The annual ClimateWork Summit highlights Maine's growing green economy and local climate action.‍

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By: Pearl Small

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine’s climate economy—built over the past several years to tackle the long-term challenge of climate change—was in the spotlight Wednesday at the 2025 ClimateWork Summit in Augusta.

The event brought together dozens of businesses, entrepreneurs, and public leaders, all aiming to accelerate Maine’s progress in clean energy and climate-focused innovation.

From food producers to manufacturers, many attendees came from industries not traditionally linked to climate work, but are now central to it.

“We are really wanting companies to take their gifting budgets and support small local makers,” said Jennifer Piette, founder of Narrative Food, a business creating curated gift baskets. She explained how her company collaborates with local farms, like an organic heirloom orchard in nearby Deer Isle. “By supporting their pears, you’re supporting biodiversity,” Piette said.

Hosted by ClimateWork Maine, the summit showcased how climate-conscious practices are benefiting Maine’s economy and communities, especially amid national policy shifts.

Joe Curtatone, president of the Alliance for Climate Transition Act, stressed the value of collective impact: “Here you can see the real tangible impact. To remind ourselves of the successes we’ve had, the challenges we're faced.”

This year's summit carries added urgency. According to ClimateWork Maine founder Alan Caron, recent federal decisions to reduce support for climate programs have left states like Maine with more responsibility.

“We want to stand up and ensure people that we're going to continue working on climate and clean energy issues,” Caron said.

“We started this work six years ago — who was president then?” she said, later adding, “We've proven that when state leaders and scientists and technical experts and businesses and nonprofit leaders work together, we can make a difference.”

Keynote speaker James Dozier, a clean energy advocate and lobbyist, highlighted Maine’s potential to lead the U.S. transition toward greener manufacturing and energy sources.

“If we're going to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., we need to also have more energy — and the fastest growing energy source in the U.S. is our clean energy sector,” he said.

He added that many in the room weren’t just talking about solutions — they were actively investing in them.

“They want to invest in that future, and that future for Maine.”