Founded by musicians and activists Jesse Paris Smith and Rebecca Foon in 2014, the organization brings together musicians, artists, activists, climate experts, academics, politicians, innovators, and all citizens of the world to participate in a series of events, dialogues, and leading initiatives committed to turning the Paris Agreement into action. Pathway to Paris believes that in this urgent global crisis, collaboration is key to transforming our cities and moving into a new era of 100% renewable energy and zero emissions.

Pathway to Paris was launched in September 2014 with an intimate evening of music and discourse immediately following the People’s Climate March in New York City.

These events have since continued over the ensuing years. They were initially intended to build awareness of the urgency of establishing a global climate agreement. Leading up to the UN Climate Change Conference (Cop21) which took place in December 2015, their first year culminated with two major concerts on December 4 and 5 in Paris at Le Trianon, the first weekend of Cop21.

On November 5th, 2017, the evening before COP23 began in Bonn, Germany, Pathway to Paris held a concert event at New York City’s Carnegie Hall, where internationally renowned musicians and leading thinkers took the stage to highlight the importance of making the Paris Agreement real. In 2017, Pathway to Paris announced their 1000 Cities Initiative for Carbon Freedom at the United Nations Secretariat, inviting all cities of the world to transition to 100% renewable energy and zero carbon emissions by 2040.