Please note the below schedule for Day 2 (April 25) and Day 3 (April 26) is tentative and subject to change.
During this tour, participants will first head to Long Beach to explore the Aquarium of the Pacific to learn about its diverse marine science, climate change and conservation programs. The Aquarium is a leading resource of climate change education, especially on how climate change is affecting our oceans, marine life, and coastal regions.
The Water and Climate Change Adaptation tour will then head back to Los Angeles. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California delivers an average of 1.5 billion gallons of water per day to its 26 member agencies that serve 19 million people in Southern California. With a mission to meet present and future water needs in an environmentally and economically responsible way, Metropolitan is committed to operations and long-range planning that increase resiliency and are adaptive to change. Tour participants will visit one of Metropolitan’s control centers for a behind-the-scenes look at how a major urban water system is managed and talk with their resource experts on how Metropolitan is planning for climate change.
Estimated travel time: 2.5 hours
Fee: $35
Western ecosystems are adapted for periodic wildfire. A century of fire suppression, combined with drought and climate change, has resulted in a recent flurry of devastating wildfires. California experienced its hottest and driest years in the last two decades, as well as 15 of its 20 largest fires in the state’s history. In early November the world watched the state trying to manage the Camp Fire, which ended up being California’s deadliest and most destructive fire ever.
What role can forest and wildlands management play in combatting this new norm? This tour will discuss the role of forest and wildlands management amidst wildfire, insect and disease threats, with their related effects on public safety, climate change, clean water, and more resource-related values. Tour participants will travel to the San Bernardino National Forest, site of the Cranston Fire that burned in July 2018. National Forest Service staff members will provide an overview of California’s fire-adapted ecosystems, management history and current wildland conditions. They also will discuss fuels management within a mixed conifer ecosystem and reforestation. Reserve staff members and others will discuss the role reforestation and improved forest management can play in helping to manage future fires.
Estimated drive time: 4 hours
Fee: $70
Globally, transportation is one of the largest sources of anthropogenic GHG emissions and reducing emissions in the sector is essential to achieving emissions reduction goals. Pioneers in the sector have already started forging routes to cleaner transportation options. This tour will first visit the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which provides transit options for nearly one-third of California’s residents in an area of the US that is renowned for traffic congestion. Metro is in the process of implementing its Vision 2028. The plan seeks to provide great mobility to everyone, whether they walk, bike, take transit or drive and greater mobility will drive positive changes for economic and social issues. Metro staff members will talk about its long-term plan for improving mobility, including the Climate Plan and an impressive expansion of its subway system.
The tour will then head to Proterra. Proterra is a leader in the design and manufacture of zero-emission, heavy-duty electric vehicles, enabling bus fleet operators to significantly reduce operating costs while delivering clean, quiet transportation to local communities across North America. With industry leading durability and energy efficiency based on rigorous U.S. certification testing, Proterra products are proudly designed, engineered and manufactured in America. Tour attendees will learn about Proterra’s manufacturing facility in City of Industry.
The tour will potentially visit The Boring Company’s Hawthorne Test Tunnel, pending availability and accessibility. The Test Tunnel visit will not be confirmed until March.
Please note tour attendees must feel comfortable walking multiple flights of stairs in personal protective gear that is required to enter LA Metro’s construction site. The equipment consists of a hard hat, protective glasses, vest, gloves and steel toe shoes. Attendees must also feel comfortable walking through tight, dimly lit spaces.
Location: Hancock Park
Join IETA and EDF for a session of CarbonSim — a fun, Artificial Intelligence-enhanced, multi-lingual, multi-user, carbon trading simulation game. CarbonSim brings markets to life, teaches the principles of emissions trading, demystifies how to develop and implement a carbon portfolio management strategy, and demonstrates that results are driven by design. In this three-hour session you’ll play a round, collaborate with your peers, and maybe win a prize. Best of all, you’ll see why emissions trading system stakeholders are excited about how this cutting edge simulation tool is helping them to better understand, appreciate the limits of, and advocate for environmental markets. CarbonSim has been road tested by 3500 stakeholders from 30 countries. Care to take it for a spin? Please register here.
