The Circular Economy Café by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation welcomes visitors to drop in for coffee (or tea), snacks, conversation with our staff about the circular economy, watching our curated selection of explanatory videos, and learning what the circular economy looks like in practice from our mini-exhibition.

Complimentary snacks and beverages made of regeneratively grown ingredients will be served during Café opening hours of 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

This session has been developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

[no-registration]

In this daily session series, climate scientists will break down the latest research and thinking in climate science. Whether it’s soil, attribution or the Arctic Circle, these scientists will present crucial details of the climate crisis in terms you can imagine, understand, and incorporate into your personal and professional lives.

The transition to a net-zero economy will require shifts across all aspects of the economy and from all actors. Crucially, it will also require a materials transition; a transformation in the way that we make and use things. But key questions remain. How can this transition be financed? What type of leadership will be required to drive the transition? And how can we prioritize solutions that are fit for purpose, for the planet and people, and create a just transition that centers on equality and fairness?

In the wake of rising climate disasters and extreme weather patterns, nations around the world must prepare for the mass displacement of those who will have to flee their homes. Is this migration, most of which will happen within countries, simply a case of climate adaptation? Or should we see it as one of the greatest climate-related risks we face, and do everything we can to mitigate and control it?

If we want to change our systems, we have to be able to see and understand them in all their complexity. We need the right data, and we need as much of it as is humanly and technologically possible. When it comes to climate change, a lot of this data is either obscure or missing. Issues of accessibility, traceability and, ultimately, accountability, make the process of gathering and disseminating climate data a lot harder than it should be. What can be done to speed up the process? What tools — technology-related or otherwise — can we employ? And how will these tools drive bolder and faster decision-making?

Climate is the mother of all crises and requires a commensurate response by all actors of society, including the media. Media also has an unparalleled opportunity to deepen understanding of the facts through independent journalism and through holding leaders accountable to their statements of intent with regard to action on climate change.

Nonetheless, how can we bring the climate reality and facts to life in a way that allows us to visualize — and confront — the challenges we face? Which new formats and storytelling techniques could the mainstream media explore? And, how can we balance the need for adequate coverage of the crisis whilst keeping audiences engaged?

The New York Times invites you to the opening celebration of The New York Times Climate Hub and an exclusive viewing of Es Devlin's "Conference of the Trees” installation. Cocktails and canapes will be served, followed by conversations with special guests including First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon and designer Es Devlin, as well as performances from artist and musician Beatie Wolfe, and more.

If the world needs to cut carbon emissions by half by 2030, the message hasn't been received in Saudi Arabia. Or in Mexico, Venezuela, Iraq, Russia or Suriname. Saudi Aramco is planning to ramp up oil production by a million barrels a day by 2030 and other national oil companies (NOCs) are following suit. Their output and investment in exploration are heading up, not down and their market share will grow to 75 per cent by 2040. They feel little pressure to respond to climate change or limit their environmental impact. The household names grouped together as Big Oil in the rich North may be reconciling themselves to net zero and a future in renewables, but the NOCs are eager to pick up the slack and the governments that depend on them for tax revenues are unlikely to interfere. So on Energy Day at COP26 we'll ask: What is to be done about the NOCs? Are any of them serious about diversifying away from oil and gas? If not, how can the governments that control them be persuaded to make the energy transition the planet needs, and who will pay for it?

Speaker:

Giles Whittell, Sensemaker Editor, Tortoise

This session has been paid for and developed by Tortoise. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

Watch 'Goodbye Big Oil, Hello Mega Oil?'

[no-registration]

What are the different states of meat dependency in the Global North and South? How should we rethink how we produce and consume protein while remaining conscious of social justice issues, and the inability of certain regions to make that shift immediately? What solutions — from reimagining masculinity to embracing diverse cultural traditions — do we need to produce and consume protein more sustainably?

The imperative of girls’ education is no longer just about equality: It’s about giving girls the means and opportunities to deploy their knowledge on behalf of issues they are uniquely placed to address; to facilitate their vision and solution-building processes; and establish their presence on the global stage as the leaders and pioneers of initiatives that the world needs. How can girls’ education be nurtured in the specific context of climate action? How can schools introduce the climate challenge as an opportunity for future leadership and women-led innovation?

