Speakers:

Dean Kevin Johnson, UC Davis School of Law
Kim Bick, Chair, CLA Environmental Law Section
Ellen Peter, Chief Counsel, CARB

This panel will focus on the challenges California faces in adapting to the unavoidable impacts of climate change: rising sea level, megadrought, severe floods, etc.  The panel will also address the ways local and regional jurisdictions in California are planning to confront these challenges.  Speakers will include representatives from local and federal governments, the insurance industry and other perspectives.

Speakers:
Nuen-Tara Key, WTW Insir/ Consulting & Technology
Krystal Laymon, FEMA
Danielle Ngo, Senior Planner, City & County of San Francisco

Moderator:
Jeannie Lee, Asst. Chief Counsel, CARB

This panel will address how California should decarbonize its transportation sector, which currently contributes fully 40% of the state’s aggregate greenhouse gas emissions.  Panelists will include representatives from the private sector, academia, California regulators and the environmental justice community.

Speakers:
John Boesel, CalSTART
Vivian Rahwanji, Director, Community Housing Development Corporation of North Richmond [invited]
Dan Sperling, Director, Institute for Transportation Studies, UC Davis

Moderator:
Jennifer Helfrich, Center for Law, Energy & the Environment, U.C. Berkeley School of Law 

This panel will examine the critical nexus between California’s climate change and energy policies—specifically, how California can transition toward increased reliance on renewable energy resources and away from fossil fuels.  Panelists will include attorneys and regulatory officials from the California Air Resources Board, California Public Utilities Commission and California Energy Commission.

Speakers:
Linda Barrera, Chief Counsel, CA Energy Commission
Rajinder Sahota, Deputy Executive Director for Climate & Research, CA Air Resources Board
Leuwam Tesfai, Deputy Executive Director for Energy & Climate Policy, CA Public Utilities Commission

Moderator:
Tom McHenry

This panel will explain and analyze climate change litigation trends in California and throughout the United States.  Those trends will include the numerous state common law claims being advanced by state and local governments who seek damages from the fossil fuel industry for harm those jurisdictions have suffered due to a wide array of adverse climate change impacts; theories non-government organizations are utilizing to vindicate their climate change-related interests and concerns; and the numerous constitutional and other theories the regulated community (and some states) are invoking to challenge California’s climate change policies in court.  Attorneys from the private, NGO and government sectors will serve as panelists.

Speakers:
Elaine Meckenstock, Deputy Attorney General, CA Department of Justice
Vic Sher, Sher Edling LLP
Kassie Siegel, Director, Climate Law Institute, Center for Biological Diversity

Moderator:
Rick Frank [or alternate]

This panel will explore international climate change initiatives with an emphasis on subnational and NGO efforts, highlighting California and equity focused activities. Speakers will highlight coalition building and negotiations at the UN Conference of Parties (COP) and the sustaining efforts between that enhance this work beyond global events.

Speakers:
Cliff Rechtschaffen, Commissioner Emeritus, California PUC
Jessie Buendia, Vice President of Sustainability & National Director, Green for All , Dream.org
Fan Dai, Director, California-China Climate Institute

Moderator:
Leuwam Tesfai, California PUC

More information coming soon.