Several people commented on the coming wave of electric vehicles (EVs) over the next couple of years.  This is a welcome development for emissions reductions but there is still a great deal of infrastructure that needs to be built for charging EVs away from home.  There were a few people working on smart grid applications and one scientist was involved in Superfund cleanup.  There was some interesting discussion on low-light solar technology as well.  There was also some talk of carbon credits and carbon trading but until there is some clarity on cap-and-trade, interest in those areas may suffer.

The topic that came up more than any other was the need for Congress to enact some sort of meaningful clean energy and/or climate bill before the midterm elections.  Everyone agreed that the Waxman-Markey bill and subsequent tabling of discussion by the Senate was a big disappointment last year.  This government inaction could result in private enterprise losing interest due to a lack of clear signal on how to proceed.  It also fails to hold dirty power producers accountable for their environmental impact.  There is a Lieberman/Graham/Kerry-type of bill that is expected to be announced around the end of April.  If nothing gets done by Memorial day, expect the EPA to start getting involved in the process.  Either way there should be a lot to discuss at the next Climatini in June, thanks to everyone who showed up and made for another great event!

We’re throwing this one together with the SF Carbon Collaborative, Brighter Planet and the North American Carbon World Conference put on by IETA, Pointcarbon and the Climate Action Reserve.

There will be a short program in a side room– a panel discussion about Employee Engagement around Corporate Sustainability put on by the SF Carbon Collaborative, that begins at 6. They’ve asked folks to register for this program as space is limited in the room. (below)

Hope to see you there!

* Dan Whaley, Climos
* David Pascal, SF Carbon Collaborative
* Lisa Spafford, IETA
* Warner Philips, Tendris
* Anup Jacob, Virgin Green Fund
* Neal Dikeman, CarbonFlow

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Personal request: Anyone that has two desks available starting mid April, please contact me privately. Our wonderful brick and beam office that we’ve shared with Tendris for several years will soon be changing hands. Looking for a good environment with good people in this space. Thanks– Dan

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Join the SF Carbon Collaborative, Brighter Planet, Climatini and the NACW Conference

for Cleantech, Carbon, Green Biz Networking and a

Panel Presentation on Employee Engagement in Corporate Sustainability Initiatives

APRIL 14, 2010 @ 6:00PM – 111 MINNA GALLERY

Please join the San Francisco Carbon Collaborative, Brighter Planet, Climatini and the NACW Conference for an evening of drinks and networking, preceded by a panel discussion and an exploration of how to better foster Employee Engagement in corporate sustainability initiatives.

Employee Engagement is becoming an increasingly popular means to drive corporate sustainability efforts. Around the world, companies and communities are mobilizing their workforces to lessen pollution, waste and operational inefficiencies. However, a new analysis by Brighter Planet suggests that employees are generally dissatisfied with their employers’ sustainability initiatives. Moreover, many employers are unable to quantify the effects of their internal efforts. This finding is especially timely in light of increasing executive pressure to measure the impact of sustainability work on bottom line.

We’ll preview the new Brighter Planet study and consider the follow:

· How can companies enhance CSR strategies by fusing employee initiative and forward green thinking?

· How does the strategy of sustainable employee engagement fit within the larger theme of CSR?

· How can we measure CSR/EE impacts upon triple bottom lines?

· What are the pros and cons of implementing top-down vs. bottom-up sustainability programs?

· How should companies incentivize employee-led initiatives?

· Where are the cutting-edge opportunities and best-practice ideas?

This event is free of charge with a cash bar. Space is limited for the panel discussion, so please register in advance.  http://www.carboncollaborative.org/index.php?q=civicrm/event/register&id=27&reset=1

The forums will bring together an unprecedented lineup of regional, national and international government leaders, as well as business, environmental, academic and industry representatives for a thoughtful exchange on climate issues across state and provincial lines. Join the pioneers, policy makers and business leaders that are the most active and influential in the climate world for discussion and examination of climate policy and tools in a regional context. The day-long event will provide your organization with the insights and carbon management tools necessary to succeed in a carbon constrained world.

