Program
Program presented in partnership with:
Tour
Pre-conference
Tuesday
March 25
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Pre-Conference Field Tour: Lompico Forest Carbon Project
The Climate Action Reserve’s roots are in forestry and the topic has been prominently featured at past NACW conferences. For this year’s conference, we want to do more than just talk about forestry. We want you to experience it and see it. To kick off NACW 2014, you are invited to attend a special day-long tour of the Lompico Forest Carbon project. Developed and maintained by the nonprofit land trust Sempervirens Fund, this Improved Forest Management project has reduced more than 12,000 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since 2007, the equivalent of permanently taking 2,500 cars off of the road.
The Lompico Forest Carbon project was the first forest offset project to successfully register under version 3.1 of the Climate Action Reserve’s Forest Project Protocol. Its development contributed to the creation of version 3.2 of the Forest Project Protocol, which was later adapted by the California Air Resources Board for its Compliance Offset Protocol for U.S. Forest Projects. This unique tour will include presentations by Sempervirens forest project developers, verification specialists, and staff of the Climate Action Reserve. The Lompico Forest Carbon Project tour is co-hosted by the Climate Action Reserve, SCS Global Services and Sempervirens Fund. Lunch and transportation are included for a registration fee of $65.
Total capacity for this event is limited to only 35 people. Register today!
Fee: $65
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Pre-Conference Field Tour: Fiscalini Farms Anaerobic Digester Project
NACW delegates also have the option of beginning the conference with a day-long tour to the Fiscalini Farms Anaerobic Digester project. A short drive from San Francisco, the project is a complete mix system that digests manure from a dairy herd and whey from an onsite cheese plant. The biogas is combusted onsite in a CHP unit, which utilizes heat and exports electricity. The tour will also include a cheese tasting at the Fiscalini Farms Cheese Shop. Presentations will be made by offset project verifiers, livestock project consultant Patrick Wood of Ag Methane Advisors and Reserve staff. Lunch and transportation are included for a registration fee of $65.
Total capacity for this event is limited to only 35 people, so please reserve your spot today.
Fee: $65
Day 1
Pre-conference
Wednesday
March 26
Day 1 Pre-conference Wednesday March 26
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Compliance Offset Program Workshop
The Climate Action Reserve invites you to attend a workshop that will provide an overview of California’s compliance offset program, exploring the process for submitting projects under Compliance Offset Protocols, verification of Compliance Offset Protocols and invalidation. The workshop will also feature in-depth training on the Forest, Livestock and Ozone Depleting Substances Compliance Offset Protocols. 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. It is being offered at a deeply discounted rate as an NACW pre-conference workshop.
Fee: $245
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Urban Forest Project Protocol V2.0 Public Comment Workshop
The Climate Action Reserve is hosting a public workshop to discuss and solicit comments on the draft Urban Forest Project Protocol (UFPP) Version 2.0. The UFPP was first released in August 2008 and went through a technical revision in March 2010. The protocol provides guidance to quantify, monitor, and verify the net climate benefits of urban tree planting and urban forest management project activities. The protocol is designed for use in a variety of urban areas across the United States. The draft protocol will be available prior to conference on the Reserve’s website. Comments may also be formally submitted through the Reserve website during the public comment period.
Please join Reserve staff and other stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft protocol. This workshop is free and open to the public.
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
California Cap-and-Trade 101 Workshop
California’s Cap-and-Trade Program has operated for two years now, with capped entities complying with their emissions obligations for one year. It is still the only economy-wide program in the U.S. and one of the world’s largest carbon markets. And, now with the successes of the program clearly established, it is a model for other states, jurisdictions and countries around the world.
This three-hour workshop will cover the basics of California’s Cap-and-Trade Program. Speakers will discuss how the program fits into the state’s landmark Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32), 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. It is also a good precursor event for people who will attend the regular conference sessions.
The workshop will be presented by Jan Mazurek, Steve Fine and Ankit Saraf from ICF International.
Fee: $100
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Legal Obstacles to Climate Action Workshop
Expert legal panelists will discuss existing and anticipated legal challenges to state and federal efforts to promote cleaner energy and address climate change. This workshop will provide an update on litigation relating to California's cap-and-trade program, discuss litigation over federal climate change efforts and consider other related challenges. Speakers include Tom McHenry, an environmental partner at Gibson, Dunn, and Crutcher; Gavin McCabe, Supervising Deputy Attorney General, California Department of Justice; Erica Morehouse, attorney at the Environmental Defense Fund; and William Sloan, partner at Morrison & Foerster. Katy Young, the Climate Action Reserve’s General Counsel, will moderate.
