Lincoln Institute at Climate Week NYC 2026

Global leaders, local policymakers, and grassroots changemakers will gather September 20–27 for Climate Week NYC, the world’s largest climate event. This year’s convening, focused on the energy, impact, and action we drive together, will have dozens of breakouts, roundtables, plenary sessions, and side events. 

The Lincoln Institute will participate in several events as part of Climate Week NYC: 

Resilient Communities and Affordable Energy  

September 23, 1–3 p.m. ET, Inclusiv Headquarters (by invitation only) 

Earlier this year, the Center for Impact Finance (CIF) at the Lincoln Institute published “Resilient Communities and Affordable Energy: Charting Roles for Community Finance,” which reflects perspectives from the community finance sector about the strategic opportunities and challenges ahead. The report highlights how community lenders have continued to work to expand access to clean, affordable energy amid shifting federal support. 

Building on the report, CIF will join Inclusiv, a nonprofit network of community development credit unions, for an interactive session where community lenders will discuss different types of collaborations and how to leverage strategic partnerships to expand reach and impact. 

Driving Freshwater Resilience for Climate-Threatened River Basins 

September 23, 5–6 p.m., presented by Panda House 

Science Based Targets Network’s (SBTN) Freshwater Hub is a collaborative effort led by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and World Resources Institute (WRI), along with the Pacific Institute, The Nature Conservancy, CDP, and Conservation International. Together, these partners have developed some of the leading frameworks, tools, methods, and guidance for water impact assessment, management, and reporting. To support this effort, the Lincoln Institute and its Center for Geospatial Solutions have joined the WWF to accelerate the development of the Basin Threshold Tool (BTT), an open-source platform that compiles and displays basin water flows, levels, storage, and quality around the world. Its database includes data, methods, and supporting information designed to help companies as they set science-based freshwater targets.

The Lincoln Institute and WWF will be launching the Basin Threshold Tool at Climate Week NYC with a panel discussion on corporate water engagement and policy and a technical demonstration of the tool, focusing on the Rio Grande River. We look forward to a great discussion on how the BTT can aid stakeholders in tracking basin conditions at different scales, advancing net-zero goals, and making informed water management decisions. 

Architecture, Planning, and International Law: Building Postcarbon Futures 

September 23, 6:30–8:00 p.m., presented by the Center for Brooklyn History and the Architectural League 

The Brooklyn Public Library’s Center for Brooklyn History and the Architectural League are hosting a conversation about what it will take to build a more just and sustainable future, inspired by the Lincoln Institute’s newest book, Building Postcarbon Futures: Land, Justice, and Energy Transitions, by Billy Fleming. Drawing on the 29 innovative climate justice projects highlighted in the book, Fleming will join Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò, Daniel Aldana Cohen, and Keller Easterling to explore how to reduce emissions while creating more just, equitable, and resilient communities.  

More information about Climate Week programming can be found on the Climate Week NYC website.

Kristina McGeehan is director of communications at the Lincoln Institute.

Lead image: Open lawn in New York City’s Central Park, featuring colorful autumn trees in front of the Manhattan skyline. Credit: StockSeller_ukr via iStock/Getty Images Plus.