The Circular Economy Café by The Ellen MacArthur Foundation welcomes visitors to drop in for coffee (or tea), snacks, conversation with our staff about the circular economy, watching our curated selection of explanatory videos, and learning what the circular economy looks like in practice from our mini exhibition.

Complimentary snacks and beverages made of regeneratively grown ingredients will be served during Café opening hours of 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

This session has been developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

[no-registration]

As we adapt, how can we use the power of sports to build a stronger movement for climate action? Join Nike’s Chief Sustainability Officer Noel Kinder, athletes and climate and environmental champions for a thorough reflection on how climate change is impacting sports — and how we can drive collective action to save our planet.

Speakers:

Moderator: Donald Martin, Editor, Glasgow Herald

John Hoke, Chief Design Officer, Nike

Noel Kinder, Chief Sustainability Officer, Nike

Claire Poole, C.E.O. and Founder, Sport Positive

Ada Hegerberg, Football Player

This session has been paid for and developed by Nike. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

You can't unscramble an egg. Most of the environmental impacts of our stuff and infrastructure are determined from the outset — that is, when stuff is designed. To decarbonize our economy, we need to redesign our products and the systems in which they are traded and used. Join the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Olivia Finch and DS Smith’s Robyn Macdonald to learn how circular design can help reduce the climate impact of our construction materials and packaging.

Complimentary snacks and beverages made of regeneratively grown ingredients will be served during Café opening hours of 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

Speakers:

Olivia Finch, Portfolio Manager, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Robyn Macdonald, Inclusive Design Lead, DS Smith

This session has been developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

[no-registration]

The food and agriculture industries face a host of sustainability challenges, which innovation can play a huge role in overcoming. But certain kinds of systemic change would simultaneously cause a myriad of issues and prompt difficult questions, namely around the Global North-South divide, social justice and food sovereignty. How can innovation in food and agriculture be both green and just? How can technological solutions and the reinvention of traditional food cultures account for the inequalities that climate change will exacerbate?

This hands-on workshop will bring together leaders, students and members of the community to learn, debate and discover equity-oriented solutions. Participants of all ages, expertise and familiarity with the subject matter are welcome.

Without climate-resilient infrastructure, we are not only exposed and vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and the other planetary emergencies it can trigger; we will also jeopardize our ability to address urgent needs and advance social and economic development and prosperity — including improved access to basic services, health care and energy. How can we think, plan and act ahead to build equity and resilience into tomorrow’s infrastructure?

Speakers:

Moderator: Thomas Friedman, Author and Journalist, The New York Times

Grete Faremo, Under Secretary General and Executive Director, UNOPS

Julia Gillard, Former Australian Prime Minister and Chair, Wellcome Trust

Mari Elka Pangestu, Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President, African Development Bank

This session has been paid for and developed by UNOPS. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

Today, it is commonly understood that greenwashing — where an organization projects an image of climate engagement, rather than embedding climate goals into core business strategies — is the great enemy of climate action. But what about all the companies that aren’t yet ready to transform their business models and leap into the green transition; should they be given some opportunities and incentives to meet the net-zero pioneers halfway? Are half measures better than nothing, and do they demonstrate, at least, a commitment to change? If so, how can governments and investors truth-test how serious companies really are, and hold them to their commitments?

The science is clear. There is, however, a gap between what we know needs to happen and the actions we are taking. To close the gap we need to change the way we communicate. How do we talk about a climate emergency without catastrophizing? How do we make the science of climate change easier to understand and the language jargon-free? How can we communicate the benefits of net-zero in ways that feel relevant to people’s lives? How do we use communications to empower consumers to change their behaviours? Who are the most trusted climate communicators – and what can we learn from them?

Speakers:

James Harding, Co-Founder and Editor, Tortoise Media

Ed Williams, President and C.E.O., Edelman EMEA

Professor Sir Robert Watson, International Authority on Climate Change and Biodiversity

Rebecca Marmot, Chief Sustainability Officer, Unilever

This session has been paid for and developed by Tortoise. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

Watch 'Deeds and words matter: how can we close the say-do gap?'

