COP 28 TCR-Reserve Events Schedule

View last year’s COP 28 events below, including The Climate Registry’s Pathways to 1.5 pavilion programming. Check back often as we add more events leading up to COP 29, and be sure to subscribe to receive timely updates in our “Stay Connected” section below in our footer.

Highlighting North American Climate Leadership and Innovation at TCR's Pathways to 1.5 Pavilion

The Climate Registry was honored to host an array of sessions featuring a diversity of North American climate leaders in its Pathways to 1.5 Pavilion located on the ground floor of Thematic Arena 3 in the Opportunity Petal in the Blue Zone at COP 28. Stay tuned as we prepare info for COP 29!

Resilient People, Resilient States: Strategies to Strengthen Climate Resilience and Amplify Sustainable Insurance

December 1, 2023 3:00pm

Hosted by: California Department of Insurance, United Nations Principles for Sustainable Insurance (UN PSI), and National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

An event to announce and discuss the US National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Climate Resilience Strategy and advance sustainable insurance. US State Insurance Regulators are coming together with a shared vision to implement a series of actions to reduce climate risks.

Speakers:

  • Ricardo Lara, California Insurance Commissioner
  • Butch Bacani, UN Principles for Sustainable Insurance
  • Mike Peterson, Deputy Commissioner on Climate and Sustainability, California Department of Insurance
  • Lesley Ndlovu, CEO of African Risk Capacity
  • Chlora Lindley-Myers, President, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
  • Jean-Francois Tremblay, Deputy Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Canada

Managing the Transition Away from Fossil Fuels. What is Required?

December 2, 2023 9:00am

Hosted by: The Climate Center 

The International Energy Agency tells us that staying below 1.5 C is incompatible with any new oil and gas production, but the US, California, and countries around the world continue issuing permits for new drilling. To make the transition national and state governments need detailed transition plans with objectives and milestones phased in to limit the impact on low income people, workers and the economy. The panel will discuss what is working and what is still needed from a number of different sub national and national perspectives.

Speakers:

  • Monique Limón, California State Senator
  • Serena McIlwain, Secretary of the Environment, Maryland Department of Environmental Protection
  • Richard Folland, Head of Policy and Engagement, Carbon Tracker Initiative
  • Liane Randolph, Chair, California Air Resources Board
  • Collin Rees, US Program Manager, Oil Change International
  • Moderator: Barry Vesser, Chief Operating Officer, The Climate Center

The Insurance Industry's Role in Advancing Medium and Heavy Duty Electric Trucks and Climate Goals: A Panel with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara

December 2, 2023 11:00am

Hosted by: Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)

California–and governments across the world–are setting much needed goals to facilitate the rapid adoption of battery-electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles to address a significant source of climate pollution. Yet the price of insurance for these vehicles is often prohibitive as insurers are largely unfamiliar with the vehicles and do not have reliable data on repair costs, battery lifespans, and residual values, all of which holds fleets, OEMs and other stakeholders back from delivering on these vehicle targets. As more vehicle data becomes available, the time is now for stakeholders to collaborate on the development of affordable and comprehensive insurance policies, and for government entities to explore backing the underwriting of these policies in the short-term as a key step in advancing climate goals.

Speakers:

  • Ricardo Lara, California Insurance Commissioner
  • Amy Barnes, Head of Climate & Sustainability Strategy, Marsh McLennan
  • Matt Petersen, President & CEO, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator

Regional Energy Ecosystems: A Driver for Decarbonization

December 2, 2023 1:00pm

Hosted by: ArcelorMittal Mining Canada G.P & Investissment Québec

Regional energy ecosystems – or hubs – are being developed in North America, Europe and across the world. But what does this mean in practice? How to establish sustainable synergies between industrial consumers, technology developers and local communities to leverage regional strengths in the fight against climate change? How can these stakeholders work together to increase regional resiliency? During this panel discussion, organizations participating in the development of such ecosystems will share their experience and their view on how regional development can be a major driver for decarbonization.

Speakers:

  • Anders Egelrud, CEO, Stockholm Exergi
  • Julien Lampron, Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Strategy, ArcelorMittal Mining Canada
  • Jean-François Nolet, Senior Director, Global Government, Public & Regulatory Affairs, Enerkem
  • Hubert Bolduc, President, Investissement Québec International

Effecting a Paradigm Shift—What Will it Take for Global Health to Integrate a Climate Lens?

