The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia SIPA is hosting a series of energy and climate-focused events during Climate Week NYC from September 22-29, 2024. These events will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, scholars, and students to discuss innovative solutions, share research, and promote policies for a sustainable and equitable energy future. Topics include 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 event will be open to direct registration to all Columbia affiliates. Non-Columbia affiliates can submit attendance request through a Google Form here: https://forms.gle/pxHa8NFwBns8epkB8
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, will address 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 will also explore 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
