UNFCCC Conference of the Parties (COP 22) Marrakech, Morocco

American Carbon Registry (ACR), a nonprofit enterprise of Winrock International, will be attending COP 22 in Marrakech, Morocco November 7-18, 2016 as an official NGO Observer Organization.

In addition to the official UNFCCC meetings and side events, ACR will participate in events organized by the U.S. Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) and will host two side events with the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA).

ACR Hosted Side Events:

Wednesday 9 Nov: 1pm-2:30pm

The Role of Carbon Markets to Incentivize the ODS Destruction and the Use of Certified Reclaimed Refrigerants and to Accelerate the Transition to Low GWP Refrigerants and Foams

The Montreal Protocol phased out production of various Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), however the use of recycled ODS is still allowed, leaking high GWP refrigerants into the atmosphere. The phase out of CFCs spurred production of hydroflourocarbons (HFCs), the fastest growing source of global emissions. Developed as “ozone-friendly” alternatives, pound for pound, HFC refrigerants and foam blowing agents have GWPs up to 4000 times higher than CO₂. The panel will present case studies for utilizing carbon finance to incentivize ODS destruction, the purchase of certified reclaimed HFCs, and the transition to advanced low GWP refrigeration systems and foam blowing agents.

Moderator:  Mary Grady, Deputy Director, American Carbon Registry

Panelists:   Kevin Fay, Executive Director, Alliance for Responsible Atmospheric Policy
Jeff Cohen, Senior Vice President, EOS Climate
Jeff Fort, Partner, Dentons
Todd Keske, Chief Operating Officer, Foam Supplies, Inc

Friday 11 November: 2-3:30pm

Compliance Carbon Markets Built on Voluntary Offset Program Innovation and Infrastructure

Credible Voluntary Offset Standards have piloted innovative and environmentally rigorous methodologies with large emissions reduction potential in sectors such as agriculture, forestry, wetlands and grasslands; transportation efficiency; ODS destruction and low GWP refrigerants. Building on this experience, U.S. compliance offset programs in California and Washington have adopted or approved voluntary offset methodologies and approved standards bodies to help them implement their programs. It is expected that the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will do the same. Panelists will discuss the important role of voluntary offset programs to serve as an incubator for and co-implementer of compliance markets to deliver climate and sustainability results.

Moderator:  Jonathan Shopley, Managing Director, Natural Capital Partners

Panelists:   Bill Hohenstein, Director, Climate Change Program Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture
John Kadyszewski, Director, American Carbon Registry
Edie Chang, Deputy Executive, California Air Resources Board
Molly Peters-Stanley, Negotiator, U.S. Department of State