Cities & Climate
innovation conference
Building a better planet
Explore the breakthrough innovations in sustainability that are changing the urban experience and future of our planet. From electrified transit and decarbonized supply chains to agriculture, conservation, and next-gen climate tech, this track dives into actionable solutions for addressing climate change.
David Gruber
Founder and president, project ceti
“Science is a way of understanding our place in the universe, from the origins of life to the possibility of life beyond Earth. By combining curiosity, exploration and new discoveries, we can continue to expand what we know about ourselves and the world around us.”
programming themes
- Climate Tech
- Accountability & Collaboration
- Infrastructure
- Ecological Stewardship
- Regenerative Design
Past Speakers
The people shaping how stories get made.
Jane Fonda, Jane Fonda Climate PAC
“Hollywood and Activism: Insights from Jane Fonda, David Fenton, and Sweta Chakraborty”
Boyan Slat, The Ocean Cleanup
“The Largest Cleanup in History”
Katharine Hayhoe, The Nature Conservancy
“Cleaning Up Our Atmosphere: Carbon Removal Prepares to Go Mainstream”
Royal Ramey, Forestry and Fire Recruitment
“Breaking Barriers by Turning Prisoners into Firefighters”
Conference Rewind
Take a look back at the sessions you don’t want to miss.
Breaking Through Barriers to Innovation: Lessons from Space and Earth
New paradigm-shifting technologies seem to emerge every day, and the leaders that understand how to properly leverage the opportunities that come along with these new technologies can create huge competitive advantages for their organizations. Learn how to make the most from technology breakthroughs in areas such as finding life elsewhere in the universe; climate+energy, and the convergence of artificial intelligence and generative biology.
Nature Speaks. Can AI Help Us Listen?
More than 8 million species share our planet. Until now, we’ve only understood the language of one. In this keynote, Aza Raskin, Co-founder of Earth Species Project, explores how AI is being used to decode the languages of other species—revealing complex, learned communication across the animal kingdom. For the first time in history, we can truly listen. The question isn’t if we’ll break the interspecies barrier. It’s whether we’ll do it in time to change everything.
Say It Louder: Artists, Activism & the First Amendment with The ACLU, Jane Fonda, & W. Kamau Bell
Artists have always used their platforms to challenge power, and the First Amendment has had their back, even when governments tried to shut it down. The ACLU’s Jessica Weitz joins Jane Fonda and W. Kamau Bell to link culture to action. When democracy is at stake, there’s a role for everyone to get involved. This session shares concrete ways anyone can show up, organize, and protect free speech—no fame required.
Additional Information
Each year, SXSW brings the best speakers in the world to Austin, TX< to present sessions on what’s next in the worlds of film, culture, music, and technology.
The convergence of first-class talent from so many different disciplines and backgrounds creates a unique environment for attendees to explore.
SXSW Conferences include the Innovation Conference, Music Conference, and Film & TV Conference.
Accompanying the SXSW Conference are events including expos, a pitch competition, parties, and more.
Explore Keynotes, Featured Speakers, Session Formats, and programming tracks, of visit the Conference Formats page.
SXSW Conference sessions will be divided into multiple tracks across three overarching verticals:
- Innovation Conference Tracks explore technology, marketing, health, the creator economy and more.
- Film & TV Conference covers both the creative and business elements of film and TV production.
- Music Conference features content on the making, marketing, impact and future of music.
Visit the Tracks pages for detailed information on each of the tracks.
Conference session formats range from presentations and fireside chats to panels, workshops, mentoring, networking and more.