December 2, 2023 3:00pm

Hosted by: RTI International

The risks of climate change to population health are widespread and have been increasingly well documented over the last decade. Yet health systems and public health practitioners have been slow to embrace a climate-focused lens to prepare for or adapt to the effects of climate change, continuing to operate largely outside of the emerging community of climate change response. To effectively address climate-related health impacts, we must ensure that a clear paradigm exists for accelerating and mainstreaming a climate focus within the structures of global health decision making, funding, research and practice–a starting point of self-reflection around the incentives, challenges, opportunities and barriers is important to help us make the most of this moment. This panel will discuss the opportunities and challenges for aligning global health and climate priorities, including improving coordination with global health bodies, defining models and methods for incorporating climate resilience within health measures, incorporating equity considerations associated with climate change, and better reflecting climate impacts in global health program design and implementation.

Speakers:

  • Dr. Kristie Ebi, University of Washington Department of Global Health
  • Dr. Elsheikh Badr, Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network
  • Alisha Smith-Arthur, Director, Global Health Security, RTI International

The Future Sustainable Insurance Solutions for Reducing Climate Risks

December 3, 2023 9:00am

Hosted by: California Department of Insurance

This event will be a focused discussion most impactful steps taken in the past year to make the insurance sector more sustainable, and how the insurance sector can accelerate progress. The panelists will identify opportunities in international jurisdictions where both the public and private sector can integrate nature-based solutions into long-term goals for closing the protection gap and reducing emissions.

Speakers:

  • Ricardo Lara, California Insurance Commissioner
  • Mike Peterson, Deputy Commissioner on Climate and Sustainability
  • Pam Kielly, Environmental Defense Fund
  • Yoshihiro Kawai, Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
  • Veronica Scotti, SwissRe

The Countdown Is On: Electrifying the Economy by 2045

December 3, 2023 11:15am

Hosted by: Edison International

California has set an ambitious goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, but how will the state get there? What are the challenges and opportunities for transforming the energy system and electrifying the economy? How can California leverage its leadership and innovation to inspire global action on climate change?

Join Edison International president & CEO Pedro Pizarro in conversation with California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild as they discuss Edison’s latest white paper – Countdown to 2045 – and its analysis and recommendations for planning, policy and technology development to enable an affordable and equitable transition to a clean energy economy.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Caroline Choi, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Edison International and Southern California Edison
  • Pedro Pizarro, President and CEO, Edison International
  • David Hochschild, Chair, California Energy Commission

Methane Series Part 1: Accelerating Subnational Methane Mitigation in the Agriculture and Waste Sectors

December 3, 2023 1:00pm

Hosted by: Abt Associates

Taken together, the agriculture and waste sectors account for over 60 percent of all human-caused anthropogenic methane emissions. In this expert panel, speakers will share reflections on the recent focus on subnational action on methane in the agriculture and waste sectors. The audience will learn about the opportunities for subnational governments to work alongside local stakeholders and the private sector to reduce methane emissions from agriculture, with a focus on livestock and municipal solid waste. Speakers will discuss how subnational governments can leverage and built on enabling frameworks, incentives, and voluntary partnerships needed to realize methane targets. Panelists will provide reflections and calls to action as more subnational commitments and initiatives are announced at COP28.

Speakers:

  • Eric Reading, Chief Climate Officer, Abt Associates
  • Jonathan Banks, Global Director - Methane Pollution Prevention, Clean Air Task Force (CATF)
  • John Tauzel, Senior Director for Global Agriculture Methane, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
  • Jeremy Douglas, Director of Partnerships, Delterra

Methane Series Part 2: Accelerating Subnational Methane Mitigation in the Energy Sector

December 3, 2023 3:00pm

Hosted by: Abt Associates

The energy sector is the second largest source of methane emissions, responsible for 35 percent of emissions. In the oil and gas sector, the leakages, venting, and flaring of natural gas—a fossil fuel made of 70 to 90 percent methane—contribute a significant proportion of energy sector methane emissions, while representing lost resources and revenue. This session will explore how subnational stakeholders are responding and acting on national and international commitments to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas. The session will also include perspectives and real-world implementation in support of methane reduction commitments including those in Nationally Determined Contributions and Methane Action Plans in support of the Global Methane Pledge.

Speakers:

  • Eric Reading, Chief Climate Officer, Abt Associates
  • Chair Liane Randolph, California Air Resources Board (CARB)
  • Dr. Gbenga Olu Komdafe, Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)
  • Dorian Mead, Energy Reform & Reconstruction Advisor USAID/Washington
  • Alfredo Miranda-González, Deputy Director - International Methane, Clean Air Task Force (CATF)
  • TJ Conway, Principal– Climate Intelligence Program, RMI

The Future of Decarbonization – Cleantech Solutions to Watch

December 3, 2023 5:00pm

Hosted by: Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE)

Join the Business Council for Sustainable Energy for a rapid-fire overview of new decarbonization technologies that are driving deep emissions cuts across industry, buildings, and transportation. Hear from four industry leaders on key technologies to watch – including battery storage, industrial digitalization, renewable fuels, and advanced energy efficiency. As countries chart pathways for the future of the energy transition, this event will provide stakeholders and advocates with a better understanding of the solutions at our disposal – and what is needed for further deployment.

