INSTITUT Veolia Environnement

18:00 - 19:00         Welcome Cocktail

Jean Charest, Quebec Premier
Thierry Vandal, President and CEO, Hydro-Québec of Canada
Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Former Chair, Inuit Circumpolar Conference (Canada) and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee

SETTING THE CONTEXT: 2050
Around the world, countries and corporations are pursuing a wide range of strategies to begin reducing greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining or strengthening economic growth. To stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations and prevent dangerous climate disruptions, however, will require a 60% to 80% reduction in global emissions by 2050. Achieving this goal will involve sweeping technological advances driven by effective government policies. The opening plenary will present an overview of the technology and policy contexts today, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of key sectors and challenges over the course of the conference.


Eileen Claussen, President, Pew Center on Global Climate Change
John P. Holdren, Chairman of the Board of Directors, American Association for the Advancement of Science and Director, Science, Technology & Public Policy Program, Belfer Centre for Science and International Affairs, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Pierre Marc Johnson, Counsel, Heenan Blaikie and former Premier of Québec
Glen Murray, Chair, National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy
Robert Page, ViceChair, National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, Canada, and TransAlta Professor of Environmental Management and Sustainability, Institute for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economy, University of Calgary
Henri Proglio, President and CEO, Veolia Environnement

Coal is the largest source of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions and by 2030 is projected to contribute nearly 40% of global emissions. One of the most critical challenges in addressing climate change is wide-scale deployment of technologies to capture carbon emissions from coal-fired power plants and bury them underground.

Michael Dancison, American Electric Power
Mark P. Demchuk, EnCana Oil and Gas Partnership
Franklin M. Orr, Jr., Stanford University
Truman T. Semans, Pew Center on Global Climate Change
Brian Williams, British Petroleum

Energy use in homes and offices is a large and growing source of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Developing environmental management services as well as innovative design and stronger building codes can lead to cleaner on-site energy, greater energy efficiency and a new generation of "smart buildings" that reduce emissions and energy costs without sacrificing comfort or functionality.

Robert S. Bennett, William J Clinton Foundation
Marilyn Brown, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Bernard Saint-André, Dalkia
Simon Knight, Climate Change Central (C3)
William M. Sisson, United Technologies Corporation

Following Brazil's dramatic ethanol success, other countries are turning to biofuels to help reduce emissions and dependence on oil imports. As scientists and investors aim for the next generation of biofuel technologies, the key challenge for policymakers will be securing biofuels' energy and climate benefits without driving up food prices or introducing new environmental risks.

Tom Browne, Paprican
Alex Farrell, University of California
Jesse Fleming, Natural Resources Canada
Timothy R. Haig, BIOX Corporation
Dennis Magyar, DuPont Biofuels, USA

13:00 - 14:30

Luncheon Address
Elyse Allan, President and CEO, GE Canada

From China to Europe to North America, governments are setting aggressive renewable energy targets, driving new investment in wind, solar and other clean energy sources. As technological breakthroughs bring down costs and open new zero-carbon pathways, renewables can play a significant role in addressing climate change while meeting the growing demand for energy.

Claude Demers, Hydro-Québec, Canada
Robert Hornung, Canadian Wind Energy Association
Daniel Kammen, University of California
Kyle Kasawski, Conergy Sales Canada
Joanna Lewis, Pew Center on Global Climate Change
Mahesh Vipradas, Senergy Global Pvt Ltd, India

With the number of motor vehicles worldwide projected to top 1 billion by 2025, improved vehicle efficiency is key to raising air quality, strengthening energy security, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As automakers introduce hybrid vehicles and explore other new technologies, governments are debating how best to drive quick and dramatic improvements in transportation efficiency.

Richard Gilbert, Consultant on Urban Issues
Huiming Gong, The Energy Foundation
Drew Kodjak, International Council on Clean Transportation
Reinhard Schulte-Braucks, European Commission
Bryon Stremler, Toyota, USA

Deforestation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Improved forest management can reduce emissions while preserving biodiversity and contributing to sustainable rural economies. New policies and international strategies are needed to support efforts in tropical forest countries and to ensure that the climate benefits are real and sustained.

Anna Cristina Barros, The Nature Conservancy
Frederica Bietta, Coalition for Rainforest Nations
Werner Kurz, Natural Resources Canada
Robert Nasi, CIFOR and CIRAD
Robert Prolman, Weyerhaeuser

Climate change is leading to renewed interest in nuclear energy, a proven source of zerocarbon electricity. While some countries plan major increases in nuclear power, others remain strongly opposed. Nuclear power's contribution to meeting future energy needs and addressing climate change will depend on critical issues including cost, safety, waste disposal, and the risk of nuclear proliferation.

Alain Bucaille, AREVA
Thomas B. Cochran, NRDC
Elizabeth Dowdeswell, NWMO
Ernest J. Moniz, MIT

With rapid urbanization, integrated planning and innovative "smart growth" strategies can help ease traffic congestion, reduce air and water pollution, and make cities more livable and sustainable. At the same time, these local efforts can make a strong contribution to meeting the global challenge of climate change.

Don Chen, Smart Growth America
Johanne Gélinas, Samson Bélair/Deloitte & Touche
Paul Lewis, Montréal University
Sanjivi Sundar, TERI
Steve Winkleman, Center for Clean Air Policy

With the early impacts of climate change already being felt, adaptation is a pressing challenge for all nations. Drought, flooding, extreme weather and other climate impacts are projected to fall most heavily on those countries least responsible for climate change and least able to cope. An equitable climate solution must include stronger international support for adaptation in poor and vulnerable countries.

Gary Guzy, Marsh USA Inc.
Donald Lemmen, Natural Resources Canada
Kenrick Leslie, Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre
André Musy, Ouranos
Youba Sokona, Sahara and Sahel Observatory

CLIMATE POLICY : NORTH AMERICAN ACTION

The global climate change challenge requires determined national and regional leadership and vigorous action. Robust national and regional policies will, in large part, define global outcomes. Meanwhile, national governments are confronted with the challenge of striking a delicate balance of growing economies and meeting their energy needs while achieving substantial GHG emissions reductions. Nevertheless, many governments are already setting longer-term goals and taking action to achieve greater reductions over the coming decades. This plenary session will examine existing and potential Canadian, Mexican, US and North American policies and actions towards achieving a favourable global sum of national and regional parts.

Michael Goo, Legislative Director, Climate Center, Natural Resources Defense Council, USA
David McLaughlin, President and CEO, National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy
Israel Laguna Monroy, National Institute of Ecology, Mexico
David Van't Hof, Office of Governor Ted Kulongoski, State of Oregon, USA

 13:00 - 14:30

Luncheon Address
Dick Evans, CEO, Rio Tinto Alcan, Canada

STRENGTHENING THE MULTILATERAL CLIMATE EFFORT
As a global challenge, climate change requires a global response. An equitable and effective multilateral framework can ensure that all the world's major economies contribute their fair share to the global climate effort. With the Kyoto Protocol commitments set to expire in 2012, governments and stakeholders are now debating how to strengthen the international climate framework for the years beyond. Critical decisions are due at the upcoming UN climate negotiations in Bali. This plenary session will explore a range of views from government, business, and NGO leaders on how best to advance the global climate effort.

Kathleen Abdalla, United Nations Organisation, USA
Thierry Berthoud, Vice-President, International Relations and Governmental Affairs, Alcan Inc., Canada
Elliot Diringer, Director, International Strategies, Pew Center on Global Climate Change, USA
Jim Greene, Senior Policy Advisor to the Hon. Joseph R. Biden, Jr., US Senate, USA
David Runnals, President and CEO, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Canada