Day 1 Pre-conference: Tuesday, April 28
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Registration Open
Location: Main Galeria, in front of the Crystal Ballroom
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California Cap-and-Trade 101 Workshop
Room: Roman
California’s Cap-and-Trade Program made history when it officially launched January 1, 2012 and since its launch, the program has been studied and analyzed by national and regional governments, market participants and others around the world. It is still the only economy-wide program in the U.S. and one of the world’s largest carbon markets. In 2014, it held its first joint allowance auction with Quebec’s cap-and-trade program. The end of the year closed its first compliance period, and it began 2015 by welcoming transportation fuels and natural gas into the program.
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.
This workshop will be presented by EDF and IETA.
Fee: $100
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California Compliance Offset Program Workshop
Room: Corinthian
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 projects and invalidation. The workshop will also detail the steps required to transition early action offset projects to the compliance program and convert Early Action Offset Credits to ARB Offset Credits. 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: $150
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Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors Meeting
Location: Climate Action Reserve Office, 601 W. 5th Street, Suite 650, Los Angeles, California 90071 (across the street from the Biltmore Hotel)
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The Legal Landscape for California Cap-and-Trade
Room: Roman
2015 brings with it significant changes to the legal landscape for California’s Cap-and-Trade Program. This three-hour workshop will feature two panels, each 1.5 hours in length.
The first panel will explore legal issues affecting California’s program today, including pending litigation, the impact of the Air Resources Board’s Clean Harbors investigation on the market for offset credits, and continuation of the program post-2020. Speakers include:
- Krista L. Hernandez, Associate with Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP
- Cara Horowitz, the Andrew Sabin Family Foundation Co-Executive Director of the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment and Co-Director, UCLA Environmental Law Clinic
- Ellen M. Peter, Chief Counsel for the California Air Resources Board
The second panel will explore how California’s program fits within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed Clean Power Plan, the potential opportunities for enhanced regional coordination and expanded carbon markets provided by EPA’s plan and the issues that will need to be addressed to realize that potential. Speakers include:
- Clare Breidenich, Aciem Consulting and GHG Committee Director for the Western Power Trading Forum
- Craig Segall, Staff Attorney for the California Air Resources Board
- Tauna M. Szymanski, Senior Associate with Hunton & Williams
The workshop will be moderated by Kevin Poloncarz from Paul Hastings LLP.
Fee: $245
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U.S. Forest Compliance Offset Protocol Workshop
Room: Corinthian
The Climate Action Reserve invites you to attend a workshop that will provide an overview of California’s U.S. Forest Compliance Offset Protocol, exploring the forest protocol and highlighting potential areas of high risk for project developers and offset buyers. This workshop will be useful for consultants, compliance offset buyers, project developers, and anyone interested in learning more about the U.S. Forest Compliance Offset Protocol adopted for use in California’s compliance offset program. It is being offered at a deeply discounted rate as an NACW pre-conference workshop.
Fee: $150
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Grassland Project Protocol Public Comment Workshop
Room: Mediterranean
The Climate Action Reserve initiated the development of a standardized project protocol for the avoided conversion of grasslands in May of 2014. Reserve staff have been working since that time with an expert, stakeholder working group to develop a draft protocol. The draft Grassland Project Protocol will be released for a 30-day public comment period in mid-April 2015. This meeting has been scheduled during the public comment period to offer an opportunity for interested stakeholders to discuss the draft protocol with Reserve staff and provide any feedback or comments they may have. The public comment period will end in mid-May and the final protocol is expected to be adopted in late July.
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Ecosystem Marketplace North American Carbon Market Report
Room: Athenian
With the launch of California’s cap-and-trade market in 2013, the state became the most active compliance market for carbon offsets in North America. Since then, important developments – such as Washington’s newly proposed carbon pricing program and the linkage of California’s market with Quebec’s – open up the possibility for more robust compliance-driven demand. At the same time, voluntary buyers in North America are grappling with how to best meet their sustainability commitments in the context of tight budgets and upcoming carbon regulation. This report will offer an in-depth look at both compliance and voluntary carbon markets in Canada and the United States. We’ll break down the North American demand for carbon offsets in 2014 according to price, project type, voluntary versus compliance, and – where enough data is available – by state or province. We’ll also look forward to project how future policy developments such as the expansion of California’s program to include new sectors will affect demand.
This workshop will be presented by Ecosystem Marketplace.
