The Climate Jobs Institute hosted the launch of the Climate and Community Institute’s new “Stop Greed, Build Green” agenda. Partners in the labor and climate movement discussed the report’s Green Economic Populism framework to build working class power and address the climate and affordability crises.

Cornell’s Climate Jobs Institute Assistant Director of Research, Avalon Hoek Spaans, speaks on how geothermal technology can expand clean power, lower costs, and create high quality union jobs.

Mass timbers are engineered wood products that can serve as a less carbon-intensive alternative to traditional building materials. A new CJI primer outlines how policymakers can boost job creation, advance building decarbonization, and speed construction of affordable housing by building regional timber supply chains.

The Climate Jobs Institute hosted a two-day train-the-trainer program for workforce partners, followed by a graduation ceremony celebrating 49 Pathways to Apprenticeship participants. The events highlighted a growing clean energy workforce pipeline, connecting instructor development with hands-on training and honoring graduates entering careers in New York City’s expanding green economy.

The Climate Jobs Institute offers New York residents a tuition-free eCornell course starting June 3 on building an equitable clean energy economy. Participants learn climate, labor, and policy dynamics, gain campaign and strategy skills, and apply them locally while advancing worker-centered climate solutions and climate justice through practical, collaborative training.

The Climate Jobs Institute partnered with OGS and NYPA to host a legislative discussion and tour of the Empire State Plaza decarbonization project. The initiative aims to cut emissions, modernize heating and cooling, and demonstrate how New York can lead in public-sector decarbonization and high-quality job creation.

In March 2026, the Climate Jobs Institute presented at the Building & Construction Trades Council of Greater New York’s Winter Conference in Hollywood, Florida. The five-day event convened labor leaders, workforce professionals, and industry partners to share updates and strategies for the unionized construction industry in the New York City area.

The Climate Jobs Institute and the Climate Jobs Colorado coalition came together to help building trades union members practice giving public testimony. The training will support the coalition's member engagement work as it prepares to launch its first campaigns.

Climate Jobs Institute partners with Pathways to Apprenticeship to deliver a two-day clean energy curriculum for pre-apprentices in New York City. The training covers climate change causes and impacts, environmental justice, and the role of union construction workers in building and maintaining infrastructure for a clean energy future and resilience.

On February 10th in Lansing, Michigan, unions announced the launch of Michigan Climate Jobs, a coalition committed to reducing emissions, creating high-quality jobs, and reducing inequality in the state. The launch was accompanied by the release of CJI’s report, Michigan Climate Jobs Blueprint for an Equitable Clean Energy Future.

Climate Jobs Institute facilitated a tour of the Enterprise Association of Steamfitters Local 638’s Training Center, attended by key New York legislators. Legislators had the opportunity to learn about the challenges and importance of steamfitters’ work, and the particular role of the building trades in clean-energy and climate jobs coalitions.

The Climate Jobs Institute hosted a lunch-and-learn with Long Island union leaders on long-term battery storage, exploring its role in grid reliability, renewable energy expansion, and a just climate transition.

Climate Jobs Institute Hosts Panel on “Key Interventions: How We Can Still Achieve Our Climate, Jobs, and Equity Mandates” at 2025 SOMOS Conference

The Climate Jobs Institute's Key Interventions report outlines ten actions New York can take to cut emissions, expand union jobs, and advance equity. At the launch event, policymakers, labor leaders, and advocates discussed how to implement these strategies to meet climate goals and build an affordable, inclusive green economy.

On September 18, the Climate Jobs Institute presented at the 2025 IAM Wood, Pulp & Paper Council Conference in Niagara Falls. Zach Cunningham discussed climate action, union job creation, and workforce development, sharing findings from the IAM report and supporting organizing, education, and leadership development nationwide among the IAM membership.

In September, the Climate Jobs Institute presented at the 2025 LIUNA Builds Renewables Summit, joining over 100 labor and industry leaders. CJI assistant directors Melissa Shetler and Zach Cunningham highlighted workforce development and labor education initiatives.

In August, the Climate Jobs Institute led New York lawmakers and labor leaders to British Columbia to study clean energy, labor-driven climate strategies, and sustainable infrastructure. Delegates met officials, toured multiple sites, and explored how global best practices can inform NY’s climate, jobs, and equity goals.

CJI piloted a first-of-its-kind climate education module with Pathways 2 Apprenticeship cohort in NYC. The course introduces pre-apprentices to climate science, environmental justice (EJ), and pathways to clean energy jobs. The pilot marks the beginning of a larger effort to equip future union workers for leadership in the clean energy transition.

On May 22nd, more than 100 Mainers convened at the State House in Augusta to voice their support for investments in clean energy and quality job creation. Representatives of the Maine Labor Climate Council (MLCC) joined the lobby day to highlight the perspective of the state’s growing clean energy workforce.

On April 30th, Cornell ILR’s Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) released Update on New York’s Renewable Energy Policies, Plans and Progress, a report on how the Empire State is advancing towards its clean energy goals under the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA).

This winter, the Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) embarked on an exciting collaboration with Working Theater (WT) to develop an innovative training and community-building program for rank-and-file union members.

A forthcoming report and April 30th webinar by the Climate Jobs Institute lays out what’s working, what’s stalling, and how labor-forward climate policy can close the gap.

Over 82% of respondents expressed some level of concern about how climate change will affect today's children and future generations, with nearly 38% indicating they were "extremely concerned."

On March 8th 2025, the Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) co-hosted a panel on “The Importance of Developing a Climate-resilient Energy Grid” at the 2025 SOMOS INC Albany Conference.

On Saturday, March 8th, CJI will co-host a panel discussion at the 2025 SOMOS Inc New York Conference. The panel, titled “Planning for our Future: The Importance of Developing a Climate-Resilient Energy Grid,” aligns with the conference’s broader theme, “Justice in Action.”

Melissa Shetler, Assistant Director of Labor Outreach and Workforce Equity at the Institute, participated in the panel “How Communities of Color Will Shape the Future of Technology, Energy, and Design,” during the annual Legislative Conference organized by the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislators.