Lauren Giella

By Lauren Giella

Senior Reporter

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All week, leaders from around the world have convened in New York City for Climate Week amid the United Nations General Assembly meeting. This year also marks the tenth anniversary of the Paris Climate Agreement, an international agreement aimed at lowering greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to curb rising global temperatures.

At the Pillars of the Green Transition event on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, industry leaders will gather at Newsweek's headquarters at One World Trade Center to discuss investing in sustainable strategies that help meet their climate goals.

Panel: Expanding Possibilities with Energy Storage

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The live updates have ended.

Sep 24, 2025 at 05:15 PM EDT

The live updates for this event have ended.

Sep 24, 2025 at 05:13 PM EDT

Programming ends as networking reception begins

The on-stage programming has concluded. Attendees, speakers and moderators are now gathering for the networking reception.

Newsweek will host the Powering Ahead: Innovations in Energy and Plastics Technology event at the offices in One World Trade Center tomorrow.

The event brings together the leaders who are making our power systems more affordable, reliable and clean, innovating automaking and working on elegant solutions that can cut waste from packaging and make a circular economy a reality.

Sep 24, 2025 at 05:11 PM EDT

The five major takeaways from today’s conference

After a packed afternoon of insightful discussions, Newsweek Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Cunningham and Newsweek Environmental and Sustainability Editor Jeff Young deliver closing remarks.

Young shared his five main takeaways from today's programming that he hopes attendees will bring with them to continue their efforts towards sustainability beyond Climate Week.

Takeaways Pillars Event

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Sep 24, 2025 at 05:09 PM EDT

Panelists notes we are all part of the biggest climate solution

Brent Lilienthal said one of the driving themes of the conference is that everyone is bringing one part of the solution set.

"It is an incredibly complex problem to put all together," he said. "I think my hope that I have is that as we get into the parts and pieces, we will start to, over time, put these things together for much more efficient models of how to live, how we exist in our environment and how to make money while doing it and have resilient homes and lives."

Sep 24, 2025 at 04:58 PM EDT

Education and alignment is crucial, panelist says

Brad Pleima said education and having a consistent framework on how to measure these things are essential.

This starts with identifying the right buyers, having the goals that they want to accomplish and slotting in various energy sources to meet those goals, he said.

"I don't think anybody's here [would] go out to somebody and say, 'Buy my product,' that doesn't either believe in it or that doesn't really want it or that's not going to help them achieve their goals," Pleima said. "The way everybody in this industry comes about it is you need that synergistic win across the entire value chain."

This requires farmer cooperation, feedstock suppliers, developers making a good product, investors who understand these types of projects and how they get built, and how they operate, a buyer who is enthusiastic about purchasing this project and the energy from these projects to meet their overall decarbonization goals.

"If you can get all of those aligned, I guarantee you'll get projects built off the ground and they will be successful," he said.

Sep 24, 2025 at 04:49 PM EDT

Panelists addresses costs of renewables compared to fossil fuels

Brad Pleima of EcoEngineers addressed the cost of biofuels. He said it's not fair to compare fossil fuel production with renewable natural gas, comparing renewables to a Starbucks coffee and fossil fuels to making a Keurig coffee at home.

The at-home option might cost less, but "you don't really compare that to going to Starbucks and getting an iced espresso for $8. They're different products, and they are both coffee and they are both good, but they have their place," he said.

Outside of costs, Pleima said, "the emissions reduction potential from biofuels is huge compared to fossil fuels."

And when you compare emissions, benefits with energy and heating value, "they're not in the same category, even though they both burn similar."

Pleima added, however, that balance is required between renewables and fossil fuels.

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Sep 24, 2025 at 04:43 PM EDT

LF Bioenergy CEO says there is opportunity to scale biofuels

Brent Lilienthal, CEO of LF Bioenergy, said the market has come to the realization that there is room for improvement to become more energy efficient.

He said we are all interwoven and the biofuel industry has reached a scale that has allowed for the opportunity to "do something constructive at the nexus of helping farms extend their sustainability story while at the same time producing energy and helping food sustainability and security, producing energy and reducing waste."

The mystery, he added, "is why haven't we done this a long time ago."

