COP 24 Katowice

COP 24 Katowice

The Climate Action Reserve, in partnership with The Climate Registry, has led delegations of governors, senior government officials, business leaders, academics and other NGOs to the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations for almost a decade, beginning with COP 13 in Bali in 2006.

COP 24 marks the 24th session of the conference and is being held in Katowice, Poland from December 3-14, 2018. The Reserve’s joint delegation fosters collaboration among subnational entities and the private sector, increases thought-leadership on bold and far-reaching climate initiatives, and champions the enhancement of ambition in order to address the climate challenge.

Below is a listing of our delegation’s side events. Please join us in person if you will be in Katowice or follow our work through Facebook or Twitter.

Saturday, 8 December
Public-Private Cooperation Advancing Climate Ambition
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | US Climate Action Center (Building E)

This session will highlight the efforts of business leaders to discuss critical steps for ensuring public-private cooperation in the fight against climate change.

Speakers:

  • Cathy Woollums, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Berkshire Hathaway Energy
  • Ranyee Chiang, Technology Officer, Bay Area Air Quality Management District
  • Canadian federal government representative

Sunday, 9 December
North American Subnational Climate Action
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | US Climate Action Center (Building E)

Subnational leaders from the US and Canada will discuss collaborative climate actions underway at the state, provincial, and regional levels, in order to help their countries meet and exceed their Paris commitments.

Speakers:

  • Senator Robert Hertzberg, California State Senate
  • Ben Grumbles, Secretary of the Environment, State of Maryland
  • Lauren Sanchez, International Policy Director, California Air Resources Board
  • Reed Schuler, Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Jay Inslee, State of Washington

Monday, 10 December
Official UN Side Event: Subnational Strategies in North America for Meeting Paris Commitments
11:30 am – 1:00 pm | Room: Bug (Area G)

North American leaders are implementing a variety of approaches to reduce GHGs. Session will discuss various policy approaches, such as carbon markets, transport electrification, and how policies can harmonize with other jurisdictions to foster a just transition to clean energy economies.

Speakers:

  • Mary Nichols, Chair, California Air Resources Board
  • George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, British Columbia
  • Ben Grumbles, Secretary of the Environment, State of Maryland
  • Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Canada (invited)
  • Juan Carlos Arredondo, Director of Climate Policy, SEMARNAT, Mexico

Increasing Climate Ambition Across the US
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | US Climate Action Center (Building E)

This session will bring together US sub-national leaders (government) to highlight actions taken to date and to address steps being taken to advance climate ambition in light of the IPCC’s most recent scientific assessment.

Speakers:

  • Senator Robert Wieckowski, California State Senate
  • Reed Schuler, Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Jay Inslee, State of Washington
  • Anu Hittle, Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Coordinator

Delegation Press Conference
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm | Press Conference Room Katowice (Area F)

Speakers:

  • Senator Robert Wieckowski, California State Senate
  • Senator Robert Hertzberg, California State Senate
  • Anu Hittle, Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Coordinator

The draft U.S. Forest Project Protocol (FPP) V5.0 is available for public review and comment. Proposed revisions to the protocol include the addition of a standardized baseline option for Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects, updated leakage values, a revised minimum verification schedule, and several other updates to enhance usability. Comments are due by December 14.

The draft U.S. Forest Project Protocol (FPP) V5.0 is available for public review and comment. Proposed revisions to the protocol include the addition of a standardized baseline option for Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects, updated leakage values, a revised minimum verification schedule, and several other updates to enhance usability. Comments are due by December 14.


Join us for a webinar – COP 24: Advance Look at Subnational Action and Expectations for Katowice – November 29

Join us for a webinar – COP 24: Advance Look at Subnational Action and Expectations for Katowice – November 29


Join us for a webinar introducing the recently updated Nitrogen Management Project Protocol (NMPP) Version 2.0 – November 28

Join us for a webinar introducing the recently updated Nitrogen Management Project Protocol (NMPP) Version 2.0 – November 28


Draft U.S. Forest Project Protocol Version 5.0 available for public comment – comments due December 14

Draft U.S. Forest Project Protocol Version 5.0 available for public comment – comments due December 14


Our updated Nitrogen Management Project Protocol Version 2.0 expands eligibility for offsets from improving nitrogen use efficiency in crop production to more crops & geographies

Our updated Nitrogen Management Project Protocol Version 2.0 expands eligibility for offsets from improving nitrogen use efficiency in crop production to more crops & geographies


The Climate Action Reserve is exploring potential updates to its U.S. Landfill Project Protocol, which promotes emission reductions from the collection and destruction of landfill gas. Join us for a public scoping webinar on October 10.

