In April 2023, Duke was announced as an affiliate member of the New York Climate Exchange, a collaboration of over 40 organizations – including academia, industry and community NGOs – engaged in responding to climate change. In 2024, Duke moved from affiliate partnership in the Exchange to being one of nine core partners. Core partnership provides Duke with voting status on the Exchange’s Board of Directors.
The Exchange’s mission is to “confront urgent climate impacts and issues of environmental justice, breaking down silos through an innovative, scalable, and sustainable model that will rapidly develop new urban climate solutions.” The Exchange aims to open a 400,000 square-foot campus on Governors Island in New York City in 2028; in the meantime, Duke has been highly involved in the Exchange’s early work to advance climate action through education, research, community and civic connection, economic development, and workforce training.
In February 2024, Duke leaders working on the Exchange hosted a virtual town hall for faculty and staff interested in the Exchange’s planned programs and efforts. Additionally, Exchange CEO Steve Hammer visited Duke’s campus in February 2024 to meet Duke experts contributing to Exchange work and to learn about climate efforts happening within Duke.