Program Highlights

THIS PAGE FEATURES JUST A SAMPLING OF THE MORE THAN 200 SESSIONS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE AT VERGE 22.

Welcome from San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo

Keynote

Hall 1

For the past seven years, Mayor Liccardo has been a leading voice among big-city mayors on climate-resilient cities, promoting clean energy use, sustainable mobility, transit-oriented development and other aspects of a climate-forward city. As the leader of America’s 10th largest city, and given its location in the heart of Silicon Valley, Mayor Liccardo represents the ideal leader to welcome the VERGE community to San Jose.

Christiana Figueres on Transformation, from the Personal to the Planetary

Keynote

Hall 1

This inspiring conversation will delve into the spiritual dimensions of climate leadership in this decisive decade, including the deep collaboration that’s needed to raise our collective ambition and action. Christiana Figueres, who led the historic COP21 conference and Paris Agreement, and veteran journalist, coach and Zen mindfulness practitioner Jo Confino, will discuss the critical importance of inner sustainability as we work to actualize it in the external world.

How A New Currency Could Help Solve the Climate Crisis

Keynote

Hall 1

In a book that's teeming with worldchanging ideas, one of the most radical storylines in Kim Stanley Robinson’s sci-fi novel “Ministry for the Future” revolves around the "carbon coin": a new currency, backed by the world's central banks, earned by removing or avoiding emissions.

Carbon coin is more than one writer’s speculation. Developed by Australian researcher Delton Chen, who fleshed out the idea in academic papers, the concept is quietly gaining support. Join Chen and Robinson as they discuss “Ministry,” the game-changing potential of a carbon coin and plans to test the currency in the real world.

Catalyzing a New Generation of Climate Tech Entrepreneurs in Asia

Keynote

Hall 1

More than 80 percent of future greenhouse gas emissions will come from outside the United States and the European Union. It’s not just about China, but also the rest of Asia. Meet a new generation of climate tech entrepreneurs working to change that, from building the world’s largest solar farm to training tens of thousands of women solar entrepreneurs.

Anatomy of a Healthy Building: Trends to Follow

Panel

210 C

What makes a building healthy, and how do we measure its benefits? Americans spend over 90 percent of their time indoors on average, and as the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated, the built environment has major effects on our physical and mental health. Moreover, healthy buildings can provide major financial benefits to owners.

Attendees will discuss the importance of Indoor Air Quality for the well-being and productivity of building occupants, and how this can be continuously monitored and improved to help deliver a healthier environment. Explore how simple design tweaks can drastically improve the health and performance of building occupants.

The Future of Advanced Construction: Lightning Rounds

Lightning Talks

210D

Building construction has historically been a slow and dirty process. What innovations will allow us to leapfrog the entrenched processes and technologies we currently use to construct buildings? Speakers in this session will showcase promising new construction materials and processes that offer novel ways to reduce waste, embodied carbon emissions and construction timelines.

Attendees will leave with an understanding of the applications, strengths and weaknesses of different building materials. Practitioners will leave better equipped to see around corners when communicating the value of these materials to decision-makers in their organizations.

The Magic of Digital Twins

Panel

210D

The ability to create a multidimensional digital model of a building and its components is revolutionizing how buildings are operated, breathing life into analog design. Along the way, these models are unlocking new levels of operational efficiency, including energy use and occupant well-being, making buildings more adaptive, resilient and comfortable. While the benefits of digital twins are undeniable, they are uncommon in the built environment.

This session will explore the how and why of digital twins, opportunities to apply them in the context of your own buildings.

Speakers will showcase demos of real-world digital twins, and share the story of how they came to fruition and what impacts they are currently having.

Reports to Results: ESG for Commercial Real Estate

Panel

210C

Driven by regulatory and stakeholder pressures, the commercial real estate sector is increasingly devoting resources to ESG reporting. Unfortunately, making sense of the jargon, myriad reporting frameworks, and hype surrounding the topic can make it challenging for practitioners to understand how to make sense of ESG and go beyond “checking the box.”

This session will help real estate professionals manage all of the steps of ESG reporting including collection, managing implementation, and reporting of data. Gain a deeper understanding of each component of “ESG,” as well as how regulations are impacting the real estate investment market. Attendees will gain a better understanding of how their current sustainability efforts fit into ESG reporting and where they may need to turn their attention next.

