Check out recordings of Reserve-TCR COP26 official UN events & Pathways to 1.5 Pavilion events

Join our team! We’re hiring for VP of Policy and Reserve Administrator.

Join us Nov 16 for a follow up mtg of the Biochar Protocol workgroup to continue discussions concerning relevant protocol criteria

The Climate Registry and Climate Action Reserve to Bring Largest U.S. Subnational Delegation Ever to COP26

LOS ANGELES, California – October 27, 2021 – The Climate Registry (TCR) and the Climate Action Reserve (Reserve) are hosting the largest bipartisan delegation of U.S. states ever at the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Glasgow, Scotland. The delegation also includes seven governors — the largest number of governors ever attending COP. States with governors or other officials attending include California, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington.

TCR and the Reserve are also hosting the Pathways to 1.5 pavilion. Over the course of COP26, government and business leaders will gather at the pavilion to discuss key issues such as:

Policies, practices and pathways that are driving results – including building healthier and more resilient communities and creating jobs — on the road to net zero;
How U.S. states are collaborating with each other and with other countries, cities and the business community to meet the carbon reduction targets laid out in the Paris Agreement; and,
Increasing climate ambition at the national and subnational levels.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to effectively mitigate climate change. The actions we take in the next five years will determine the fate of our species. That’s why I’m leading a global coalition of governors and mayors to go beyond pledges. At Glasgow, we will chart a path to make tangible, meaningful progress to slash greenhouse gas emissions,” said Governor Jay Inslee of Washington state. “We know we need to cut emissions in half by 2030 and get to net-zero by 2050. Now is the time for leaders to buckle down and get it done.”

“The time for bold, decisive and equitable action on climate is now, and that requires that everyone come to the table,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico. “I am proud to represent the United States alongside other national leaders on the world stage as together, we push toward solutions to the most pressing issue of our time.”

“Last summer was the hottest on record in Oregon, and prior to that we were hit by unseasonably harsh ice and wind storms. It’s only going to get worse if we don’t take immediate action,” said Governor Kate Brown of Oregon. “We are working to lead the way in Oregon, but this is a problem that knows no borders. It’s up to all of us at COP26 to do something about climate change, and to build a more just and equitable future for all.”

“As a state surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Hawaiʻi is on the forefront of the climate crisis,” said Governor David Ige of Hawaiʻi. “Our communities are vulnerable to the effects of sea-level rise and erosion, which threaten our homes and way of life. Hawaiʻi has aggressively fought to combat the climate crisis – but we know there is still more to be done. I look forward to working with other leaders at COP26 to go all in to address the climate crisis and create a better future for ourselves, and our keiki (children).”

“No state in our nation is more affected by climate change than Louisiana, but we are also strongly positioned to be part of the solution to the problems facing our world,” said Governor John Bel Edwards of Louisiana. “In Glasgow, we will have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, representing different governments, but also corporations and different sectors of the clean energy movement. I want world leaders to know that Louisiana has a workforce that makes essential products that drive the global economy, and a workforce that is ready to make those products but with a greater reduced carbon footprint. We will focus on securing new investments for economic development, job creation and greenhouse gas reductions to navigate through the energy transition and to a better, cleaner future.”

“We can’t outrun or hide from climate change. The time for action is now,” said Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois. “We’re making progress in Illinois: I recently signed comprehensive, equitable, nation-leading climate legislation into law. But we must take the next step together and push for action on the world stage. I’m proud to represent Illinois and the Midwest at COP26 and eager to promote the international action needed to combat the climate crisis.”

“From catastrophic wildfires to severe drought to record high temperatures, California is on the front lines of the climate emergency ravaging communities around the globe,” said Governor Gavin Newsom of California. “As the fifth largest economy in the world, California has played an outsized role in advancing bold solutions to protect people and the planet, but we can’t meet the challenges of this crisis alone. At COP26, California will showcase our pioneering renewable and zero-emission solutions and urge more states and nations to join us and take urgent action tackling the climate crisis head-on – none of us can afford to delay.”

“We are in the decade of climate action. Subnational and private sector leadership is essential to decarbonize the global economy and meet the Paris Agreement goals,” said Amy Holm, Executive Director of The Climate Registry. “We are thrilled to host the largest delegation of U.S. states in the history of COP and provide a platform for U.S. leaders to go further, faster together on climate action.”