Fee: $100
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Climate Action through Conservation
This session will present an approach to addressing climate change that integrates local governments, land use change and conservation. To illustrate these points, it will highlight an innovative project taking place in Sonoma County, California that is developing sound methodologies to account for GHG reductions resulting from targeted land use activities that are prioritized within a conservation framework. The project is referred to as Climate Action through Conservation and is a partnership between The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (SCAPOSD). This pilot project will consider activities such as forest restoration, increased forest resiliency and avoided conversion of natural land cover types to other uses. The pilot project is designed to serve as a template for other counties and could provide an important nexus between quantifying climate benefits and emerging economic incentives focused on land use conservation. This session is free and open to the public.
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
REDD+ Developments in Global Markets & Opportunities in California’s Climate Policies
REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation) holds tremendous promise as a cost-effective, viable solution for mitigating climate change by dramatically slowing rates of deforestation. Both the potential inclusion of REDD+ at the jurisdictional level in California’s compliance market, global REDD+ market developments, and recent high profile transactions within the voluntary carbon market at the project level suggest that REDD+ carbon offsets are here to stay.
Topics to be discussed include recent REDD+ developments in the voluntary market, differences between project level and jurisdictional level REDD+ (and how they could potentially be combined), recent advances in global markets for REDD+, and opportunities for integrating REDD+ into California’s own climate policies. In addition, new research will be presented that suggests California could double its contribution to climate change mitigation by slowing deforestation through the adoption of REDD+ into its compliance market.
This workshop is presented by the Forests4Climate Network, which includes The Nature Conservancy, Environmental Defense Fund, Green Technology Leadership Group, the Earth Innovation Institute, and Code REDD.
This workshop will be useful for consultants, compliance and voluntary carbon offset buyers, REDD+ project developers, corporations, policymakers, and anyone interested in learning more about developments and opportunities for integrating REDD+ into California’s climate policies or sustainability strategies. It is free and open to the public.
Day 2
Conference
Thursday
March 27
Day 2 Conference Thursday March 27
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Registration and Exhibit Hall Open
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Continental Breakfast
8:00 AM - 8:40 AM
Welcome
8:40 AM - 9:15 AM
Preview of the 2014 Years of Living Dangerously Series
9:15 AM - 9:30 AM
Keynote Address
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Leading a Charge on the West Coast: the Pacific Coast Collaborative
Last October, California Governor Jerry Brown, Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber, Washington Governor Jay Inslee and British Columbia Premier Christy Clark signed the Pacific Coast Action Plan on Climate and Energy, signifying their shared intent to harness the power and influence of the Pacific Coast Collaborative (PCC) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and establish a price on carbon along North America’s west coast. The agreement generated a wave of excitement, interest and speculation. Collectively, the four jurisdictions represent 53 million people and would be the world’s fifth largest economy, giving real meaning to their joint action. Representatives from the PCC will have a roundtable discussion on initiatives within their states, future actions, and new potential partners to the agreement.
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Networking Break
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Path 1 • Market Structure
Measure Your Cadence: State of the Market Today
The California carbon market has now been operating for more than a year. Quarterly auctions have become routine events. Volumes have grown and prices have become more stable as the market has matured. This session will discuss the status and issues of today's market for both allowances and offsets, including structure of contracts, prices, liquidity, auctions and participants.
Path 2 • Policy Development and Schemes
Cap that Valve: Clean Air Act 111(d) and Federal Action
The U.S. EPA is moving forward with carbon dioxide regulations for existing fossil fuel power plants under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act, and President Obama has directed the agency to issue a proposal by June. This panel will provide the latest insight on stakeholder positions and how the debate has evolved over the past year given limited precedent, a wide range of possible flexibility, and a strong state role in implementation. Panelists will explore the legal and policy challenges facing the EPA as it develops guidelines for the states.
Path 3 • Offsets and Offset Supply
All Terrain Cyclocross: Land-based Offsets
Land-based offsets present one of the more interesting opportunities for new emissions reductions under California's programs. Livestock and forestry are already among the early action projects accepted for carbon offsets. This session will discuss other protocols for land-based offsets, including avoided grassland conversion, wetland restoration, livestock management, composting, rangelands and rice cultivation, which the Air Resources Board is currently considering as a new compliance offset protocol.
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Lunch and Networking
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Path 1 • Market Structure
Group Rides: Current and Potential Future Linkages
Since January 1, the California and Québec carbon markets have been formally linked. What impact will this have in California and Québec? What is the value of such linkages? What jurisdiction will be next – Washington, Ontario, or someplace else? This session will examine the California-Québec linkage and the potential impact of other partners joining the market.
Path 2 • Policy Development and Schemes
Choose the Right Frame Size: Clean Air Act 111(d) and State Responses
States will play a central role implementing carbon dioxide regulations for existing fossil fuel power plants under development at U.S. EPA. Many states have already taken action to reduce emissions—including carbon markets up and running in California and the Northeast. This panel will explore how these programs will be recognized and other state responses to the regulations under development. Panelists will discuss choices available to the states as they develop section 111(d) compliance plans, including potential roles for existing programs, new markets, and interstate cooperation.