Speakers:

  • Lisa Jacobson, President, Business Council for Sustainable Energy
  • Rasha Hassaneen, Chief Product and Sustainability Officer, Aspen Technology
  • Sundus Cordelia Ramli, Chief Commercial Officer, Power-to-X, Topsoe
  • Julia Souder, Chief Executive Officer, Long Duration Energy Storage Council
  • Gene Gebolys, Chief Executive Officer, World Energy

Unlocking Finance to Scale Climate Solutions

December 4, 2023 11:00am

Hosted by: RTI International and Millennium Challenge Corporation

This event will showcase how the United States government is working to close the climate financing gap and catalyze additional investment. The challenges and opportunities associated with climate finance will be explored through the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC’s) major investments in Kosovo and Mozambique, which span both low carbon development and historically under-represented adaptation. This event will also showcase progress made from MCC and USAID’s Climate Finance + initiative launched at COP27 to introduce and scale up green finance products in the low to lower middle-income countries that need it most.

Speakers:

  • Tatyana Marshall, Vice President, Energy, RTI International
  • Alice Albright, MCC CEO
  • President Vjosa Osmani, President of the Republic of Kosovo
  • Adam Wang-Levine, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Trade and Development, Department of Treasury
  • Tariye Gbadegesin, CEO of ARM Harith Infrastructure Fund Managers and co-chair of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative
  • Gillian Caldwell, Chief Climate Officer and a Deputy Assistant Administrator, USAID
  • Jonathan Richart, Deputy Vice President, Infrastructure, Environment and Private Sector, MCC

Turning Promise Into Reality—Ensuring a Clean Energy Transition for All

December 4, 2023 1:00pm

Hosted by: Edison Electric Institute

EEI member company CEOs will join a discussion on near- and long-term opportunities and challenges regarding the clean energy transition, including how to scale up clean technology development and ensure that all customers in all communities are benefitting from the investments being made to accelerate the clean energy transition.

Speakers:

  • Keynote Speaker: Reta Jo Lewis, Chair and President, Ex-Im Bank
  • Moderator: Brian Reilly, Global Co-Head of Sustainable and Impact Banking, Barclays
  • Pedro Pizarro, President and CEO, Edison International and EEI Chair
  • Rebecca Kujawa, President and CEO, NextEra Energy Resources
  • Andres Gluski, President and CEO, AES
  • Arshad Mansoor, President and CEO, EPRI

Opportunities for US-China Subnational and Research Cooperation

December 4, 2023 3:00pm

Hosted by: Georgetown University & California-China Climate Institute

This event will feature a discussion between US and Chinese scholars and practitioners about lessons learned from bilateral subnational and research cooperation on climate change and clean energy, and opportunities for expanding US-China engagement.

Speakers:

  • Fan Dai, Director. California-China Climate Institute, Adjunct Faculty, University of California, Berkeley
  • Fei Teng, Associate Professor of Management Science and Engineering, Deputy Director, Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy, Tsinghua University
  • Alex Wang, Professor of Law, Faculty Co-Director, Emmett Institute on Climate Change & the Environment, UCLA School of Law
  • Xiliang Zhang, Professor of Management Science and Engineering, Director, Institute of Energy, Environment and Economy, Tsinghua University
  • Moderated by: Joanna Lewis, Provost’s Distinguished Associate Professor of Energy and Environment, Director, Science, Technology and International Affairs Program, Georgetown University

Trailblazers, Changemakers, and Innovators: Women Leading Across the U.S. Climate Alliance

December 4, 2023 4:30pm

Hosted by: U.S. Climate Alliance

Women in the U.S. Climate Alliance’s 25 states and across the Alliance’s partner organizations are advancing cutting-edge climate action and solutions and accelerating America’s transition to a net-zero future. For a second year running, join top female leaders from Alliance states, including California and Maryland, and our partner organizations, including The Climate Registry, Sequoia Climate Foundation, and Climate Mayors for a discussion on how they got their start, the unique perspectives they bring and challenges they face in their roles, their top climate and clean energy priorities, opportunities for collaboration, and much, much more.

Speakers:

  • Amy Holm, Executive Director, The Climate Registry
  • Serena McIlwain, Maryland Secretary of the Environment
  • Liane Randolph, Chair of the California Air Resources Board
  • Christie Ulman, President of the Sequoia Climate Foundation
  • Kate Wright, Executive Director, Climate Mayors

Accelerating Transport Electrification: Results, Progress, and Challenges

December 5, 2023 9:00am

Hosted by: Uber

This panel will discuss results thus far from the transportation sector on the road to net zero emissions. As industry and governments alike attempt to transition vehicles and fleets to more sustainable energy sources, as well as invest in sustainable mobility systems that can more equitable, efficiently, and accessibly serve customers there are a solutions that may be logical for one sector, yet in not doable by the other. Panelists will discuss ideas that can work for all sectors, and at the same time be in the best interest of the public good.

