Keynote - In for the Long Run: The Cost of Pausing

Climate change is not on pause, even as recent federal actions have slowed or halted many mitigation initiatives already underway. Organizations are navigating real delays, shifts in funding and canceled programs, but the imperative remains unchanged: long-term climate science and sustainability goals must remain a priority.

Sustainability leaders from three organizations will present diverse perspectives on sustaining organizational engagement and environmental responsibility amid persistent uncertainties. They will examine how long-term commitments to decarbonization, climate resilience, and emissions mitigation are shaping high-performance building design, operational decision-making and future planning. Each speaker will also assess the risks and consequences associated with delaying climate action, distinguishing between areas where strategic adaptation may be necessary and those in which sustainability commitments remain non-negotiable. The discussion will highlight examples of how each organization continues to demonstrate leadership and accountability by advancing measurable, outcomes-driven sustainability strategies despite a complex and evolving policy landscape.