How to Buy High Quality Carbon Removal Credits

Tutorial

211 C-D

Do you have a budget for carbon removal? We have experts on hand to help you figure out how to spend it.

There are good reasons why carbon removal credits are a small but fast-growing component of carbon markets. For one thing, the IPCC has said that we can’t limit global warming to 1.5C without scaling removal technologies. Some removal projects also offer a higher likelihood of climate impact than other carbon credits.

Yet the nascent market for removals can be difficult for even experts to navigate. In this interactive tutorial, the team from CarbonPlan will walk you through the science behind carbon removal, the types of credits available today and the questions you need to ask to ensure that your spending delivers maximum climate benefits.

The State of Carbon Removal

Case Study

211C-D

The past year brought an avalanche of announcements in carbon removal, including billions of dollars of new federal funding, major investments by some of the world’s biggest companies and the emergence of a slew of exciting new startups. To help make sense of this game-changing 12 months, we’ve asked some of the field’s leading experts to create the essential guide to exactly what happened and why it matters. And when that whirlwind tour is over, it’ll be up to you to pose your questions directly to our experts.

How the First Movers Coalition Raises the Bar for Corporate Action on Next-Gen Climate Tech

Case Study

211A-B

Get the inside scoop on how some of the world’s largest companies are tackling hard-to-abate emissions.

Announced just under a year ago, the First Movers Coalition is an ambitious cross-sector effort to bring down emissions from seven sectors where decarbonization is particularly challenging: aluminum, aviation, chemicals, concrete, shipping, steel and trucking. In parallel, coalition members are also investing hundreds of millions in emerging carbon removal technologies.

Come learn about the range of commitments made by coalition members, including pledges to use low-carbon fuels in shipping networks, purchases of specific quantities of near-zero emissions steel and contracts for tens of thousands of tons of carbon removals.

Using Incentives, Technology and a Little Coercion to Help Suppliers Decarbonize

Case Study

211C-D

Scope 3 emissions often make up the largest single component of an organization’s carbon footprint — and are just as often the most difficult to reduce.

For many companies, emissions associated with raw materials, transport, product use and other Scope 3 categories are the most daunting obstacle on the journey to net zero. But innovative solutions are emerging as companies experiment with new ways of working with value-chain partners. You’ll hear from leaders who have created incentive programs for suppliers, technology solutions for managing the complexity of supply networks and legal agreements that require suppliers to cut emissions.

What the New SEC Disclosure Rules Mean for Your Company

Panel

211C-D

The Securities and Exchange Commission is about to mandate disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions. Are you ready?

Experts agree that the SEC’s plan is a critical component of climate strategy, but the consensus is less clear on exactly how the process should work. Which companies have to disclose, for example? Should all categories of Scope 3 emissions be included, from the production of raw materials right through to product use? And who, if anybody, should audit these disclosures?

As the SEC consultation moves toward a conclusion, experts who have been tracking the process will share their thinking on the likely shape of the final rule and the implications for your company.

VERGE Accelerate: Energy Pitch Competition

Panel

210H

VERGE Accelerate is a series of fast-pitch competitions featuring leading climate tech startups. Today’s session highlights five entrepreneurs building cutting-edge solutions for energy, followed by industry expert reactions to each pitch. Help determine the winner by casting your vote live at the event! The winner will pitch in the main stage finals on Thursday, October 27.

What the New SEC Disclosure Rules Mean for Your Company

Panel

211C-D

The Securities and Exchange Commission is about to mandate disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions. Are you ready?

Experts agree that the SEC’s plan is a critical component of climate strategy, but the consensus is less clear on exactly how the process should work. Which companies have to disclose, for example? Should all categories of Scope 3 emissions be included, from the production of raw materials right through to product use? And who, if anybody, should audit these disclosures?

As the SEC consultation moves toward a conclusion, experts who have been tracking the process will share their thinking on the likely shape of the final rule and the implications for your company.

What Do Farmers Want? Strategies to Unlock Enrollment in Regenerative Programs

Panel

210B

The pilots have been done, the evidence collected, the white papers written. Now it’s time to engage farmers at scale.