Speakers:

  • Adam Gromis, Director Global Sustainability Policy, Uber
  • Angela Hultberg, Global Director Sustainability, Kearney
  • Tim Dallmann, International Partnerships Program Lead, ICCT
  • Chris Hook, Head Strategy & Planning, Global Sustainability, Uber

Implementing Cutting-Edge Technologies to Decarbonize Hard-to-Abate Industrial Sectors

December 5, 2023 11:00am

Hosted by: RTI International

To limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, groundbreaking technologies are needed to significantly reduce carbon emissions and carbon dependence in hard-to-abate industrial sectors. In this panel session, distinguished experts from both public and private sectors will spotlight the promise and challenges of implementing decarbonization technologies like point source and direct air capture of CO2, alongside production of blue and green hydrogen and ammonia. Discover how these advancements pave the way for commercially viable solutions crucial in our battle against climate change.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: David Dausch, Senior Director, Technology Advancement and Commercialization, RTI International
  • Neva Espinoza, Vice President - Energy Supply and Low-Carbon Resources, EPRI
  • Frederik Majkut, Senior Vice President, Carbon Solutions, SLB
  • Dr. Sameer Parvathikar, Director Renewable Energy and Energy Storage, RTI International
  • Dr. Candace Vahlsing, Senior Policy Advisor, US Agency for International Development

Building a Resilient Future: How Public and Private Efforts Are Making a Difference (Panel 2)

December 5, 2023 1:00pm

Hosted by: Edison Electric Institute (EEI), Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Edison International

This event will explore what has changed in the resilience landscape since COP27, including the impact that the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are having on private sector resilience efforts, especially those related to the energy grid. This event also will explore key initial findings from a new study by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions on developing a global framework for climate resilience among the private sector.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Neva Espinoza, Vice President of Energy Supply and Low-Carbon Resources, EPRI
  • Roger Martella, Chief Sustainability Officer, General Electric
  • Daniel Hanna, Global Head of Sustainable Finance CIB, Barclays
  • Nicole Iseppi, Director of Energy Innovation, Bezos Earth Fund

Building a Resilient Future: How Public and Private Efforts are Making a Difference (Panel 1)

December 5, 2023 1:00pm

Hosted by: Edison Electric Institute (EEI), Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Edison International

This event will explore what has changed in the resilience landscape since COP27, including the impact that the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are having on private sector resilience efforts, especially those related to the energy grid. This event also will explore key initial findings from a new study by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions on developing a global framework for climate resilience among the private sector.

Speakers:

  • Introductory Remarks: Nat Keohane, President, C2ES
  • Moderator: Brian Wolff, Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President, EEI
  • Pedro Pizarro, President and CEO, Edison International and EEI Chair
  • Andres Gluski, President and CEO, AES
  • Arshad Mansoor, President and CEO, EPRI

Locals Lead the Way! How Greater Cleveland Leaders Work Across Sectors to Advance Equitable Climate Action and Realize a "Green City on a Blue Lake"

December 5, 2023 5:00pm

Hosted by: Cleveland Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Greater Cleveland Partnership, Growth Opportunity Partners, and Environmental Health Watch

For industrial cities like Cleveland, climate action and the transition to a clean energy economy presents an opportunity to build a more equitable, inclusive, and just economy. At the same time, massive once in a generation federal investments represent an unprecedented opportunity to support this transition. But coordination at the local level is needed to ensure equitable implementation. Through cross sector partnership, the region seeks to leverage the unique expertise of all sectors to accelerate progress on climate action through aligned goals, coordinated strategies, and increased investment. Cleveland also looks forward to hosting The Climate Registry Climate Leadership Conference in May 2024!

Speakers:

  • Chris Ronayne, Cuyahoga County Executive
  • Baiju Shah, President & CEO, Greater Cleveland Partnership
  • Michael Jeans, President & CEO Growth Opportunity Partners and the GO Green Energy Fund
  • Kim Foreman, CEO, Environmental Health Watch
  • Moderator: Sarah O'Keeffe, Director of Sustainability and Climate Justice, City of Cleveland

Scaling Decarbonization: Solutions and Drivers in U.S. Commercial Real Estate

December 6, 2023 9:00am

Hosted by: Arup & U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)