“It’s been plain and simple for years – we need to address the climate crisis immediately. We’re at a point now, though, where we can’t keep repeating this line for years to come and not follow it with action. The governors and other climate leaders in our delegation have committed to climate action and they are bringing that message and the hope of further collaboration to COP26,” said Craig Ebert, President of the Climate Action Reserve. “This is the largest, most important delegation we’ve hosted, and it’s because more fellow citizens have joined to say we need to address the climate crisis immediately.”

The TCR-Reserve joint delegation is carbon neutral.

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About The Climate Registry and Climate Action Reserve Joint Delegation
The Climate Action Reserve and The Climate Registry have led joint delegations to COP for over a decade, beginning with COP13 in Bali in 2007.
www.copdelegation.org

About The Climate Registry
The Climate Registry (TCR) is a non-profit organization that empowers North American organizations to act on climate change by providing services and tools that help them reduce their emissions. TCR also drives climate action and ambition on the road to net zero by recognizing and showcasing sub-national leadership, and building strategic partnerships with and between national and international entities. TCR is advised by a Council of Jurisdictions that includes representatives from diverse U.S. states and Canadian provinces and territories.
www.theclimateregistry.org

About the Climate Action Reserve
The Climate Action Reserve is an environmental nonprofit organization that promotes and fosters the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through credible market-based policies and solutions. A pioneer in carbon accounting, the Reserve serves as an approved Offset Project Registry (OPR) for the State of California’s Cap-and-Trade Program and also establishes high quality standards for offset projects in the North American voluntary carbon market and operates a transparent, publicly-accessible registry for carbon credits generated under its standards. The Reserve is a private 501(c)3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Los Angeles, California with satellite offices around the U.S.
www.climateactionreserve.org

Meet Marissa Schmitz, Forestry Manager

1. What was one of your most exciting and rewarding achievements?

Getting my sourdough starter going from scratch. It’s a fun and easy way to add a little fermentation to your life.

2. What is one piece of advice you wish you had gotten or taken to heart earlier in life?

Learn to bloom where you are planted. I have a natural tendency to second guess my decisions and question whether I am in the right place geographically. I love the idea of finding ways to appreciate where I am and celebrating the things that make a place unique.

3. Beer, wine, or cocktail?

Hot coffee with extra cream, anytime of the day.

4. Do you have a personal story that ties in with one of the Reserve’s protocol sectors?

I live in the Michigan Upper Peninsula, where there are numerous Improved Forest Management offset projects. Seeing the direct impacts on the ground from these projects motivates me to do the kind of work that we do at the Reserve.

5. What is a tip you’d like to share for leading a more sustainable life?

Use it up, wear it out, make it do, do without.

6. If you could spend one week in a natural area in the U.S., where would it be?

Ashland, Oregon, hiking in the Southern Cascades, or watching a play at Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

7. What is your favorite meal?

Can I give a top three? Fried eggs over toast, any meal with winter squash, and homemade pizza.

8. What emerging opportunities in climate / carbon excites you the most?

I am excited about carbon revenue being a viable revenue stream for forest landowners. This is particularly important given the uncertain demand for traditional wood products, which can be devastating for forest-dependent workers and communities. Carbon revenue also allows landowners to manage for multiple objectives and can create space for extractive and non-extractive forestry goals to coexist, with increased opportunities to local communities for things like recreation, the harvesting of non-timber forest products, and improved wildlife habitat. Forestry markets drive landowners’ management options, so anything that expands or diversifies market opportunities is a positive thing to me. I am especially excited to see municipal and county-owned forests finding ways to access carbon-based revenue, with direct economic benefits to low-income rural communities.

9. What is something you’d like to see change in compliance or voluntary carbon markets?

Reduced costs, both upfront and ongoing; more ‘mainstreaming’ of the idea of ecosystem markets as viable revenue tools for landowners; an improved awareness of the social and economic benefits of ecosystem markets for forest-dependent communities.

10. What are some of your favorite books/movies/tv shows/podcasts etc?

For novels, I enjoy fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction. I am an especial fan of Arthurian fantasy, such as Mary Stewart’s Merlin Trilogy and Stephen Lawhead’s Pendragon Cycle. I haven’t had as much time to read as I would like lately, but I hope to hunker-down this coming winter with some good books.

11. What are some of your favorite weekend activities (eg surfing, board games etc)

My favorite place to waste time on the weekends is in the kitchen. I enjoy meal-prep and making daily staples, such as bread. I get outside with snowshoeing in the winter, and with lake swimming, running, and riding my bike in the summer. When I get extended time off, I love to travel, both locally and farther afield.

