2024 Climate Leadership Conference Agenda
View our 2024 Schedule at a Glance. Schedule subject to change. Stay tuned for more session details.
Our program is organized around the following 3 Tracks:
Strategies that Work: Climate Initiatives that Pack a Punch
Future Ready: Risk, Resilience, and Expanding Your Reach
The Pulse: Latest Trends and Innovation
Deep-dive instruction on applicable skills and decision-making for implementing specific climate solutions.
Climate Leadership Conference partners host interactive discussions highlighting best practices, emerging approaches and new research.
Once the formal conference program concludes, join us on March 6, 2020, as the Climate Leadership Conference hosts three tours of Detroit landmarks and institutions that are renowned for their sustainability.
Conference Registration Open All Day
Morning Sustainability Tours
Rid-All Green Partnership: Guided tour of this unique urban farm that is bringing local, healthy food as well as education and training to its surrounding community. Sign up here.
Cleveland Waterfront Bike Tour: Join this 5-mile bike tour to view recent improvements to Cleveland’s waterfront and downtown parks, enhancing public space, biodiversity and resilience strategies. Details coming coon.
Interactive Workshops: Participate in a discussion that facilitates knowledge exchange and offers hands-on tools for tackling key climate solutions.
Implementation of Climate Solutions: Building on Collaborative Planning in Northeast Ohio
Hosted by: ICLEI
Impactful Clean Power Procurement: Making the Most of Your Investment in Sustainable Energy
Hosted by: Center for Resource Solutions (CRS)
The Evolution of Nature-Based Carbon Solutions – Last but Not Later
Hosted by: Anew
Networking Lunch in the lounge
Afternoon Workshops
Engaging Communities in the Energy Transition
Hosted by: Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) and Edison Electric (EEI)
From Aspirations to Action: Reducing Scope 3 Emissions with a Creative Shift in Supplier Engagement
Hosted by: Guidehouse
Integrating Data Verification into Sustainability Reporting and Disclosure
Hosted by: The Climate Registry (TCR)
Networking & Refreshments Break
Opening Plenary Session
Mayor Justin M. Bibb, City of Cleveland, also serving as Climate Mayors Chair, Welcomes CLC to Cleveland!
Future Cities: Preparing for a New Climate Reality through Green Infrastructure and Economic Development
- Grant Ervin, Vice President for External Affairs and Sustainability, S&B USA
- Vincent Lee, Principal, Arup
- Councilmember Meeka D. Owens, City of Cincinnati
- Matt Petersen, President & CEO, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)
Regional Leadership, Innovation, and Cross Sector Collaboration in Pursuit of an Equitable Low-Carbon Future
- Sunny Elebua, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Exelon, Corp
- Amy Longsworth, Executive Director, Boston Green Ribbon Commission
- Baiju Shah, President & CEO, Greater Cleveland Partnership
- Deepa Vedavyas, Director of Resiliency and Sustainability, Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC)
Welcome Reception at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum
Registration, Breakfast, & Networking
Day 2 Welcome & Plenary Session
Cuyahoga County Executive, Chris Ronayne on Leading the Region’s Climate Transition
How Finance, Policy, and Technology are Accelerating Decarbonization
- Lisa Jacobson, President, Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE)
- Rick Saines, Managing Director, Pollination
- Scott Tew, Vice President Sustainability & Managing Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Trane Technologies
- Ethan Zindler, Climate Counselor to the Secretary, U.S. Department of Treasury
Climate Disruptors Spotlight Series
- Laurie Fitzmaurice, President of Global BECCS, Drax Group
- Adam Klauber, Vice President, Sustainability and Digital Supply Chain
- Rick Stockburger, President & CEO, BRITE
Networking & Refreshments Break
Morning Breakout Sessions: Learn from topical discussions that focus on specific climate solutions; opportunities to engage panel
Track 1: Pathways to Net Zero: By Sector
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.
Speakers:
- Elizabeth Beardsley, P.E., Senior Policy Counsel, U.S. Green Building Council
- Lincoln Bleveans, Executive Director, Sustainability Utilities and Infrastructure, Stanford University
- Jessyn Farrell, Director, Seattle Office of Environment and Sustainability
- Uma Patwardhan, North America Sustainable Buildings Team Lead, JLL
Track 2: Integrated Climate Solutions
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.
Speakers:
- Lisa Nelowet Grice, Executive Director of Sustainable Products, Packaging and Circularity, Anthesis
- Chastity McLeod, VP Sustainability, Nestle North America
- Wesley Porter, Business Development Director, Sustainability & Innovation, Berry Global
- Phil Valko, Assistant Vice President for Sustainability, Washington University in St. Louis
Track 3: Future Focused on Accountability, Equity, and Sound Policy
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.