For more information or to register, please visit http://events.theclimateregistry.org.

In conjunction with the forum, The Climate Registry also invites you to attend the next NYC Climatini, Tuesday, March 16th from 5:30 – 7:00 at the New York Marriott East Side, 525 Lexington Avenue at 49th. Through the NY Climatini series, we hope to foster a community of climate change activists, highlight current climate action activists, and educate the public about climate change in a fun and engaging manner. There is no cost to attend the Climatini.

Climatini Chicago is a business networking group that is designed to enhance and promote the business of climate change and carbon markets in Chicago.

In a world of uncertainty, it’s nice to know to you can count on Climatini. Please join us for our second meeting of the year on April 7 2010 at the W Hotel at 172 West Adams as we continue our discussion of developments in the carbon space over drinks.

Climatini is an informal network of leaders from industries that are tackling climate change – the issue of our generation. The goal of the group is to foster a culture of collaboration and innovation and to bring together people from across the climate business and policy spectrum for high-quality networking events.

Climatini gatherings have launched in New York and San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Maine and Washington DC with more chapters coming soon.

We hope to see you April 7.  Please RSVP by April 5.

This second event drew attendees from the region as well as internationally.

There were guests from a Canadian building products company and a London energy developer that had heard about Climatini through the grapevine.

Several people showed up from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District to mingle with real estate consultants, developers and supply chain companies.

We rolled out “The Climatini”, and powerful straight-up martini that may in fact serve a double purpose as an alternative fuel in the future!

While many of us look outside the region for business and opportunity, we realize the importance of creating a community here where we live to further the development of our network and knowledge-base.  Climatini realizes that purpose by being an open forum for knowledge transfer in a friendly casual environment.

We look forward to growing Climatini in the future and appreciate the participation of all those who attended this event.  The next Climatini event will be held in April 2010 so please stay tuned for more details.

We appreciate any feedback and comments on the event, if you were there please feel free to let us know what you thought!

When: Monday, March 8, 2010 from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Signature Room (95th floor of the Hancock Building)

After the great success of our December 2009 event, the CCEA cordially invites you to attend the premier event for the clean economy in the Midwest and our 1st quarterly event of 2010!

Monday, March 8th, 2010

We are non-partisan business networking organization for professionals that work directly in the clean economy. We believe that business is the agent that will bring the world to a more sustainable existence. Meet other energy professionals in the Chicagoland area and beyond (for a selected list of previous organizations that attended, click here).

Reasons to attend:

• Stop by after work to meet the top players in the enewable energy and climate industry: corporations, niche energy firms, venture capitalists, politicians, government, NGO, legal, traders, and other experts involved with wind, solar, geothermal, biofuels, CCS, clean coal, emissions trading, climate change and electric vehicles.
• Listen and meet Mark Pruitt Executive Director of the Illinois Power Agency.
• Discuss cutting-edge ideas and inventions, possible business deals, government energy policies, and other hot topics.

More than 350 energy professionals turned out for our kick off meeting in December 2009. This quarter’s event will be at the The Signature Room, which is located atop the John Hancock Center at the 95th® floor, and offers diners exquisite food, superb service and a dazzling skyline view.

Space is limited, and admittance will be administered on a preferential basis to those who work within related industries. The CCEA reserves the rights to deny entrance to those who are not within the industry.

Please RSVP by March 4th ~ Register Now.
(http://cleanenergyalliancemarch8.eventbrite.com)

Price: FREE admission: Please note a cash bar and Hors D’ourves will be available.