Take a break from the bustle of the conference and join the Voice for Nature Collective and the Natural History Museum in the Nature Bar, the place to get coffee, chat and make connections, plus speak directly to Natural History Museum scientists, thought leaders and industry experts. A daily program of special content will be available throughout.

Start the morning with a quick yoga session, followed by a programme of speakers and discussion starters including:

Will Marshall, Co-Founder and CEO of Planet Labs

Professor Yadvinder Mahli CBE FRS and NHM Trustee

Before rounding off the afternoon with a film screening and Q&A of Mission JOY.

Tea, coffee and cake available for purchase.

This session has been paid for and developed by Voice for Nature Collective and the Natural History Museum. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

[no-registration]

Innovation is critical to transitioning to a circular economy and cutting 45% of emissions (to meet the 1.5 degree target) that come from the way we make and use products and food. Disruptive startups world-over are demonstrating viable business models that eliminate, circulate and regenerate: eliminating waste and pollution, circulating products and materials, and regenerating nature. Join us as we explore examples, discuss the opportunities, and ask what it will take to enable meaningful scale.

Complimentary snacks and beverages made of regeneratively grown ingredients will be served during Café opening hours of 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

This session has been developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

[no-registration]

The Circular Economy Café by The Ellen MacArthur Foundation welcomes visitors to drop in for coffee (or tea), snacks, conversation with our staff about the circular economy, watching our curated selection of explanatory videos, and learning what the circular economy looks like in practice from our mini exhibition.

Complimentary snacks and beverages made of regeneratively grown ingredients will be served during Café opening hours of 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

This session has been developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

[no-registration]

Young climate leaders gathered from around the globe for a surprise session at The New York Times Climate Hub. In this session, guest hosted by Ms. Watson, the speakers discussed the need for collective, coalition-led leadership to accomplish the intersectional thinking that the climate challenge requires.

Speakers

Emma Watson, Actor

Vanessa Nakate, Climate Justice Activist

Greta Thunberg, Climate Activist

Malala Yousafzai, Co-Founder, Malala Fund

Tori Tsui, Climate Justice Organizer, and Co-Founder, Bad Activist Collective and Pass the Mic Climate

Viviam Villafaña, Indigenous Climate Justice Activist with Pacto X El Clima, Unite for Climate Action and Cabildo Arhuaco Magdalena-Guajira

Daphne Frias, Climate Justice and Disability Activist and Member, Generation Climate Initiative

Mya-Rose Craig, Environmentalist, Author and Founder, Black2Nature

Dominique Palmer, Climate Justice Activist and Organizer, Fridays for Future International

Amanda Gorman, Poet and Activist

[no-note]

As business closes at the Climate Hub, join Voice For Nature Collective and the Natural History Museum at the Nature Bar. Unwind and relax with great science and surprising entertainment, including our Climate Quiz hosted by Stuart Murdoch and the NHM science team.

This session has been paid for and developed by Voice for Nature Collective and the Natural History Museum. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

[no-registration]

This panel will draw upon the powerful messages of Youth Unstoppable to question what it would actually cost us to compromise the future of entire generations. In the face of such a threat, how can young people be the unstoppable force behind positive tipping points and steer our economies in the right direction? What 21st-century tools and methods can they harness to their advantage to communicate with older generations of business leaders and policymakers?

Filmed over the course of 12 years, the WaterBear Original feature documentary Youth Unstoppable documents Slater’s intimate journey from the age of 13 to adulthood as she grows alongside this diverse and ever evolving movement of youth shaping the world they want to live in. The film demonstrates the rise of the movement from its grassroots origins to its world-changing triumphs.

Earlier this year, Gabon made history as the first African country to be paid to preserve its rainforest. Is this a funding model we should seek to replicate elsewhere? What other innovations can we introduce to cut more carbon and less wood? Is international diplomacy and collaboration, or local empowerment the best way forward? Who's going to take responsibility? And who will pay?

Speakers:

Ellen Halliday, Reporter, Tortoise Media

Clover Hogan, Activist, Founder and Executive Director, Force of Nature

This session has been paid for and developed by Tortoise. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

Watch 'Who should pay to save the rainforest?'

Nature holds its own keys to planetary survival. Although we might have previously ignored these natural solutions, we’re now looking to them as a fundamental pillar of our global climate strategies. What are the most promising nature-based solutions we currently have at our disposal? To what extent do they also address social divisions and human well-being?

