Climate action meets economic reality: Reflections from NYC Climate Week 2025 and UNGA80

Before the week began, a colleague summed up the transatlantic divide: “In Europe, sustainability and ESG have been driven by regulation and reporting in addition to risk management and business strategy focus; in the U.S., it’s been about economics and investment.” But after this year’s Climate Week, the distinction feels less clear. A new consensus is forming: climate action is now about the economy on both sides of the Atlantic.

Throughout the week, many voices highlighted this shifting narrative. The U.S. has long operated under a shareholder economy, while Europe has leaned more toward a stakeholder model. But as the American sustainability conversation evolves, aspects of stakeholder economy thinking are clearly gaining ground. In a fragmented U.S. market, some consumer segments and investors are pushing for bold climate action, while others urge hushed execution: doing more, saying less.  

What remains clear is that significant investments are underway—in energy transition, infrastructure, grid upgrades, electrification and building retrofits. And due to the nature of capital cycles, these projects are likely to continue delivering long-term climate benefits as well as local economic returns, regardless of geopolitical shifts. The U.S. business community appears committed to these investments but often without the narrative to match. As one European CEO put it bluntly during a panel: “It’s time to move from shareholder values to shareholder value.”

Another dominant theme of the week was the need for systemic integration based on data. Calls for connecting the dots between energy, circularity, mobility, and infrastructure were loud and clear. This wasn’t about idealism. Iit was about pragmatism, operational excellence, and measurable results. For European companies operating in the U.S., one takeaway stood out: there are no absolute truths. The U.S. market is highly receptive to sustainability solutions—when they are locally relevant, economically grounded, and responsive to stakeholder needs. 

For business-to-consumer sectors especially, issues like ESG, climate justice, and DEIB continue to matter. Consumer expectations differ greatly; what works in California may not resonate in South Carolina. Navigating this landscape requires granular understanding of local realities and lived experiences.

That’s why being present at NYC Climate Week and UNGA isn’t just symbolic, it’s strategic. In a volatile and rapidly evolving climate space, building local intelligence, relationships, and relevance is no longer optional. In the new geopolitical reality it’s essential.