Location: Silver Lake
California’s Cap-and-Trade Program is the centerpiece of the state’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) and has served as a model for national and subnational governments around the world since its launch in 2012. This three-hour workshop will cover the basics of California’s Cap-and-Trade Program. Speakers will discuss how the program fits into AB 32 and SB 32, what developments are in the works under AB 398, timeframes established under the program, compliance entities and their obligations and basic market structure. The workshop is an excellent primer for people starting to learn about the program and a comprehensive refresher course for people wanting to brush up on their Cap-and-Trade Program knowledge.
Fee: $150
Location: Westwood
There is a significant body of research that demonstrates diversity, especially in leadership positions, is highly beneficial to creativity, innovation, effectiveness and, ultimately, problem-solving. The impacts of climate change have been very significant on ethnically diverse communities, but diversity is not necessarily reflected among those working on the professional level to address climate change. Today’s environmental organizations need to effectively prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in order to address myriad of complex environmental issues. Attend this workshop, the first of its kind at NACW, for the latest in research on diversity in the environmental field, as well as best practices and advice from organizations that are achieving success prioritizing, supporting, and investing in diversity, inclusion, and equity.
Speakers:
- Gillian Calof, Vice President of Operations, Climate Action Reserve
- Angela Gardner, Partner, Heidrick & Struggles
- Aradhna Tripati, Director, Center for Diverse Leadership in Science, UCLA
This workshop is free to attend.
Location: Ladera Heights
Please join CaliforniaCarbon.info for a workshop on the impact of Oregon’s Climate Action Program on the WCI Cap-and-Trade Program.
The workshop will cover:
- The overall impact of Oregon’s Climate Action Program on the WCI Cap-and-Trade Program
- A sectoral breakdown of historical emission trends and its future path
- Identifying the economy wide emission trends
- Impact of surplus/shortage of allowances if Oregon is linked to the WCI carbon market
- Emissions forecast
This workshop is free to attend.
Join IETA and Vivid Economics as they review lessons learned about the competitiveness impacts of carbon pricing from analysis and practice. Vivid Economics will share distillations of their work on several continents helping governments estimate and minimize competitiveness impacts of carbon pricing on regulated businesses. Representatives from non-profit, government, and industry will respond to these findings and a facilitated discussion will ensue.
Location: Hancock Park
The Climate Action Reserve invites you to attend a workshop that will provide an introduction to the basics of California’s Compliance Offset Program, including an overview of the various Compliance Offset Protocols and verification of compliance offset projects. This workshop will also focus on updates to and expectations for California’s Compliance Offset Program. It will delve into changes that will be implemented under AB 398, including new offset usage limits and direct environmental benefits (DEBs). The workshop will also discuss offset supply forecasts and potential protocol types that could be adopted into the program. This workshop will be useful for consultants, compliance offset buyers, project developers, policymakers, and anyone interested in learning more about California’s compliance offset program.
Fee: $150
Location: Ladera Heights
The Climate Action Reserve Forest Team is pleased to present innovative updates to historically under-utilized carbon project protocols: Reforestation and Urban Forest Management. This two-part workshop will include a short break and participants are welcome to join us for all or part of this session.
Part I: Rethinking Reforestation Projects: a New Approach to Improving Financial Attractiveness 1:00 pm – 1:55 pm
Reforestation is the single largest opportunity for carbon capture and storage in the United States (Fargione et al, 2018). Forest decline due to wildfire and/or pests and goals to restore previously cleared lands back to forest are driving this opportunity. However, reforestation has received little support from carbon markets due to challenges that have prevented reforestation from being financially attractive. Like other forest management activities that can provide climate benefits, reforestation activities provide employment opportunities to economically-challenged rural communities and environmental benefits to all. To unlock the multiple benefits reforestation projects can deliver, the Climate Action Reserve and its partners are developing a new approach to project crediting using an ex-ante framework under the Reserve’s new Climate Forward program to improve the financial attractiveness. This workshop will provide an overview of the new approach to making reforestation projects a vital component of forest carbon projects.