President and CEO Peter Templeton, will highlight key findings from the new USGBC report developed by Arup, State of Decarbonization: U.S. Commercial Buildings 2023. Then, a panel of leaders in building decarbonization will engage in a lively, moderated discussion picking up from the implications of these findings. The dialogue will focus on what private and public organizations are doing to rapidly scale improvements, touching on finance and ESG trends; the Inflation Reduction Act and incentives; the criticality of buildings and grid integration for decarbonization; and expanding the transition to ensure all of society benefits.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Robert Kay, Americas Climate and Sustainability Services Leader, Arup
  • Peter Templeton, President and CEO, U.S. Green Building Council
  • Guy Grainger, Global Head of Sustainability Services, JLL
  • Sara Neff, SVP, Lendlease Americas
  • Korinti Recalde, Senior Director, ESG, Carrier

Advancing Methane Regulations: Implications of New Remote Sensing Technologies for Global Methane Controls

December 6, 2023 11:00am

Hosted by: Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, UCLA School of Law

Cutting methane emissions presents a unique opportunity to limit near-term climate impacts. Rapid advances in methane monitoring technologies provide new tools to understand the scale and sources of methane emissions. This panel will discuss the implications for law and policy of these technologies and explore the work being done on this issue by California and other jurisdictions, along with open questions, challenges, and opportunities for further advances in jurisdictions around the globe.

Speakers:

  • Edward (Ted) Parson; Dan and Rae Emmett Professor of Environmental Law. Faculty Director, Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, UCLA School of Law
  • Kenzie Huffman, Director of Strategy and Partnerships, Carbon Mapper
  • Carolina Urmeneta, Program Director - Waste and Circular Economy, Regional Lead Americas, Global Methane Hub NGO
  • Susana Pagola, Environmental Legal Advisor to the Argentinean Senate
  • Liane M. Randolph, Chair, California Air Resources Board

The U.S. EV Revolution

December 6, 2023 1:00pm

Hosted by: The Climate Registry

Accelerating electric vehicle (EV) adoption is a goal of the US government’s climate action response. Strategic infrastructure investments to create a widespread network of EV charging throughout US states is a key factor enabling this transformation. Hear from state leaders and the private sector who are working collaboratively and across agencies and state lines to address unique challenges, opportunities, and tailored strategies for implementing the EV revolution.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Amy Holm; Executive Director, The Climate Registry
  • Assemblymember Jim Wood, Speaker pro Tempore, State of California
  • Alexa Voytek, Deputy Director, Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
  • Adam Gromis, Director Global Sustainability Policy, Uber

Charging Ahead: The Latest Developments in Electric Transportation

December 6, 2023 3:00pm

Hosted by: Edison International and Edison Electric Institute

EEI member company CEOs will join automaker leaders to discuss exciting developments in electric transportation, including the National Electric Highway Coalition and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program. Panelists also will discuss the growing role of fleet electrification and how electric companies are partnering with customers and with auto companies to ensure that sufficient energy grid capacity is available to meet anticipated vehicle charging needs.

Speakers:

  • Keynote: Jeff Marootian, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy
  • CEO Perspective: Pedro Pizarro, EEI Chair and President and CEO, Edison International
  • Moderator: Caroline Choi, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Edison International
  • Reihaneh Irani-Famili, Vice President of Capital Delivery—Project Management & Construction, National Grid
  • Kristen Siemen, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, General Motors
  • Chris Blackburn, Head of U.S. Climate Policy, Amazon

Official UN Side Event: Partnering on the Path to Net Zero in North America

December 6, 2023 3:00pm

Hosted by: The Climate Registry (TCR), Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), Georgetown University, and U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)

Achieving NDCs requires subnational action across sectors while centering equity and meaningfully engaging communities. Public and private sector leaders are partnering to implement scalable solutions for CO2 reduction, resilience and health benefits in the built and natural environment.

Location: SE Room 1

A webcast of the panel will be available on the UNFCCC YouTube channel.

Speakers:

  • Clemence Arto, Director, Public Policy, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Autodesk
  • Barbara Buffaloe, Mayor, City of Columbia, Missouri
  • Amy Holm, Executive Director, The Climate Registry
  • Lisa Jacobson, President, Business Council for Sustainable Energy
  • Jeff Marootian, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Andrew Mayock, Federal Chief Sustainability Officer
  • Serena C. McIlwain, Secretary, Maryland Department of Environment
  • John Powers, Vice President of Global Renewables and Cleantech, Schneider Electric Sustainability Business
  • Liane Randolph, Chair, California Air Resources Board
  • Chris Ronayne, County Executive, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
  • Representative Alex Valdez, Colorado General Assembly
  • Sarah Zaleski, Chief Products Officer, U.S. Green Building Council
  • Kathryn Zyla, Executive Director, Georgetown Climate Center

Advancing Electric 2/3Ws as a Sustainable Transport Solution in Cities

December 6, 2023 5:00pm

Hosted by: Uber

This panel will examine the opportunity to advance toward zero emission targets in the transportation sector through the electrification of the 2/3Ws vehicle segment. Panelists will discuss innovative case studies, key market opportunities, components that can help tip the scale to make transition more likely, including policy and regulatory reforms, as well as discuss localizing supply chains for component parts, as well as how this transportation choice could enhance livability and safety of the built environment.

