UN leaders and business executives are gathering in New York this week to discuss climate change, rising energy prices, artificial intelligence and the growing impact of extreme weather.

The discussions are taking place alongside the United Nations General Assembly and Climate Week events. Experts and activists say climate concerns are becoming more urgent as countries face rising costs and increasingly damaging disasters.

Recent events have included severe heat waves, wildfires and deadly flooding. More than 1,300 people were killed in sudden flooding linked to a collapsing glacier on the Nepal-China border.

Rising Prices Add Pressure

UN climate chief Simon Stiell said climate change is contributing to higher food prices and wider inflation. He also pointed to the impact of fossil fuel dependence on consumers.

Rising energy costs have already contributed to protests in several countries. In the United States, gas prices have reached record levels, while consumer confidence has declined.

Climate analyst Mohamed Adow said the world is facing two different climate realities. Renewable energy and clean technology continue to grow, but climate impacts are also accelerating.

He said the discussions in New York need to address both developments.

AI Becomes a Climate Issue

Artificial intelligence and the rapid expansion of data centres are also receiving attention during Climate Week.

UN officials have raised concerns about the amount of energy needed to operate AI systems and data centres. They warned that growing electricity demand could increase the use of coal, oil and gas.

However, Caleb Max of the National Artificial Intelligence Association said AI currently accounts for about 1.5% of global electricity use. He expects that figure to reach 3% by the end of the decade while efficiency improves.

Other experts say AI could also support scientific and technological advances that help address climate challenges.

Renewable Energy Needs to Grow Faster

A new report found that renewable energy capacity reached a record 693 gigawatts in 2025.

Despite that growth, the report said countries must add more renewable capacity between 2026 and 2030 than they built in previous years combined to meet the global target of tripling renewable power capacity by 2030.

Experts say faster investment in renewable energy and supporting infrastructure will be needed as global electricity demand continues to increase.