Over 200 policymakers and innovators met to help address how industry can support climate action and showcased real-life solutions across various sectors.

Sessions

Mobile Connectivity

Artificial Intelligence

Space-based Tech

Sustainable Transportation

Clean Energy

Partners

Infrastructure Partner

5G Value Partner

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Sustainable Transportation Partner

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Net Zero Partner

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Open Data Partner

Supporting Partner

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Supporting Partner

Supporting Partner

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Supporting Partner

Speakers include

Arati Prabhakar
Dr Arati Prabhaker

Director

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
Brian Schatz
U.S. Senator Brian Schatz
(D-HI)

Chair of the Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis; and Deputy Democratic Conference Secretary

U.S. Senate
Whitehouse_official_photo
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

Member of The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works; and co-Chair of The Senate Climate Change Task Force

U.S. Senate

Buddy Carter
U.S. Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA)

Chair of the House Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Materials, and Vice-Chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus

U.S. House of Representatives
Lori Trahan
U.S. Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA)

Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee; and Member of Artificial Intelligence Caucus

U.S. House of Representatives
Geoffrey Starks
Geoffrey Starks

Commissioner

Federal
Communications Commission

Michael_C._Morgan
Dr Michael Morgan

Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Dr Gretchen Goldman, Director, Climate Change Research and Technology, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation
Dr Gretchen Goldman

Climate Change Director

U.S. Department of Transportation
STEVE-CAPANNA-PORTRAIT
Steve Capanna

Director of Technology Policy

U.S. Department of Energy
2022_Chandra Farley Headshot_Photo Credit Just Eldredge Media
Chandra Farley

Chief Sustainability Officer

City of Atlanta
Maren Mahoney
Maren Mahoney

Director

Arizona Governor's Office of Resiliency
tom-romanoff
Tom Romanoff

Director of the Technology Project

Bipartisan Policy Center
Lohmeyer Headshot
Whitney Lohmeyer

Chief Technologist, Space Bureau

Federal Communications Commission
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Rodrigo Fernandes

Director, Empowering Sustainable Development Goals

Bentley Systems
JustinaGallegos
Justina Gallegos

Deputy Director

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
Colinwebsite
Colin Tetreault

Senior Manager, Climate Change and Sustainability Services

EY
Kate Calvin
Dr Katherine Calvin

Chief Scientist and Senior Climate Advisor

NASA
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Tim Sexton

Assistant Commissioner, Sustainability, Planning, and Program Management

Minnesota Department of Transportation
Kelly Fleming
Dr Kelly Fleming

Director

Institute for Transportation Decarbonization
Sasha Mackler
Sasha Mackler

Executive Director,
Energy Program

Bipartisan Policy Center
adair-2024
Sarah Adair

Managing Director of Public Policy

Duke Energy
Bhushan Joshi
Bhushan Joshi

Head of Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility

Ericsson
Isabelle Thomas headshot
Isabelle Thomas

Policy Advisor for Living Streets and Public Spaces

City of New York
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Peter Green

Deputy Director

National Renewable Energy Laboratory
schuler
Ian Schuler

CEO

Development Seed
James Maloney
James Maloney

Founder and Managing Partner

Tiger Hill Partners
Rikawebsite-removebg-preview
Rika Nakazawa

Technologist, Best-selling Author

Conference Rapporteur
Istvan
Istvan Ujhelyi MEP

Vice Chair of Transport Committee and Member of Environment Committee

European Parliament
UB Web copy Headshot
Ubaldo Ciminieri

Chief of Staff

CisLunar Industries
shiva-goel
Shiva Goel

Legal Advisor, Wireless, Space & International

Federal Communications Commission

Agenda

Moderator: Sasha Mackler, Executive Director, Energy Program, Bipartisan Policy Center (confirmed)

9:05am – 9:15am: Dr Arati Prabhakar, Director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

9:15am – 9:25am:  Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Member of The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works; and co-Chair of The Senate Climate Change Task Force, U.S. Senate

9:25am – 9:35am: Geoffrey Starks, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission

Advancements in connectivity are unlocking huge opportunities to decarbonize industries while creating jobs and growing the economy. According to a recent Accenture study, commissioned by CTIA, 5G-enabled use cases alone are projected to make up a 20% contribution toward the country’s carbon emission reduction targets by 2025. Equally, fiber and Wi-Fi technologies are all essential in supporting climate action. This session will explore different use cases that are supporting a more sustainable society. Participants will learn how policymakers are working with industry to ensure both spectral and energy efficiency, and how the promise of 6G technology can further realize the country’s climate goals.

  • What are the benefits of 5G technology and how is 5G supporting climate action?
  • How are policymakers and the wireless industry working together to meet the country’s climate objectives?
  • How are stakeholders ensuring that 5G deployment is conducted in an environmentally responsible manner?

 

Speakers:

  • Deidre Smith, Independent Tech and Sustainability Advisor (Moderator)
  • Shiva Goel, Legal Advisor, Wireless, Space & International, Federal Communications Commission 
  • Chandra Farley, Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Atlanta
  • Bhushan Joshi, Head of Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility, Ericsson
  •  

If Artificial Intelligence is deployed effectively and harnessed responsibly, it can support climate action and propel the United States towards a greener, more resilient and sustainable future. This session will examine the pivotal role of AI in accelerating climate action, taking a deep dive into some of its key applications. Participants will also consider how policymakers are enabling an environment for the development and deployment of AI technologies that directly contribute to climate action efforts.