• Wednesday, Feb 3rd (for more info check out the event details
• Wednesday, Apr 7th, details to come
• Wednesday, Jul 21, details to come
• Wednesday, Nov 11, details to come

We also co-sponsor the Chicago Clean Energy Alliance.  The CCEA 2010 meeting schedule:

• Wednesday, Mar 3rd
• Thursday, June 3rd
• Tuesday, Sept 28th (co-located with Carbon TradeEx America)
• Monday, Dec 6

For details on the CCEA please visit their website.

In the new year, Climatini Chicago is looking forward to hosting more events that provide an opportunity for carbon professionals to meet and exchange ideas in a relaxed and collegial environment.

Please join us for us our next meeting on February 3, 2010 at the District Bar at 170 W. Ontario St. The goal of this meeting will be to build on the success of the first meeting and to make new contacts for 2010. There will be a cash bar from x to x with specials on beer and appetizers. We may also roll out Climatini (the drink) for the first time; refreshment will ensue.

Please RSVP by: February 1, 2010. (this is just to give us an estimation the on attendance expected.)
Feel free to bring a friend. We look forward to seeing you there.

Regards,

Your Chicago Climatini Board

With over 350+ attendees, the joint partnership between Young Professionals in Energy (YPE), Business Network Chicago (BNC), Clean Economy Network (formally REBN) and Climatini has proven to be one smart move.

Climatini Chicago is looking forward to continuing our support for these joint meetings each quarter.  Stay tuned for more information coming soon.

In January 2010 we will host a Climatini meet-up in the city (anyone have a location suggestion?).  If you would like to help plan our next event or you would like to help sponsor our next meeting or get involved with the next Chicago Clean Energy Alliance please let Darrin Stern know at d.stern@koelnmessenafta.com.

Happy Holiday’s and we will look forward to seeing everyone again soon.

When: Monday, December 07, 2009 from 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: MidAmerica Club
200 East Randolph Drive, 80th Floor Chicago, IL

Young Professionals in Energy (YPE), Business Network Chicago (BNC), Clean Economy Network (formally REBN) and Climatini.org have joined forces to create ‘CCEA’ and bring together the top energy professionals and resources in the Midwest. We are business professionals dedicated to bringing change to the Midwest and beyond by enabling a profit motive to drive the world to a more sustainable existence.

Bring plenty of business cards, as we expect attendance to high.

CCEA cordially invites you to attend the premier event for the clean economy in the Midwest.

• Meet the top players in the renewable energy industry: corporations, niche energy firms, venture capitalists, politicians, and other experts involved with wind, solar, biofuels, biomass and electric vehicles.
• Listen to State Representative Julie Hamos describe her experience in building a renewable energy corridor and passing green building legislation in Illinois.
• Get the chance to win a test drive behind the wheel of a Tesla Roadster, the all-electric $100,000+ sports car, and two free lunches to the Mid-America Club.
• Experience a Coulomb electric vehicle charging station provided by Carbon Day Automotive.
• Discuss cutting-edge ideas and inventions, possible deals, government energy policies, and other hot topics.
• Enjoy a panoramic view of the Chicago skyline from one of the city’s premiere social clubs.

Hosted By Member Groups:
Climatini-Chicago, Young Professionals in Energy (YPE), Business Network Chicago (BNC), and Clean Economy Network (formally REBN).

Featuring: State Representative Julie Hamos; Tesla Automotive. Mrs. Hamos will be presenting from 6:45 – 7:00PM.

Who Should Attend: Professionals in fossil and renewable energy, venture capital, private investors, financial institutions, entrepreneurs, architects, NGO’s, environmental agencies, government officials, contractors, civil engineers, developers, town planners, manufacturers, and mechanical engineers.

Price: Free admission: Hors d’oeuvres will be served compliments of the Mid-America Club, and a cash bar will be available.

Please RSVP by December 5th as we must provide your name to the security desk.
(http://cleanenergyalliance.eventbrite.com/)

Regards,

Climatini.org

Clean Economy Network (formally Renewable Energy Business Network)
Young Professionals in Energy
BNC Networking