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.

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.

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.

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 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).

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.

The Climate Jobs Institute produced a primer and webinar on Thermal Energy Networks, which can decarbonize multiple buildings at once while also harnessing the existing skills of our building trades.

For two years in a row, the Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) has facilitated a panel discussion at the 2024 SOMOS INC Puerto Rico Conference, from November 6th - 10th. 

Join CJI and CAROW on November 20, 2024, for an insightful discussion with expert panelists who will share key takeaways from their delegations to Denmark, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Gain valuable perspectives on how these international lessons can shape advocacy and policymaking efforts in New York State.

On Thursday, November 7th, at 10:30am, the Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) will co-host a panel discussion on “Infrastructure Funding and Green Jobs in New York and Puerto Rico” at the 2024 SOMOS INC Puerto Rico Conference.

Cornell’s Climate Jobs Institute launches “Exploring the Conditions of the New York Solar Workforce,” a two-year exploratory study of working conditions in the solar industry.

On April 11, Climate Jobs NY and the Climate Jobs Institute (CJI) came together to prepare rank-and-file union members to advocate for public solar. Workers from various unions gathered to meet council members and explain how public solar will benefit their communities.

Cornell ILR's Climate Jobs Institute holds Generating Equity: Pathways to Union Careers in Clean Energy conference in Albany, NY, on March 1-2, 2024.

Bethany Figueroa, Research Support Specialist at Cornell's ILR Climate Jobs Institute, shares her experience on the 2024 SOMOS conference in Albany, NY.

Climate Jobs Institute participates in the 2023 SOMOS New York Conference Legislative Workshops in Puerto Rico.

Representatives from the NY State legislative and executive branches gathered on the ILR campus Thursday morning to officially launch the New York at Work annual report.