The 2024 Energy Week at Duke brought together students, faculty and industry leaders to explore the pressing challenges and opportunities in the energy landscape around the theme of “advancing energy innovation in the Southeast and beyond." The Chronicle wrapped up the community-driven events and expert-led panels held from Nov. 11–15.

Top teams from Syracuse, Duke and McGill universities were collectively awarded $15,000 in the finals of the 2024 Energy in Emerging Markets Case Competition held Tuesday as part of Energy Week at Duke. Over the fall, the competition challenged more than 70 teams to develop energy business models for Ugandan e-mobility company Zembo.

Senior representatives from Duke Kunshan University’s founding partners were joined by renowned scholars, policymakers, entrepreneurs and investors for the 2024 Duke International Forum, an annual meeting of minds focusing this year on “Renovating Climate Policy and Green Finance for Future Sustainability.” Nicholas Institute experts Brian Murray, Jackson Ewing and Jonathan Phillips were among the participants.

As climate change intensifies, many low- and middle-income countries face a precarious balancing act between addressing urgent climate adaptation and development needs and pursuing clean energy transitions. A Climate Week NYC panel—hosted by Duke University at the Nest Climate Campus—unpacked the challenges these countries face.

For a roundup of key themes from the conversation, read this Nicholas Institute publication.

Climate Week NYC 2024, held Sept. 22-29, gathered hundreds of business and political leaders across the globe to address the need for climate action. Among the distinguished voices included Duke University, whose lineup of climate experts shared their insights and research at several key events as part of Duke's Climate Commitment. A photo essay from Duke Today showcased the involvement of Duke scholars, including several from the Nicholas Institute.

Jackson Ewing, director of energy and climate policy, speaks with Duke Today about explorations of how low- and middle-income countries can overcome challenges to clean energy transitions. On September 27, he will moderate a Climate Week NYC panel: “How Can Energy Transitions Balance Growth, Decarbonization, and Human Development?”.

At Climate Week NYC (September 22-29, 2024), influential leaders from multiple sectors will exchange ideas and collaborate on plans to accelerate climate action. A delegation of Duke University scholars will help drive dialogue at this annual convening, which drew more than 6,500 attendees last year. In addition to organizing three public events, Duke University experts will be facilitating closed-door conversations and networking with decision-makers and with current and potential external partners.

Are you a Duke University alum with plans (or potential plans) to attend Climate Week NYC (September 22-29) or the UNFCCC’s Conference of Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan (November 11-22)? Duke University experts will again take part in these important convenings alongside climate thought leaders and decision-makers from across the world—and we are eager to connect with Duke alumni who will also be joining.

How can we bridge the climate adaptation and resilience funding gap, currently less than a third of the $200 billion needed annually?

This World Economic Forum blog post from Jonathan Phillips (Director, James E. Rogers Energy Access Project), alongside Jo Puri (UN Assistant Secretary General, International Fund for Agricultural Development [IFAD]) and Rania A. Al-Mashat (Minister of International Cooperation, Arab Republic of Egypt), explores innovative approaches to monetizing resilience benefits, highlighting the value propositions for different stakeholders, and the financial and nonfinancial returns from resilience investments.

How often do we take for granted the ease of flipping on a light switch and being able to read, cook or do work with abundant light? Watch this webinar recording from Duke Alumni Lifelong Learning to hear Duke experts, including Jonathan Phillips, Director of the James E. Rogers Energy Access Project, discuss the interconnected nature of climate and human development policies and goals—ultimately fostering a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive future for all. See the other videos in the playlist here.