The Green Transition Initiative was proud to host and co-host a series of events focused on showcasing Swedish expertise with the objective of moving from dialogue to scalable implementation.

A high-level look at our week: Networking reception at the Consulate General of Sweden in New York, kudos to Nicole Tsarouhas: A fantastic evening gathering nearly 200 international leaders to build the essential cross-sector relationships necessary for global action.

Round Table & Dinner together with Viable Cities and global urban leaders at the Harvard Club of New York City (thank you Bo Ekelund): An insightful session focusing on the power of Aggregated Purchasing Power for Climate-Neutral Cities.

Swedish Tech Showcase at Nixon Peabody LLP (thank you Matthew N. Bobrow for being our host): This seminar was a co-arrangement with Sofie Fjellgren at the Swedish Energy Agency, Barbara Wennerholm, Jonna Lindberg and Beatrice Ekelund Spånér from the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce - New York (SACCNY), and NYSERDA with great support from Thomas Yeh and Lauren De La Fuente. Several Swedish tech companies pitched their sustainable energy solutions to a large group of engineers and technical consultants. We also made a site visit to 3 Times Square (owned by Rudin), where we saw a well-maintained, operational central plant that showcases high engineering standards, proving that sustainable retrofits are achievable in NYC’s high-rise stock.

A panel discussion at the Consulate General of Sweden in NY: “From Sweden to NYC: Shaping the Future of Clean Buildings” featuring leaders like Sara Neff from Microsoft Cloud, Ke Wei, NYSERDA, Richard C. Yancey, Building Energy Exchange, Myrrh Caplan, MBA, LEED Fellow, Skanska, and Ester Codina, Alfa Laval. Some take aways from the panel:

• Buildings account for 70% of NYC's greenhouse gas emissions, which must be reduced by 40% by 2030.
• Scaling requires data. Panelists emphasized sub-metering of tenants and called for greater transparency on savings and costs.
• Excitement centered on new technologies, from AI-supported building management systems to carbon-free steel — with the guiding principle that “the best energy is the one you don’t use.”
• Success is driven by people. Moving new technologies from pilot programs to standard practice requires full buy-in from contractors and every worker on the ground to manage the logistical hurdles of doing something for the first time.

It is clear that we need more than incremental change. We need a climate movement, with the integration of advanced technology, efficiency, and sustainability into a global effort to transform our economies and built world.

Thank you to all our partners and participants for an inspiring week!