Climate Crossroads - From Forests and Food Systems to Finance and Carbon Markets

Join global experts, policymakers, and innovators on September 22, 2025, for a dynamic, full-day in-person event at NYU Wagner, exploring how smallholder empowerment, regenerative agriculture, and circular economy solutions can drive climate resilience and sustainable development. Hosted by O Mundo Que Queremos, ECCON Soluções Ambientais, and NYU Wagner SI3, the program will feature six thought-provoking panels tackling critical issues like agri-finance innovation, forest-friendly economies, and perennial carbon solutions. With voices from the Global South and a strong focus on policy and practice, this event offers actionable insights for a regenerative, equitable future. Speakers to be announced soon.

Opening remarks

8:45am - 9:00 am

Panel 1: Smallholders and Food Systems at the Core: Policy Pathways for Adaptation and Resilient Agriculture

How public policies can drive the transformation toward resilient food systems by empowering smallholder and family farmers. It will highlight the role of climate-smart innovations, regenerative practices such as agroecology and agroforestry, and strategies for sustainable soil and biodiversity management.

Time: 9:00am-10:30am

Panel 2: Funding mechanisms and innovative financial instruments to accelerate sustainable transitions

Discussing funding mechanisms, investment flows, and innovative financial instruments to accelerate sustainable transitions in emerging economies.

Time: 10:45am - 12:00pm

Panel 3 - How tropical countries can lead the transition to regenerative agriculture worldwide

A view of how regenerative tropical agriculture can transform production systems, enhance climate resilience, and create new opportunities for Global South countries to lead in shaping a sustainable and equitable global agri-food economy.

Time: 12:15pm - 1:30pm

*Lunch boxes will be served to registered participants.

1:30 - 2pm: Opening remarks for afternoon sessions

Panel 4 – Opportunities to decarbonize the economy through adequate waste and resources management

By transforming waste into a valuable resource through circular economy strategies, efficient recycling systems, and innovative resource management, we can unlock significant emissions reductions, conserve natural resources, and foster new green economic opportunities.

Time: 2:00pm - 3:20pm

Panel 5 – Brazil’s Climate and Nature Solutions

This event aims to explore how consolidated and scalable nature and climate solutions can serve as levers to advance the global climate agenda. The discussion will focus on how these solutions—ranging from agriculture and forests to carbon markets and critical minerals—can highlight the political and strategic value of bringing concrete solutions to the forefront of climate debates.

Time: 3:30pm - 4:50pm

Panel 6 – How to harvest perennial carbon from perennial crops?

The panel will explore the technical, scientific, and market-related experiences of the companies and speakers involving agriculture, Payment for Environmental Services (PES), and Citrosuco’s practical application of the PSA Carbon Agro Perennial methodology for generating carbon credits.

Time: 5:00pm - 6:20pm

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Main Event Space, 105 East 17th Street,, 105 East 17th Street, New York, United States