 

Speakers:

  • Adam Gromis, Director Global Sustainability Policy, Uber
  • Rob de Jong, Head Sustainable Mobility Unit, UNEP
  • Rajal Upadhyaya, CFO, Roam
  • Anjali Mahendra, Director Global Research, WRI

Carbon Removal & The Importance of Verification to Scale Removals

December 8, 2023 11:00am

Hosted by: Carbon Business Council & The Climate Registry

Scientists have reached consensus that gigatons of carbon removal are needed to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement and the field is growing rapidly. In 2023, there was a more than 400% increase in removals purchases. As carbon removal scales, monitoring, reporting and verification is essential to build trust in the marketplace and confirm the efficacy of removals. In an interactive panel discussion with audience Q&A, we will dive into the role of MRV in the carbon removal market. The panel will discuss why MRV is so critical, challenges and opportunities in MRV as it relates to removals, and more. 

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Dan Krekelberg, Policy Director, The Climate Registry
  • Ben Rubin, Executive Director, Carbon Business Council
  • Philip Moss, Chairman, NextGen CDR Facility
  • Sarabeth Brockley, Head of Carbon Strategy (Corporate Platforms), Nasdaq

Indigenous Nation Building Leadership & Governance Addressing the Climate Crisis

December 8, 2023 1:00pm

Hosted by: Yurok Tribe

This dynamic and innovative panel of Indigenous leaders will highlight the direct and solution based strategies that are undertaking supporting inherent principles of sovereignty and self-determination in areas of Leadership & Governance, Climate Finance, Natural Resources Management, Data Sovereignty, technology advancement and Cultural Diplomacy actions.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Hon. Alexis Manzano – Youth Delegate (Yuaviatam)
  • Hon. Fawn Sharp, Vice Chair (Quinault)
  • Mahrinah Shije, General Partner, Endemic Venture Capital (Zia Pueblo)
  • Javier I. Kinney, Carbon Projects Manager, Natural Resources Division (Yurok Tribe)
  • Dr. Danielle Wood, Director & Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Tashina Cooper, Public Diplomacy Officer, Iran Regional Presence Office (IRPO), U.S. Consulate Dubai, UAE (Navajo)

Critical Climate Partnerships: Subnational Governments, Indigenous Peoples, and Local Communities – Focus on California, Ecuador, and Brazil

December 8, 2023 3:00pm

Hosted by: Governors’ Climate Forest Task Force and the Yurok Tribe

Action to address forest conservation, climate change, and sustainable development requires close partnerships between state and provincial governments, Indigenous territories, and local communities. The Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force has long worked to support and increase collaboration within and beyond its member jurisdictions. This session will feature moderated discussion between key subnational government and Indigenous leaders from the United States (California & Yurok Tribe), Ecuador (Pastaza & Kichwa Nationality), and Brazil (Tocantins) on how to successfully implement and increase these critical climate partnerships.

Speakers:

  • Moderated by: Jason Gray & Colleen Scanlan Lyons – Project Directors, GCF Task Force
  • Liane Randolph – Chair, California Air Resources Board
  • Javier Kinney – Carbon Project Manager, Yurok Tribe
  • André Mauricio Granda Garrido – Prefect, Pastaza, Ecuador
  • Luis Canelos – President, Kichwa Nation of Pastaza, Ecuador
  • Narubia Werreria – Secretary for Original & Traditional Peoples of Tocantins, Brazil

Carbon Footprint of Products

December 8, 2023 5:00pm

Hosted by: The Climate Registry

Using product carbon footprinting to drive emissions reductions and low carbon purchasing decisions. As organizations and individuals seek to understand and reduce their GHG emissions, there is increasing demand for reliable information about the GHG impacts of products and services. This panel discussion will explore market drivers and the experience of international carbon footprinting programmes in developing product carbon footprints that enable purchasing decisions that drive emissions reductions.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Dan Krekelberg, Policy Director, The Climate Registry
  • Andrew Kempson, General Manager of Global Climate Policy, Fonterra
  • Belinda Mathers, Chief Science and Advisory Office, Toitū Envirocare
  • Daniele Pernigotti, CEO, Aequilibria

Communications Roundtable – Strategies and Success Stories Across Industry and Advocacy

December 9, 2023 9:00am

Hosted by: Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE)

To successfully advance the clean energy transition worldwide, effective communications and education strategies are crucial among all stakeholders. Join the Business Council for Sustainable Energy for a discussion across disciplines on how to incorporate powerful messaging into campaigns that drive audience engagement with the clean energy transition, awareness of economic and climate action opportunities, and knowledge of climate risks. Through this cross-stakeholder dialogue, participants will learn from each other’s approaches and find new ways to bridge gaps in climate communications.

