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Below are links to the latest news articles on business-related climate issues. Please note that some news organizations require registration or a paid subscription in order to access full articles.
  • Navigating the American Carbon World (NACW) conference

     

    2012 marks the 10th anniversary of Navigating the American Carbon World (NACW), North America's largest and most anticipated carbon conference. Over the last decade, NACW has been known as the most trusted and reliable event for getting updates and insights into climate policy and carbon market information. The event features the most forward-thinking minds that are driving action to address global climate change. And, because of the depth and diversity of its delegates, who represent business, NGOs, academia and government agencies, it is known as the single best place for networking and collaborating.  NACW 2012 will take place April 10-12 in San Francisco and will present a detailed look at California's cap-and-trade program and other types of mitigation, as well as current and potential linkages between state-level, regional and international carbon markets and sub-national REDD programs. The event is hosted by the Climate Action Reserve. For additional information, please visit www.nacw2012.com.

  • Climate Leadership Conference

    With the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the headline sponsor, the first annual Climate Leadership Conference will be held from February 29-March 1, 2012, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The conference will bring together leaders from business, government and academic institutions, and the non-profit community interested in exchanging ideas and information on how to address climate change while simultaneously running their operations more competitively and sustainably.

    Registration Details & Early Bird Special

    Travel/Lodging Information

    The conference includes a gala to honor recipients of the Climate Leadership Awards, a new national awards program to recognize exemplary corporate, organizational, and individual leadership in response to climate change. U.S. EPA, in partnership with C2ES, The Climate Registry (The Registry), and the Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO), sponsor the awards. 

    Featured conference speakers include:

    • Nancy Sutley – Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality
    • Gina McCarthy – Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    • Mary Nichols – Chair, California Air Resources Board
    • Eileen Claussen – President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions

    Click here for complete speakers list and detailed conference agenda.

    Program Highlights

    • Network with leaders from the public and private sectors, including federal and state government officials, industry leaders, and nonprofit experts
    • Attend the Climate Leadership Awards Gala, which is held in conjunction with the conference
    • Hear insights from winners of the 2011 Climate Leadership Awards for the Supply Chain, Organizational and Individual Leadership categories

    Conference attendees will learn about and exchange solutions on topics including

    • Leveraging Clean Energy Opportunities
    • Managing Climate Risks and Building Resilience
    • Supply Chain Strategies
    • Disclosures and Questionnaires
    • Setting and Achieving GHG Reduction Goals Education & Engagement
    • Strategies Making the Business Case for Climate Response

    REGISTRATION INFORMATION

    EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Register by January 20 for a $100 discount on registration.

    RECEIVE ONE COMPLIMENTARY TICKET TO THE CLIMATE LEADERSHIP AWARDS GALA with paid Climate Leadership Conference registration.  Additional information on table reservations, sponsorship packages, etc. for the Gala will be made available on this page shortly.

    2012 Climate Leadership Conference RegistrationConference Pass
    Federal, State, Local, International and Regional Government Employees$395
    Non-profit & Academic Institution Employees$495
    Corporate Employees$595
    Unaffiliated Professionals$595
    Students$395
    On-Site Registration (beginning February 28, 2012 at 2:00 pm)$545 (government) $795 (all other sectors)
    Additional Registrations for ExhibitorsAbove rates apply with 15% discount applied.
    Additional Registrations for SponsorsAbove rates apply with 20% discount applied.
    • Group rates are not currently available for the 2012 Climate Leadership Conference.
    • Online registration ends at 11:55 pm (EST) on February 26, 2012.
    • Individuals must be 18 years or older to attend Climate Leadership Conference events.
    • Student rates are available only to students who do not currently hold full-time employment.
    • Only registered attendees and speakers may attend the conference activities and the Climate Leadership Awards Gala
    • Early registration is encouraged.  The following credit cards are accepted: Master Card; Visa; American Express
    • A credit card processing fee will be assessed for all credit card transactions
    • Early bird special is available only to full conference registrants
    • All registration cancellations received between January 15 and January 31 will be charged a 25% cancellation fee. No refunds will be issued after January 31, 2012. All cancellations must be submitted in writing. You may substitute attendees at any time by sending written notification by February 15, 2012. After February 15, please bring all registration adjustment details to the onsite registration HELP DESK at the conference. Cancellations and changes must be made in writing; phone changes and cancellations are NOT permitted. Please send all written notices of cancellation or changes to registrations@ClimateLeadershipConference.org.