Sep 24, 2025 at 04:32 PM EDT

The final panel on biofuel begins

The third and final panel of the conference is about to begin. Moderated by Newsweek Senior Reporter Katherine Fung, the panel will touch on how bioenergy is emerging as the cornerstone of decarbonization across transport, heating and industry. Panelists will discuss regulatory frameworks for scaling renewable fuels, turning agricultural emissions into clean energy and revenue streams and how transforming organic waste into energy can help push the world towards a low-carbon future.

The panel includes Brent Lilienthal, CEO of LF Bioenergy, a renewable natural gas company that works with farmers to become more sustainable; Steve Compton, CEO of Sevana Bioenergy, a renewable energy company that transforms organic waste into clean fuel; and Brad Pleima, president of EcoEngineers, a consulting, auditing and advisory firm focused on energy transition and decarbonization.

Sep 24, 2025 at 04:29 PM EDT

Avra exec says “it is not a good time to be a farmer in the U.S.”

Phil Harris from Avra said his company paid 1500 farmers $40 million towards a transition to more sustainable farming, prompting changes in soil and water use.

But he was candid about the reality for farmers in the United States, noting that farmer delinquencies on their loans are increasing near all-time highs.

"It is not a good time to be a farmer in the U,S.," he said. "We have to acknowledge that, and that causes massive national security and problems in the future. The programs that we run and the checks that we give to our farmers are very meaningful."

Harris said the average farmer farms for 40 years, which amounts to 10 presidential administrations. That means a lot of policy change in a short amount of time for farmers, who tend to think in generational terms.

"Farmers know how to do things in a sustainable way, but they're up against these cost barriers," he said. Farmers are great CEOs, they run very good businessess, they're very savvy and smart."

Sep 24, 2025 at 04:22 PM EDT

Panelists notes difficultly with regulations

Thomas Körmendi said his company is not opposed to regulations.

"Actually, we think it's good. It creates a level of benefit," he said.

Having different regulations and different benchmarks between countries, however, is a major challenge. He said it not only drives up costs but also hinders innovation.

"Policy regulations are fine, but it's difficult if they're too different, depending on where they are," he said, as a company that operates in 70 countries around the world.

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Sep 24, 2025 at 04:14 PM EDT

Panelists says there is opportunity in risk for food system transition

Alex Gillett of HowGood said about 85 percent of total emissions from most food systems come from scope three emissions.

He said that risk is not translating directly to one company but is distributed, "and so you need a lot of companies coming together to share out that risk."

But in that risk is also a huge opportunity.

"Food systems are incredibly complex, but for most of the major ones, we know what to do to create a system that starts the sequester," he said. "And so much of the work is about implementing that and doing it at scale and helping that transition."

Gillett said it takes the average farmer five years to switch to regenerative farming. In that transition, they will see lower yield and will often lose money.

"If they're going to get to that next stage where at the end of this five years, they're actually producing more, their soil health, year by year, should be getting bigger and stronger, and they can produce more," he said. "If they're going to get there, you have to fill that gap from the point where they start to the point where they will end up in a better position for their livelihoods. And it's not just that they'll produce more, but also that it's more resilient."

Sep 24, 2025 at 04:07 PM EDT

Elopak CEO says plastics consumption is “overwhelming”

Newsweek's Jeff Young said the plastic crisis and the climate crisis are "joined at the hip."

Elopak CEO Thomas Körmendi said his company's sustainable packaging has between 35 to 70 percent lower carbon emissions than plastic packaging. That comes from the renewability, the transport logistics and disposal.

He said plastic consumption will more than triple by 2050, even though we are implementing recycling initiatives.

"The consumption of plastics is overwhelming right now," he said.

Around the world, there are a million new plastic bottles used each day, Körmendi said, but only 10 percent is recycled. The rest goes to landfills, the ocean or incinerators.

Sep 24, 2025 at 03:51 PM EDT

Food systems panel begins after networking break

After a quick networking break, the programming resumed.

The second panel of the day, "Growing Climate Solutions in Food Systems," will explore the critical role food systems play in overcoming the challenges of climate change – from food growth, packaging, delivery and waste. Panelists will discuss how they are cutting down on carbon emissions with climate-smart agriculture, sustainable packaging and greener supply chains.

