Climate Leadership Conference

Hosted by Students at Harvard Kennedy School

Audience attending a conference titled 'Climate Leadership Conference' in a room with wooden walls. Some people are clapping, others are seated, facing a screen that displays the conference name.
Panel discussion at Harvard Kennedy School with six people seated on stage, some taking notes, engaging in a discussion. A large screen behind them displays a presentation, and the room has wood-paneled walls, a chandelier, and seated audience members.
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The Climate Leadership Conference (CLC) is a student-run conference at Harvard Kennedy School that brings together global and local leaders, policymakers, practitioners, and academics to address the pressing challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.

Thank you to all attendees of our 2026 conference! See you next year!

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Environment

The planet’s equilibrium depends on human society operating within the planetary boundaries, six of which have already been transgressed. This track will explore our environmental footprint across these salient thresholds asking the questions: What sectors do we focus on? Where are the worst impacts of the crisis concentrated? What resources can we leverage to accelerate change? Who are the key stakeholders?

A group of diverse people attending a conference or seminar, sitting in rows with some wearing formal attire, some taking notes or using phones, in a wood-paneled room.

Governance

Despite political headwinds, the work of climate leadership continues and requires pragmatic, forward-looking visions that center resilience, adaptability, and coalition-building. Progress requires affirmative visions and centering “where” and “how” meaningful progress can still happen.

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Energy

Energy systems sit at the center of climate leadership: every decision about decarbonization, resilience, and growth ultimately runs through the wires, mines, and turbines that power our economies. From critical minerals and offshore wind to grid modernization and emerging technologies, the energy transition is transforming and reshaping geopolitics, communities, and business models. Policy and regulation are the levers that can align this transition with climate goals, reliability, and equity or let it drift toward new forms of risk and exclusion.

Thank you to our sponsors for making the Climate Leadership Conference 2026 possible.