Path 3 • Offsets and Offset Supply
Riding REDD Bikes: International Forestry
In July 2013, the REDD Offsets Working Group (ROW) issued recommendations for linking California’s Cap-and-Trade Program with international programs designed to reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD). The recommendations have been endorsed by a range of California and international NGOs, businesses, and indigenous groups. At the same time, some groups remain opposed to REDD policies and their inclusion in California’s climate change mitigation efforts. This session will provide an update on the status of REDD in California and its implications for both the California carbon market and broader efforts to slow tropical deforestation.
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Networking Break
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Path 1 • Market Structure
Pedaling Forward: Market Forecast
There is significant disagreement among market watchers over the direction that the California carbon market will take. Some analysts believe that the market will be oversupplied for years to come. Others argue that factors such as growth in the state economy, the closure of San Onofre power station, limited supply of offsets, drought conditions and linkage with Québec, could lead to a tighter market. This session will take a look at these different views of the future.
Path 2 • Policy Development and Schemes
Riding Tandem across the Border: California-Mexico Collaboration
Mexico is California's largest trading partner and long-term collaborator. This session looks at opportunities for California and Mexico to join forces in their efforts to address climate change as a way to spur more North American dialogue and encourage other national-subnational partnerships.
Path 3 • Offsets and Offset Supply
Fasten Your Panniers: Offset Supply
The Air Resources Board has issued compliance offset credits to both the approved early action methodologies and compliance offset protocols. With compliance offsets now in the market there is still concern that available offset supply is expected to be lower than expected demand. This session will examine the outlook for additional offset types in the program and their potential for addressing supply concerns. This session will also discuss the process for transitioning ARB-eligible credits to compliance offsets and the impact this process has on the availability of offsets in the market.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Reception
Day 3
Conference
Friday
March 28
Day 3 Conference Friday March 28
7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Registration and Exhibit Hall Open
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Continental Breakfast
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM
Welcome
8:40 AM - 9:40 AM
The Impact and Influence of Sustainability Initiatives with Public Audiences
Professional and collegiate sports, universities and corporations are all in a position to show environmental leadership in front of a large, diverse audience and influence the actions of those people. Teams have shaken up their operations to lessen their impact on the environment and encourage fan participation. Universities’ sustainability initiatives not only benefit the schools and the environment but also influence the future work of their students. And, corporations have shown that their green activities and plans impact their vendors and customers. This session will look at green initiatives within sports, universities and corporations and provide the insider view on what it took to make them happen.
9:40 AM - 10:45 AM
Getting to 2050
Truly addressing climate change requires 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and to achieve this seemingly impossible goal, we will need to significantly transform every aspect of our energy economy. States and nations are mapping out their routes for achieving this scale of emissions reductions but the future is unclear. Speakers in this session represent government, business and environmental groups and will discuss what needs to be done to achieve these goals, what initiatives hold promise, and describe their visions for the future.
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Climate Action Champion Awards
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Networking Break
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Path 1 • Market Structure
Chainrings and Cassettes Moving Together: Other Markets
The transportation sector provides a significant opportunity for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This session will look at the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and fuels under the cap in California.
Path 3 • Offsets and Offset Supply
Avoiding Slippery Curves: Offset Risk and Challenges
Perceptions of offset risk have created a significant spread in the prices of offsets and allowances – as well as a whole family of offset products that address risk in different ways. This session will examine the various elements of risk associated with California Compliance Offsets and the different tools that the market has developed to address risk and respond to the needs of buyers.
Path 2 • Policy Development and Schemes
Touring around the World: a Look at International Programs
Momentum is building behind the creation of GHG trading systems around the world. As California's market gets established and the EU ETS consolidates, a variety of "new market mechanisms" are being proposed in developing countries. This session will provide important updates on these efforts and discuss possible interconnections between them in the future.
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Lunch and Networking
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Path 2 • Policy Development and Schemes
Long Distance Riding: the Scoping Plan and Achieving California's Goals
Reducing emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 will be only the first milestone for California if it hopes to meet its ultimate goal of an 80 percent reduction by 2050. State regulators are already engaged in an effort to chart out policies and reduction efforts after 2020. Panel members will provide an update on these efforts and discuss implications for California's GHG market now and in the future.
Path 3 • Offsets and Offset Supply
Engaging Other Gears: Offsets for Environmental Mitigation
In addition to using offsets for compliance under AB 32, entities and individuals buy offsets for a variety of other uses. This session will discuss opportunities, as well as barriers, to using offsets for California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance.