Public-Private Partnerships: Working Together to Advance Long Duration Energy Storage

December 9, 2023 11:00am

Hosted by: Edison Electric Institute (EEI), U.S. Department of Energy, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Long Duration Energy Storage Council

This event will highlight a new initiative to advance the commercial deployment of long-duration energy storage (LDES) technologies. Participants will include officials from the U.S. Department of Energy, EEI, EPRI, and the LDES Council, which all signed the memorandum of understanding earlier this year to advance LDES.

Speakers:

  • Keynote: Julie Cerqueira, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of International Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Moderator: Eric Holdsworth, Managing Director – Clean Energy and Environment, EEI
  • Brian Wolff, Chief Strategy Officer & Executive Vice President, Public Policy and External Affairs, EEI
  • Julia Souder, Executive Director, Long Duration Energy Storage Council
  • Katie Jereza, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, EPRI
  • Massimiliano Masi, General Manager, Magaldi

Harnessing the Power of Nature in Achieving 1.5

December 9, 2023 3:00pm

Hosted by: The Climate Center and the Resources Legacy Fund

This panel discussion will examine the relationship between nature and climate, drawing from real-world examples and case studies, to demonstrate the interconnectedness between the two that make advancing 30×30 and nature-based solutions necessary in advancing larger-scale state, federal, and international climate goals and agreements, including preventing the planet’s temperature from exceeding 1.5 degrees celsius from preindustrial times. Hear from experts on how nature-based solutions and efforts to achieve 30×30 have been leveraged to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen resilience of people and nature to worsening climate impacts; and how to scale these efforts up to maximize their impact as a climate solution. At the end of the panel discussion, there will be an opportunity to test your knowledge on nature-based strategies and win a small prize!

Speakers:

  • Carlo Fadda, Director, Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture, Alliance of Biodiversity & CIAT, leader of Nature Positive Initiative, CGIAR
  • Nathan Henry, Program Director, U.S. Nature 4 Climate
  • Secretary Christina Snider, Tribal Affairs Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom
  • Jad Daley, President and CEO, American Forests
  • Jaymee Go, Policy Officer, Resources Legacy Fund

Avoiding Greenhushing of Commitments and Progress Toward Net-Zero Emissions

December 9, 2023 4:30pm

Hosted by: The Climate Registry

“Greenhushing” is a growing barrier to industry wide progress on meeting net zero emissions targets. The term describes the practice of organizations withholding details of their sustainability reporting and targets to avoid potential criticism. Alternatively, corporate sustainability leaders can avoid this trend,by embracing rigorous data standards, full transparency, and carefully crafting their messaging. Learn from organizations representing multiple sides of net zero on how to enable best practices that build momentum around transparent, transformative reporting in an environment of critique and limited resources.

Speakers:

  • Emily Faint, Net Zero Policy Manager, BSI
  • Paul Huggins, Associate Director, The Carbon Trust
  • John Lang, Net Zero Lead, Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit
  • Moderator: Dan Krekelberg, Policy Director, The Climate Registry

Women for Forests and Climate – A Town Hall Discussion with GCF Task Force Women Leaders

December 10, 2023 9:00am

Hosted by: Governors’ Climate and Forest Task Force

This event will be a town hall discussion with women leaders from within and alongside the Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force, a global network of 43 states and provinces on the front lines of protecting tropical forests and fighting climate change. The GCF Task Force developed a gender policy at COP27 and endorsed it at our Annual Meeting in Yucatan, Mexico in February 2023. We will have brief comments, followed by small group working sessions, and a report back on ways to advance the gender inclusion agenda across the GCF Task Force!

Speakers:

  • Moderated by: Colleen Scanlan Lyons, Fabiola Munoz, Silvia Llamas, and Syahrina Anggraini, GCF Task Force

Early Warning Systems for Healthcare Decision Making

December 10, 2023 11:00am

Hosted by: Abt Associates

Climate-informed forecasts, disease modelling, early warning, and predictions exist and if scaled and invested in, can effectively guide local health decision-making and public health responses. This session aims to build on the conversations held at the 2023 Climate and Health for Africa Conference, where 15 African nations, U.S. Government entities, the World Health Organization, World Meteorological Organization, and others came together to share research gaps and application needs in early warning for heat and infectious disease across Africa. This session will highlight advancements in early warning systems for health while stimulating discussion between researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to advance climate-based health early warning.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Amanda Quintana, Climate and Health Technical Specialist, Abt Associates
  • Brama Kone, World Health Organization
  • Ousmane Ndiaye, ANACIM (National Agency of Civil Aviation and Meteorology)
  • Ben Zaitchik, American Geophysical Union
  • Kacey Ernst, University of Arizona
  • Sari Kovats, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Painting NDCs Blue: Can the Blue Component of NDCs be Doubled in 3 Years?

