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Spotlight sessions at the US Climate Action Summit

The spotlight sessions will feature some of the foremost climate experts in the US from the policy, government, and non-profit world. In bringing these leaders together, we want to facilitate a conversation where real change, accountability and progress is possible. We'll give our panelists the chance to speak directly to the audience and engage with each other as we dive into the big topics.

US Climate Action is live today from 11:00am - 5:30pm ET.

Sign up to watch our sessions filled with insights from our expert panellists. 

From ‘Green’ to ‘The’: The next great economic transition

11:00am - 12:00pm

The US stands at an economic crossroads. With the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, over $369 billion of financing for climate initiatives is now available to transform climate action and infrastructure and create thousands of green jobs in the US. What we do next to maximize and capitalize these historic investments is critical. How do we help the green economy become “the” economy?

In the opening session of the US Climate Action Summit, we’ll ask what needs to happen immediately, and what must we avoid to guarantee long-term success for green growth in the US.

  • Angela Barranco, Executive Director, North America, Climate Group 
  • Governor Wes Moore, State of Maryland 
  • Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., President and Chair of the Board (North America), Climate Group
  • Laura Corb, Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company; Leader, McKinsey Sustainability in North America
  • Helen Clarkson, Chief Executive Officer, Climate Group
  • David M. Turk, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy  
  • Kara Hurst, Vice President, Worldwide Sustainability, Amazon
  • Ali Zaidi, Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor, The White House

Lunch break & implementation agenda 

Innovation and Impact: Lisa Jackson on taking bold action for a greener, more equitable future 

  • Lisa Jackson, Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, Apple 
  • Helen Clarkson, Chief Executive Officer, Climate Group

Power in the people: How to center people in the green economy

1:30pm - 2:30pm

To succeed, the green economy needs to move beyond prioritizing emerging technology, new infrastructure, and lowering emissions. It must improve people’s lives, create new opportunities, and transition to a more equal and just economy. The green economic transition must have people and community at its heart. How do we equitably distribute new climate investments, technologies, and adaptation strategies in a way that uplifts people?

In our second spotlight session, we invite a wide range of stakeholders to talk about the green economy through the lens of people, access and justice.

Interview

  • Deanne Criswell, Administrator, FEMA
  • Basil Seggos, Commissioner, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Panel

  • Karen Cunningham, Managing Director, Global and US Sustainability and Climate Human Capital Lead, Deloitte Consulting
  • John M. Godfrey, Senior Vice President, Public Policy, Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
  • Jainey Bavishi, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy Administrator, NOAA
  • Ben Jealous, Executive Director, Sierra Club
  • Moderated by: Serena McIlwain, Secretary of the Environment, Maryland Department of the Environment

Interview

  • Brenda Mallory, Chair, White House Council on Environmental Quality
  • Jahi Wise, Senior Advisor to the Administrator and Acting Director for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Networking break & implementation agenda 

Breaking down barriers: Turning ideas into infrastructure

4:00pm - 5:05pm

Unlocking the full potential of our new green economy will require breaking down and replacing

the historic systems and processes that have been holding us back. This will require innovation

and revolutionizing how we do things. We need new, pioneering tools and policy levers that can maximize this opportunity. What are these new tools and what is the best way to use them to

boost the green transition?

In our third session we’re inviting leaders who are charged with making the green economy a reality. We’re asking them, what’s stopping you from turning ideas into implementation. And asking how, and who, they need to come on board to get it done.

  • Tommy Beaudreau, Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior
  • Angela Barranco, Executive Director, North America, Climate Group

Panel

  • Dr. Elizabeth Gray, Chief Executive Officer, National Audubon Society
  • Jack Thirolf, Vice President of Public Policy and Institutional Affairs, Enel North America
  • Serge Abergel, Chief Operating Officer, Hydro-Québec
  • Doreen Harris, President and Chief Executive Officer, NYSERDA
  • Jason Walsh, Executive Director, Blue Green Alliance
  • Moderated by: Christine Harada, Executive Director, Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council

Interview

  • Ambassador Eleni Kounalakis (ret.), Lieutenant Governor, State of California
  • Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., President and Chair of the Board (North America), Climate Group

What Matters Now

5:05pm - 5:30pm 

What’s the secret to making real progress on climate? We will take you through the actions we can take to make change starting tomorrow. We will bring together the lessons of experienced leaders and deal makers to explain how each of us can move the dial on climate action. In this closing session, we’ll dissect the art of making a climate deal. 

  • John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation, The White House
  • Angela Barranco, Executive Director, North America, Climate Group