Top Events at the Global Climate Action Summit

All eyes will turn to San Francisco September 12th – 14th as government leaders, international NGOs, investors and CEOs gather for the Global Climate Action Summit (GCAS). The Summit seeks to establish accelerated climate commitments from countries — supported by all sectors of society — that can put the globe on track to prevent climate catastrophe and achieve the historic Paris Agreement. In the absence of federal leadership in the United States, regions, states, cities, businesses, and investors are leading the charge, setting the stage to reach net zero emissions by midcentury.​​ We need to meet this most critical challenge with urgency and resolve. At the same time we need to ensure that through our support we are not undermining our commitment to social justice and shared prosperity.

With such a packed schedule at the GCAS, deciding which events to attend can be challenging. With that in mind, we’ve put together our list of can’t-miss moments that together will give you a diverse perspective on key issues at the summit. Tides is sponsoring several events hosted by It Takes Roots, including their Solidarity to Solutions Summit on Tuesday, September 11th — we hope to see you there.

It Takes Roots Events

Rise for Climate Jobs and Justice March

Date: September 8, 2018
Time: 10am
Location: Beginning at Embarcadero Plaza

Join the It Takes Roots contingent on the front lines led by the communities that are most affected by the climate crises. Starting at Market and Drumm St., the march will end at Civic Center Plaza, near San Francisco City Hall. There will be music and dozens of information tables from the organizations the march supports.

People’s Orientation to the Global Climate Action Summit

Date: September 11 & 12, 2018
Time: 9/11: 1pm to 3pm & 9/12: 11am to 4pm
Location: 9/11 at Bissap Baobab, 3372 19th Street, SF; 9/12 at International Hotel Manilatown Center, 868 Kearny Street, SF (lunch included)

The People’s Orientation to GCAS will be led by leaders of social movements and grounded in the experiences and expertise of Indigenous communities, communities of color, and other low income communities on the front lines of the climate crisis.

Solidarity to Solutions Summit

Date: September 11, 2018
Time: 10am to 8pm
Location: La Raza Park in the Mission, 2827 Cesar Chavez Blvd, SF

The Solidarity to Solutions Summit is an assembly for all progressive social movements to gather, present, discuss and debate critical strategies, solutions, and proposals for collective action to tackle the root, systemic causes of climate change.

Affiliate Events

Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice: Women Leading Solutions on the Frontlines of Climate Change

Date: September 11, 2018
Time: 1pm to 8pm
Location: The Green Room, Van Ness Ave.

The Women’s Assembly for Climate Justice will highlight women leaders from across the United States and around the world, joining in solidarity to speak out against environmental and social injustice, draw attention to root causes of the climate crisis, and present the diverse array of visions and strategies with which they are working to shape a healthy and equitable world.

Climate Change and Fiduciary Duty, Keynote by Bill McKibben

Date: September 11, 2018
Time: 1pm to 3pm
Location: David Brower Center, Berkeley

Climate change is upending the traditional understanding of “fiduciary duty” for institutional investors. In addition to considering climate-related financial risk to their portfolios, pension fund managers and insurance company investors around the world are coming to realize that their “duty of care” includes working to provide a livable future for their beneficiaries.

Panel 1 – A conversation about fiduciary duty and climate change: The challenge for institutional investors

• Keynote and moderator: Bill McKibben, Co-founder, 350.org
• Catherine Howarth, CEO, ShareAction
• Ellen Dorsey, Executive Director, Wallace Global Fund

Panel 2 – It’s happening! The shift to a new understanding of fiduciary duty

• Keynote and moderator: Dan Zarrilli, Senior Director, Climate Policy and Programs, New York City Office of the Mayor (tentatively confirmed)
• Lisa Ann Hamilton, Director, Climate & Energy Program, Center for International Environmental Law
• Peter Bosshard, Finance Program Director, Sunrise Project (sponsor of SF insurance divestment resolution)
• California State Senator Ben Allen, author of SB 964

Spotlighting Latino Leadership on Climate Change in California and Beyond

Date: September 11, 2018
Time: 5:30pm to 8pm
Location: Google Community Space

The Latino Community Foundation (LCF), Voces Verdes, and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) are hosting an intimate discussion with Latinos leaders from California, the United States. and the world who are playing an integral role in the fight against climate change.  

Indigenous Peoples and Renewable Energy: Human Rights Challenges and Indigenous-led Solutions

Date: September 12, 2018
Time: 9am to 11am
Location: Northern California Grantmakers

This panel discussion will introduce the Right Energy Partnership and discuss issues facing Indigenous peoples around renewable energy, including contributions from: Vicky Tauli-Corpuz, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Joan Carling, Co-Chair, Indigenous Peoples Major Group for Sustainable Development.

Investing in Energy Access as a Critical Climate Solution

Date: September 12, 2018
Time: 2:30pm to 4pm
Location: Google Community Space

This panel will explore how philanthropies and their investment partners are filling the energy access investment gap and illuminate how different types of capital can and must be deployed for different needs and stakeholders in the access to energy sector.

Speakers:

• Ellen Dorsey, Executive Director, Wallace Global Fund
• Heather Grady, Vice President, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
• Danny Kennedy, Managing Director, California Clean Energy Fund; Confluence Philanthropy Board Member
• Neha Misra, Co-Founder and Chief Collaboration Officer, Solar Sister
• Mali Ole Kaunga, Director, IMPACT

From Field to Fashion: Apparel’s Impact on Climate Change

Date: September 12, 2018
Time: 6pm to 9:30pm
Location: California College of the Arts

Hear from organic farmers, forest conservationists and LCA specialists on a path toward a lighter carbon footprint for the fashion industry.

Speakers:

• Nicole Rycroft, Founder and Executive Director of Canopy
• ​Rebecca Burgess, Founder of Fibershed
• ​Derek Sabori, Sustainability Consultant and previously VP of Global Sustainability at Volcom​

The US Business Case for a Carbon Tax: Driving Innovation, Equity & Opportunity

Date: September 13, 2018
Time: 1pm to 5pm
Location: Gap HQ, 2 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA

This half-day Forum will explore how carbon taxes tackle climate change, create jobs and stimulate the economy by analyzing different carbon tax proposals, highlighting current efforts to price carbon in the states and nationally, and discussing best practices for climate advocacy.