Take a break from the bustle of the conference and join the Voice for Nature Collective and the Natural History Museum in the Nature Bar, the place to get coffee, chat and make connections, plus speak directly to Natural History Museum scientists, thought leaders and industry experts. A daily program of special content will be available throughout.

Start the morning with a quick yoga session, followed by a programme of speakers and discussion starters including:

Janine Benyus, Biologist, Author, Innovation Consultant, Biomimicry Institute

Lewis Pugh, UN Ocean Advocate, Patron of the Oceans

Before rounding off the afternoon with a film screening and Q&A of After Antarctica.

Tea, coffee and cake available for purchase.

This session has been paid for and developed by Voice for Nature Collective and the Natural History Museum. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

As countries strive to preserve biodiversity, they are finally turning to the expertise of Indigenous peoples and their multidimensional, nature-based approaches. This session gives the stage to Indigenous leaders, who will discuss the critical role that their communities’ knowledge will play in building solutions, and the justice issues that must be addressed for that to happen. How can we facilitate transparent, respectful engagement with Indigenous communities and give them the resources needed to secure a healthy future for the land and the planet?

Reinventing your breakfast to address climate change? To effectively address climate change, we need to tackle the greenhouse gas emissions and the biodiversity loss caused by our food system. Circular design can offer part of the solution to these global problems. By creating food products that are made of diverse, lower-impact, upcycled and regeneratively grown ingredients, we can pave the way to a nature-positive food system. In this session, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Gaëlle Le Gélard and Eliot Beeby will talk about how circular design for food can make nature-positive food products the norm and showcase what nature-positive food products could look like in the future.

Complimentary snacks and beverages made of regeneratively grown ingredients will be served during Café opening hours of 10.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

Speakers:

Gaëlle Le Gélard, Food Designer, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Eliot Beeby, Senior Research Analyst, Ellen MacArthur Foundation

This session has been developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

The Circular Economy Café by The Ellen MacArthur Foundation welcomes visitors to drop in for coffee (or tea), snacks, conversation with our staff about the circular economy, watching our curated selection of explanatory videos, and learning what the circular economy looks like in practice from our mini exhibition.

Complimentary snacks and beverages made of regeneratively grown ingredients will be served.

This session has been developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

Stories hold a power that science does not: The power to move hearts and minds, and connect people to a problem. A fact can be devastating, but when placed in the context of a story that people can relate to, that fact becomes part of a reality we can better comprehend, react to and address. How can scientists tell better stories to bring their research to life? What can the world’s best storytellers do for those who want to tell the truth about climate change, and how can we use stories to help people move beyond the state of despair that facts alone can instill?

In this daily session series, climate scientists will break down the latest research and thinking in climate science. Whether it’s soil, attribution or the Arctic circle, these scientists will present crucial details of the climate crisis in terms you can imagine, understand, and incorporate into your personal and professional lives.

In this daily session series, climate scientists will break down the latest research and thinking in climate science. Whether it’s soil, attribution or the Arctic circle, these scientists will present crucial details of the climate crisis in terms you can imagine, understand, and incorporate into your personal and professional lives.

Climate policy and negotiation is often difficult to understand, and is in desperate need of clear terms and catchy phrases that convey the urgent reality of the crisis we’re facing. But the climate vocabulary we do have must also become common knowledge if we hope to accelerate advocacy, youth leadership and community action. In this session, we will define terms like “carbon neutral,” “carbon offset” and “net zero” within the context of climate policy, exploring how we could expand or reshape our current climate vocabulary with terms that feel more meaningful, and which people can easily integrate into their daily lives.

As the business closes at the Climate Hub, join Voice For Nature Collective and the Natural History Museum at the Nature Bar. Unwind and relax with great science and surprising entertainment, as part of our spoken word evening.

This session has been paid for and developed by Voice for Nature Collective and the Natural History Museum. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

The circular economy model, long championed by academic and institutional leaders, is now capturing the hearts and minds of business leaders and policymakers. But transitioning to a circular economy prompts a series of big questions. If circularity unlocks critical solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges, why haven’t we all heard more about it? What would need to happen across different levels of international policy, business and social action to create ecological and economic benefits? Where does the responsibility for change lie, and how can we “sell” the shift to people in positions of power? How can people from all backgrounds contribute to the acceleration of systemic change?