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Downtown Los Angeles Walking Tour
Location: Meet at registration in the Main Galeria
Los Angeles is like no other city. Join the Climate Action Reserve for a walking tour of downtown Los Angeles and explore the history and heart of our amazing city through interpretation of LA's unique architectural resources. We’ll visit the city’s core of historic buildings and modern architectural gems – from the bustling Grand Central Market and the iconic Bradbury Building to the top of Walt Disney Concert Hall. Led by a native and lifelong Angeleno, this leisurely stroll will feature interesting tidbits about the history and architecture of downtown LA.
Day 2 Conference: Wednesday, April 29
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Registration and Exhibit Hall Open
Room: Main Galeria and Crystal Ballroom
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Breakfast Buffet
Room: Tiffany Room
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Welcome
Room: Biltmore Bowl
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Keynote Address
Room: Biltmore Bowl
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Keynote Address
Room: Biltmore Bowl
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Keynote Address
Room: Biltmore Bowl
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Plenary Session: Sub-National Leadership and International Action
Room: Biltmore Bowl
As the world looks to the chess game of national commitments being offered in the run up to the UN Climate Conference in Paris this December, the real action has been occurring at the subnational level where states, provinces, cities, and others have been taking active steps to implement programs and policies to reduce GHG emissions. In this session, leaders from California, Quebec, Ontario, and beyond will talk about their work and how it can support the international process to make sure we achieve our ambitious climate goals.
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Networking Break
Crystal Ballroom
Update on Clean Air Act Carbon Regulations for the Power Sector
Path 2: U.S./Regional/North America
Room: Gold Room
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to finalize Clean Air Act regulations controlling carbon dioxide emissions from new, modified, and existing power plants this summer. This panel will convey the latest insights on key issues under discussion at the state and federal level. Speakers also will explore potential legal and political consequences of the rulemakings and discuss the status of regional Clean Power Plan conversations.
International Carbon Pricing
Path 3: International
Room: Emerald Room
This past year, 74 countries signed a declaration expressing the importance of putting a price on carbon. China, the world’s largest emitter, has now signaled its plans to launch a national emissions trading system in 2016. With these two events, carbon markets appear to be back in fashion around the world, and popping up in some surprising places. This session will examine the broader trend and a few selected international markets.
What’s New in the California Offsets Program?
Room: Biltmore Bowl
The California Air Resources Board has now issued more than 17 million compliance offsets. In the past year, a new protocol for mine methane capture was adopted and significant changes were made to other protocols. This panel will look at the current operation of the program, changes that have been made over the past year, and changes we can expect to see upcoming, including new project types.
Lunch and Networking
Room: Tiffany Room and Crystal Ballroom
California Post 2020
Path 1: California
Room: Biltmore Bowl
Emission reduction targets for 2030 and beyond are being discussed within the California legislature and Governor Jerry Brown’s administration and the sooner such targets are established, the better it will be for business planning and the carbon market. This panel will explore when new emission reduction limits will be established, what those limits are likely to be, how the existing programs will be forecast into the future, and what new initiatives may be needed to achieve the goals.
Opportunities and Challenges for Carbon Markets under the Clean Power Plan
Path 2: U.S./Regional/North America
Room: Gold Room
The proposed Clean Power Plan would allow state compliance plans to include carbon markets. This panel will explore key questions around the potential role of new and existing carbon markets under the Clean Power Plan. Panelists will discuss questions such as why market mechanisms are under consideration in unexpected states and how the appeal of carbon markets varies by state and region. Other topics will include applicable lessons from existing carbon markets, unique carbon market issues that arise under the Clean Power Plan, and the potential role of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in supporting states that choose markets for compliance.
Carbon Markets Rising in the East
Path 3: International
Room: Emerald Room
This past year has seen a striking expansion of carbon markets in Asia. Korea launched an economy-wide ETS in 2015. China indicated plans to roll its seven pilot systems into a single economy-wide market next year. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is continuing the implementation of its economy-wide program, which launched in 2013, and the Municipality of Tokyo continues its system, which launched in 2010. This session will examine these cap-and-trade systems and other new carbon market developments on the horizon for Asia.
Networking Break
Room: Crystal Ballroom
Future Offset Supply
Path 1: California
Room: Biltmore Bowl
With the inclusion of transportation fuels and natural gas under California’s cap this year, the annual allowance budget more than doubled. Maximum potential demand for offsets has now increased to nearly 92 million tons, up from 27 million in the first compliance period. With total offset issuances far below this number, it remains clear that additional sources of offset reductions will be needed to meet likely demand. Where could additional offsets come from? This panel will examine the full range of options available, both domestic and international.
