Policy
Our Focus
The Policy team convenes experts to unleash the transformative power of ideas to take greater action on solving climate and energy challenges. In keeping with the Aspen Institute’s Humanistic Traditions, we craft our forums and dialogues in a spirit of radical optimism, bringing together leaders across industries and sectors for a chance to view the issues – and each other – in new ways. Participants reimagine what might be possible in terms of politics, economics, technology, and collaboration.
What We Do
The Policy team advances solutions through cross-sectoral convenings to share ideas and actions that can be used by participants. Intentionally deploying a spirit of radical optimism, we bring together diverse sectoral leaders for unexpected opportunities to collaborate, providing a foundation for change and policy breakthroughs.
Annual Policy Forums
Our Annual Policy Forums, rooted in the humanistic tradition of the Aspen Institute, provide a space for “impossible” dialogues to thrive, encouraging leaders across industries and sectors to recast what they think is achievable in terms of how policy, economics, technology, and above all, relationships can be brought to bear in furtherance of a sustainable future.
These invitation-only, not-for-attribution Forums convene entrepreneurs, industry executives, regulators, policymakers, and thought leaders in a set of moderated discussions that draw upon the full range of perspectives in the room in pursuit of breakthrough ideas and action.
Aspen Energy Week
A dialogue on U.S. Energy Policy
Since 1977, the annual Aspen Energy Week has served as the premier forum for candid conversations on the future of the domestic energy system among a diverse group of leading energy system actors. In particular, the forum’s discussions encourage leaders to devise, design, and deploy solutions addressing the human-nature relationship.
Winter Energy Forum
A dialogue on innovation in energy finance, technology, policy, and markets
The Aspen Winter Energy Forum brings together top experts from corporations, government, academia, and non-profits for frank conversations about key issues in clean energy and deep decarbonization, with a special focus on unleashing technologies that contribute to satisfying world energy demand in a sustainable and equitable way.
Aspen-Nicholas Water Forum
The Aspen-Nicholas Water Forum is a long-standing initiative of the Aspen Institute Energy & Environment Program, co-led with Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability. For years, the Forum has convened leaders from across sectors to address the most pressing challenges facing water sustainability in the United States. The discussions held at the Forum were key in the creation of the Aspen National Water Strategy launched in 2026.
Policy Dialogues
Specialty Forums
Our Specialty Forums, held in the same style as our annual Policy Forums, focus on deep dives into specific policy issues. By bringing together policymakers with members of industry, academia, and civil society, we foster the trust and cooperation necessary to promote consensus and drive concrete solutions on pressing energy, climate, and environmental policy challenges.
Track II Dialogues
The Aspen Institute Track II Dialogue process aims to foster trust and cooperation on climate and energy issues among two countries at the sub-government level through sustained, direct exchanges among influential members of civil society. Over the past 14 years, we have convened a Track II Dialogue between the U.S. and India. The Dialogue has been influential in suggesting concrete pathways for collaboration between governments and relevant sub-national and non-state actors.
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