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Eduardo Piquero elegido como miembro de la Junta Directiva de la Reserva de Acción Climática

El líder de políticas y precio al carbono aporta experiencia internacional a la junta directiva pionera de la organización sin fines de lucro

LOS ÁNGELES, CA – El día de hoy, la Junta Directiva de la Reserva de Acción Climática eligió a Eduardo Piquero como integrante de su grupo. Al ser un líder en instrumentos y políticas internacionales de asignación de precio al carbono, Eduardo aporta su experiencia y conocimiento excepcionales para ayudar a guiar a la organización en su expansión mexicana y asesorar en su expansión más allá de las fronteras de América del Norte.

“La Reserva de Acción Climática está entrando en un período emocionante de crecimiento y oportunidades, y estamos encantados de contar con el apoyo de Eduardo a través de su nuevo cargo en la Junta de Directores. Es reconocido internacionalmente por su trabajo en los mercados internacionales de carbono, incluido su apoyo al desarrollo del piloto del Sistema de Comercio de Emisiones de México. Su sólida experiencia y posición como líder de opinión en los mercados globales aportan un alcance y trascendencia notables a nuestra Junta ”, dijo Linda Adams, Presidenta de la Junta Directiva de la Reserva de Acción Climática.

La experiencia de Eduardo en políticas e instrumentos de fijación de precio al carbono en México y a nivel internacional abarca más de 15 años. Actualmente se desempeña como CEO de MÉXICO2, una empresa del Grupo Bolsa Mexicana de Valores, donde supervisa el desarrollo de mercados ambientales, incluidos los mercados de bonos verdes y de carbono. En colaboración con la Secretaría de Medio Ambiente de México, Eduardo lideró el desarrollo del ejercicio de simulación de un Sistema Mexicano de Comercio de Emisiones (SCE Mx o Mx ETS, por sus siglas en inglés) en preparación para el mercado regulado del país. Eduardo también participó en la creación de un mercado secundario de Certificados de Energía Limpia, que apoya al Mercado Eléctrico Mayorista Mexicano. Además de su trabajo en México, Eduardo se ha centrado en el desarrollo de proyectos de reducción de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero y ha diseñado proyectos de cambio climático en países de América Latina, Asia y África.

“He trabajado con la Reserva de Acción Climática durante muchos años y he observado su
trabajo en México, así como el impacto que sus esfuerzos han tenido en las comunidades locales y en el SCE nacional. Es un honor para mí ser elegido miembro de la Junta Directiva y poder apoyar el trabajo continuo de la organización desde esta posición. Realmente es un momento emocionante de crecimiento y oportunidad para la Reserva, y me enorgullece trabajar con personas tan comprometidas como son los integrantes de la Junta Directiva y miembros del personal, sobre todo en este momento de crecimiento de la organización”, dijo Eduardo.

Visite el sitio web de la Reserva de Acción Climática para obtener más información sobre la organización y su Junta Directiva.

Eduardo Piquero elected to Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors

Carbon pricing and policy leader brings international expertise to the pioneering nonprofit’s Board

LOS ANGELES, CA – Today the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors elected Eduardo Piquero to a Board Director role for the organization. As a leader in international carbon pricing instruments and policy, Eduardo brings exceptional experience and knowledge to help guide the organization in its Mexican expansion and to advise on expansion beyond North American borders.

“The Climate Action Reserve is entering an exciting period of growth and opportunity, and we are thrilled to have Eduardo’s support through his new seat on the Board of Directors. He is internationally recognized for his work in international carbon markets, including supporting the development of Mexico’s pilot Emissions Trading Scheme. His strong expertise and position as a thought leader in global markets bring remarkable depth and breadth to our Board,” said Linda Adams, Chair of the Climate Action Reserve Board of Directors.

Eduardo’s experience in international and Mexican carbon pricing instruments and policy spans over 15 years. He currently serves as the CEO of MÉXICO2, a Mexican Stock Exchange company, where he oversees the development of environmental markets, including carbon and green bonds markets. In collaboration with the Mexico Ministry of Environment, Eduardo led the development of the simulation exercise of a Mexican Emissions Trading System (ETS) in preparation for the country’s regulated emissions scheme. Eduardo also participated in the creation of a secondary market of Clean Energy Certificates, which supports the Mexican Wholesale Electricity Market. In addition to his work in Mexico, Eduardo has focused on the development of greenhouse gas emission reduction projects and designed climate change projects in countries in Latin America, Asia and Africa.