The panel includes Phil Harris, the CRO at Arva Intelligence, a leader in sustainable farming based in Houston Texas; Thomas Körmendi, CEO of Elopak, a Norwegian company producing sustainable packaging solutions; Helen Clarkson, the CEO of Climate Group, the international nonprofit responsible for putting on Climate Week; and Alex Gillett, the CEO of HowGood, a sustainable food rating companies based in Brookyln that comprises the world's largest database on sustainable food.

Sep 24, 2025 at 03:37 PM EDT

Networking break begins

Attendees are now enjoying a 20-minute break to get refreshments and network before the next panel begins at 3:50 p.m.

Sep 24, 2025 at 03:32 PM EDT

There is ‘enormous’ potential for batteries to reduce emissions, panelist says

When asked about the potential for the emissions reduction gains from battery energy storage, Eric Trusiewicz of Rondo Energy said there is "enormous" potential.

If we can electrify industrial processes that normally are combustible on site through some kind of a very low-cost battery life, he said, there will be a slash in emissions. The role of his company, he said, is to keep up with those advancements.

Eva Gardow said energy storage is "only as smart as we make it." It's less about the system itself and more about how it is used and integrated into the larger energy system. How you control and operate the batteries will determine it's impacts.

"Storage systems can provide values at a location, but to impact the emission profile, it's [about] how do you coordinate it across the grid," she said.

Sep 24, 2025 at 03:29 PM EDT

Panelist says going green “is not black and white”

Håkan Agnevall said "green is not black and white," meaning there is not just one solution and storage is just one option to achieve a sustainable future.

There is the base load storage needed for things like data centers, but also the balance needed for the introduction of more renewables to remain stable.

"We need to mix the traditional base load and the balance," he said. "There is no one single way, I think that is the key message. Power systems are becoming more complex [as] we are coming from big, centralized power plants, and going to more decentralized generation."

Sep 24, 2025 at 03:14 PM EDT

Panel talks solutions to energy demand spike

Newsweek's Jeff Young noted that there has been a spike in energy demand, and it's only growing.

Evan van Hook said there will be a 70 percent increase in energy demand by 2050, but "what's even more scary," he said, is there will be a more than 50 percent increase in peak demand by 2050

"The demand we are barely able to manage now will get more difficult to handle," he said.

As demand is increasing, Eva Gardow of EPRI said the fundamental concern will be control of that demand. This includes the technology, markets and distribution. One solution she noted is putting mobile energy storage systems at rest stops along the New York State Thruway to support EV charging stations.

Sep 24, 2025 at 03:06 PM EDT

Panelists said batteries can reduce costs, carbon footprint

Evan van Hook of Viridi said batteries play a huge role in decarbonization.

"Batteries allow tremendous support for the grid by providing a lot of different ways of relief valves for when there's congestion, to tighten the grid and provide resilience when there's failure to the grid," he said. "So batteries to the rescue. Because of those failures of the grid, people are taking more control of themselves [to ensure] clean and reliable generation."

He also said batteries can "significantly" reduce costs and generate revenue,

Sep 24, 2025 at 02:58 PM EDT

Wartsila CEO says energy storage is a “game changer”

Håkan Agnevall said storage "is a game-changer" because it creates opportunities to build on power systems in a different way.

"It's not the holy grail that will solve all our problems in power systems, but we've got new, important tools to build and strengthen the resiliency of our power systems and also prepare our power systems for the future, we will have more power generation from intermittent sources, like renewables."

Sep 24, 2025 at 02:53 PM EDT

First panel talks energy storage, grid resilience

Newsweek's Jeff Young stays on stage to moderate the first panel of the conference.

"Expanding Possibilities with Energy Storage" will explore how grid-scale batteries and other energy storage solutions are transforming the energy landscape to a zero-carbon future.

The panelists include Håkan Agnevall, president and CEO of Wärtsilä , a world leader in decarbonization of marine and energy industries; Eva Gardow, a program manager at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), a nonprofit that researches the generation, delivery and use of electricity/ an energy research and development nonprofit; Evan van Hook, the chief sustainability officer at Viridi, an energy storage distributor using lithium-ion technology; and Eric Trusiewicz, the CEO of Rondo Energy, which provides zero-carbon batteries in the industrial heat industry.