There are as many types of farmers and ranchers as there are people, so there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy for convincing farmers to participate in carbon markets and other regenerative agriculture programs. Still, regenerative trailblazers have learned valuable lessons while implementing pilot programs and conducting research. What outcomes should you highlight in your communications? Who is best positioned to conduct outreach? And how do you turn initial interest into actual program enrollment? Our experts will answer these questions and more, helping you kick-start your farmer engagement efforts.

Happening Now: Science-based Targets for Food, Ag and Forestry

Workshop

210A

What you need to know about setting an emissions reduction goal, using SBTi’s new sector guidance.

The Science Based Targets initiative has now defined how quickly and by how much food, agriculture and forestry companies need to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to meet the Paris Agreement’s climate goals. It’s time for companies to get up to speed. This tutorial will help businesses without preexisting targets get started and advise those with targets on how and when to update existing ones. It will explore key issues including accounting for Scope 3 emissions, meeting zero deforestation requirements and using carbon removals.

How the World’s Largest Soy Companies Can Stop Deforestation in Brazil

Panel

210B

Halting deforestation and other illegal land-use changes is imperative for a livable future on this planet. To turn the tide in high-risk areas, agriculture companies must work individually as well as collectively with peers, producers, governments and other sectors.

In Brazil, challenges to sustaining vital natural ecosystems have extended beyond the boundaries of the canopied Amazon rainforest. Brazil’s Cerrado, a vast tropical savannah, has become one of the country’s most watched regions. Over the past decade, global demand for soy, beef, leather and mined metals has skyrocketed increasing pressure on nature and traditional and indigenous land stewards.

The commodity processors handling soy supply chains have long worked to change business practices and promised to incentivize suppliers to follow suit. In the Cerrado, soy buyers have increased traceability and reduced deforestation within their supply chains, but recognize that more needs to be done for the sake of people and the planet. Where must these companies collaborate pre-competitively on improved agricultural practices, technology solutions and financial investments? What additional strategies are needed to accelerate progress?

Repurpose and Recycle: Building the Right Infrastructure for Food Waste

Panel

210B

How can you identify, fund and build systems to deal with your waste — all without undermining food waste reduction efforts?

Despite food waste reduction efforts across the value chain, food and agricultural waste remains abundant and causes significant methane emissions in landfills. In response, a suite of strategies to repurpose and divert waste is emerging, from upcycling and composting to anaerobic digestion. How can you engage at local, regional and national levels to scale the infrastructure needed for your waste stream? What measures should companies take to respect the needs and rights of marginalized communities when planning and operating recycling plants? And how can we ensure that diversion investments won’t stand in the way of ultimately getting rid of waste?

Greener by Default: How to Halve Your Kitchen’s Scope 3 Emissions

Case Study

210A

New research shows that nudging diners to eat climate-friendly food is easier than you think.

Can something as simple as shifting the default option from meat-heavy to plant-rich meals really influence consumer choice? Isn’t that too good to be true? Let LinkedIn and Greener by Default — the non-profit behind the new menu concept — convince you otherwise. They will share best practices and lessons from recent pilots, including how to garner buy-in from stakeholders, implement strategies inclusively and measure success. Learn why this shift presents a potent opportunity to decrease Scope 3 emissions in food service while preserving freedom of choice, improving the inclusivity of food offerings and increasing diner satisfaction.

In Conversation With California CARB Chair and Industry Leaders on the State of the EV Industry

Panel

212 A-B

Supply chain troubles, massive EV enthusiasm and ensuring an equitable transition are just some of the topics industry leaders are grappling with today.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is famously known for leading the transportation industry forward as many U.S. states and countries around the world look to its regulatory decision-making as guidance. Some notable accomplishments include the Advanced Clean Trucks rule and Advanced Clean Cars II requiring 100 percent zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035. Join this session with CARB Chair Liane M. Randolph and leaders in the charging and automotive space as they discuss the state of the transport industry today and how to grow zero emission transport equitably.

Electrifying Charging Solutions and the Need for Innovation

Lightning Talks

212 A-B

If we are to achieve a fully decarbonized transport future, then we cannot leave anyone behind. How can technology help?

Headlines about access to public EV charging stations continue to emerge each day. However, new and emerging companies are striving to fix this accessibility problem for good. Discover and learn about innovative charging solutions and innovations that could help bring charging access to all.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Net Zero by 2050: Can the Airline Industry Move Faster?