Speakers:
- John Nickerson, VP of Forestry, Climate Action Reserve
- David Shoch, Director, Forestry and Technical Services, TerraCarbon
- Mike Smith, Managing Partner, RenewWest
Part II: Laying the Groundwork for an Urban Forest Carbon Project 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Urban forests do more than just sequester carbon; street trees can help lower electricity bills by providing shade for buildings, increasing property values, capturing rain to reduce curbside runoff during storm events, and contributing to the well-being of the local community and its people. However, studies by the U.S. Forest Service (Nowak, 2018) also show an alarming decline in urban tree canopy cover across the country at a rate of 36 million trees per year, with an estimated loss of benefits from urban trees conservatively valued at $96 million per year. Recognizing the role carbon projects can play to fund urban tree maintenance and planting activities, the Climate Action Reserve Forest Team will share an updated Urban Forest Management project quantification methodology that potentially lowers the cost of project development by 90 percent. This workshop will provide an overview of the quantification approach and will serve as a convening space for urban forest stakeholders to assess how to structure a pilot project.
Speakers:
- Cindy Chiang, Business Development Manager, Climate Action Reserve
- Jeremy Manion, Carbon Development Manager, Arbor Day Foundation
- Sarah Wescott, Forest Program Manager, Climate Action Reserve
This workshop is free to attend. Please contact Cindy Chiang at [email protected] with questions or to RSVP.
For the Board meeting agenda and meeting information, please visit www.climateactionreserve.org/about-us/board-of-directors/meetings.
Location: Silver Lake
The carbon and climate policy landscape on state, regional, national, and international levels continues to shift with developments both advancing and hindering climate action. On the U.S. federal level, the Trump administration forges on with its work to undo and scale back environmental regulations. In contrast, on the state and local level, laws and regulations have been proposed and passed that raise standards for climate action. This workshop, hosted in two parts by Latham & Watkins and guest panelists, will assess the legal issues and mechanisms potentially reshaping carbon and climate policy. MCLE credits will be available.
Part 1 – Low Carbon Mandates: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
California’s groundbreaking carbon programs have evolved over time and further changes are visible on the horizon. In addition, the role of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) in decarbonizing California’s economy currently is being determined in several fora. This part of the legal workshop will provide updates on the Cap-and-Trade Program, the Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program, and the treatment of RNG by the Legislature, Air Resources Board, Energy Commission, and California Public Utilities Commission.
Speakers:
- Nancy Sutley, Chief Sustainability Officer, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
- Josh Bledsoe, Counsel, Latham & Watkins
- Andrew Westgate, Associate, Latham & Watkins
Part 2 – Addressing GHG Emissions under CEQA: Recent Developments and Trends for 2019: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Recent CEQA and regulatory developments are affecting GHG reduction strategies for development projects and sustainability initiatives. This part will focus on these developments by discussing: new CEQA case law, former Governor Brown’s Executive Order charting a path to 100% renewable energy, CARB’s current Scoping Plan, related VMT guidance, recently updated CEQA Guidelines and technical advisories, and other GHG guidance issued by the State agencies, in particular. Practitioners from a variety of sectors will participate in this important conversation.
Speakers:
- Michael McCormick, President of Strategic Advisory Services, Harris & Associates (formerly Senior Planner at OPR)
- Jonathan Parfrey, Executive Director, Climate Resolve
- Marc Campopiano, Partner, Latham & Watkins
- Nikki Buffa, Counsel, Latham & Watkins
Fee: $300
Location: Boyle Heights
Even as Mexico’s Secretariat of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) continues its work to define details of the nation’s Cap-and-Trade Program, companies are already looking to the voluntary carbon market to achieve climate goals and prepare for the compliance program. Join the Climate Action Reserve Mexico team for a workshop that explores the essential elements of a thriving Mexican carbon market. On the forestry side, this workshop will share insights on collaborative partnerships between forest communities, NGOs, market participants, academia and government that catalyzed a pipeline of more than 50 forest projects through credit purchases and capacity building activities. Additionally, speakers will explore the potential for livestock and landfill projects in Mexico: identifying where such projects are likely to be located, as well as key drivers for economic success, and showcasing project stories that leverage carbon projects to achieve wider social and environmental benefits. Lastly, the workshop will also discuss the current regulatory framework.
This workshop is free to attend. Please contact Cindy Chiang at [email protected] with questions or to RSVP.