  • To what extent can AI support the U.S. meet its climate goals?
  • What applications can best contribute to federal, state and city climate objectives?
  • How are federal and local policymakers working with industry and civil society to ensure a harmonized approach to AI-related policies? What impact will this approach have on climate goals?
  • How are policymakers and companies helping to reduce the AI skills gap and ensuring nobody gets left behind?

Speakers:

  • Tom Romanoff, Director of the Technology Project, Bipartisan Policy Center (Moderator)
  • Justina Gallegos, Deputy Director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
  • U.S. Congresswomen Lori Trahan, Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee; and Member of Artificial Intelligence Caucus, U.S. Congress
  • Rodrigo Fernandes, Director, Empowering Sustainable Development Goals, Bentley Systems
  • James Maloney, Founder & Managing Partner, Tiger Hill Partners

Space-based technologies, including satellites, hold enormous potential in supporting climate action efforts in several key ways, including monitoring and research, carbon emissions tracking, air quality monitoring, urban planning and international cooperation. This session will bring together policymakers and industry players form the United States and beyond to explore the potential of space and earth observation technologies for climate action. Participants will discuss the policy challenges that need to be addressed in order to fully realize the potential of this technology, including environmental impact assessments, resource allocation and funding, liability and accountability, as well as international collaboration and exchange of data.

  • What space-based technologies and applications are supporting a greener future?
  • What U.S. space programs support the country’s wider climate goals?
  • How can space technologies support the decarbonization of industries?
  • What needs to be done to ensure the U.S. space sector thrives in this new age?

 

Speakers:

  • Rika Nakazawa, Technologist, Best-selling Author and Conference Rapporteur (Moderator)
  • Dr Whitney Lohmeyer, Chief Technologist, Space Bureau, Federal Communications Commission
  • Dr Kate Calvin, Chief Scientist and Senior Climate Advisor, NASA
  • Dr Michael Morgan, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, NOAA
  • Ian Schuler, CEO, Development Seed
  • Ubaldo Ciminieri, Chief of Staff, CisLunar Industries

U.S. Representative Buddy Carter (R-GA), Chair of the House Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing and Critical Materials; and Vice Chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus, U.S. House of Representatives 

Istvan Ujhelyi, Vice Chair of Transport Committee and Member of Environment Committee, Member of The European Parliament

The transportation sector is responsible for more emissions than any other sector of the economy, and taking climate action requires a comprehensive and coordinated effort between policymakers and industry. This session aims to explore innovative strategies, policies and technologies that are driving a clean, resilient and sustainable transportation industry.

  • What efforts have been made by the U.S. Department of Transportation and other federal and local policymakers to transform the transportation sector?
  • What policy frameworks and initiatives are in place at federal and state level to help support industry and consumers?
  • Which companies are taking actionable steps to support a sustainable transportation industry?
  • How is electrification helping to transform the transportation sector?
  • How are advanced technologies, including automation, helping to optimize transportation systems for efficiency and sustainability?
  • To what extent can alternative fuels support a clean and more sustainable transportation sector?

Speakers:

  • Dr Kelly Fleming, Director, Institute for Transportation Decarbonization (Moderator)
  • Dr Gretchen Goldman, Director, Climate Change Research and Technology, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation
  • Tim Sexton, Assistant Commissioner, Sustainability, Planning, and Program Management, Minnesota Department of Transportation
  • Isabelle Thomas, Policy Advisor for Living Streets and Public Spaces, City of New York
  • Colin Tetreault, Senior Manager, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, EY

The U.S. has historically been heavily reliant on fossil fuels for energy but remains committed to the clean energy transition. However, revolutionizing our energy production and systems is complex and poses several challenges, including aging infrastructure, energy storage solutions, investment and financing, and grid resilience and security. This session will explore how policymakers and industry are working together to overcome the various challenges and to ensure all stakeholders benefit.   

  • What emerging technologies are shaping the energy landscape?
  • How are renewable technologies supporting the U.S. climate goals?
  • What are the main challenges of the energy transition and how are policymakers and industry working together to overcome them?
  • What are some examples of energy projects that have implemented sustainable practices? What economic, environmental, and social benefits have been achieved?
  • What role can policymakers play in driving sustainable energy production?
  • What role can microgrids play in reshaping the landscape of power generation and distribution?
  • What benefits does collaboration between governments, industries and communities have on the sustainable energy future?

 

Opening Keynote Speech

  • U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chairman, Senate Democrats’ Special Committee on the Climate Crisis; and Deputy Democratic Conference Secretary, U.S. Senate
  •  

Speakers:                    

  • Steve Capanna, Director of Technology Policy, U.S. Department of Energy (Moderator)

  • Maren Mahoney, Director, Arizona Governor’s Office of Resiliency

  • John Lochner, Vice President – Innovation, New York State Energy Research & Development Agency (NYSERDA)
  • Dr Peter Green, Deputy Director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
  • Sarah Adair, Managing Director of Public Policy, Duke Energy

  • Michael Purdie, Director, Regulatory Affairs and Markets, National Hydropower Association

If you’d like to discuss speaking opportunities please contact:

tom.chinnock@techforclimateaction.com

Event Venue

National Press Club

Washington D.C., U.S.A

Contact

For more information on any aspect of this event, please contact Tom Chinnock using any of the details below:

tom.chinnock@techforclimateaction.com

Tel: +44 (0) 7785 795 015

2023 U.S. Tech for Climate Action Review

Nearly 200 attendees from Government, Industry, Academia, Venture Finance Representatives and Media gathered to discuss how technology and innovation can play a positive role in the fight against climate change.

This conference supports the Sustainable Development Goals

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