At this year's New York Climate Week, much of the climate tech industry's attention centered on the AI data center boom, with founders and investors pivoting toward energy infrastructure to power AI. PitchBook data cited shows climate tech venture funding has risen for four straight quarters, topping $14 billion in Q1 2025, driven largely by grid infrastructure, built environment, and dispatchable energy deals tied to data center construction. Some founders at the event expressed concern that this focus is overshadowing other promising climate tech sectors.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-28
A panel of tech executives discussing AI and data centers at Climate Week in New York was repeatedly interrupted by activists from Extinction Rebellion NYC, who took turns standing up to shout about the environmental harms of AI and fossil-fuel-powered infrastructure before being removed by security. Crusoe cofounder Cully Cavness, one of the panelists, later told the moderator he was still rattled by the disruption minutes afterward.
wired.com
· 2026-09-27
At this year's Climate Week gatherings around the UN General Assembly, AI's dual role in the climate crisis emerged as a central topic of debate. UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the assembly that artificial intelligence could either help address climate-driven instability and displacement or worsen it, as a new UN Environment Program report found the world has effectively passed the point of limiting warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels.
technologyreview.com
· 2026-09-24
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