As we reflect on the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP 28), we are encouraged by the progress we are seeing, and motivated by all the connections that were made, knowledge that was shared, and leadership that was clearly on display by so many of our partners. The Climate Registry, in collaboration with Climate Action Reserve, co-hosted a bipartisan delegation to COP 28 just a few weeks ago. The delegation included North American leaders representing states, local governments, NGOs, and business executives.

We were encouraged that so many of our delegates and partners have left COP 28 with not only new connections, but also with a wealth of knowledge, innovative ideas, and best practices to take back to their communities and companies upon returning home. 

TCR also hosted the Pathways to 1.5 Pavilion to provide a space to highlight progress and innovation and showcase the significant strides that have been made to reach a net-zero future, as well as provide opportunities to connect and learn from each other as we continue to tackle these challenges. Pavilion panels and discussions covered topics such as resilience, decarbonization, clean energy, just transition, innovative technology, and net-zero pathways. For more information and recordings of these events go to: https://copdelegation.org/events/.

In addition to the insightful panels and discussions hosted by other organizations in the Pathways to 1.5 Pavilion, TCR hosted and participated in a number of panels including, “An International Alliance for Carbon Footprint and Carbon Neutrality”, “Trailblazers, Changemakers, and Innovators: Women Leading Across the U.S. Climate Alliance”, “The U.S. EV Revolution”, “Carbon Removals and the Importance of Verification to Scale Removals”, “Carbon Footprint of Products”, and “Avoiding Greenhushing of Commitments and Progress Toward Net-Zero Emissions’. 

We also had the privilege of co-hosting an official side event, “Partnering on the Path to Net Zero in North America”, with Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), Georgetown University, and U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). This event focused on how achieving NDCs requires subnational action across sectors while centering equity and meaningfully engaging communities. Public and private sector leaders are partnering to implement scalable solutions for CO2 reduction, resilience and health benefits in the built and natural environment. This event featured keynote remarks by Andrew Mayock, Chief Sustainability Officer for the United States federal government. This was followed up by a conversation with Chair Liane Randolph of the California Air Resources Board, Clemence Arto, Director, Public Policy, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Autodesk, and John Powers, Vice President of Global Renewables and Cleantech at Schneider Electric, who each shared their insights on the role of public policy tools and programs to stimulate economic development and investment to achieve climate action. Lastly, a second panel brought together subnational leaders including Serena McIlwain of the Maryland Department of Environment; Rep. Alex Valdez of the Colorado General Assembly; Mayor Barbara Buffaloe of Columbia, Missouri; and County Executive Chris Ronayne of Cuyahoga County, Ohio to discuss the role of community engagement and public-private partnerships in scaling climate action. You can find the recording of this thought-provoking event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxyVIQk5apA

Another highlight was co-hosting, with Climate Action Reserve, a reception for our delegation. This event included remarks from the Honorable Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor of New Mexico, the Honorable Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, Québec, the Honorable George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, Government of British Columbia, Speaker Robert Rivas, California State Assembly, Caroline Choi, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Edison International and Southern California Edison, and Thibaud Simphal, Global Head of Sustainability, Uber. These exceptional climate leaders provided us with words of wisdom and motivation to keep pushing forward to achieve our collective climate goals.

Lastly, we want to express our sincere gratitude to our incredible sponsors for their support and key role in making our presence at COP 28 possible. Thank you to Edison International, Abt Associates, PG&E, Uber, Arup, Georgetown Climate Center, RTI International, The George Gund Foundation, BMW, Edison Electric Institute, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, U.S. Climate Alliance, and the Business Council for Sustainable Energy.