A good place to start for this film about a circular economy is to rethink everything. This exclusive global green carpet premiere of “Going Circular” showcases a story that challenges us to reform our deepest ideas about what it really means to thrive as a species on Planet Earth by moving towards a circular future.

Directed by Nigel Walk and Richard Dale. Produced by Off the Fence for Curiosity Stream, ARTE and ZDF Enterprises in association with the WaterBear Network.

Take a break from the bustle of the conference and join the Voice for Nature Collective and the Natural History Museum in the Nature Bar, the place to get coffee, chat and make connections, plus speak directly to Natural History Museum scientists, thought leaders and industry experts. A daily program of special content will be available throughout.

Start the morning with a quick yoga session, followed by a programme of speakers and discussion starters; before rounding off the afternoon with a film screening and Q&A of From Devil's Breath.

This session has been paid for and developed by Voice for Nature Collective and the Natural History Museum. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

Good mental health is paramount for bolstering collaborative climate efforts, yet the connection is rarely recognized or discussed. Headlines announcing extreme weather events, coupled with scientists’ growing concern for the future of our planet, often lead to feelings of helplessness and eco-anxiety, causing people to shut down. In this session, we will create a space for attendees to check in on themselves and their well-being during a period of intense exposure to the reality of climate change, and share those feelings with others.

Join us for a showcase of Film Access Scotland’s Climate Challenge: 1.5° Films, where two groups of young Scottish filmmakers will discuss the making of their submissions. They’ll share their thoughts on climate change, their vision for the future and how they realized that vision through live action and animation genres. With some participants having made their first films through the Climate Challenge: 1.5° Films project, we’re excited to welcome these passionate young creatives into the conversations around climate change and COP26 in Glasgow.

What does the COP legacy look like in Scotland today? From circular economy models to climate activism through art, Scotland has demonstrated an ability to engage all parts of society in this crisis. What happens when you really listen to a community, and tap into its skills and resources to effect change? How have Scottish grassroots, charity and youth initiatives responded to the convention’s commitments and challenges? And how does Scotland’s relationship to local action align with the broader COP26 agenda this year?

When it comes to initiatives around food loss, waste conversion, recycling, reforestation, clean energy, health, or community agriculture, young Scots have specific views, ideas and aspirations for shaping the kind of future they want. They are also uniquely positioned to mobilize one another in the face of eco-anxiety or climate apathy. So, what is the young Scottish generation doing that leaders at COP26 might be overlooking? What can their local approaches bring to the global policy tables? What are these unique methods of engagement, and how can they help solve Scotland’s industry problems?

Three quarters of the globe are oceans, but this vital element of the Earth’s ecosystem is often seen as a resource to be plundered rather than a source of nature-based solutions — from absorbing carbon and heat, to being a source of renewable energy. How can individuals contribute to unlocking the power of our oceans?

This hands-on workshop will be hosted in the Yard, bringing together leaders, students and members of the community to learn, debate and discover equity-oriented solutions. Participants of all ages, expertise and familiarity with the subject matter are welcome.

What if the technology we need to deliver our net-zero commitments already exists, just not enough of it? There are those who argue that increasing investment in digital infrastructure to accelerate the rollout of 5G is, in fact, the most pressing and effective action we can take now to create more resilient post-Covid economies and avoid irreversible damage from climate change. What is the role of 5G in achieving net zero? Does it have to be a choice? Join us to discuss whether a reset is required to refocus climate innovation conversations on the technology that can make a difference today.

Speakers:

Giles Whittell, Sensemaker Editor, Tortoise

Emelie Öhlander, Climate Action Program Manager, Ericsson

Helen Clarkson, C.E.O., Climate Group

Baroness Martha Lane Fox, Director, Peers for the Planet

This session has been paid for and developed by Tortoise. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

Watch 'How far can we go with the technology we already have?'

This hands-on workshop will bring together leaders, students and members of the community to learn, debate and discover equity-oriented solutions. Participants of all ages, expertise and familiarity with the subject matter are welcome.

