Capital, Data, and Technology Take Center Stage at Trellis Impact 2025
November 7, 2025, San Jose, California — The recent Trellis Impact 2025 conference, held from October 28 to 30 in San Jose, brought together industry leaders, corporate executives, investors, and innovators to explore how capital, data, and technology are driving the clean energy economy forward. Hosted by RMI and converging three major forums—GreenFin, VERGE, and Bloom—the event underscored a growing emphasis on practical, scalable solutions that align sustainability goals with business performance.
Focus on Finance: Transitioning to Risk Management and Delivery
A central theme throughout Trellis Impact 2025 was finance as a catalyst for corporate climate action. Leaders from RMI’s finance team joined a broad spectrum of industry peers to discuss evolving investment strategies in clean energy. Increasingly, corporate decision-makers and investors are prioritizing proven technologies, enhanced transparency through data, and credible frameworks to share and manage risk. This represents a shift away from high-profile public commitments toward delivery-focused projects that emphasize affordability, resilience, and scalability in clean energy solutions.
Nabil Bennouna from RMI highlighted this paradigm shift during a panel discussion on corporate climate finance. “It’s time to shift the focus from subsidies to risk management,” Bennouna said. “By finding creative ways to pool balance sheets and share risks, we can unlock bold investments that make entering new markets far less daunting.” RMI is actively applying these principles by developing tools, advising strategic approaches, and connecting capital directly to impactful projects across the globe.
The Rising Role of AI and Data Centers in Sustainability Efforts
Another dominant topic throughout the conference was the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, and sustainable energy practices. AI-driven tools are rapidly reshaping how corporations plan, report, and implement sustainability initiatives. John McGrath of RMI emphasized the maturity in conversations around AI, noting a move beyond hype to more pragmatic considerations. “Common themes were the need for quality data; the promises and pitfalls of technology that’s both powerful and opaque; and to what degree AI and data centers will drive load growth as improvements in AI efficiency compete with exploding usage.”
RMI is researching AI’s impacts in the clean energy transition by focusing on data center power consumption and developing data-driven tools aimed at energy efficiency and reduction in carbon footprints. These efforts are reflected in their recent publications and ongoing technology innovation projects.
Advancing Sustainable Transportation Solutions
Transportation also featured prominently at Trellis Impact 2025, highlighting innovations and investment opportunities to reduce climate impact. Andrew Chen, Principal on RMI’s Climate-Aligned Industries team, shared insights on how corporations are investing in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) certificates as part of their climate strategies. Chen spoke about new aircraft technologies and contrail management that could significantly lower aviation emissions.
Chen also spotlighted the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance, a coalition led by RMI, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), and Neoteric Energy and Climate. The alliance is driving momentum by offering a ready-to-implement SAF procurement program, launching at COP30, that enables organizations to actively address their aviation emissions. “Purchasing SAF certificates is a tangible way to back low-carbon innovation in aviation and showcase meaningful climate leadership,” Chen said. He underscored how forums like Trellis Impact offer valuable platforms for promoting scalable, market-based approaches to aviation’s net-zero future.
Corporate Leaders Focus on Execution and Market-Based Strategies
Throughout the event’s keynotes, private discussions, and breakout sessions, corporate leaders expressed strong interest in overcoming obstacles to sustainable growth. A prevailing message emerged: companies are now deploying capital, leveraging technology, and utilizing data-driven tools more creatively—and carefully—to advance sustainability while seeking positive investment returns. The focus is on turning ambitious climate goals into executable strategies anchored by markets, performance metrics, and innovative technology.
Staying Informed on Corporate Sustainability Trends
For companies navigating this fast-evolving landscape, RMI offers the New Energy Business Brief, a quarterly newsletter delivering exclusive insights from ongoing research, actionable pathways for corporate teams, and curated analysis on emerging trends. Interested readers can sign up to receive the latest corporate sustainability news and expert perspectives directly from RMI.
At the heart of Trellis Impact 2025 lies a unified vision for a thriving, verdant, and secure world—a future made possible by the strategic deployment of capital, robust data, and innovative technology. As these elements converge, businesses and investors alike are forging practical, resilient paths toward a carbon-free economy.
For more information about RMI’s work and how to get involved, visit rmi.org or consider supporting their mission through donation.
Contact:
Emma Benninghoff
[Media Relations, RMI]
[media@rmi.org]
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