And the lineup is…

Have you seen it yet?  The NACW 2010 agenda is now posted on the site.  Let me preface this next statement with the disclaimer that I’m not writing it because I have to (because it’s my job or because my paycheck is signed by one of NACW’s organizers, although, I do admit those are both good reasons).  As a person who’s attended a fair share of carbon conferences and events, I can honestly say that the agenda for NACW is a great representation of the topics that are and will affect the carbon community the most this year.

One topic that is going to make repeat appearances in the headlines and in conversations throughout the year is international accords, and it is the subject of one of NACW’s plenary sessions.  How will the global community move forward with concerted initiatives to jointly address climate change issues and how will international governance be executed?  Will this year mark the collapse of an old regime and witness the emergence of a new one?  Is there still hope left in an agreement being crafted and signed at COP16 in Cancun?  The mass confusion and chaos at COP15 in Copenhagen damaged the image of and confidence in COP and any potential legally binding agreement.  And it left behind a taste of uncertainty that will help flavor the tone of COP16.  Just yesterday, ClimateWire reported that enviros’ climate policy analysts have abandoned the notion of a legally binding agreement at COP16.

So, what other accords will emerge to replace it?  Will this year see multilateral agreements become the basis for international cooperation?  Are we going to see agreements made directly among developed and developing countries?  And will sub-national leadership continue moving into the spotlight as a model and foundation for national initiatives?  Cities and states made a strong showing in Copenhagen, and clearly, their plans are to continue moving forward with initiatives and regulations (whether or not the regulations get passed is another story and, coincidentally, one that’s covered in another NACW session).

In the time leading up to the conference, we’ll be blogging more about the plenary and breakout sessions and have interviews with some of the speakers.  And one final note, again written by a person who’s attended a fair share of carbon conferences and events: the topics covered at NACW are the pressing and relevant ones facing us this year but they are not going to be covered in the same, old format that has become so standard for carbon conferences.  Sometimes you can float from conference to conference and hear the same people talk about the same topics.  You remember the movie Groundhog Day?  You’re Bill Murray but instead of being in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, you’re in another meeting room listening to another recap of the Kerry-Boxer bill.  NACW isn’t going to be like that.  Keep your eye on this site for new postings on the sessions, speakers and conference activities.