2024 Climate Leadership Conference Agenda

Hosted by: ICLEI

Hosted by: Center for Resource Solutions (CRS)

Hosted by: Anew Climate

Hosted by: Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) and Edison Electric Institute (EEI)

Hosted by: Guidehouse

Hosted by: The Climate Registry (TCR) 

Solutions of Scale: Decarbonizing the Built Environment Ecosystem

Accelerating decarbonization in the built environment is essential for our low-carbon future, but which solutions are most effective and available today? This discussion focuses on how companies, institutions, and governments are driving decarbonization across the real estate and infrastructure ecosystem and which tools, technologies, and opportunities are proving valuable and scalable.

Implementing Circular Strategies and Delivering Low-Carbon Products

Circularity largely boils down to ‘reduce, reuse, and recycle’ – strategies that reduce demand for raw materials, build efficiencies into the manufacturing (or institutional) processes, and influence end-user behavior. These circular solutions play a critical role in the pathways to decarbonization and often lean on collaborative action. Learn how companies and institutions are collaboratively leveraging the overlap between circularity and decarbonization strategies through innovative and cost-effective procurement, consumption, design, and waste management measures throughout the value chain.

Weathering the Storm: Rebuilding Equitable, Climate Resilient Communities

While economic damages from weather-related disasters continue to surge, government, local agencies, and businesses are becoming more adept at assessing and responding to climate risk and impact. Among the many challenges, there is a great opportunity to rebuild with an emphasis on nature and people. Panelists will share tools for enhanced adaptation planning and how they are investing in resilient infrastructure and a just transition for their communities.  

While hugely impacted by a changing climate, agriculture, and food systems have enormous potential to play a significant role in the path to decarbonizing our economy. Panelists will explore the importance of collaborative solutions to tackle critical challenges including decreasing methane emissions, strengthening soil health, and supporting biodiversity conservation within agricultural practices as a means to cultivate a sustainable and resilient food system for generations to come.

In addition to understanding and preparing for the physical impacts of climate change, there is growing concern about the vulnerabilities that can ripple through communities and economic systems. In order for climate solutions to be valuable for impacted communities, we must focus on the implications to public health, equity, and nature and ensure long-lasting resilience.

Climate threats, impact, and the cost of inaction are keeping companies and stakeholders on their toes, while the rules and regulations around disclosures and material risks continue to evolve. This discussion explores what’s coming down the pike, how companies are preparing for state, federal, and international mandates seeking detailed third-party reviewed data within their operations, and what these organizations have learned through years of voluntary reporting and the value of having transparent climate data to drive business decisions.

Hard-to-abate sectors face unique decarbonization challenges and require collaborative strategies and emerging technologies to scale…fast! While many sectors can utilize readily available low-carbon technologies, efficiencies, and innovative solutions, commercially available solutions are still limited for industries where increased efficiency and green electrification cannot address the majority of emissions. This session explores breakthrough technologies, new opportunities, and the road ahead for heavy industry and manufacturing, cement, and natural gas.

The EV Revolution is already underway, but scaling the revolution across the country will require strategic public-private partnerships between all levels of government, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations. This discussion focuses on the cross-sector collaboration currently underway to decarbonize the transportation industry, how it’s developing new opportunities – like manufacturing jobs in the American clean economy – and what challenges remain in reaching related climate goals.

Landmark federal legislation and investment through IIJA and IRA bills are creating a clean energy boom in every corner of the country – supporting a broad range of decarbonization solutions like alternative fuels, EV charging infrastructure, supply chain engagement, enabling technologies, and climate action or transition planning. Join this conversation to hear from those putting these funds to use, what lessons have been learned along the way, and how public-private collaboration is playing a key role in securing and leveraging funds to transform cities and communities across the U.S.