Location: Westwood
With the leading credit ratings agencies forecasting green-labeled bond issuance peaks for 2019 at $180-$200 billion, market participants are increasingly focused on understanding what it means to be “green,” whether this label will attract a new generation of investors, and the importance of transparency and standardization to ensure financing is directed toward projects with real climate benefits. This workshop will address perceived challenges to climate impact assessment, explore issues of market readiness, and discuss market participants’ willingness to pay for climate impact information. Speakers will also discuss opportunities and trends of disclosure and transparency in climate finance, including new research on whether there is a “greenium” in municipal and corporate bond markets, the influence of millennial investors, and increased voluntary and regulatory compliance requirements.
Speakers:
- Max DuBuisson, Policy Director, Climate Action Reserve
- Monica Reid, Principal Consultant & Owner, Kestrel Consulting
- Eric Shrago, Managing Director, Connecticut Green Bank
This workshop is free to attend. Please contact Cindy Chiang at [email protected] with questions or to RSVP.
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom III
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Avoiding double counting
– Led by Max DuBuisson, Climate Action Reserve - Jurisdictional accounting
– Led by John Nickerson, Climate Action Reserve - Climate Forward methodologies
– Led by Sami Osman, Climate Action Reserve
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom II
Keynote Address:
Secretary Jared Blumenfeld, California Environmental Protection Agency
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom II
With each passing year, we have seen a continual increase in climate-related risks and extreme climate events. More severe and frequent fires, intense hurricanes, droughts and flooding are all becoming the new norm. In 2018, the western US experienced its deadliest and most destructive wildfire season on record, and many were looking at whom to blame for the fires. What does the future look like for these intensifying risks and what actions can we implement to adapt to these changes? The question is often asked “Who is responsible?” but is this even a fair question in a world changing due to our collective actions? What mitigation actions can be taken to minimize the most adverse impacts? Experts in this session will tackle these complex questions.
Moderator:
Speakers:
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom II
Since this plenary discussion convened at NACW 2018, the world has heard more urgent and broadly supported calls from the scientific community that the time to act on climate change is now. This included the releases of the IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 Degrees Celsius and the US government’s Fourth National Climate Assessment. Canada and Mexico have engaged on the global level, taking part in the COP 24 negotiations to define the rulebook for implementation of the Paris Agreement and each moving forward with federal level action. The US federal government has largely continued to ignore climate action, but the country has seen subnational governments and private sector companies continue to take leadership roles in driving meaningful climate action. In this session, representatives will discuss climate action and goals across North America.
Moderator:
Speakers:
Path 1: Carbon Pricing
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom II
2018 saw a number of developments in the North American carbon market, some good, some bad. After briefly joining WCI, a new government in Ontario put a halt to its cap-and-trade program. There was a major true-up late in the year for WCI compliance entities, while the new Mexican government reaffirmed its intent to establish a national cap-and-trade program. This session will examine how recent developments are affecting the carbon market, including future directions, and consider how other policy approaches (such as carbon taxes) may be impacting the future of cap-and-trade.
Moderator:
Speakers:
- JP Brisson, Latham & Watkins
- Katelyn Roedner Sutter, EDF
- Scott Hernandez, CBL
Path 2: Policy Developments
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom I
Canada is in the throes of determining the best pathways forward for addressing climate change. A myriad of strategies have been evolving, beginning with federal efforts to ensure a backstop carbon price through policies like the Output-Based Pricing Sytem (OBPS). Some provinces, like Quebec and Nova Scotia, have been or are considering cap-and-trade programs, while Ontario has withdrawn its cap-and-trade program and is pushing back on federal carbon pricing policies. Participants in this session will hear from a range of Canadian voices articulating current policies, the challenges around determining policy approaches that allow for differentiated but equitable strategies across provinces and territories, and next steps as Canadians forge an integrated climate strategy.
Moderator:
Speakers:
- Brittany White, Nova Scotia
- Amber MacNeil, ECCC
- Onil Bergeron, Quebec MDDELCC
Path 4: Transportation/LCFS
Location: Hancock Park
The transportation sector generates the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, accounting for nearly 29 percent of the country’s emissions. (Electricity production is a close second at 28 percent.) Even in California, where 50 percent of all EV sales in the country occur and with significant clean transportation policies and investments, GHG emissions are going up, not down. Governments are increasingly committed to reducing emissions through policies, while manufacturers are refocusing their efforts on bringing EVs to market. What is currently happening and what needs to be done to accelerate this trend?