Adding Transportation Fuels to the Mix
Path 2: U.S./Regional/North America
Room: Gold Room
In 2015, transportation fuels were added into the California cap-and-trade, the first time this has been done anywhere in the world. This year a significantly revised Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) was proposed for readoption by the Air Resources Board. When that rulemaking is completed, how will the LCFS and Cap-and-Trade regulations, combined with the Federal Renewable Fuels Standard affect the cost and availability of fuel in California through 2020? Will they move the needle on the goal of increasing the supply of various alternative transportation fuels?
The Road to Paris
Path 3: International
Room: Emerald Room
Ever since the 2009 Copenhagen Accord failed to live up to high expectations, hopes have been growing for a new UN-brokered climate treaty to succeed the Kyoto Protocol. Those hopes are now pinned on a new agreement to be finalized later this year in Paris. The road to this agreement has had its twists and turns, and chances are it will look quite different from the system of legally binding obligations for developed countries negotiated in Kyoto. Will it break new ground and get the whole world on a viable path to stopping global warming? Or will it paper over old differences about different nations’ responsibilities and relative contributions? What role will markets play as a policy instrument to help realize the treaty’s objectives? Panelists will discuss what they expect to see out of the next big climate agreement and what it might mean for California and U.S. policy in the years to come.
Conference Reception
Room: Crystal Ballroom
Day 3 Conference: Thursday, April 30
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Registration and Exhibit Hall Open
Room: Main Galeria and Crystal Ballroom
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Breakfast Buffet
Room: Tiffany Room
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Keynotes: The Price of Oil
Room: Biltmore Bowl
For good or for ill, oil dominates the world's energy economy today and has tremendous impacts on every segment of society. This session will examine oil from two distinct viewpoints. First, U.S. Navy Admiral Len Hering (ret.) will discuss the impact on the U.S. military of having to transport and protect fuel supplies across long distances and in unfriendly territory, including showing a segment from The Burden, a documentary film that explores this issue. Then, Dr. Severin Borenstein of UC Berkeley will explore how the price of oil affects our climate policies and programs, including and especially California's carbon market. Don't miss this fascinating and informative morning session.
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Project Developer Awards Presentation
Room: Biltmore Bowl
Celebrate the achievement of the Reserve's awardees for most projects and most credits issued in 2014!
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Plenary Session – California’s Leadership
Room: Biltmore Bowl
California has long exhibited unique and important leadership on protecting the environment and its current efforts to address climate change and transform its economy to meet the needs of the 21st century follow that tradition. In what has become an NACW tradition, the heads of California's energy and environmental agencies will come together to discuss their current and future work to meet Governor Brown's amibitious goals of reducing fossil fuel use and increasing renewable energy and energy efficiency as we drive toward significant greenhouse gas reductions and build a new clean energy economy.
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Remarks: Mexico's Climate Program
Room: Biltmore Bowl
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Plenary Session – Business Leadership
Room: Biltmore Bowl
As a follow on to the California government leadership discussion, company executives will discuss how the business community is working to meet the challenge of transforming our economy and address climate change.
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Lunch and Networking
Room: Tiffany Room and Crystal Ballroom
The State of Play in the California Market
Path 1: California
Room: Biltmore Bowl
The California market more than doubled in size this year with the addition of transportation fuels and natural gas suppliers. The market continued to mature and saw significantly higher volumes being traded. At the same time, prices have remained moderate. This panel will examine current supply, demand and pricing trends. It will also offer a peek at where we may be heading in the years to come.
Complementary Measures: Making it all fit together
Path 2: U.S./Regional/North America
Room: Gold Room
California’s climate change effort is much more than cap-and-trade as it includes standards or programs for renewable energy, energy efficiency, low carbon transportation fuels, motor vehicle standards, advanced clean cars, and land-use/transportation among others. This panel will explore how and the extent to which each of these complementary elements are integrated into a coherent whole, especially as California looks forward to longer term goals such as those recently announced by Governor Brown to achieve a 50% reduction in fossil fuel use, to increase renewable energy by 50%, and to increase energy efficiency by 50% by 2030.
Climate Bonds and Green Investing
Path 3: International
Room: Emerald Room
The market for green bonds and other climate-friendly investments is growing rapidly, having tripled to over $35 billion in 2014. But, how do investors know that they are getting what they paid for and what exactly are they paying for? While there are nascent efforts to evaluate such investment instruments, much more can be done to provide the market with assurances. This panel will explore the area of green investing, consider the efficacy of such investments, and discuss efforts to provide independent certification or ratings.
Networking Break
Crystal Ballroom
Use of Auction Revenue
Path 1: California
Room: Biltmore Bowl
California faces crucial questions about how to spend proceeds from its cap-and-trade auctions. The current state budget appropriates over $800 million in auction proceeds to 11 state agencies to fund programs that will reduce GHG emissions and provide direct investments in and benefits for disadvantaged communities. But as the market and auction revenues grow to billions of dollars annually, how will the money be spent and how will the benefits be measured?
