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Climate Week NYC 2025 Reflections: Powering the Future with Innovation

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At Climate Week NYC 2025, I was honored to take part in several inspiring conversations—exploring both today’s business landscape and envisioning the future through the lens of AI and digitalization, which are reshaping the potential of energy and resilience planning. 

Imagine signing in for the day and being greeted by an AI agent. This intelligent partner has been working through the night to tackle your most complex business challenges. From sustainability and cost optimization to resilience planning, your AI agent is helping manage your most complex business needs. This was not just a visionary exercise for Climate Week. It’s a reality we’re actively designing today. 

In New York, I was excited to share how we are building the next generation of workplace tools: AI agents infused with our deep domain expertise in energy and sustainability. We are moving beyond generative models to agentic systems capable of autonomous decision-making and proactive action. When these agents work alongside us—anticipating needs, accelerating workflows, and offering proactive strategic recommendations—we unlock new levels of speed, precision, and impact. The result is accelerated progress toward climate goals and measurable gains for the bottom line.  

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During this fast-paced week, Schneider Electric had the pleasure of hosting partners and clients for a full day of dynamic panel talks, including Cisco, Natura, Haleon, and Marsh McLennan. During “Women Leading at Climate Week: Reflections on AI, VCMs, the OBBBA & Scope 2 Protocols” our panelists Erin Decker (Senior Director of Renewable Energy and Carbon Advisory Services), Mathilde Mignot (Director of Nature & Technology Based Solutions), Yue Qiu (Head of Advisory, North America), and Vanessa Miler-Fels (SVP of Safety, Environment, Real Estate & Sustainability) delivered actionable takeaways for organizations navigating ESG, clean energy, and net-zero goals. William Thiesen (Global Director of Nature Based Solutions) led the From Governance to Digital: How Climate Action is Reshaping Enterprise Systems: A featured NASDAQ Trade Talk to explore how climate action is becoming a core business imperative. 

 

 

Our team’s engagement throughout the week also included a mix of virtual contributions, thought leadership, and new advancements in the renewable energy space, including:   

Across NYC, our team on the ground engaged closely with partners and clients, inspiring new ideas, conversations, and ways of thinking, as we enter a new chapter in our business landscape. Several key takeaways come to mind, reflecting on the possibilities ahead:  

AI Is Reshaping Sustainability… 

  • AI is more than a tool, it is becoming a strategic partner in energy sustainability. 

  • From predictive analytics to agentic AI ecosystems, companies are embedding intelligence into platforms to automate, adapt, and accelerate sustainability efforts. 

  • Schneider Electric’s “Frugal AI” approach emphasizes energy-efficient models and responsible innovation. 

… And Collaborative Intelligence Is the Future 

  • The synergy between human expertise and AI is driving smarter, faster decisions. 

  • Companies leveraging digital innovation are seeing shortened deal cycles, improved operational resilience, and enhanced stakeholder engagement. 

Energy Resilience is a Critical Necessity 

  • Organizations are deploying smart infrastructure and microgrids to withstand grid disruptions and climate volatility. There is a continued need to ensure continuity of operations during natural disasters, cyberattacks, or grid failures. 

  • Examples of energy resilience that drives both innovation and sustainability includes Levi Strauss & Co.’s LEAP program in India, and large-scale energy efficiency projects across municipalities and universities. 

Scope 3 Decarbonization Is Expanding Faster Than Ever 

  • There is an active demand to expand global supply chain programs and help suppliers cut emissions and meet their total decarbonization targets. To meet this challenge, Schneider Electric is deepening its engagement with suppliers through an expanded suite of educational resources, regional market intelligence, and collaborative procurement pathways. Through Schneider’s collective efforts, our supply chain decarbonization programs support over 50 brands and engage more than 2700 supplier companies worldwide. The importance of industry collaboration has never been more critical. 

  • Large scale supply chain decarbonization programs that span the power of multiple industries and like LEAP, Energize, and Catalyze are enabling renewable energy procurement and training across industries. Decarbonizing supply chains requires tackling complex, interconnected issues that no single company or sector can solve alone. With economies of scale, collective action enables bulk purchasing of renewable energy, driving down costs, and making clean power even more accessible to suppliers. 

At Climate Week NYC, the innovators and go-getters were working together to achieve what we have long known: sustainability is not simply about compliance, it is a business driver. So, what is at stake for those who wait? Companies delaying digital sustainability risk falling behind in ESG performance, investor confidence, and regulatory compliance. The global challenges we all face are not going away, and we need to move urgently to meet our goals. The future belongs to those bold enough to imagine it—and fast enough to build it. 

To engage further with our team as we tackle the most complex energy, sustainability and technology challenges, visit: our newly updated SE Advisory Services site , and start a conversation: Contact Us 

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Steve Wilhite, EVP SE Advisory Services