Morningside Campus Status Updates

Current Access Level “I” – ID Only: CUID holders, alumni, and approved guests only

  • Campus open to active affiliate Columbia University ID (CUID) holders and approved guests only.
  • Columbia students, faculty, and staff can use the guest registration portal to register up to two same-day guests. Alumni can use the portal to register for campus same-day access as well. Learn more below.

News

Explore our expert insights and analysis in leading energy and climate news stories.

Energy Explained

Get the latest as our experts share their insights on global energy policy.

Podcasts

Hear in-depth conversations with the world’s top energy and climate leaders from government, business, academia, and civil society.

Events

Find out more about our upcoming and past events.

Events
Events

Renewing Fashion: Clean Energy and the Circular Economy

Past Event

September 27, 2024

10:00 am - 12:00 pm edt

The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia SIPA hosted a series of energy and climate-focused events during Climate Week NYC from September 22-29, 2024. These events brought together policymakers, industry leaders, scholars, and students to discuss innovative solutions, share research, and promote policies for a sustainable and equitable energy future. Topics included global renewable energy, geopolitical dynamics, critical minerals supply chains, financing, trade, and energy access. Be sure to see all our activities during the week.

The fashion industry is a major energy consumer and contributor to climate change. To achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the industry must transition into a circular economy from its current fossil fuel-based production and linear produce-use-dispose model. However, significant challenges remain, and we need to speed up and scale up actions. Our panel, featuring industry leaders spearheading fashion’s clean and circular transition, addressed the most pressing challenges, including phasing out fossil fuels, curbing oversupply, scaling up fabric recycling, aligning policy with industry goals, and financing the transition. We also explored best practices and strategies aimed at creating a sustainable and net-positive future for fashion.

Key Questions:

  • How can the fashion industry remove fossil fuels from its value chain, and what role does clean energy play in enabling the circular transition?
  • What are the most effective strategies to scale up textile-to-textile recycling?
  • How can global goals for a clean energy and circular economy transition in fashion be aligned with country-specific policies?
  • How can we address the persistent issue of oversupply through design innovation, consumer behavior change, and new business models?
  • How can businesses balance their sustainability responsibilities with financial ambitions?
  • What financing mechanism and strategies can support the fashion industry’s transition?

Speakers:

  • Maxine Bédat, Founder and Director,  The New Standard Institute
  • Tricia Carey, Board Member, Transformers Foundation and Accelerating Circularity
  • Sandra Goldmark (Keynote), Senior Assistant Dean, Columbia Climate School 
  • Amy Jaffe, Co-chair, Women in Energy Program, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University; Director of the Energy, Climate Justice and Sustainability Lab at New York University
  • Sarah Kent, Chief Sustainability Correspondent, The Business of Fashion
  • Dennis Nobelius, CEO, Syre
  • Sally Qiu (Moderator), Co-Director, Fashion, Energy, and Climate Network, Columbia Climate School; Research Associate, Center on Global Energy Policy
  • Nicolaj Reffstrup, Founder, GANNI

Related

More Events

October 16, 2025 • 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm edt

Careers at the United Nations

Join us for a virtual information session focused on career pathways at the United Nations.

Event
Careers at the United Nations
September 23, 2025 • 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm est

Special Event: Building Common Ground on Climate and Trade

https://youtu.be/UP_Zc88AlUI During New York Climate Week, join the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) at Columbia SIPA and the Government of Brazil for conversations with high-level international policymakers...

Event • Penn Club of New York, 30 W. 44 St., New York, NY 10036
Special Event: Building Common Ground on Climate and Trade
October 9, 2025 • 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm edt

Exploring Energy Careers: Insights and Connections

*Registration is closed for this event. The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA's Women in Energy initiative, in collaboration with the Columbia Policy Institute, invites...

Event • International Affairs Building,
Columbia SIPA
Exploring Energy Careers: Insights and Connections
September 22, 2025 • 8:00 am - 9:00 am est

CGEP @ Climate Week 2025

The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA will host a series of energy and climate focused events this September during Climate Week NYC. Climate Week...

Event
CGEP @ Climate Week 2025
Our Work

Relevant
Publications

See All Work