    Federal Paperwork Requirements

    Federal employees processing purchase order paperwork will need the following information:

    Venue: Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center, 250 Racquet Club Road, Weston, Florida 33326

    Vendor/Conference Producer: Association of Climate Change Officers, 1900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006, 202-496-7390

    Special Needs

    We will make every effort to accommodate special needs identified to us prior to the event.  Please indicate these special needs during the registration process. Upon receipt of stated special needs in confirmed registrations, the conference managers will reply with an e-mail to you to confirm receipt.

    Questions or Comments?

    If you have any questions or comments regarding registration for the 2012 Climate Leadership Conference, please contact: questions@ClimateLeadershipConference.org.

    TRAVEL & LODGING

    The 2012 Climate Leadership Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Bonaventure Conference Center (250 Racquet Club Drive, Weston, FL 33326) in Fort Lauderdale/Weston, Florida. A room block has been reserved for conference attendees. A block of rooms has been reserved for checking in as early as February 25 and checking out as late as March 5, 2012.

    Lodging RatesFebruary 25 - March 5, 2012
    Per Diem Rates for Federal, State, Local, International and Regional Government Employees$173
    All Others$189

    Access to the room block is based on availability and with the following guidance:

    • Link to Hyatt Reservations Site: https://resweb.passkey.com/go/CLC2012
    • To reserve a room by phone, please call 1-888-421-1442 and refer to group code "CLC2012".
    • Planning to come in before February 25 or stay longer than March 5?  Please call the above phone number to make your reservation.

    The hotel and conference center is conveniently accessible by way of three convenient airports:

     

    Any sponsorship or advertisements appearing in these materials do not imply endorsement, recommendation, or favor by the United States Government or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

  • Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Enters Second Phase

    In 2012, the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) will look to build upon the success of its first three-year compliance period and make key improvements as it enters a second three-year compliance period.  In an effort to strengthen the existing initiative design and achieve desired emission reductions, RGGI states are retiring allowances not sold in the first phase, increasing the reserve price of allowances, conducting a comprehensive review, and considering a reduction to the number of available allowances to ensure further emission cuts.  RGGI’s goal is to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions from power plants in member states by 10 percent by 2018 through a cap-and-trade program.

    On January 17, 2012, RGGI member states announced several actions to reduce the number of available emission allowances.  First, auctions in 2012 will only offer allowances for 2012 and none from the next compliance period (2015 to 2017).  Second, at least five states (Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont) agreed to retire unsold allowances from the first compliance period, which could otherwise have been used in later compliance periods.  With fewer total allowances available for auction, cumulative emissions will be forced downward.  Many states have faced an oversupply of allowances as emissions from power plants are approximately 30 percent less than the cap, owing in part to the economic recession and investment in natural gas and renewable electricity generation (Regional Cap-and-Trade Effort Seeks Greater Impact by Cutting Carbon Allowances). 

    Beyond withholding future compliance period allowances and retiring unsold allowances, RGGI may also consider additional measures to increase the market pressure on electricity generators to reduce carbon emissions.  In 2012, the reserve price for allowances will rise from $1.89 to $1.93 (RGGI CO2 Allowance Auctions - Frequently Asked Questions). Tightening annual emission caps may be an additional option identified by RGGI’s first mandated program review, which will be completed in summer 2012. 

    The economic benefits from RGGI’s first compliance period were significant.  An Analysis Group report released in November 2011 estimated that RGGI produced $1.6 billion in economic value for its member states between 2009 and 2011.  The proceeds from sales of RGGI allowances have funded energy efficiency improvement programs, community-based renewable energy projects, assistance to low-income customers, education and job training programs, and state general budget funds.

     

    RGGI Press Release - 2012 Auction Update

    "New York voiding gas credits"