The New York Climate Exchange, a large scale climate solutions campus, is under development on Governors Island in New York Harbor and is expected to open for academic and public programming in fall 2029. The initiative is led by Stony Brook University in partnership with the City of New York, The Trust for Governors Island, Pratt Institute, Georgia Tech, and a network of academic, nonprofit, and industry collaborators.

The campus will occupy approximately 9.3 acres on the southern portion of Governors Island and include roughly 400,000 square feet of new and renovated space. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the project will feature a series of four to eight story mass timber buildings alongside repurposed historic structures, including portions of Liggett Hall. The design emphasizes sustainability, resilience, and public accessibility, with the goal of achieving net zero energy, water, and waste operations.

In addition to research and academic facilities, the Exchange will integrate approximately 4.5 acres of new public open space, adding landscaped areas, pedestrian pathways, and waterfront access to the island’s existing parkland. The campus is intended to remain open and welcoming to the public, supporting educational programming, exhibitions, and large scale convenings focused on climate science and environmental action.

The New York Climate Exchange is envisioned as a multidisciplinary hub that brings together scientists, students, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and community organizations to address climate challenges at local and global scales. Planned facilities include classrooms, laboratories, workforce training spaces, innovation hubs, and a large convening hall designed to host conferences, lectures, and public events.

Workforce development is a central pillar of the project, with programs aimed at preparing thousands of participants annually for careers in clean energy, climate resilience, sustainability, and environmental technology. The campus will also support climate focused startups and applied research intended to translate scientific discovery into real world solutions.

The project was selected in April 2023 following a competitive request for proposals issued by the City of New York and The Trust for Governors Island. It reflects the city’s broader climate strategy, which includes investment in green jobs, resilient infrastructure, and climate education, while leveraging Governors Island as a testing ground for innovative approaches to sustainability.

As construction progresses toward its planned 2029 opening, The New York Climate Exchange is expected to play a significant role in shaping New York City’s future as a global center for climate leadership, collaboration, and public engagement.