Panelists will discuss how storage solutions provide better use of renewable energy sources and improve grid resilience and explain the latest technology and potential application of energy storage to grow power while cutting emissions.

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Sep 24, 2025 at 02:48 PM EDT

Daikin exec says efficiency standards and incentive programs are essential

When asked about the policy solutions to help meet sustainability goals, Calabrese said efficiency standards and incentive programs are two great places to start.

"Sometimes you can get brand new systems zero cost through the utility [company] and utility benefits, because they get a product that they can then help them manage their load," he said.

It's not just one thing, Calabrese added, it's a combination of policies and the right combination of requirements that will push the needle. He said Energy Star products are voluntary programs that incentivize consumers to purchase energy-efficient products that drive the market.

"The sky's the limit, but again, it's this perfect storm of government working with the industry and getting the market to move in a direction that is beneficial to all," he said.

Sep 24, 2025 at 02:44 PM EDT

Daikin shares technology goals in HVAC industry

Newsweek's Jeff Young said 700 additional terawatt hours of electricity will be needed by the end of this decade just to meet the need for the growth in air conditioning globally.

Calabrese said 20 percent or more of energy use is from heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

"If not designed properly, if we do not take into account comfort and efficiency, you have a building that is out of whack," he said, with very hot and very cold spots in the same building.

He added that the increased use of AI and electric vehicles being plugged into the energy grid is flattening the duck curve of utility use and pushing utility usage to higher levels.

If you don't properly plan for energy use, he said, you will have incidents like power grid failure a few years ago in Texas, when the grid couldn't handle demand during a cold winter, leading to blackouts and rate spikes for residents.

Calabrese said Daikin has three main technology goals. The first is to expand the use of heat pumps globally, especially in North America.

"We'd like to see that expand and when you add clean energy from utilities, you have the perfect storm of energy conservation," he said.

The company's other goals include improved inverter and refrigerant technology.

Refrigerants are "the lifeblood" of a building unit, Calabrese said, but it also has a high greenhouse gas potential. So the company is aiming to lower the global warming potential of those refrigerants.

Sep 24, 2025 at 02:32 PM EDT

First fireside chat begins with Daikin executive

The first conversation of the day is a fireside chat between Newsweek's Environment and Sustainability Editor Jeff Young and Dave Calabrese, executive vice president at Daikin.

Japan-based Daikin Industries is the world's largest air conditioning manufacturer.

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Sep 24, 2025 at 02:27 PM EDT

Poll results show “pessimistic” view of climate goals

Brian McGovern shared polling results among the attendees in person and those joining virtually.

These were some of the results:

Finally, when asked to choose one word to describe the state of corporate climate leadership, McGovern said the response was "somewhat pessimistic."

McGovern said he's hoping the conversations in the room will provide actual work cases and progress to address these areas.

Sep 24, 2025 at 02:19 PM EDT

Newsweek Editor-in-Chief welcomes attendees

Newsweek's Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Cunningham welcomed attendees and thanked the event sponsors at the Pillars of the Green Transition conference at Newsweek's office in One World Trade Center.

The conference brings together climate action leaders from around the world to discuss the strategies and success stories driving the global transition to renewable energy.

Sep 24, 2025 at 01:55 PM EDT

Catch up on Newsweek’s climate coverage

Catch up on some of Newsweek's latest climate coverage ahead of today's event.

Sep 24, 2025 at 01:47 PM EDT

Pillars of the Green Transition to kick off soon

Newsweek's Pillars of the Green Transition conference will kick off at 2:15.

Guests are beginning to arrive at Newsweek's New York City headquarters.

The programming includes discussions about energy storage, food systems and bioenergy with experts leading the movement towards renewable energy.

Here is a preview of today's lineup:

2:30 - Fireside chat with Dave Calabrese, Senior Executive at Daikin

2:50 - Panel 1: Expanding Possibilities with Energy Storage

3:50 - Panel 2: Growing Climate Solutions in Food Systems

4:30 - Panel 3: Turning Emissions into Energy: Bioenergy at the Core of the Green Transition

The link to the livestream can be found here.

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