Chicagoriver

2025 Aspen Ideas: Climate

Agenda Snapshot and Program Tracks

Through one-on-one conversations, dynamic panels, interactive roundtables, immersive excursions, and more, Aspen Ideas: Climate will explore how we can tackle the climate crisis, together.

Agenda Snapshot

We encourage you to stay updated on our 2025 Aspen Ideas: Climate agenda by subscribing to our newsletter.

Sunday, July 20, 2025

  • 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm,  Opening Plenary
  • 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm,  Welcome Reception

Monday, July 21, 2025

  • 8:00 am - 11:00 am,  Optional excursions
  • 9:00 am - Noon, Morning Block | Breakout Sessions, Workshops and Private Roundtables
  • Noon - 1:30 pm, Lunch
  • 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm, Afternoon Block | Breakout Sessions, Workshops and Private Roundtables
  • 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Evenings at Salt Shed | Join us for food, drinks and a night of innovative climate solutions 

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

  • 8:00 am - 11:00 am, Optional excursions
  • 9:00 am - Noon, Morning Block | Breakout Sessions, Workshops and Private Roundtables
  • Noon - 1:30 pm, Lunch
  • 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm, Afternoon Block | Breakout Sessions, Workshops and Private Roundtables
  • 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Evenings at Salt Shed | Join us for food, drinks and a night of innovative climate solutions

Wednesday, July 23, 2025*

*These events are hosted by Aspen Ideas: Climate partners. Interested parties must be registered for Aspen Ideas: Climate and reach out to aspenideasclimate@aspeninstitute.org to request an invitation or sign up link.

  • 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Corporate Sustainability Workshop: Navigate the Present and Explore the Future of Corporate Sustainability with Your Peers
  • 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Climate Philanthropy Event
  • 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Midwest Climate Dealflow Summit
  • 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Service Opportunity*

Program Tracks

Our program tracks guide conversations among global and local policymakers, scientific experts, corporate leaders, inventors and innovators, artists, young leaders, influencers, and engaged members of the public.

Our 2025 Program Tracks are:

A New Era of Infrastructure and Buildings

The built environment is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for up to 40% worldwide. Decarbonizing this sector is a significant challenge, but also an extraordinary opportunity. Drawing inspiration from Chicago’s history of architectural innovation, hear leaders highlight some of the promising pathways toward this goal. From innovative partnerships and breakthrough technologies to sustainable building materials, explore solutions to reducing emissions and fostering healthier and more livable spaces.

Down to Earth: Food, Agriculture, Water, and Nature

With cutting-edge innovations in the agriculture and conservation sectors just underfoot, hear from global leaders on food as a powerful solution for communities and the climate, nature’s essential force for resilience, the future of agriculture, and sustainably managing water in a time of record demand. The Midwest is a key driver of trends in these sectors throughout the broader U.S. and across the globe, and the Great Lakes alone represent 21% of the world’s surface freshwater.

Future by Design: Making Better Products

With the circular economy unlocking environmental and economic benefits, increased domestic production of energy infrastructure and sustainable products, and businesses developing the next era of building materials to decarbonize hard to abate industries, hear what designs the next decades have in store. Centered in one of the nation’s largest manufacturing hubs, this track will draw on the Upper Midwest’s leadership in ushering in the next era of sustainable products and industrial innovation.

The Future of Energy

The global energy landscape is evolving rapidly, with demand surging and a suite of innovative technologies and solutions emerging to meet this unprecedented demand. Explore how these cutting-edge solutions—spanning technology, policy, workforce development, community engagement, and financing—can meet this growing demand while advancing grid modernization, reliability, security, and economic development.

Voices of Change: Education, Media, and Storytelling

With effective messaging at the heart of effective policymaking, hear from poets, artists, meteorologists, and other unconventional climate communicators on how we can better craft and share our narratives, educate the next generation, and advance climate solutions. Home to countless research institutions, an iconic mix of art and cultural centers, and a comedy hub, experience Chicago, one of the most vibrant and compelling art and education scenes in the world.

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