Speakers:
- Dana Mooney Davis, Assistant VP, Sustainability, Energy, Climate, WSP USA
- Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells, CEO, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
- Johanna Lawton, Project Manager, Rebuild by Design
- Bill Schleizer, CEO, Delta Institute
Networking Lunch in the ballroom
Plenary Programming: The Power of Storytelling to Advocate for Climate Justice
- Eddie Ahn, Executive Director, Brightline Defense; Author, “Advocate: A Graphic Memoir of Family, Community, and the Fight for Environmental Justice”
- Ronda Lee Chapman, Associate Vice President, Equity and Belonging, Trust for Public Land (TPL)
Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Track 1: Pathways to Net Zero: By Sector
Growing Impact: The Role of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Systems
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.
Speakers:
- Peter Lehner, Managing Attorney, Sustainable Food & Farming Program, Earthjustice
- John Tauzel, Senior Director, Global Agriculture Methane, Environmental Defense Fund
- Jessica D’Ambrosio, Ohio Agriculture Director, The Nature Conservancy
Track 2: Integrated Climate Solutions
Scaling Climate Solutions that Center Around Public Health, Equity, and Resilience
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.
Speakers:
- Sarah O’Keeffe, Director of Sustainability and Climate Justice, City of Cleveland
- Dr. Natalie Suder Egnot, Managing Health Scientist and ESG Advisor, Stantec
- Beth Gibbons, National Resilience Lead, Farallon Strategies
Track 3: Future Focused on Accountability, Equity, and Sound Policy
Navigating the Evolving Sustainability Disclosure Landscape and Leveraging Credible Carbon Data
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.
Speakers:
- Ashlyn Anderson, Senior Sustainability Consultant, Stantec
- Reuven Carlyle, Founder & EVP, Earth Finance
- Anand Natarajan, Assistant Director, Mayor's Office of Sustainability, City of Cleveland
- Lisa Shpritz, Environmental Operations Executive, Bank of America
Networking & Refreshments Break
Topical Exchange Sessions
Plenary Session: Corporate Climate Leadership
Leveraging Transparent Climate Data to Drive Key Initiatives and Build Credible Narrative
- Edan Dionne, Vice President, IBM
- Shannon Siart, Director, ESG & Climate, NASDAQ
Maximizing Environmental Impact through Value Chain Engagement
- Ashley Allen, Founder & President, CSO Copilot LLC
- Whitney Kakos, Director of Supply Chain Sustainability, Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP)
- Athanasia Xeros, Vice President of Climate Strategy, Mastercard
Climate Leadership Awards Ceremony & Dinner
Breakfast & Networking
Plenary Session
Inspiration and Opportunities on the Road Ahead
Leading the Clean Energy Revolution
- Mary Nichols, Distinguished Counsel, Emmett Center at the UCLA School of Law
- Christie Obiaya, CEO, Heliogen
- Snuller Price, Senior Partner, Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc. (E3)
Global Climate Solutions and Signs of Progress
Networking & Refreshments Break
Morning Breakout Sessions
Track 1: Pathways to Net Zero: By Sector
Breakthrough Technologies for Decarbonizing Hard to Abate Industries
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.
Speakers:
- Rachael Cavanagh, Climate Change Program Manager, Intel Corporation
- Blaine Collison, Executive Director, Renewable Thermal Collaborative
- Jawaad Malik, Chief Strategy and Sustainability Officer, SoCalGas
- Jamie Rogers, Director of Public Policy, CarbonCure Technologies
- Katheryn Scott, Engineer, Market Analysis, U.S. Department of Energy
Track 2: Integrated Climate Solutions
Driving the EV Revolution: The Crucial Role of Infrastructure, Policy, and Partnerships
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.
Speakers:
- Alexa Voytek, Deputy Director, Programs, Innovation & Transportation, Communication, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's Office of Energy Programs
- Scott Shepard, Director, EV Research, Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE)
Track 3: Future Focused on Accountability, Equity, and Sound Policy
Communities Capitalize on America's Landmark Infrastructure Investment Bill to Advance Net Zero 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.
Speakers:
- Maria Redmond, Director, Wisconsin Office of Sustainability and Clean Energy
- Kate Wright, Executive Director, Climate Mayors
- William D. Friedman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cleveland-Cuyahoga-County Port Authority
- Doug Huxley, Senior Engineering Expert -- Carbon Management, Jacobs
Transition
Lunch & Closing Plenary
What Makes this the Greatest Economic Revolution in Generations?
Hear from Bob Keefe, executive director of the national non-partisan business group E2 and author of the new book Clean Economy NOW: Stories from the Frontlines of an American Business Revolution
Conference Adjourns | Post-Conference Team Meetings and Tours
Continue the conversation with new CLC friends during a Cleveland Botanical Garden tour!
Cleveland Botanical Garden Tour – Forestry and conservation experts will lead a guided tour of this lovely botanical garden with an emphasis on their urban forestry program and sustainability efforts in Cleveland. More information will be provided soon.