Moderator:
Speakers:
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom III
Path 1: Carbon Pricing
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom II
The role of offsets continues to be a critical, often contentious, strategy for addressing climate change. As an important cost-containment mechanism for compliance programs, offsets bring much-needed flexibility to avoid excessive price increases, yet some jurisdictions such as California (and others) have limited their role and geographic reach. In voluntary markets, offsets continue to offer an array of options for companies seeking to mitigate beyond their own operations, yet there can be pushback on the choices made. Against this backdrop, this session will address the direction of offset markets in the years to come, including emerging market opportunities, the development of new offset protocols, actions to increase market uptake of existing offsets, and the views for and against increased usage of offsets.
Moderator:
Speakers:
Path 2: Policy Developments
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom I
Cities and counties are on the front lines of responding to climate impacts, including more frequent and intense storms, floods, droughts, heat waves, and wildfires. They are also leading the charge on reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the local level. From innovations in urban planning, infrastructure, transit, waste, energy, finance and more, municipalities across North America are working to develop and implement significant policies, regulations, and programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve adaptation, mitigation, and resiliency. Learn how cities and counties are a leading force on climate action. Muni ain’t puny!
Moderator:
Speakers:
- Lauren Faber O’Connor, City of Los Angeles
- Tanya Müller García, RESILIO
- Cody Hooven, City of San Diego
Path 3: Enhancing Ambition
Location: Silver Lake
With continued inaction by the US government, increasing pressure from consumers and shareholders alike, and impacts to the bottom line, corporations are increasingly looking for ways to green their operations. This session will address efforts at setting GHG reduction targets, drivers behind climate actions, the use of offsets, supply chain initiatives, NGO partnerships, and other innovative solutions being driven by the private sector.
Moderator:
Speakers:
- Max Scher, Salesforce
- Ted Flanigan, EcoMotion
- Anastasia Behr, Dow
Path 4: Transportation/LCFS
Location: Hancock Park
In the U.S., California and Oregon stand as the only states with LCFS programs, with California’s implemented in 2011 and Oregon’s implemented in 2016. What impacts have these programs had on offset markets and reducing emissions? In this session, panelists will discuss the status and impact of the states’ programs and how they are influencing the creation of LCFS programs in other states.
Moderator:
Speakers:
Path 1: Carbon Pricing
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom II
The State of California’s integrated Climate Change Scoping Plan establishes a path to achieve the state’s ambitious GHG emissions reduction goal of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045. Cap-and-trade remains a key piece in California’s climate solutions puzzle, with AB 398 extending the program through 2030. As California moves forward under a new administration to meet its climate goals, what innovative policies will help it meet its goal and what challenges will it face on the road to 2030?
Moderator:
Speakers:
Path 2: Policy Developments
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom I
Focusing on market mechanisms to manage costs associated with achieving its climate goals, Mexico intends to start its emissions trading scheme three-year pilot later in 2019. The pilot program will involve the voluntary participation of many of the largest emitters in Mexico, which will provide valuable experience as the cap-and-trade program emerges. Mexico has previously identified ambitions to link its market with California and Quebec. With a new administration and new ideas surfacing, how will climate change issues be addressed? This session will focus on getting a glimpse into the emerging concepts coming from the new administration regarding Mexico’s approach to climate change.
Moderator:
Speakers:
- Soffia Alarcon-Diaz, Carbon Trust Mexico
- Jaime Rodriguez, CYDSA
- Sandra Guzman, SEMARNAT
- Danae Azuara, EDF
Path 3: Enhancing Ambition
Location: Silver Lake
Carbon markets have been very successful at driving investment and innovation in some sectors, leading to significant emission reductions. However, other sectors have been left out or struggle to flourish in the market. In addition, the development of new markets is raising concerns around ownership and double counting, and buyers are starting to look for additional sustainability benefits. This session will focus on new initiatives that aim to drive more investment in GHG emission reduction activities while also addressing some of the shortcomings of the existing markets.