Panel

212A-B

How fast can the aviation industry really go towards decarbonizing operations?

In 2019, the year before the coronavirus pandemic, the global airline industry consumed 96 billion gallons of fuel. As pressure mounts on airlines to cut the roughly billion tons of carbon dioxide this fuel emitted when burned, the industry is developing electric aircrafts and investing in sustainable aviation fuel. Can this work help airlines reach net zero by 2050 or before? And what are the major airlines doing to reach this goal?

(Request for Invitation - FULL) Improving the EV Charging Experience: A Workshop With Industry Stakeholders

Workshop

212C-D

What is needed and how do we improve the U.S. public charging experience to ensure all drivers and fleets have access to reliable and user-friendly EV charging infrastructure?

The EV industry is moving beyond early adopters, with more drivers and fleets going electric. But inconsistent and unreliable charging encounters can negatively impact the user experience, adding to the barriers of broader EV adoption. This is one reason the Biden-Harris Administration has proposed standards designed to build a national network of reliable, user-friendly and accessible EV chargers. How are automotive makers, government agencies, charging providers and other industry players working together to address major barriers? What is realistic for the industry to achieve? And what innovative solutions can we collectively work on to address common challenges? As part of this workshop, held in partnership with the ICF Climate Center – a center drawing from ICF's world leading science-based climate consultancy practice with years of EV expertise – you’ll have the opportunity to apply your industry experience and collaborate with other leaders to understand the current landscape and identify solutions to ultimately improve EV charging for the long term.

Space is limited to 50 people. Please note that the workshop is now full. View more information here.

Workshop group leaders:

1. Austin Clark, FLO

2. Francesca Wahl, Tesla

3. Jigar Shah, Electrify America

4. Adam Langton, BMW

5. Kevin Miller, ChargePoint

6. Craig Miller, Xcel Energy

7. Kelsey Johnson, Rivian

8. Michael Nicholas, California Energy Commission

Beyond VC: Alternate Funding Sources for Startups

Panel

210G

Venture capital is no longer the only path to fund your startup. Lessons learned during Cleantech 1.0 investing are being applied to climate tech financing. New models and money are flowing into the space every day. This time around, funders are incorporating founder friendly structures, patient capital and dollars that match actual solution needs. This session will cover the myriad sources of capital emerging for climate tech startups. We'll discuss revenue-based financing, project finance, grants and other methods to fund your business.

Diversity Is More Than a Checkbox

Panel

210 G

A 2019 McKinsey report details a direct correlation between better financial performance, and gender, ethnic and cultural diversity. Creating an authentic diversity, equity and inclusion hiring practice is just the start. Hear from experts on how they integrated diversity recruiting and culture into every part of their company. They will dive into how every organization can use these strategies from even the earliest stages of development.

Investor - Startup Interactive

Workshop

210 G

Are you an entrepreneur currently fundraising or about to raise a round? This interactive session gives you the opportunity to speak directly with investors about what they look for when deciding to invest in a startup. Learn about top climate funding priorities and how you can set up your company for the next round of investment. Join this session to build new relationships and gain insights about how to approach, navigate and successfully land your next investor.

Setting up for an Exit

Panel

210G

Does your startup have its sights set on an exit through an acquisition or IPO? After all, corporate venture capital investments rise, with Axios reporting M&A volume up 25% in the first half of 2022 for renewables and storage. Or, perhaps your team is planning for an IPO in the future. There are so many options for an exit, it can be difficult to decide the right path for your company. Regardless of the stage of your venture, planning for the future will help guide your strategy today. Hear from financial experts and companies who have lived through a startup exit to ensure your business is set up for success.

From Pilot to Gigaton: A Holistic Approach to Scaling Carbon Removal Projects

Panel

210H

What are the key factors organizations should consider when pursuing carbon sequestration projects at large-scale levels of production? When trying to solve for climate change through carbon sequestration, long term durability matters. Yet buying carbon credits often requires examination beyond the transactional relationship, and includes caring for the entire value chain across people, animals and ecosystems. Learn about the community co-benefits that create resilience when integrating nature-based carbon solutions, particularly in emerging markets. For startups, this is a case study in the people, power, and pivots required to remove carbon at scale. For corporations, this will provide a holistic view of how to evaluate carbon removal projects to reach the ambitious task of removing several gigatons per year to reach our climate goals.