By Martha Cecilia Ovadia, Senior Program Associate, Equity & Communications
The Global Climate Action Summit will bring leaders and people together from around the world to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of states, regions, cities, companies, investors and citizens with respect to climate action. It will also be a launchpad for deeper worldwide commitments and accelerated action from countries—supported by all sectors of society—that can put the globe on track to prevent dangerous climate change and realize the historic Paris Agreement.
The summit takes place in San Francisco Sept. 12-14, with hundreds of hundreds of affiliate events taking place in the San Francisco Bay Area and throughout the world during the week of September 10-14th, including climate action panels, workshops, tours, exhibits and other special events.
Can’t attend in person? From Sept. 12-14, you can virtually attend the summit by streaming it live on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
Below are select events taking place at or in affiliation with the GCAS, as well as a webinar sponsored by CEFG and EGA on Aug. 22 with information for funders on the summit as well as other major climate-focused events next month. For a complete look at GCAS events, click here.
Webinar: Sponsored by CEFG and EGA
From the Global Climate Action Summit to Climate Week NYC and EVs In Between: What Funders Need to Know | Aug. 22, Noon PT / 3 p.m. ET
This September brings an explosion of climate activities and events, starting September 8 and ending September 30, including the Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS), Climate Week NYC, the Climate March, Solidarity to Solutions Week, and the EV Road Trip. All of these events aim to highlight and build on the response from a wide array of entities–cities, states, businesses, grassroots communities, and many other organizations–to the U.S. federal government’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Leaders within all these sectors have declared We’re Still In and plan to meet the Paris Agreement goals and in many cases, go beyond. This webinar will offer an overview of the September activities and events–how they complement each other and reinforce the message that there is strong support for climate action and progress on clean energy. We will also discuss the role of philanthropy in each, both as a supporter and a participant.
GCAS Events
From Puerto Rico to Hawaii: How U.S. Island Jurisdictions are Confronting Climate Change | Sept. 11, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. PT
By invitation only. Email mdl@nyct-cfi.org for details.
Whether it is Long Island, Maui, Vieques, or Coronado Island, U.S. island jurisdictions are already bearing the brunt of the chaotic climate our nation has been experiencing in recent years. Often disaster recovery, climate resilience, and clean energy policies and programs designed for the mainland fall short when applied to islands. During this invitation-only mini-retreat, the community foundations from Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New York, San Diego, New Orleans, Miami, and San Francisco will bring together stakeholders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to explore how the nation’s island communities have already been responding to climate change, and discuss how best to approach present challenges and future opportunities. Event organizers include several TFN members, including the Greater New Orleans Foundation, San Francisco Foundation, New York Community Trust and Enterprise Community Partners.
People’s Orientation to the Global Climate Action Summit | Sept. 11, 9 a.m. to 11a.m. PT; Sept. 12, 11a.m. to 4pm
Leaders of philanthropy will meet social movement leaders from across California, the U.S. and around the world, and discuss events and activities taking place both inside and outside the Summit.
This orientation is intended for a philanthropic audience and will be led by representatives of grassroots movements rooted in Indigenous communities, communities of color, and other low income communities on the front lines of the climate crisis. In addition to an examination of events and activities around the Summit, the People’s Orientation will host curated discussions and workshops to look at key political organizing strategies, Just Transition plans, healthy energy systems, equitable economies, and transformative climate investments.
Organizers include: Alison Corwin of Surdna Foundation, Farhad Ebrahimi of the Chorus Foundation, Kathryn Gilje of the Ceres Trust, Samantha Harvey of EDGE Funders Alliance, Regan Pritzker of Libra Foundation, Erin Rogers of Hewlett Foundation.
Getting to Carbon Neutrality: “Game Changers & No Brainers” Report Launch & Workshop | Sept. 12, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PT
Kimpton Sir Francis Drake Hotel, 450 Powell Street
The Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance (CNCA) – a global collaboration of cities cutting emissions by 80% or more by 2050 or sooner – will release its “Game Changers & No Brainers” report, which highlights the key policies and practices that CNCA cities have found to be transformational in addressing their most pressing GHG emission challenges.
An opening keynote panel will feature mayors from leading cities already undertaking these game changers. This will be followed by “how-to” sessions, led by city sustainability directors, on implementing game changers under different regulatory contexts, the challenges faced, and the potential strategies for overcoming them.
A casual lunch will be served from 12:30-1:00.
The CNCA Game Changers & No Brainers event is an official affiliate event of the Global Climate Action Summit.
The Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance is a project of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network, and is sponsored by The Kresge Foundation, Barr Foundation, Summit Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, McKnight Foundation and Bullitt Foundation.
Space is limited. Priority given to city governments.
Email michaelshank@carbonneutralcities.org for more information.
Climate Action on the Shoulders of Science and Industry: A San Diego Story | Sept.13, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m PT
Perkins Coie LLP, 505 Howard Street, #1000
It is a proven fact in San Diego, California, and beyond that we no longer live in a time when economic growth has to come at the expense of the environment. The technologies already exist that will transform our energy future, and the market is already showing that today’s consumers and citizens are on board.
Today more than ever, regional cities, universities, and local institutions are carrying the torch in the fight against climate change, and in many ways the San Diego region is taking the lead. We are fortunate to be part of a community in San Diego that values innovation, sustainability, and collaboration.
Driven by this forward-thinking spirit, our stakeholders in technology companies, government, academia, nonprofits, and the military are committed to shaping a positive clean energy future for San Diego and the world that will carry us into the next decade and beyond.
This regionally-focused affiliate event will showcase San Diego’s clean energy and climate action leadership, recognizing the immense power it has to both strengthen the economy and preserve the planet as a safe home where our children and grandchildren can also prosper and thrive.
Water Pavilion | Sept 14, All Day
Join leaders from governments, business, civil society, academia, and communities around the world for the Water Pavilion, a two-day affiliated event focused on water’s role in reaching climate goals and building resilience to impacts.
Our climate is changing, and water delivers some of the most devastating consequences and promising solutions. Droughts, floods, and extreme weather threaten people’s homes, safety, and livelihoods. Balancing water systems locally and globally is essential to meet basic human needs and protect our food supply. Water is integrally linked to our goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as our use of water can either consume or produce energy. Well-functioning watersheds and basins are necessary to support healthy forests, floodplains, wetlands, and other carbon sinks needed to meet our climate goals.
The Water Pavilion will include inspirational speakers, high-level panel discussions, and interactive workshops to articulate the water-climate connection and inspire participants to make ambitious commitments. Activities are organized around five themes:
- Science to Action – A reflection on what we know and how science should inform action
- Laws and Governance – Elevating governance structures that support and achieve water-climate resilience
- Financing Solutions – Exploring creative financing approaches for water innovations and infrastructure globally
- Communities on the Front Lines of Climate Change – Communities coming together to share what they’ve learned and identify pathways to resilience
- Water-Climate Commitments – Participants making public commitments to increase the pace and scale of water-climate resilient actions
The Water Pavilion is hosted by the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and sponsored by the Water Foundation, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, and other foundations and NGOs. Water Pavilion will take place at Autodesk, 1 Market St, Suite 200 on September 13 and at the Exploratorium, Pier 15, the Embarcadero both on the Bay waterfront in San Francisco on September 14.
About the Author
Martha Cecilia Ovadia is TFN’s senior program associate for equity and communications. Contact her at marci@www.fundersnetwork.org.