techUK at New York Climate Week: reflections and what’s next

New York Climate Week was back and bigger than ever, drawing thousands of government officials, businesses, financiers and civil society stakeholders with a clear message: the era of promises is closing, and we are now in a time of delivery. These words were echoed by the COP30 High-Level Champion Dan Ioschpe, who went from event to event championing (if you’ll pardon the pun) implementation as the core theme of Belém. For tech, digital infrastructure, and innovation, this transition carries both opportunity and responsibility.

From pledges to proof

The most striking theme this year was a clear shift away from long-term ambition statements and towards demonstrable action. Stakeholders across every sector were aligned: progress must be visible, measurable, and credible. Net zero plans, renewable commitments, or adaptation roadmaps that cannot be tracked or verified are no longer enough.

For technology providers, this sets a new bar. Digital systems are expected to underpin delivery, offering transparency, accountability, and scalability. Pilots and proofs of concept are valuable, but the real demand is now for industrial-scale solutions that can prove impact in the real economy.

Technology under the spotlight

Technology has long been seen but undervalued as a climate enabler. But the discourse in New York demonstrated a step change. Digital innovation is no longer just “part of the solution” it is increasingly a focal point of scrutiny in its own right. This is particularly notable when we discuss the role of AI, whether as an enabler for digital solutions or its environmental impact.

This scrutiny means new expectations. Climate stakeholders want digital tools that are not only powerful but also trusted. Interoperability, security, and data integrity are being demanded alongside efficiency and performance. In addition, questions of governance, transparency, and ethics are growing louder. As AI and data platforms are more widely deployed, confidence in these systems will be as important as the outcomes they deliver.

Finance as a theme

The scale of capital required to accelerate climate action is well-known, yet the gap between ambition and investment remains significant. Here again, technology plays a pivotal role.

Digital systems can unlock investment by providing robust project verification, transparent monitoring, and improved risk modelling. Climate finance needs confidence, and data-driven assurance can help derisk projects and mobilise both public and private capital. Yet this comes with a challenge: solutions must meet international standards, operate across jurisdictions, and inspire trust from global investors.

Integration across value chains

Climate Week reinforced the reality that decarbonisation and resilience cannot be pursued in silos. Energy, transport, agriculture, industry, water, and the built environment are increasingly being addressed as interconnected systems.

For technology, this demands a similar shift. Solutions need to be interoperable, working across sectors and supply chains rather than in isolation. Data systems, platforms, and applications must integrate, enabling whole-economy approaches rather than sector-by-sector fixes.

Navigating political headwinds

The backdrop to this year’s discussions was one of political uncertainty (an understatement for sure). Climate ambition remains high among many actors, but policy signals are mixed. At the same time, pressure is building on businesses and investors to maintain credibility and delivery even when regulatory environments shift.

For the tech sector, this underlines the importance of resilience. Solutions that can endure through policy cycles, withstand scrutiny, and continue to deliver measurable value will be those that thrive. This is not just about innovation but about durability and trust.

Looking ahead

New York Climate Week 2025 made one thing clear: the world is moving into a new phase of climate action. Delivery, credibility, and trust are the defining watchwords of this moment. For tech and digital innovation, this is not just an opportunity to enable progress but a responsibility to ensure that climate action is measurable, scalable, and resilient.

As we look toward COP30 in Belém and the continued global effort to accelerate net zero, the UK and its tech sector has an important role to play. By building trusted solutions, forging cross-sector partnerships, and leading on standards, UK innovation can help ensure that this era of delivery is also an era of progress.

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By 2030, digital technology can cut global emissions by 15%. Cloud computing, 5G, AI and IoT have the potential to support dramatic reductions in carbon emissions in sectors such as transport, agriculture, and manufacturing. techUK is working to foster the right policy framework and leadership so we can all play our part. For more information on how techUK can support you, please visit our Climate Action Hub and click ‘contact us’.