Our Story
The History of Houston Energy & Climate Week
From Hurricane Harvey to a national movement — the journey of HECW.
Allies in Energy, a Texas 501(c)(3) organization, is the organizing host of the HECW. All proceeds collected will benefit our programming and mission. To ensure this week's growth continues, AIE is raising $1.5M to fund the organization's future to make HECW accessible to everyone.
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HECW in Action
Houston Energy & Climate Week — Year 1 Recap
August 25, 2017
Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 storm, made landfall in Texas on August 25, 2017. The storm stalled over the Houston region, dumping more than 40 inches of rain in some areas and making it the wettest tropical cyclone on record in the United States. Harvey's impacts included immense property damage, displacing thousands of people, and causing numerous fatalities, with some estimates of total economic damage exceeding $155 billion.
August 25, 2018
A Pivotal Meeting
On Hurricane Harvey's first anniversary, a pivotal meeting occurred. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Katie Mehnert, political opposites, set aside differences to address the shared crisis. Their conversation was about securing the future of Houston, the energy capital of the world — the beginning of the dialogue between energy and climate, and the role of industry and community coming together.
Earth Day, April 22, 2020
Houston Climate Action Plan
On April 22, 2020, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the City of Houston launched the science-based, community-driven Houston Climate Action Plan with support from the Houston Advanced Research Center, Centerpoint Energy, and the Jacob & Terese Hershey Foundation.
September 14–18, 2020
First Virtual Houston Climate Week
The City of Houston's Office of Sustainability hosted a virtual Houston Climate Week to mark the third anniversary of Hurricane Harvey and to highlight the city's actions on climate change. Greentown Labs Boston taps into Big Energy in Texas to break ground on a new lab.
Earth Day — April 21, 2021
Greentown Labs Houston Launches
The 'perfect storm' for the energy transition happens as a result of the Houston Climate Action Plan. Greentown Labs Houston launches on Earth Day, and Juliana Garaizar steps into the role of Head of Houston and Chief Investment Officer.
November 15–19, 2021
Second Houston Climate Week
The City of Houston's Office of Sustainability hosted its second Houston Climate Week online, chaired by Mayor Sylvester Turner.
Earth Day April 21, 2022
Learning Journey Begins
Greentown Labs celebrated its first year. Armed with volunteers and citizens, Katie Mehnert & Juliana Garaizar, HECW founders, went on a learning journey to discover how other cities (London, New York, San Francisco) host different climate and energy weeks in person, online, and hybrid formats. Feedback and focus group discussions were hosted to collect ideas to launch the next step in the journey for Houston.
Earth Day — April 21, 2023
ALLY Energy at NYSE
Greentown Labs Houston celebrated its second anniversary. GTL inaugural member company, ALLY Energy, led a team of 100 executives to the NYSE to host Energy Human Capital Markets Day on Wall Street with Tata Consulting Services and Worley. The team ran the TCS New York Marathon to demonstrate the herculean effort and mindset needed for the energy transition.
November 9, 2023
Allies in Energy & HECW Born
Allies in Energy, a 501c3 non-profit, was formed in Texas and filed with the IRS to address energy education and climate literacy, and Houston Energy & Climate Week was born. This week brings together major cities in creating the national conversations and actions around a net zero future and Houston's leading role in driving solutions.
September 9–13, 2024
Inaugural Houston Energy & Climate Week
The inaugural Houston Energy & Climate Week was hosted by organizers, partners, sponsors, and hosts. Houston proved it could bring together the full energy and climate ecosystem for a week of learning, collaboration, and action.
September 15–19, 2025
Second Annual HECW
The second Houston Energy & Climate Week was hosted. The 501c3 approval was received earlier in the year by the IRS, cementing Allies in Energy's status as a recognized nonprofit. The 2025 edition expanded its reach significantly, engaging 200+ student participants from 12 academic institutions across Houston and Texas, deepening the next generation's connection to the energy transition.
September 13–18, 2026
Save the Date — 2026
Houston Energy & Climate Week will be September 13–18, 2026. The theme builds on the previous two: Houston is Both & All.