Powering Ahead Event Highlights Reel

Energy demand is surging to power homes, manufacturing and the AI boom. EVs are revolutionizing the auto sector. And companies and consumers want more sustainable options to cut plastic waste.

These are some of the biggest challenges of our time. But solutions abound.

Newsweek’s “Powering Ahead” brought together the leaders who are making our power systems more affordable, reliable and clean, innovating automaking and working on elegant solutions that can cut waste from packaging and make a circular economy a reality.

Fireside Chat: What’s Ahead for Clean Power

Industry leaders discussed the urgent need to accelerate clean energy deployment, emphasizing grid modernization, permitting reform, and community engagement. They highlighted the importance of aligning federal incentives with local execution to unlock transformative impact. As one speaker put it, “We don’t have a technology problem—we have a deployment problem.”

Red White and Blue Growth Areas for Clean Energy

This panel explored regional opportunities for clean energy expansion, from solar in the Southeast to wind in the Midwest and geothermal in the West. Speakers emphasized workforce development, manufacturing investment, and bipartisan momentum as key drivers. A standout quote: “Clean energy isn’t red or blue—it’s red, white, and blue.”

Tapping the Full Potential of Grid Batteries

Panelists examined how grid-scale batteries are enabling time-shifting, peak shaving, and backup power for critical infrastructure. They called for clearer market signals, interconnection reform, and policy support to accelerate deployment. “We’re not just storing electrons—we’re storing opportunity,” one expert noted.

Powering Data and Tapping Data's Power

This session highlighted how data transparency and digital tools can drive decarbonization across industries, from building management to supply chains. Speakers stressed the need for standardized metrics, real-time visibility, and cross-sector collaboration. A standout quote: “Data doesn’t just tell us what happened—it tells us what to do next.”

Cutting Carbon with Amazon

During Newsweek’s Powering Head Event, sponsored by Kia, Amazon leaders shared their strategy for reaching net zero carbon by 2040, focusing on electrifying logistics, investing in climate tech, and supporting suppliers. They emphasized the role of the Climate Pledge in uniting over 600 companies around shared sustainability goals. Chris Rowe captured the shift in mindset: “This is about reducing tons of CO₂ and building synergy with farmers.”

Built for the Future: Driving Sustainability from Street to Storefront

At the Newsweek Powering Ahead Event, panelists discussed how infrastructure must evolve to meet climate goals while serving communities equitably and efficiently. They emphasized the importance of integrating sustainability into design, leveraging public-private partnerships, and prioritizing long-term resilience over short-term fixes. As one speaker noted, “We’re not just building for today—we’re building for the next hundred years.”

Charged for Change: Building the Electric Vehicle Ecosystem

Panelists discussed how electrifying transportation can drive climate progress while improving public health and economic opportunity. They emphasized the need for equitable infrastructure deployment, community engagement, and faster permitting to meet rising demand. As one speaker noted, “We have to make sure the benefits of electrification reach every neighborhood—not just the ones with the loudest voices.”

Innovating to End Plastic Waste

This panel explored how innovation, collaboration, and policy can accelerate the shift from single-use plastics to circular systems. They highlighted the role of advanced recycling technologies, consumer engagement, and corporate accountability in reducing plastic pollution. “We can’t recycle our way out of this—we need to redesign the system from the ground up.”

Meeting The Surge in Power Demand

At the Newsweek Powering Ahead Event, panelists addressed the unprecedented rise in electricity demand driven by data centers, electrification, and industrial growth, emphasizing the need for rapid infrastructure expansion and grid modernization. They discussed the importance of aligning permitting, transmission, and workforce development to meet the moment. As one speaker put it, “We’re not just seeing growth—we’re seeing a surge, and we have to build like the future depends on it.”

A New Asset Class: Nature as Infrastructure

Panelist explore how assets like coastal environments, geothermal energy, and circular fuels can be reframed as bankable infrastructure, unlocking capital, reducing risk, and driving long-term returns. The session concludes with a special presentation by Artist, Director and Cultural Innovator, Sophie Hunter.

Cleantech Investing with Andrew Steer

Sir Andrew Steer emphasized the critical role of private capital in scaling climate solutions, urging investors to prioritize speed, integrity, and measurable impact. He discussed the need for blended finance models, policy alignment, and a shift from short-term returns to long-term resilience. As Steer stated, “We are not investing in projects—we are investing in the future of humanity.”