Achieving nationally-determined contributions (NDCs) requires subnational action across sectors while centering equity and meaningfully engaging communities. This impactful conversation brought together public and private sector leaders to discuss ways to partner to implement scalable solutions for CO2 reduction, resilience, and health benefits in the built and natural environment. Attendees learned about the role that community engagement and public policy tools play in building frameworks for economic development and sustaining climate action progress.

 

Overall Takeaways:

1. Subnational Climate Leadership Is Active, Diverse, and Pragmatic

State, local, tribal, and private-sector leaders are pushing climate action forward even amid federal uncertainty. Many emphasized that U.S. climate ambition is still strong, driven by a need to protect communities, modernize infrastructure, and remain globally competitive.

2. Electrification, Energy Efficiency, and Clean Technologies Are Central Strategies

Across sectors—from utilities to buildings to industry—electrification, load shifting, nuclear development, storage, and energy efficiency repeatedly emerged as the foundations of decarbonization.

3. Partnerships Are Essential

Whether tribal-state relations, public-power collaborations, or public-private partnerships (PPPs), cooperation across institutions and jurisdictions is critical for scaling solutions and maintaining affordability.

Agenda:

Panel One: Changemakers Spotlight

Moderated by Kate Zyla, Executive Director, Georgetown Climate Center

Speakers:

• Christina Snider-Ashtari, Tribal Liaison to Governor Newsom, State of California
• Helen Walter-Terrinoni, Director, Global Climate Policy, Trane Technologies

Takeaways:

Christina Snider-Ashtari — Tribal Liaison to Governor Newsom (CA)

• Represents one of California’s 109 tribes; emphasized California’s commitment to climate leadership.

• Focus on tribal participation in carbon markets, land conservation, and dedicated tribal program funding.

• Tribal communities face rising energy needs (e.g., refrigeration for medicine, cooling centers); investing in reliability and self-determination is central.

Trane Technologies

• Trane is the world’s largest heating/cooling company and an “industry transformer.”

• Aims for gigaton-scale emissions reductions by 2030; 94% of emissions come from product use.

• Promotes energy efficiency as the cheapest decarbonization pathway and load-shifting technologies.

 

Panel Two: Public Sector Views – Innovation, Implementation, and Scaling Solutions

Moderated by Amy Holm, Executive Director, The Climate Registry

Speakers:

• Sam Cho, Commissioner, Port of Seattle
• Alice Reynolds, President, California Public Utility Commission
• Andrea Romero, New Mexico House of Representatives, District 46
• Alexa Voytek, Deputy Director, Office of Energy Programs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

Takeaways:

California Public Utilities Commission

• California’s approach is to electrify everything; electricity is the backbone of climate strategy.

• Long-term, binding targets have driven progress since early climate laws (~2006).

• PUC requires progressively cleaner power portfolios and integrates load forecasts into transmission planning.

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

• TVA territory is fully public power and largely carbon-neutral already (40% nuclear, much hydro).

• TVA is a national leader in SMRs and nuclear investment (including fusion framework).

• Leveraging partnerships for EV battery projects and smart traffic systems.

Port of Seattle

• Unique port managing both air and maritime sectors.

• Lacks regulatory authority, so relies on incentives and lease agreements.

• Net-zero-by-2040 goal supported through data-sharing requirements and shore-power mandates.

New Mexico House of Representatives

• New Mexico’s oil revenues fund major public programs but create a dual identity during the energy transition.

• Pursuing carbon neutrality by 2045 while investing in fusion and other innovative technologies.

• Emphasized combining economic development with community resilience, especially for low-income populations.

 

Panel Three: Private Sector Views – Innovation, Implementation, and Scaling Solutions

Moderated by Elizabeth Beardsley, Senior Policy Counsel, U.S. Green Building Council

Speakers:

• Sandy Grace, Vice President, U.S. Policy and Regulatory Strategy, National Grid
• Bob Hinkle, President and Chief Executive Officer, Metrus Energy
• Anica Landreneau, Global Director of Sustainability, HOK
• Sophie Miremadi, Vice President, Global Government Affairs and Public Policy, AVEVA

Takeaways:

AVEVA

• Industrial data strategies and AI can significantly scale emissions reductions.

• Data centers have massive and growing energy needs; ~40% of energy use comes from cooling.

• AVEVA works on next-gen cooling, industrial efficiency, and supports fusion technology development.

Metrus Energy

• Model fronts 100% of capital costs and bills based on performance—solves financing gaps for energy efficiency.

• Works with universities, airports, and government to use tax-advantaged financing.

• Sees huge opportunity to expand PPPs to smaller-scale clean energy projects.

National Grid

• Operates in MA and NY, facing serious affordability pressures.

• Advocates for better market participation for storage resources to unlock value.

• Stresses the need for policy flexibility to try new technologies—even those that may fail.

HOK

• Strong business case for retrofitting existing buildings.

• Creative solutions include exposing historic facades, integrating heat pumps, geothermal, and green roofs with solar.

• PPPs with cities and institutions have delivered strong community co-benefits.