“I have worked with the Climate Action Reserve for many years and observed its pioneering work in Mexico, as well as the impact that work has had on local communities and on the national ETS. I am honored to be elected to the organization’s Board of Directors and to support the continued work of the organization in this capacity. It truly is an exciting time of growth and opportunity for the Reserve, and I am proud to be working with the dedicated Board Directors and staff members as the organization grows,” said Eduardo.

Please visit the Climate Action Reserve website to learn more about the organization and its Board of Directors.

Join us Sept 21 for a North America Climate Summit side event: Building Biodiversity and Community Enhancing Grassland Carbon Projects for Ranchers. Hear from @Bayer @VirescoSolution @Shell and our own Bety Zavariz!

Mexico Forest Protocol revision to Version 3.0 kicking off with a public webinar on September 23, workgroup applications now available and due September 30

Meet Chloe Ney, Analytical Associate

1. What drives your environmental work and activism?

The belief that everyone deserves to live and flourish on a healthy, thriving planet including future generations to come.

2. What was one of your most exciting and rewarding achievements?

Completing my Climate Corps Fellowship with the Los Angeles Community College District. I learned so much about connecting with different stakeholders to help them identify effective climate action strategies and built really meaningful relationships along the way.

3. What are your favorite and frequently visited climate or news sites, and why?

My personal favorites for climate news are The Guardian, Grist, Vox, Resources for the Future, and Sammy Roth’s Boiling Point newsletter for the L.A. Times. They all provide digestible and engaging content about complex climate crisis issues and how they intersect with other social and political problems we face.

4. What is a tip you’d like to share for leading a more sustainable life?

I’d say try finding the most sustainable way for you to be sustainable. Identify actions for yourself that are easy, free/save money, and that you enjoy so you’re able to keep them up in the long run. Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, founder of the Urban Ocean Lab think tank to help coastal cities adapt to climate change, cohost of the podcast How to Save a Planet, co-founder of the All We Can Save Project, and one of my personal heroes, created this really great graphic back in March of this year designed to help anyone get started with taking climate action:

We all have a part to play (some greatly more so than others), so find one consistent practice you feel benefits both you and the planet, and then go from there!

5. Please share a personal story that ties in with one of the Reserve’s protocol sectors (ie story about your experiences composting, enjoying a forest, milking cows, recycling your refrigerator, mining coal)

I’m very fortunate to live in one of the areas of L.A. with robust tree cover. Tree cover in L.A. County is fairly uneven between neighborhoods and cities because of historic public policies, like redlining, that diverted public investment away from many communities and resulted in infrastructure equity issues that we still grapple with today. I take walks through my neighborhood daily to stay, you know, sane, and the trees that line the paths I take play a big part in that. Urban tree cover has been shown to provide not only ecological benefits to neighborhoods (including but not limited to improving air quality, reducing the urban heat island effect, and decreasing energy use), but has also been linked to providing strong social and psychological benefits for neighborhood residents as well. Everyone deserves access to the benefits that trees provide and to nature in general, so I’ve always really admired urban tree planting efforts.

6. What is your opinion on the progress of climate policy and carbon markets (any level, intl, federal, state etc)?

Lots of work needs to be done quickly at every scale to protect vulnerable communities from the first and worst impacts of climate disaster, on both the climate change mitigation and adaptation fronts. We’re far behind where we need to be on climate policy to address these issues and are now seeing and feeling the detrimental impacts of entering a climate crisis unprepared. We still have time to get it right if we act with urgency and seriousness, and especially need those actors who have contributed most to the creation of climate crisis to be accountable for the role they have to play in reducing global emissions.

7. If you could spend one week in a natural area in the U.S., where would it be?

I’m dying to go check out Olympic National Park in Washington.

8. What is an environmental book that you think should be required reading in schools?

“Dumping in Dixie” by Dr. Robert Bullard.

9. What is your favorite meal?

I am super lactose intolerant, but it’s mac ‘n cheese for sure. Worth it.

10. What emerging opportunities in climate / carbon excites you the most?

Saving the planet and having a place to live !

11. What is something you’d like to achieve during your first year with the Reserve?

I’m excited to learn about the protocol development and approval processes for new methodologies—definitely hoping I’ll get to participate in both!

12. What are some of your favorite books/movies/tv shows/podcasts etc?

I love all things paranormal and true crime—especially when they’re mixed in with a healthy dose comedic relief. My favorite show is “What We Do in the Shadows” (the movie is killer too) which is a comedy about a house of vampires living in modern day Staten Island, N.Y. Favorite podcasts include “And That’s Why We Drink”, which is a comedy podcast about all things paranormal and true crime, and most anything from Parcast.