- 12:15pm: Registration Opens
- 12:45pm to 1pm: Introductions
- 1pm to 1:45pm: Keynote Address – Gregory H. Kats – Good Energies
- 2pm to 3:30pm: The Energy Revolution: Innovations for a Sustainable Planet, see details below
- 3:45pm to 5:15pm: Business’ Response to Climate Change, see details below
- 5:15pm to 6:00pm: Networking Reception Sponsored by the Sustainability Institute
The Energy Revolution: Innovations for a Sustainable Planet
A green economy will provide countless opportunities for entrepreneurs to come up with fascinating and innovative ways to address climate change and create opportunities from its challenges. Panelists will speak directly about their visions for their companies as well as their major challenges to growth.
Topics for discussion:
- What innovative business ideas have emerged in response to climate change?
- What are the markets that are seen as growth areas over the next 5 to 10 years? What market conditions need to be in place to speed up growth in these markets?
- What are the major policy reforms needed to realize optimal expansion in growing markets?
- What types of businesses are attracting the attention of investors?
- What government incentives have/will allow greentech businesses to grow?
- What are successful business models for businesses in this space?
Panelists:
- Timothy Richards, Managing Director International Energy Policy – GE Energy
- Alex Laskey, President – OPOWER
- Josh Green, CEO – Verdeo Group
- Claire Tomkins, Director of Research – Carbon War Room
Business’ Response to Climate Change
All industries will be affected by global warming. Panelists will speak to ways in which their businesses, or the businesses of their client’s, have both launched initiatives that reduce environmental impact as well as new business lines created from growing cleantech, efficiency or environmental markets.
Topics for discussion:
- What have industries done to respond to climate change?
- What impact would a carbon price have on your core business?
- How does a business decide to go green?
- How do businesses develop ideas to “green” their business?
- How are these ideas implemented?
- New technologies being introduced to replace less efficient ones and their economic implications.
- What new markets have businesses entered as a result of climate change pressures (cleantech, efficiency, etc.)
Panelists:
- Matt Ferguson, Principal – Reznick Group, P.C.
- Melissa Adams, Division Head for Sustainability and Business Development – Washington Gas
- Jeff Erikson, Senior Vice President – SustainAbility
- Bjorn Frogner, Managing Director – US China Green Energy Council
- Colin Dunn – Cadmus Group