Deep Dive into Forestry
Path 2: U.S./Regional/North America
Room: Gold Room
As the California carbon market continues to develop, forest projects are poised to meet a growing portion of total demand. Compliance forest projects have been registered in 12 states outside of California and next year eligibility may be extended to Alaska, significantly expanding potential supply. This panel will explore the ins and outs of forest project development, how much potential there is for these projects to generate offsets through 2020 and beyond, and what challenges need to be overcome to fully realize their potential.
Mexico and California: Collaborating on Climate
Path 3: International
Room: Emerald Room
Mexico has enacted an ambitious climate change law that includes a carbon tax and is working hard on its implementation, including having signed an MOU with California to collaborate on program activities. This session will look at the law, examine the policies and programs already in place and those still forthcoming, and consider the potential for linkage between California and Mexico.
Day 4 Post-conference Tours: Friday, May 1
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Achieving Emissions Reductions through Anaerobic Digestion and ODS Destruction
Opportunities for achieving reductions in greenhouse gas emissions can be found in household waste – including old refrigerators and food scraps. Refrigerators may contain ozone depleting substances (ODS) with high global warming potential which can be recovered and destroyed, rather than recycled and reused. Food waste may be sent to an anaerobic digester for organic waste digestion (OWD) to prevent the release of methane, which can occur if organic waste decomposes in a landfill. On this tour, attendees will visit the ARCA processing and recycling center in Compton, California, to learn about and see first-hand how appliances are processed at end of life to remove environmentally damaging substances. Afterward, attendees will visit the Los Angeles County Food Waste Anaerobic Digestion Demonstration Facility in Carson, California, to learn about the anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and biosolids and the renewable biogas power generation occurring onsite at the wastewater treatment facility.
The tour is in a light industrial environment and visitors should dress accordingly. Closed-toe shoes are required. Where necessary, visitors will be supplied with hard hats, safety goggles, and ear plugs – you are also welcome to bring your own. The tour involves about a mile of walking. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own refillable water bottles. The tour price includes lunch.
Fee: $50
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Lights, Camera, Composting!
This tour will take a look at voluntary sustainability initiatives on individual, city and corporate levels in Los Angeles. The first stop on the tour will be the Griffith Park Composting Facility, which began operations in 1996 and currently processes around 7000 yd3 of greenwaste per year. The facility composts organic matter from the city’s famous park, including leaves, lawn clippings, trimmings and manure from the Griffith Park Zoo (known as zoo doo). The final compost product, TOPGRO™, is used in the park and made available to Los Angeles residents and businesses. Tour attendees will also learn about the voluntary composting program for city residents. The tour will then travel on to CBS Studios where attendees will tour the lot and learn about sustainability initiatives on the sets.
This tour will involve quite a bit of walking around Griffith Park and CBS Studios. Attendees should wear comfortable walking shoes and are encouraged to bring their own refillable water bottles. The tour price includes lunch.
Fee: $50
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Improving Waste Management and Sustainability by Water and Sea
Since 1894 the Hyperion Treatment Plant has helped Los Angeles manage its wastewater. It is the city’s oldest and largest wastewater treatment facility and over the course of its 100+ years of operations, it has implemented pioneering processes for the city. Today, it utilizes leading edge technological innovations to capitalize on opportunities to recover wastewater bio-resources that are used for energy generation and agriculture applications. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) shares a symbiotic relationship with the plant in which LADWP uses gas generated from the facility and returns heat back. Additionally, air emission controls and odor management facilities are integrated in all facility improvements. All of these initiatives – and more that are in the works for the future – serve to better protect the city’s coastal environment and serve the communities. Tour attendees will get to tour the plant, which provides an overview of the processes it employs. They also will tour the Environmental Learning Center (ELC), which includes two floors of interactive exhibits focusing on water sources, wastewater treatment, watershed protection, solid resources and recycling. The ELC building is Gold LEED certified.
Attendees will then head over to the Port of Los Angeles to embark on a boat tour of the port and harbor. Attendees will get a close view of the port’s operations and sustainability initiatives from the waterside, and learn about innovative environmental programs such as the port’s alternative maritime power, clean truck program, wildlife habitat restoration, air quality monitoring and water quality programs.
Tour attendees are required to wear closed-toe walking shoes (tennis shoes are acceptable). Shoes should be comfortable and allow for plenty of walking. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own refillable water bottles. The tour price includes lunch.
Fee: $50
Program subject to change.