December 10, 2023 1:00pm

Hosted by: Abt Associates

The potential of the ocean to contribute to global efforts to secure the needed GHG emissions reductions has been massively underestimated. While steady progress is being made, there is an urgent need to invest in building stronger coalitions and alliances that can help governments to develop ocean centered climate actions and solutions at scale. This session will bring together global leaders to discuss how to double the blue component of their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) within the next three years by COP31.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Satyendra Prasad, Climate Lead, Abt Associates
  • Coral Pasisi, Director, Climate Change and Sustainability, The Pacific Community
  • Ilana Seid, Palau Ambassador and United Nations Permanent Representative
  • Peni Suveinakama, Ocean Commissioner, Office of the Pacific
  • Sivendra Michael, United Nations Development Programme Pacific Office, Tonga

Enabling Smallholder Farmers to Leverage Carbon Markets at Scale

December 10, 2023 3:00pm

Hosted by: RTI International

Carbon markets can play a critical role in helping the agriculture sector to reach net-zero while also adapting to the changing climate; but so far, primarily largescale farmers in high-income countries have been able to leverage carbon markets. Low- and middle-income countries account for most global emissions from the agriculture, forestry, and land use sectors, and are dominated by smallholder farming systems. USAID and other donor-supported activities are increasingly connecting smallholder farmers to carbon markets. This session will showcase three examples of where smallholder farmers are combatting climate change with the support of carbon markets and highlight opportunities for scaling within other low- and middle-income countries.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Razia Baqai, Deputy Division Chief, Economic Growth, Environment, and Agriculture, USAID Bureau for Africa
  • Martin Jansen, Head of Supply Acorn, Rabobank
  • Tracy Slaybaugh-Mitchell, Director, Resilience & Climate Adaptation, RTI International
  • Steven Brunn, Senior Director of Private Sector Engagement, Winrock International

How Government Investments are Transforming the Landscape of Climate Resilient Infrastructure

December 10, 2023 5:00pm

Hosted by: RTI International

Governments have been making historic investments in infrastructure, climate mitigation, and climate adaptation. This session will illuminate the connections between these investments and the impacts they are having on water systems and the built environment to create stronger, more climate resilient infrastructure. 

Speakers:

  • Dr. Richard Spinrad, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere & NOAA Administrator
  • Dr. Hussam Mahmoud, George T. Abell Professor in Infrastructure and Director, Structural Laboratory; Colorado State University
  • Mr. Michael Kane, Director, RTI Center for Water Resources

Transparency and Data Needs for Jurisdictional Natural Climate Solutions from a Subnational Perspective

December 11, 2023 1:00pm

Hosted by: Governors’ Climate and Forest Task Force and Climate Action Reserve

Remote sensing technology and transparency in best-in-class data is of critical importance to decisionmakers in governments, communities, and the private sector. This moderated panel will feature a discussion on how subnational governments and partners of the Governors’ Climate and Forests Task Force can work with data providers to support forest governance and other land-use management efforts.

Speakers:

  • Moderator: Gabriel Penteado – Program Associate, GCF Task Force
  • Tiyua Uyunkar Kaniras, Prefect, Morona Santiago, Ecuador
  • Charlie Heatubun, Head of Regional Research and Innovation Agency, West Papua, Indonesia
  • Amy Kessler, Climate Action Reserve
  • Raymond Song, CTrees
  • Josefina H. Hernández Gómez, Secretary of Ecology and Environment, Quintana Roo, Mexico

The Global Imperative to Address the Plastic-Climate Nexus

December 11, 2023 3:00pm

Hosted by: Abt Associates

In recent years, the climate community has increasingly focused on the climate impacts of methane from the waste sector. However, plastic production and waste management is another major contributor to climate change and environmental degradation. This session will open with an overview of the climate and health impacts of the plastic lifecycle. Speakers will share upstream and downstream interventions and solutions to the plastic pollution crisis, with an emphasis on how the global climate community can advocate and engage on this issue.

Register to watch the livestream

Speakers:

  • Amy Rowland, Senior Analyst, Abt Associates
  • Aditi Ramola, Technical Director, International Solid Waste Association (ISWA)
  • Russell Armstrong, Senior Director - Campaigns and Advocacy, Hip Hop Caucus
  • Kaushik Chandrasekhar, Assistant Programme Management Officer, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) India Office
  • Gideon Singer, Senior Geospatial Analyst, Abt Associates