Crux Alliance is spotlighting the leaders driving smart climate policy in the world’s highest-emitting countries at Climate Week NYC. Across our events, we’ll bring together researchers and advocates to explore sustainable cities and transport, energy security, and electrification, highlighting the policies and communication strategies that unlock affordable clean energy and improve quality of life for millions. We look forward to connecting with you there.
All events will be hosted on the 2nd floor of Lulla at the Motto by Hilton Chelsea, 113 West 24th Street.
Tues., Sept. 22
8:00 - 9:30 AM
Win-Win Policies: Unlocking Investment for a Sustainable Future
In this session, organizations from the transport, appliances, and building operations sectors will discuss policies that discourage undesirable outcomes while helping to fund sustainable solutions in countries around the world.
Experts from ITDP, ICCT, CLASP, and GBPN will explore how these policy mechanisms were designed, implementation challenges, lessons learned, and their potential to support long-term urban sustainability goals. Participants will gain insights into how strategic policy interventions can be designed to help governments achieve multiple objectives simultaneously: reducing emissions, improving quality of life, and unlocking investment in sustainable development.
Speakers
Jacob Mason, Senior Global Program Director, Institute for Transportation and Development Policy
Ana María Carreño, Senior Director of Climate, CLASP
Tim Dallmann, Director of Global Program, International Council on Clean Transportation
10:30 - 12:00 PM
Super Pollutants to Super Solutions: Targeting Diesel Black Carbon for Climate and Health Benefits
Speakers:
Brooke Helmick, Director of Policy, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance
Sean Maguire, Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships, Clean Air Fund
Ray Minjares, Program Director, Heavy-Duty Vehicles, International Council on Clean Transportation
Moderator: Claire Henley, Executive Director, Super Pollutant Action Alliance
1:00 - 2:00 PM
From Evidence to Impact: Communicating the Case for Smart Policy
Robust research on vehicle technology and transportation policy can’t translate itself into policy—or into public understanding. This session brings together communications leaders to explore how to turn technical research into powerful messaging, tools, and products that policymakers, media, and the public can actually use. The conversation will discuss what makes evidence “usable” for regulators, how to package complex findings—like the economic, health, and environmental gains of stronger vehicle standards—into compelling, accessible formats, and how communications teams can bridge the gap between researchers and the decision-makers who shape transportation policy.
Speakers
Michael Doerrer, Senior Director of Communications and Development, International Council on Clean Transportation
Leah Qusba, CEO, GoodPower
Elan Strait, Executive Director, Potential Energy
Moderator: Sarah Spengeman, Communications Director, Crux Alliance
3:00 - 4:30 PM
Resisting the Easy Fix: The Limits of Coal as a National Response to Geopolitical Shifts
As global fuel market disruptions and geopolitical tensions revive interest in domestic energy resources, this side event examines whether coal can realistically serve as a pillar of energy security and economic resilience. Drawing on experiences from major coal regions—Poland, Türkiye, China, the United States, and South Africa—experts will discuss how recent energy crises have reshaped national coal debates, the true costs of continued reliance, and the benefits of clean alternatives, supporting evidence-based dialogue ahead of COP31.
Speakers
Joanna Maćkowiak Pandera, President, Forum Energii, Poland
Rabia Ferroukhi, Director, INETTT Secretariat
Alkım Bağ Güllü, Director, SHURA Energy Transition Center, Türkiye
Kevin Tu, Chief Advisor China, Agora Energiewende
Tracy Ledger, Just Transition Programme Lead, Public Affairs Research Institute, South Africa
Mary Anne Hitt, Managing Director of U.S. Initiatives, Climate Imperative
Moderator: Steve Capanna, Director of Policy, Crux Alliance
4:30 - 6:30 PM
Meet the "Wonks" Behind the Wins: A Networking Happy Hour
Join Crux Alliance, ReNew2030, Global Grids Catalyst, and Growald Climate Fund for a Climate Week NYC happy hour celebrating the policy experts advancing climate policy where it has the greatest impact. The afternoon will include a short program spotlighting the work of these philanthropic initiatives and their partners, with plenty of time for building new connections. Come meet the “wonks” behind the wins: the people translating climate goals into policy that bends the curve, delivering cleaner air, lower costs, and better lives for millions.
Brief remarks shared by:
Rebecca Collyer, Executive Director, ReNew2030
Kartikeya Singh, Director, Collective Impact, Growald Climate Fund
Joanna Maćkowiak Pandera, President, Forum Energii
Wed., Sept. 23
8:00 - 9:30 AM
From Gridlock to Grid-Ready: A Coordinated Path to 35-by-35
The COP31 35-by-35 electrification pledge is an urgent call for governments to embrace an ambitious electrification plan. But that ambition will stall without fixing outdated grid planning and aging, insufficient grid infrastructure across major economies. Solutions exist—but building a clean, modern grid ready for all-electric buildings, industry, and transport requires coordination across sectors and stakeholders: developers, planners, and policymakers.
This panel will discuss why we must tackle the grid challenge holistically and share how a coordinated approach is unlocking smarter policy, planning, operations, and deployment—and the affordability, reliability, and security benefits that follow.
Panelists will share complementary approaches taking shape in the geographies that will make or break the electrification transition.
Speakers
Sarah Freeman, Principal, Regulatory Assistance Project
Joanna Maćkowiak Pandera, President, Forum Energii
Dhruv Jain, Director, Mewfin Solutions
Matt Stubberfield, Chief Operations Officer, FESSIA
Moderator: Rebecca Collyer, Executive Director, ReNew2030 & International Clean Energy, PIE
10:30 - 11:30 AM
Powering Prosperity: Equitable Policy Design in the Global South
As the clean energy transition accelerates, who benefits — and who gets left behind?
Join us for a Climate Week NYC conversation on how climate and clean energy policies can be designed not just to cut emissions, but to lift people out of poverty, create new pathways to wealth, and protect communities from climate risk. With a focus on the Global South, from India to Brazil, we’ll explore practical tools for assessing equitable policy design, hear directly from practitioners working on the ground in these regions, and premiere a new short film on affordable, climate-resilient housing in India!
Speakers
Nyamolo Abagi, Director, Clean Energy Access, CLASP
Rosana Santos, Executive Director, E+ Energy Transition Institute
Verónica Ortiz Cisneros, Communications Director, ITDP
Jackline Okeyo, Founder and CEO, Mzansi Clean Energy Capital
Graham Pugh, Principal, Propel Clean Energy Partners
Sunita Purushottam, Country Managing Director, GPBN India
Faith Mkhacwa, General Manager for Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management, South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI)
Moderator: Silvia Paruzzolo, Director of Learning and Impact, Crux Alliance
