This moderated discussion will explore how academic institutions can respond to climate action, defend academic freedom, and accelerate climate solutions in a challenging national context. The conversation will unite distinguished university leaders and scholars to reflect on the unique role of higher education in maintaining freedom of speech, advancing science, and supporting the next generation of climate leaders.

Including: Toddi Steelman of Duke University

Twin Talk NYC is an invite-only conversation for leaders shaping the future of America’s infrastructure. Taking place during Climate Week NYC, the largest global gathering of climate and infrastructure leaders, this session focuses on how U.S. state and municipal leaders can plan, fund, and deliver resilient, high-performing infrastructure that stands the test of time. The discussion builds on key findings from Built to Endure: A Systems Approach for Resilient and Responsive U.S. Infrastructure, a forthcoming smart guide from Bentley Systems, Duke University, the American Society of Civil Engineers, AECOM, and Microsoft. Developed through research, expert input, and on-the-ground municipal experiences, the paper identifies the most urgent levers for improving infrastructure resilience and performance.

Moderated by Liz Losos of Duke University

How do we power new AI data centers sustainably and responsibly on the U.S. current electrical grid? Energy use from large-scale cloud computing providers known as hyperscalers is forecasted to grow substantially—anywhere to 6.7% to 12% of total U.S. load by 2030. Join the Duke University Main Stage session AI-Ready Grids: Integrating Hyperscale Loads Faster, Cleaner, Cheaper at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 24 to learn more about how we can manage electrical loads flexibly and power our AI future sustainably. You won’t want to miss this session!

Including Tyler Norris (James B. Duke Fellow and Ph.D. student, Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment) and other speakers to be announced, with Jackson Ewing (Director of Energy & Climate Policy, Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability) moderating.

Marine debt-for-nature swaps are gaining traction as a way for countries to turn portions of their national debt into long-term funding for ocean conservation. These deals have already unlocked hundreds of millions of dollars, putting debt finance at the crossroads of marine conservation and climate resilience. Still, these transactions face long-standing challenges. Join Duke University and The New York Climate Exchange for an engaging event exploring how marine debt-for-nature swaps can deliver strong outcomes for ocean conservation, climate resilience, and coastal communities.

During a public panel, experts will dig into these challenges by examining several recent marine debt swaps they helped design. They’ll also look ahead, exploring how to improve future swaps and considering other innovative ways to mobilize private-sector finance for nature and climate goals.

This panel will be followed by a closed-door workshop bringing together practitioners, researchers, and funders. Picking up on the challenges raised in the panel, this interactive workshop will explore how the newly released Practice Standards for Debt Conversion Projects for Nature, Resilience, and People can help improve the design and implementation of debt-for-nature swaps and other debt conversion projects.

Moderated by Mercy Berman DeMenno, co-hosted with New York Climate Exchange.