-of-Society Action
The Nest Climate Campus (Javits Center) There is no singular solution to the climate crisis. This session will highlight members of America Is All In, who will share perspectives related to addressing climate change from higher education institutions, energy communities and communities of color, health care organizations, and local governments. Speakers will outline the potential impact each of their sectors of the economy can have on the climate as well as best practices and barriers to success for meeting our climate commitments in the context of new federal investments and near-term targets. |
11:30AM to 12:00PM |
Fireside Chat with Leadership of All In
Featuring: The Nest Climate Campus (Javits Center) America Is All In leaders will share their vision for how the coalition of communities, businesses, and other institutions can rise to current challenges and take full advantage of present and future opportunities for action. Hear from prominent climate champions in a fireside chat on their own experiences pushing for climate action and the power of this growing partnership, including an exciting announcement regarding the future of America Is All In. |
10:00AM to 11:00AM |
The Power of Collaboration - Tackling Climate Change and Biodiversity: The Case of Renewable EnergyFeaturing WWF Expert: Johan Bergenas, Senior VP, Oceans In-person and Digital Access Renewable energy can and should play a pivotal role in achieving a nature-positive energy transition. In this session, we will outline the key challenges and opportunities in public-private sector partnerships working to drive positive change to address climate and biodiversity crises. The session will showcase successful models and real-world examples in the renewable energy sector, to demonstrate the power of collaboration as a driving force for nature-positive change. From fostering ecosystem restoration and conservation to implementing sustainable practices; the session will highlight the recommendations into the ways renewable energy infrastructure and its development can actively support biodiversity while transitioning the world towards cleaner energy sources - highlighting co-beneficial strategies for both targets. |
12:30PM to 1:30PM |
Phasing Out Fossil Fuels: Why We Need It, and How to Do It
The Nest Climate Campus (Javits Center) The 6th Assessment Report of the IPCC highlighted fossil fuels as a primary driver of climate change. Recently, the COP 28 Presidency has also highlighted recently that phasing down fossil fuels is inevitable. The energy transition will be one of the most important political asks from civil societies and the most vulnerable countries at this year’s COP. We will discuss how the widespread phase-out of all fossil fuels is a crucial element of the transition to net zero, why we need this push at COP28 , and how this can be achieved only by joint efforts. |
2:00PM to 3:00PM |
Cutting Food Waste 50%: Accelerating the US Goal to Reduce Methane EmissionsFeaturing WWF Expert: Pete Pearson, Senior Director of Food Waste
The Nest Climate Campus (Javits Center) The session will focus on showcasing the imperative of moving United States policy at the local and national levels to reduce food waste and how US leadership can catalyze global policy efforts to mitigate methane emissions. A moderator from the Zero Food Waste Coalition will highlight success stories and challenges to implementing U.S. food waste policy and showcase how the private sector is moving food waste reduction forward. |
3:30PM to 4:30PM |
How Companies Can Build Resilience for People and Nature
The Nest Climate Campus (Javits Center) As climate risks intensify, more companies recognize the need to manage risk and build resilience “beyond the fence line” for natural and social systems critical to their operations and supply chains. Led by WWF, this session will break down a scalable model and the steps needed to operationalize climate resilience in landscapes while using nature. Through a moderated discussion, panelists will highlight what their companies are doing to build social-ecological resilience, giving specific examples in geographies worldwide, and why this is important. Companies will also share challenges and important lessons they have learned in their resilience journeys, including how to thoughtfully manage trade-offs to support resilience to climate change over the long term. The session will include questions and answers from the audience. |
5:00 to 6:00PM |
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Food ProductionFeaturing WWF Expert: Emily Moberg, Director, Markets Institute
The Nest Climate Campus (Javits Center) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in food production is key to keeping global temperatures from increasing by 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. How can companies strategically mitigate these emissions in their supply chains? In this session, learn more about the Science-Based Targets initiative guidance for the Forestry, Land, and Agriculture sector from one of its developers; the key emissions sources and variation for key commodities, including row and tree crops, livestock, and aquaculture from a WWF expert; and from leading data & food and leather companies on how to use data to build supply-chain mitigation strategies. |