The Climate Action Reserve is exploring potential updates to its U.S. Landfill Project Protocol, which promotes emission reductions from the collection and destruction of landfill gas. Join us for a public scoping webinar on October 10.


First Mexico landfill project registered in the Reserve!

First Mexico landfill project registered in the Reserve!


The Grass is Greener: Protecting Grasslands Enhances Soil Health, Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Earns Carbon Offsets

The Grass is Greener: Protecting Grasslands Enhances Soil Health, Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Earns Carbon Offsets

PROWERS COUNTY, COLORADO – In partnership with Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU), the May Ranch in southeast Colorado has embarked on a mission to avoid greenhouse gas emissions on its grassland. Grasslands naturally absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) through photosynthesis and, with sustainable management and protection, can function as carbon sinks and reservoirs. When grasslands are disturbed (for example, through tillage), a significant portion of the soil carbon and biomass oxidizes and decays, releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere. By protecting grassland from conversion to cropland, the May Ranch Avoided Grassland Conversion Project is avoiding loss of soil carbon and earning offset credits for the emissions reductions achieved. During December 2016 – December 2017, the project achieved 10,591 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The project area must then be monitored and protected for at least 100 years following every credit issuance.

Under the Climate Action Reserve’s Grassland Project Protocol, the grassland project must meet strict eligibility requirements. To meet suitability requirements, the grassland must be located on land where the particular combination of geography and associated climate, soil productivity, and prior land use history would make it suitable for cropping and result in new emissions. The financial incentive to plow historic grasslands also has to be present. Lastly, the ability to ensure long-term permanence of the below-ground carbon reserves must be met, which in this case was done with a conservation easement.

Developed by DU, the May Ranch grassland offset project protects 14,546 acres of native grassland from conversion to cropland in perpetuity. The May Ranch is a fourth-generation working cattle ranch that has a deep conservation ethic. Their ranch is the last large continuous tract of native prairie in the lower Arkansas Valley that connects to the Arkansas River. With conversion on all four side of the ranch, and multiple offers to develop the property for cropland and other uses, the May family approached the conservation community looking for economical means to protect the grassland and maintain their way of life. Working in collaboration with other conservation partners, DU was able to develop the carbon project given their experience in the sector and the bird values associated with the property.

“This project exemplifies what carbon markets and conservation finance at large are trying to achieve,” said Billy Gascoigne, economist and emerging markets specialist for DU. “Through the protocol, we were able to prove significant greenhouse gas savings, in addition to all the other ancillary benefits that supported a much bigger partnership.

Over half of the grasslands in the U.S. have been disturbed and converted to other uses, mainly cropland. According to a study published in Environmental Research Letters, 5.7 million acres of grassland were converted to cropland during 2008-2012. When grasslands are converted to cropland, not only is belowground soil carbon released, but emissions also increase due to cultivation activities, such as fertilizer application and fossil fuel combustion. Through avoided grassland conversion offset projects, landowners have the opportunity to be compensated for protecting their historic grasslands and make a meaningful contribution to addressing climate change.

“By protecting over 14,500 acres of grassland that are under threat of being converted to cropland, the May Ranch grassland carbon offset project will be achieving GHG emissions reductions far into the future,” said Craig Ebert, President of the Climate Action Reserve. “The May Ranch project is a prime example of the innovation in ecosystem markets, multi-stakeholder partnership, and long-term commitment required to address the seriousness and scope of climate change.”


Nitrogen Management Project Protocol workgroup meeting scheduled for June 20

Nitrogen Management Project Protocol workgroup meeting scheduled for June 20