October 4th | 9am – 4pm | Proximity Hotel, Greensboro
Presented By:
In partnership with
Accelerating the Adoption of Climate Solutions
The Summit brings together businesses, local governments, nonprofits, and community members for thought provoking presentations and energizing conversations to accelerate large-scale implementation of known climate solutions. Be inspired to act by climate success stories, check out the climate-friendly marketplace, and bring your perspective to in-depth conversations on developing collaborative strategies.
It is going to take all of us to reach carbon neutrality. Businesses of all sizes must make swift reductions in carbon emissions. Governments must enact policies that make climate solutions accessible and affordable. Individuals must make climate conscious decisions. Solutions to carbon reduction are known, the Summit will be the place to proliferate these solutions for large scale adoption.
Agenda
| 9:00 – 10:00am | Registration, Coffee, Breakfast |
| 10:00 – 10:15am | Welcome: Proximity Representative Marikay Abuzuaiter, Greensboro City Council |
| 10:15 – 11:00am | Panel – Corporate and Community Climate Success Stories: CT Anderson, Springclean George Santucci, Town of Boone Ashley Gladney, Spectrum Center Jose Saucedo, NC League of Conservation Voters |
| 11:15 – 11:30am | Transforming Transportation: Hannah Cockburn, City of Greensboro |
| 11:30am – 12pm | Networking |
| 12:00 – 1:15pm | Lunch and Keynote Address: Chris Chung, Economic Development Partnership of NC |
| 1:30 – 2:10pm | Breakout Session Part One: Accelerating Corporate and Local Government Adoption of Solutions (see topics below) |
| 2:10 – 2:20pm | Break |
| 2:20 – 3:00pm | Breakout Session Part Two: Accelerating Corporate and Local Government Adoption of Solutions (see topics below) |
| 3:15 – 3:45pm | Awards and Recognitions |
| 3:45 – 4pm | Closing Remarks |
Keynote Speaker
Christopher Chung
Economic Development Partnership of NC
Chief Executive Officer
Behind the Scenes: Cultivating North Carolina’s Burgeoning Clean Energy Economy
North Carolina leads the country in taking bold steps to address climate
change and rising energy costs. This progress has successfully positioned the state and the Economic Development Partnership of NC to recruit businesses that factor clean energy, carbon reduction goals, and a commitment to sustainability into their corporate location decisions.
In 2015, Christopher Chung joined the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) as Chief Executive Officer and brings more than 26 years of state-level economic development experience to the role.
As a public-private partnership, the EDPNC is responsible for a number of economic development functions on behalf of the State of North Carolina, including new business recruitment, existing business support, international trade and export assistance, small business start-up counseling, and tourism, sports, and film promotion. With a staff of 70 professionals and an annual operating budget of more than $25 million, the EDPNC is focused on improving the economic well-being and quality of life for North Carolina’s more than 10 million residents.
Breakout Session Topics
Breakout Sessions are held on three topics where presenters and participants will discuss opportunities to accelerate the use of climate solutions on a larger scale. In session 1, participants will hear from presenters on current programs and solutions underway. In session 2, the discussion will focus on how to increase adoption of these solutions.
Topic One
Solar and Energy Efficiency Proliferation for Business and Communities
Presenters:
Matt Abele, NC Sustainable Energy Association
Melissa Malkin-Weber, NC Clean Energy Fund
Don Moreland, Solar Crowdsource
Announced on April 22nd, $156 million in federal funding has come into NC to rapidly deploy solar to households across the state through the Solar for All program. On July 8th, the Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure Bill was signed into law, giving businesses access to new financing options for renewable energy and other energy efficiency improvements. As Federal funds flow into the state and bills are passed, benefits to homeowners, job seekers, and a competitive business environment are on the rise.
In this panel, you’ll hear from those on the front lines of these and other emerging strategies for clean energy and efficiency proliferation, and discuss the challenges and opportunities at the community level to meeting energy related climate goals.
Topic Two
Business Drivers for Prioritizing Climate Action in NC
Presenters:
Jerry Williams, SAS Institute
Matt Kuntz, Fuji Film
Jerry Brown, Siemens Smart Infrastructure
Businesses are facing mounting pressures to set ambitious emission reduction targets and demonstrate meaningful actions to address climate change, not just as a moral imperative but as a strategic necessity.
This panel will explore key reasons why prioritizing climate action is critical for North Carolina businesses to remain competitive and drive economic growth in our state. It will also talk to actions needed locally that will help them thrive, compete globally and motivate other companies to relocate to NC.
Venue Sponsor
