On the final day of Climate Week NYC, kyu House hosted an event themed “The Future of Climate Action,” bringing together diverse leaders and the next generation of change-makers to exchange new visions and practical ideas for a sustainable society. This report highlights the day's discussions, which explored the possibilities for the future from various perspectives, including Japan's unique business philosophy, urban transformation, and entrepreneurship.

The final day of kyu House featured a vivid portrayal of the future of climate change mitigation. Tim Brown, Masanobu Iwabuchi of ENND PARTNERS,  Sand Shuta Aoki of Marukome USA Inc. took the stage to discuss the lessons to be learned from Japanese business culture and how the spirit of “mottainai” can be applied to climate change mitigation efforts.The values that bridge the past and future, along with the “mottainai” mindset of minimizing waste, were shown to bring a new perspective to global climate action.

“Leadership in the Climate Age” is important not only for the present but also for the future.

Jessica Okin of SYPartners and Sophie Lanban of Kite Insights moderated the discussion, which featured next-generation leaders such as Alexandre da Rocha Leão and Sage Reniere. They shared their visions for a sustainable society and the importance of young people taking the lead in driving change.

In addition to climate issues, the role of cities also drew attention. Rashad Nanabatti of Third Derivative and RMI emphasized that “if cities are designed correctly, they can be a huge plus for the planet,” while Brian Markel of Gehl cited examples from Shanghai, Sydney, and Carmel, Indiana, to highlight the need for a new language to communicate the value of climate-conscious urban living.

In a panel discussion moderated by Yuki Numata, Majora Carter, Felipe Ramirez Buitrago, and Robin Chase actively exchanged views on the importance of community, innovation, and equity.

In another session led by Gehl, the potential for enhancing productivity, creativity, and well-being by integrating nature and biodiversity into cities was explored. Moderated by Jeff Lisom, the discussion featured urban ecologist Robin Grossinger, Maiken Karhava, and Kristen Lidberg of urban beekeeping company Alvéole, along with Markel, who shared practical examples.

The debate “Does Climate Action Create Jobs?” co-hosted by LinkedIn and Kite Insights was also heated. Dawn Lippert, Patrick Flynn, David Carlin, Ajita S., Kwanza Felix, and Caterina Saffatti discussed the topic from entrepreneurial and global perspectives, impressing the judges.Although the “Opposed” team emerged victorious, the debate itself provided valuable insights for all participants. 

The closing session focused on entrepreneurship in Africa, presented by the World Resources Institute and The Green Belt Movement. Marianne Ochoa of Endeavor Kenya emphasized that “entrepreneurs are not just ‘good stories,’ but the key drivers of scaling up,” inspiring participants to take on new challenges.

Climate Week NYC's kyu House brought together many outstanding guests, sparking a steady stream of innovative ideas. We look forward to seeing you again at the next kyu House event.