Almost every place on earth has felt the footprint of climate injustice. Fortunately, activists and lawyers have increasingly challenged the lack of legal action from political leadership in recent years, leading to the establishment of new precedents in courts. In this session, leading climate activists and lawyers will present some of these cases, assessing the harms and risks that were involved and how justice was sought. What are the trends and limitations of litigation as a climate strategy? How can those cases inspire and propel climate action today?

From high-seas fisheries to deep-ocean minerals, countries and companies are laying claim to ocean resources. How can advances in science, governance and technologies like satellite mapping help us manage open-ocean and deep-ocean resources in sustainable, equitable and low-carbon ways?

From deadstock lines to recycled materials to fabrics made from foodstuffs and other organic ingredients — Bolt Threads Mylo™ mycelium unleather, Evrnu NuCycl™, ECONYL® regenerated nylon sourced from post-consumer waste and ocean plastics, as well as regenerative cotton from SÖKTAŞ — both fast fashion and luxury brands are trumpeting their sustainable initiatives. It sounds like a great leap forward, but what percentage of product actually equates to these plans? How long will it be before critical mass is achieved — and is it even possible? What sort of investment would it demand? How do we prioritize? And how do we balance start-of-life fabrication with end-of-life considerations?

The absence of WASH-Fin — water, sanitation and hygiene — finance remains one of the greatest obstacles to the development of nations. Why are we failing to mobilize the necessary capital? How can the private and public sectors be incentivized to meet our SDG targets in this area? Which goals, specifically, can create new alignment between businesses, investors and governments?

Matt Damon is joining live, virtually from New York.

There’s no way to carbon neutrality without business playing its part, but what does that mean? Pledging net-zero emissions by 2050 is easy. Getting there is harder. Businesses need a new regulatory playing field that ensures they’re part of the solution rather than the problem, but also allows them to compete and grow. What is the C.E.O.’s role in resolving this tension? Is it enough to follow national guidelines and leave the big picture — on carbon pricing, for example — to government? Or should businesses be seizing the initiative, for their own good and the planet’s?

Speakers:

Giles Whittell, Sensemaker Editor, Tortoise

David Blood, Founding Senior Partner, Generation Investment Management

Fiona Howarth, C.E.O., Octopus Electric Vehicles

Rosemary Stark, Chief Sales Officer, Capgemini

This session has been paid for and developed by Tortoise. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

Watch 'Talk is cheap. What should CEOs actually do about the climate crisis?'

Often, when people think of tech, they think of innovative technologies themselves. But “deep tech” has emerged, predominantly, as an approach to innovation, which happens to draw upon technologies like blockchain, A.I., advanced material science and biotech. It has the potential to disrupt the market and advance climate solutions significantly, but only with the right investments and the right innovative mindsets. How can we embed science, engineering and design into our existing climate innovation, and unleash the disruptive potential of this combined approach? How can we make enough funding available to new deep-tech ventures that prioritize climate solutions?

Climate change is both a local and global issue and climate journalism needs to be sensitive to this reality. Take the topic of peatland restoration, which is playing out differently across the world, from Scotland to West Africa and to Indonesia. How can climate reporting balance the interests of local stakeholders with those of the broader global community?What differences in expectation do local audiences and audiences abroad bring to coverage of climate efforts? How can local and global journalists partner effectively to cover the challenge from both perspectives?

Planting a trillion trees to pull carbon dioxide from the air is an eye-catching and ambitious target. What projects can be designed to give local communities ownership of their reforestation goals? How can these programs also support livelihoods, and conserve and restore local biodiversity? And how can agricultural systems be transformed, more broadly, to stop the need for deforestation?

Join us in the "Conference of the Trees" for a moment of reflection and meditation with Brother Phap Dung and Brother Spirit from Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village Community and singer songwriter Nick Mulvey.

People of color suffer more from the ongoing environmental impact of climate change, from zoonotic pandemics to air pollution. This panel, featuring all participants of color, will explore the inextricable link between racial justice and inclusion and the intersectional approaches that can advance this joint agenda.

Can faith mobilize people in ways that activism can’t? In densely populated cities in the Global South — where emissions are high, human and natural health are seriously compromised, and where most people, incidentally, are religious — faith is arguably one of our biggest untapped sources of climate activism and solidarity. How are religious leaders mobilizing people of faith and their networks to care and act on behalf of the planet, and what more can be done? What common ground can religious leaders find among themselves? What would different faith engagement strategies look like in the contexts of community, national and international engagement?

