A New Playbook for Climate Action in NYC: It’s All About Making the Most of Your Strengths
January 26, 2026
What can businesses do to combat climate change?
It’s a big question. After all, what can we do in the face of gigantic, global forces — both in nature and in the business world at large?
As it turns out, we can do quite a lot.
It all starts with rethinking assumptions; doing things intentionally: by design, and not by default.
That’s the core message of The NYC Climate Action Playbook. Launched after years of research and discussion with leading experts — as well as regional, national, and global stakeholders — the playbook is meant to not only inform but also inspire. It shows where the future could be going, with companies like yours directly behind the wheel of their own journey.
Strength in Unity; Change Through Alignment
The business world contributes a huge chunk of global greenhouse gas emissions each year, with estimates ranging from 70% to 80% for the total portion generated exclusively by commercial enterprises around the world.
Now, it’s true a significant chunk of that can be attributed to just a handful of companies. Most of these emissions come from the energy sector and large-scale manufacturing for materials like concrete.
But businesses are a major consumer of these products. And, if you think about it, it’s businesses selling the rest to everyday consumers.
So while we may not hold much responsibility as individuals (unless you happen to own a multinational megacorp), it’s all connected. Our decisions are a part of that web of commerce that’s managed to belch out over 53 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024 alone.
And while it’s also true that one decision can’t change the world overnight, when we all align in the same direction, that’s when big movements happen.
Consider that the strongest natural material known to man is made of strands of tiny fibers. Parallel fibers infused with iron make up its strongest part of the structure. Because they are aligned, they are extremely tough, able to gouge through solid rock. Because they are made of small components, friction doesn’t chip away at their strength. In fact, it only makes them sharper.
This is the same power we can wield as values-aligned businesses.
The B Corp movement shows what this look like, using the apt metaphor of ripples merging into waves for its upcoming Champions Retreat.
B Lab’s Impact Topic areas have an uncanny way of getting us all to focus when we’re in the same room together. Excuses about what’s holding us back or what we have to lose by seeking change totally melt away. Instead, it’s always “here’s what we’re doing to help,” or “here’s what we want to be doing soon to get farther along our journey.”
That same can-do, all-of-us-in-this-together attitude can apply to businesses seeking to reduce their climate impact right here in NYC.
This guide from B Lab U.S. & Canada provides examples and resources from B Corps and partners to support companies in meeting requirements in the new Climate Action Impact Topic.
A Recentered, Trust-Driven Approach to Proactive Climate Action in NYC
Getting somewhere that feels far away can seem overwhelming, and it’s all because we don’t know in what direction to take that first step.
The NYC Climate Action Playbook shows you what that step might look like. It’s filled with tactical action items, both big and small, that make you a contributor to the causes of climate action, decarbonization, and restorative climate justice.
Crucially, these action categories are broken out to represent the eight major ways businesses build trust for their brand. Different companies excel at different projects, especially when it comes to justifying their implementation as part of their mission. By analyzing where you move the needle, in terms of the trust you build, you can channel that same energy into being a part of climate solutions.
Companies that excel at investing in and improving local spaces, for example, can implement climate-responsive infrastructure by installing green roofs and permeable pavement.
In this way, every archetypal brand trust pillar correlates with major climate movement priorities:
Going back to the strongest natural material — which belongs to a type of mollusk, by the way — analyses done under electron microscopy have revealed that multiple types of fiber structures ultimately lend the material its crazy strength and resilience. There are the iron-infused “goethite” fibers that stand aligned, but there is also a matrix of slightly softer fibers that make up a supportive structure. This structure can flex under stress, preventing the stiffer fibers from becoming brittle.
All that to say: every competency and type of structure can serve its part in building a strong movement.
For the movement to hold up under stress, it also has to be capable of responding dynamically to obstacles that emerge. At the same time, the strongest parts of the movement should be supported to continue focusing on what they do best.
An Example: Strengthening Community to Strengthen Self Determination
It’s important to note that the recommendations in The NYC Climate Playbook are meant to inspire a direction, not be overly prescriptive. Each member within the movement has the chance to express their own capabilities and focus on their community’s own interests.
NY-based Faherty Brand, for example, expresses that “achieving B Corp certification reflects our dedication to community, culture, and responsibility. Central to that commitment is our ongoing work with Native and Indigenous artists, not as collaborators of convenience, but as creative leaders whose voices, stories, and artistry shape our collections and help us move beyond appropriation in fashion.”
By highlighting the artistry, vision, craftsmanship, and heritage-steeped perspectives of these creators, they can empower their communities to be more visible and more economically independent as they seek out their own solutions for climate resiliency. “These relationships are built on mutual respect, resources returned to Native communities, and opportunities for authentic economic empowerment that honor tradition and sustain future generations,” emphasizes Lisa Diegel, Director of Sustainability & Impact at Fahey Brand.
Building a Stronger, More Resilient New York — One Prepared for Climate Challenges Ahead
New Yorkers are some of the toughest people we know (although, lately, Minnesotans are definitely giving them a run for their money). We know when to stand guard and when to check in with our community. We know what it means to put everything on the line for the people we love and the city that, on its best days, intensely loves us back.
If we put our heads together, we can each serve our part in propelling our city to be a leading force in the climate action movement.
It all starts right here, on our streets, in our buildings, along our sidewalks, and in our backyards. It starts with the people we hire, the wisdom we share, and the way we choose to invest.
Often, all it takes is the knowledge, vision, and motivation to put us on the right track. That’s why we took the time to discuss the playbook, along with other things NYC businesses can do to combat climate change, with NASA’s Dr. Christian Braneon. He’s also a member of the New York City Panel on Climate Change (NPCC) and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Climate at Columbia University’s Climate School.
During a free livecast interview, hosted by B Local NYC and the NY Public Library’s Thomas Yoseloff Business Center, we map out the NYC climate ecosystem and where it can go from here, revealing the many ways leaders can plug in, contribute, and collaborate.
Take a look, and see how we can engage one another to be intentional about the changes we make towards a better future. Because we need folks like you to be there at our side when we get this thing fired up on its next phase.
We can’t make change happen overnight. But we can make it happen everyday—through deliberate choices, awareness of our strengths, and small steps achieved towards ambitious goals.
Now let’s get it!
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B The Change gathers and shares the voices from within the movement of people using business as a force for good and the community of Certified B Corporations. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the nonprofit B Lab.
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