As natural disasters hammer communities worldwide with increasing frequency and intensity, efforts to strengthen resilience often run into financing obstacles. At DC Climate Week (April 20-26, 2026), Duke experts and partners will convene leaders across sectors to exchange ideas about resilience solutions for U.S. communities and emerging economies.
“Fast-tracking resilience solutions is critical to communities’ health, security and economic prosperity,” said Brian Murray, director of Duke’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability. “That’s why Duke is bringing together industry experts to develop coordinated approaches during DC Climate Week. These sessions aren’t one-off events—they’re strategic opportunities to strengthen promising ideas by exchanging perspectives and designing next steps.”
All events will be hosted at Duke in DC (1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW), the university’s home in the nation’s capital.
Check out the event lineup:
Coordinating U.S. Resilience Investment: The Case for Financing Platforms
Monday, April 20, 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Investment in resilience and adaptation in the U.S. is fragmented and insufficient. This dialogue will explore whether nationally supported state financing platforms—or a broader national model—could streamline investment flows, accelerate project development and ensure resources reach the communities and sectors most in need. Invitation only, but interested professionals can apply for the opportunity to register.
Built to Endure: Advancing Infrastructure Resilience from the Ground Up
Monday, April 20, 4–5:30 p.m.
Small and mid-sized cities face escalating climate shocks—flooding, extreme heat, wildfire smoke—while federal resilience funding grows less predictable. Grounded in the recently released Built to Endure: A Smart Guide for US Cities to Build Resilient Infrastructure That Lasts, this panel explores practical pathways to system-level infrastructure resilience for smaller jurisdictions. Open to all; advance registration required.
How Universities Can Work with Investors and Industry to Bring Resilience Innovation to Market
Tuesday, April 21, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., including breakfast and networking lunch
How can adaptation and resilience innovations move from university research into investment and real-world deployment? This invitation-only executive workshop will bring universities into direct conversation with the investors, strategic partners, utilities and corporate actors who can help advance promising solutions. Invitation only, but interested professionals can apply for the opportunity to register.
Beyond Debt Swaps: Scaling Adaptation and Biodiversity Finance
Tuesday, April 21, 4:30–5:45 p.m., followed by light refreshments
Sovereign debt pressures are rising in many climate-vulnerable countries. How can new financing tools support biodiversity and adaptation efforts amid geopolitical change? Experts in finance, conservation and development will discuss practical steps to scale sovereign finance and deliver measurable outcomes. Open to all; advance registration required.
Making Resilience Count: Translating Risk Reduction into Investment Signals
Wednesday, April 22, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Resilience creates real value, but markets struggle to see it. This working session explores how to translate resilience benefits into investment signals. Participants will include leaders from utilities, infrastructure, finance, insurance, policy and research. Invitation only, but interested professionals can apply for the opportunity to register.
Who's involved?
Duke University organizers and supporters of this year’s DC Climate Week events include the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability; Duke RESILE; Pratt School of Engineering; Nicholas School of the Environment; the Office of Climate and Sustainability and the Office for Translation and Commercialization. These events are aligned with the Duke Climate Commitment. External partners include Bentley Systems, the Milken Institute and Tailwind Futures.