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Path 4: Transportation/LCFS
Location: Hancock Park
While California and Oregon are the only states with active LCFS programs designed to tackle emissions, several jurisdictions and groups have proposed their own programs. In the northeastern U.S., nine states and the District of Columbia are looking into a cap-and-trade program for transportation. If implemented, the program will create a fuels market larger than California’s. On the West Coast, Washington introduced its own LCFS bill in the new legislative session. In 2016, the Government of Canada announced plans to develop a Clean Fuel Standard and is now in the process of analyzing a cost benefit framework and gathering public comments on the design paper. Speakers in this session will talk about the development and potential implementation of these programs and other potential transportation fuels programs.
Moderator:
Speakers:
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom II
Keynote address:
Aradhna Tripati, Associate Professor, UCLA, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom II
The private sector continues to be a driver when it comes to ambitious goals and innovative solutions to addressing climate change. Motivations include staying ahead of and influencing regulations, adaptation, answering to shareholders, developing profitable business strategies and doing their part to address climate change. Companies that understand the risks climate change pose to their business can better strategize for future success in a low carbon and climate-impacted economy – and avoid climate change bankruptcy. Business leaders in this session will discuss the challenges they are working to address climate challenges and meet ambitious goals.
Moderator:
Speakers:
- Matt Horton, Proterra
- AG Kawamura, Orange County Produce
- Rick Ridgeway, Patagonia
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom III
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom III
- Blockchain for Climate
– Led by Kathy Benini, IHS Markit - EU ETS
– Led by Mike Szabo, Carbon Pulse - Long-term Management of Forest Offset Projects
– Led by Sarah Wescott, Climate Action Reserve and Erika Anderson, Anderson Law Firm
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom II
Keynote addresses:
David Horsey, Editorial Cartoonist, Seattle Times
Terry Tamminen, CEO, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom II
In the US, states have been working on several fronts to meaningfully address climate change – from developing and implementing their own impactful initiatives to stopping the regulatory rollbacks coming from the Trump administration to taking on a larger role in collaborating on the international level. US states, whether blue or red, are seeing the economic, health, and ecological benefits of being green. State representatives in this session will discuss broad strategies, goals and the power of uniting together.
Moderator:
Speakers:
Path 1: Carbon Pricing
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom II
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the longest-running compliance GHG cap-and-trade program in the United States. The market is set for a significant expansion, with the return of New Jersey into the program and the introduction of Virginia. In addition, RGGI is heading toward a period of newly-negotiated caps for 2021-2030. Hear from government and industry participants regarding the current state of the carbon market in the Northeast, touching on pricing, demand, policy, and economic impacts to the region.
Moderator:
Speakers:
Path 2: Policy Developments
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom I
US states have continued to show their ambition to take bold action to meet their own climate goals and also help the US meet its emissions goals under the Paris Agreement. From tackling transportation emissions to pricing carbon to setting new, aggressive mitigation targets, states are showing strong climate leadership individually and through collaborations. In this session, state representatives will talk about their goals, initiatives and how they are making strides together.
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Path 3: Enhancing Ambition
Location: Silver Lake
Research in recent years has highlighted that the soil beneath our feet may hold as much or more opportunity for carbon sequestration as forests, which have hitherto generated more market activity. Beyond GHG mitigation benefits, protecting and restoring soil health can make our agricultural systems more resilient in the face of a changing climate and help restore overall ecological health. This session will touch on the impacts of different conservation practices, as well as advances in the science and understanding of soil monitoring and measurement. Speakers will also cover policy and industry approaches to incentivizing both conservation and improved land management with the goal of protecting and enhancing soil carbon stocks.
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Path 4: Transportation/LCFS
Location: Hancock Park
Air travel accounts for a significant – and growing – component of global GHG emissions. However, it is a diverse sector, with myriad considerations around geography, ownership, liability, and GHG accounting boundaries. This session will cover CORSIA, the upcoming compliance carbon market for international aviation emissions, as well as voluntary efforts being taken by both airlines and airports to address other sources of GHG emissions related to aviation.