Join The New York Times' green carpet premiere of excerpts from the highly anticipated “Laudato Si’,'' a feature-length documentary from the BAFTA and Oscar-winning production company Off The Fence, (My Octopus Teacher).

Set to debut as a YouTube Original in early 2022, “Laudato Si’'' documents Pope Francis’s encyclical environment manifesto, sharing an urgent call to arms to protect our planet and one another.

The U.K.’s ban on new sales of internal combustion engines is fast approaching, prompting a surge in electric car sales and innovation. But when 2030 does arrive, it is estimated that up to 46 percent of all cars on British roads will still be running on petrol and diesel. Are current measures really enough, or do we need a quicker ban on fossil fuel car sales? Are consumers being equipped to make informed decisions? Amid all the noise about electric cars and their role in solving the climate emergency, where should we look for both urgency and clarity?

Speakers:

Giles Whittell, Sensemaker Editor, Tortoise

Fredrika Klarén, Head of Sustainability, Polestar

Ralf Pfitzner, Vice President Sustainability, Volkswagen AG

This session has been paid for and developed by Tortoise. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

Watch 'Too slow, too many cars – can we change the electrification roadmap?'

Advances in materials, insulation and coatings are bringing down the cost of net-zero buildings and industry. But can materials be net zero while meeting the modern-day performance demands we place on them, such as durability, safety, transparency and strength? What advances in manufacturing and chemistry will enable materials to combine high performance and low emissions?

This hands-on workshop will bring together leaders, students and members of the community to learn, debate and discover equity-oriented solutions. Participants of all ages, expertise and familiarity with the subject matter are welcome.

What happens to a product when a consumer discards it? Very few retailers care. Neglecting to engage with this area of sustainability is not only causing vast amounts of waste and emissions, it also has critical consequences on supply chain workers involved in the production process. How easy, or difficult, would it actually be for consumer goods retailers to shift their attention to this final stage of a product’s life cycle? What are the unexpectedly simple things they can do now to point their production lines in the right direction without overburdening suppliers, and how could they be held accountable for the vast amounts of waste they create in the meantime?

The lasting inaction of democratic governments, coupled with the refusal of most political candidates to look beyond the next election cycle, causes us to question whether democratic leaders are, in fact, best placed to achieve unified climate action. While citizens’ assemblies demand that democratic governments give more power to the people, authoritarian governments could be holding the keys to the swift and effective action they’re calling for. In this case, one might be forced to ask: Who can get the job done better?

From morning commutes to weekend trips, people are looking for new ways of moving from place to place that don’t involve car ownership or breaking out a conventional bus map. How is consumer demand shaping new mobility solutions and technology? How can the latest transport innovations make our travel lifestyles both easier and more sustainable?

It’s no secret that a transformation of models and mind-sets is needed to address the worst effects of our changing climate. Systems change — whether through the development of a large-scale grid for charging electric vehicles, or through service rather than ownership-oriented business models — is critical. From retrofitting to brand-new products and services, businesses that are ready to transform their business models are also creating more sustainable and inclusive value chains. How are grassroots innovators and organizations with proven inventions helping to accelerate systems-level change in our communities? How are existing innovations supporting progressive policy measures, and how can policymakers incentivize businesses to adopt sustainable solutions and models, while aligning with public policy goals?

This session has been curated in collaboration with The University of Edinburgh as part of the Climate Innovators Initiative, which involved a vetting process and selection of diverse climate innovators.

There is a broadly held view that the next generation is engaged and taking action to curb climate change. However, this is not the case across all of Scotland, or indeed the world. For the majority of young people, the feeling is one of defeat, with climate seen as a problem impossible for them to influence. To tackle this, Fuel Change, an organization established for the next generation, engaged teams of 16–24-year-old creative and PR professionals from across Scotland and challenged them to create a new climate change campaign to resonate with their own demographics. In this workshop, the winning campaign will be presented, following voting by young people from the U.K., China, India and the U.S.

The survival of the Amazon rainforest is essential to the survival of the planet. It houses the greatest concentration of biodiversity on Earth and absorbs 5 percent of the world’s annual CO2 emissions. But deforestation in the Amazon is at its highest level in a decade. Indigenous peoples nurture 80 percent of the world's cultural and biological diversity; and for centuries have proved the best stewards of tropical forests. Join us for an evening of film, music, scientific talks and live performances that will amplify the voices of Indigenous peoples and the vital role they play in climate solutions.

Speakers:

Carlos Rittl, Brazilian Climate Specialist, Senior Policy Advisor, Rainforest Foundation Norway

Erika Berenguer, Senior Research Associate, Ecosystems Lab, University of Oxford

Sonia Guajajara, Indigenous Leader and Executive Coordinator, Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil

This session has been paid for and developed by Global Canopy. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

Clothing accounts for around 12 percent of emissions and is the world’s second-largest industrial polluter. But sustainable fashion can be a force for good. Join Creative Inverclyde co-founder and artist Craig Black for a live art performance and fashion show, created by two leading U.K. businesses in sustainable fashion, ACS Clothing and Hirestreet. Held among Es Devlin’s immersive forest setting, Mr. Black will perform his acrylic fusion paint process live over large globe-like spheres, engaging with the crowd as a sustainable fashion show emerges from the audience. Upbeat, bright, hopeful and catalytic, this formidable live act is set to be a must-see event.

On the night, we're having a recycled/upcycled clothing swap. You're welcome to bring a good-quality, freshly laundered and pressed item with you to exchange at the sustainable clothes swap bar.

This session has been paid for and developed by Creative Inverclyde. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

We can’t tackle climate change without tackling buildings. About one-fifth of carbon emissions in the U.S. and U.K. come directly from households, with drafty windows, tired boilers and poorly insulated walls leaking energy and making it more tempting for residents to turn up the thermostat to keep warm. A large-scale campaign of retrofitting is necessary to bring them up to standard, but the work remains expensive and hasn't yet taken off. Who is going to pay for it? Homeowners or governments? What will it take to update housing for the age of the climate emergency?

Speaker:

Giles Whittell, Sensemaker Editor, Tortoise

Jens Birgersson, President and C.E.O., ROCKWOOL Group

Tracie Pearce, Chief Customer Officer, Homes, Santander

Jennifer Layke, Global Director for Energy, World Resources Institute

This session has been paid for and developed by Tortoise. It is not editorial content of The New York Times.

Watch 'How do we kick start the renovation revolution?'

In this session, experienced and up-and-coming climate leaders will share different generational perspectives on the kinds of solutions and implementation methods that climate action needs the most. How can our solutions harness the collective urgency and energy of youth activism while drawing upon older-generation wisdom? What can we learn and keep from the past, and what desperately needs to change?

When a story is hard to verbalize, a single work of art can say everything. In such cases, images and artworks show us the reality we cannot express and confront us with the truth we might otherwise choose not to know. What role can the visual arts play in shaping popular consciousness and mobilizing it for climate action? How has visual storytelling already inspired people to act?

As a prelude to a panel discussion, academics and radical thinkers will discuss various interpretations and consequences of exponential change; providing a bird’s-eye view of our human ability to dramatically accelerate change, and the conditions we need to do so. Our panel speakers will then discuss more practical approaches to the net-zero transition, and how we can capitalize on the existing momentum.

Optimism is arguably our most underappreciated resource in a time of crisis. While it’s natural, and emotionally necessary, to confront the reality we face, the only thing that will stop us from succumbing to a doomful and disempowered mindset is the belief — and the reasons to believe — that we have a fighting chance. We have the resources, the research, the technologies, the deployment channels and the skills to act on climate successfully; we just need the collective will and belief to coordinate all these efforts. How do we unleash this power? How can we turn optimism into a global strategy?

The New York Times invites you to the closing celebration of The New York Times Climate Hub set within Es Devlin's "Conference of the Trees” installation. Join us for drinks, conversation and memorable cultural moments as we welcome special guests and reflect on the negotiations, discussions, commitments and insights from the previous two weeks.

Speakers:

Kim Conniff Taber, Editorial Director, Democracy & Culture Foundation

Fatou Jeng, Youth Climate Negotiator at UNFCCC

Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture

To be joined by a special guest from the global arts community.