Connections for Action: Reflecting on NYC Climate Week 2025

If this year's New York Climate Week made anything clear, it's this: sustainability strategies are not retreating, they're evolving.

The theme of the week, 'Power On,' captured the urgency of a moment shaped by political shifts and growing scrutiny of ESG, yet the conversations on the ground told a more optimistic story. Across panels, roundtables, and breakout discussions, a clear message emerged: leading companies are not backing down. Instead, they're doubling down on climate commitments, embedding sustainability into core business strategy, risk management, and long-term competitiveness.

We witnessed that momentum firsthand at our own event, Business Travel at Climate Week NYC, where more than 100 leaders in sustainability and corporate travel came together for an evening of bold ideas, candid conversation, and a shared commitment to driving collective action. A special thank you to our co-hosts, IHG Hotels & Resorts, American Express Global Business Travel, Delta Air Lines, Gevo, Hertz, and IDEO, whose partnership and leadership continue to drive meaningful progress in sustainable travel. Their continuous commitment to supporting the GBTA Foundation helps to shape the future of low-carbon mobility through collaboration, innovation, and collective action.

Climate Week Photo Highlights

What's Powering the Future of Business Travel and Mobility?

Here are four key themes from Climate Week 2025 that are reshaping how organizations approach sustainability in travel and beyond:

1. Corporate sustainability is evolving, but not slowing down

Companies are sharpening their sustainability strategies to focus on material impact, especially in managing long-term risks and meeting stakeholder expectations. The mindset has shifted: climate-smart is business-smart. Decarbonization is no longer just about compliance - it's about resilience, relevance, and value creation in a rapidly changing world.

2. Scope 3 reductions-especially from travel-are a major opportunity

Business travel remains one of the most visible and actionable Scope 3 emissions categories.

Yet many companies still struggle to align travel decisions with sustainability goals. Embedding climate action into travel culture, policy, and planning unlocks real opportunity - both to reduce emissions and demonstrate leadership.

Key enablers: better data, stronger accountability, and consistent internal messaging.

With mounting pressure to decarbonize supply chains, corporate travel managers and sustainability leaders have a unique opportunity to drive innovation and accelerate the shift to low-carbon mobility.

3. Value chain engagement must evolve to unlock real progress

Procurement emerged as a common bottleneck: fragmented sustainability criteria make it hard for buyers to compare suppliers - and for suppliers to demonstrate meaningful action.

Trusted frameworks and harmonized standards are essential. The GBTA Sustainable Procurement Standards offer a path forward, equipping buyers and suppliers with consistent, comparable questions that help scale sustainable practices across regions and providers.

4. Clean technology is scaling - and corporate demand is critical

From Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and renewable energy to EVs and AI-driven tools, decarbonization technologies are gaining traction. But turning innovation into impact requires more than funding and policy - it takes demand, education, and partnerships to scale adoption.

Take Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), for example: the technology is ready but scaling it depends on long-term offtake agreements and purchasing commitments, and broader industry engagement. Programs like SAF Corporate Connect, launched by the GBTA Foundation at Climate Week, play a crucial role by bringing corporate buyers together to learn, share expertise, and send clear market signals that accelerate SAF adoption.

5. Policy is becoming a stronger force in sustainable business travel

As corporate climate strategies mature, the connection between sustainability and national policy is becoming more apparent - especially in areas like energy resiliency, innovation, and long-term economic competitiveness. At our Business Travel at Climate Week NYC event, we were honored to welcome U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor and Sean Casten, two Members of Congress known for their leadership on climate and clean energy policy. Their participation was a strong reminder that public-private collaboration will be essential to scaling the technologies and infrastructure needed for a low-carbon future.

Powering On: What Comes Next

If one theme defined Climate Week 2025, it was this: implementation is the new imperative. The time for high-level commitments has passed. What matters now is:

• Execution at scale
• Demand signals from committed buyers
• Collaboration across the value chain

Business travel has a vital role to play in decarbonization and the GBTA Foundation is committed to supporting organizations that are ready to lead. Let's Power On, together.

Interested in joining the movement?

Learn more about how your organization can get involved by following us on LinkedIn and signing up to our GBTA Foundation Newsletter.