Moderator:
Speakers:
- Amy Malaki, ClimateWorks
- Nancy Young, Airlines for America
- Rob Freeman, LAWA
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom III
Path 1: Carbon Pricing
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom II
During debates around the use of market-based mechanisms to address climate change, opponents often express concerns that local issues are ignored. The Environmental Justice movement has been particularly vocal in raising objections to policies that they feel ignore or exacerbate other pressing environmental challenges, such as local air quality concerns. This session will discuss what some of the most vocal concerns are, if and how they can be addressed, and how collectively policymakers need to do a better job addressing any concerns moving forward.
Moderator:
Speakers:
Path 2: Policy Developments
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom I
The Trump administration has taken a drastically different approach to climate change and environmental regulations than past administrations, reversing and/or dismantling existing policies. This session will discuss actions around and status of the Clean Power Plan, federal methane regulations and other EPA rules. It will also look at how these changes in federal rules are affecting emissions and what is being done, especially from the private sector side.
Moderator:
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Path 3: Enhancing Ambition
Location: Silver Lake
Natural gas plays a critical role in energy markets around the world. As the climate challenge is addressed, finding alternatives to our reliance on these fossil-based sources has intensified. One important option is renewable gas. What is the potential for the use of renewable gas in different markets? What policy and market actions will it take to make renewable gas a reality? This session will explore the potential for renewable gas, including its sources and examples of international projects that demonstrate cross-sector collaboration to achieve carbon reductions in the residential, industrial and transportation sectors.
Moderator:
Speakers:
Path 4: Transportation/LCFS
Location: Hancock Park
Transportation is the single largest source of emissions in many North American jurisdictions. While the focus is often on cars, jurisdictions at all levels and private companies are making strides to reduce emissions from other modes of transportation. This session will look at innovation and leadership in electric transportation, including rail and ferries, and how this transportation contributes to emission reduction goals and community concerns.
Moderator:
Speakers:
- Kent Leacock, Proterra
- Karine Hertzberg, Norway’s embassy to the US
- Marc Manning, LA Metro
Path 1: Carbon Pricing
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom II
Implementing impactful climate solutions and reaching climate goals requires significant financial investments. The Paris Agreement alone calls for US$90 trillion by 2030. It also requires smart investment in projects that will have significant impact in addressing climate change. This session will discuss the growth of the climate finance market and how investors and others can assess the climate impact of various financial instruments.
Moderator:
- Rick Saines, Baker McKenzie
Speakers:
Path 2: Policy Developments
Location: Wilshire Grand Ballroom II
The digital revolution is beginning to transform markets in ways unimaginable just a short time ago, with recent developments in blockchain/distributed ledger technology offering the potential to radically transform how business is conducted. Energy and environmental markets, global supply chains, financial transactions, and climate obligations are just a few of the areas that are being dramatically altered. This session will discuss why these technologies are being tested and deployed across a wide variety of applications, the advantages they bring to transactional efficiency, and how disruptive they could be to our current way of doing business. Particular focus will be on applications with the potential to affect carbon markets, including smart contracts, climate finance, supply chain impacts, monitoring and verification, among others.
Moderator:
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Path 3: Enhancing Ambition
Location: Silver Lake
Carbon market investments in the forest sector have been a successful strategy to maintain, restore, and improve forest management while providing environmental, social, and economic benefits. There remain enormous opportunities for healthy forests to contribute more to climate solutions. Tropical forest conservation, reforestation, and urban forestry have been little affected by carbon markets. Furthermore, carbon markets typically have limited forest projects to large land parcels to recoup fixed costs and minimize ownership issues, among other factors. Speakers will share perspectives on concepts to expand the treach of carbon markets to activities and landscapes that have been relatively untouched.
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Path 4: Transportation/LCFS
Location: Hancock Park
The U.S. states and federal government have traditionally been partners in addressing transportation emissions, yet at a time when GHG emissions from transportation continue to rise, the Trump administration is engaged in an aggressive assault to rollback regulations. Actions include reversing course on fuel efficiency standards and proposing to withdraw California’s Clean Air Act preemption waiver, which allows the state to set its own emissions standards. In this session, panelists will discuss the status of the federal government’s regulatory rollback, responses from the states and others, and the impact on the auto industry.
Moderator:
Speakers: