3 Tips On Making The Most Of Climate Conferences In 2024

Is it still important and valuable to go to climate conferences?

To be honest, if you had asked me this towards the beginning of my career, I would have told you that I didn’t really think climate conferences were worth going to.

Why sit around talking when you could be out there doing the work, particularly in climate?

However, over time, I’ve come to realize that attending conferences is not climate inaction, and there is value, from staying up to date, connecting with new people, sharing knowledge and influencing change.

Why did I change my mind? Here are a 3 reasons I attend conferences in 2024.

1. Stay up to date, learn from practitioner action (or inaction)

Sustainability Consulting is a fast-paced world that spans different industries and is constantly changing. You need to stay up to date with new regulations, new policies and best practices. Conferences are a go-to resource for staying informed.

• Regulatory Responses: Get the latest insights from practitioner responses to new regulations and policies

• Lived “Scar Tissue”: Learn from practitioners who have had to grapple with doing the work, listing to the approaches and solutions they used

• Emerging Solutions: Each time I attend a conference, I learn about new climate solutions and vendors that help me connect the dots on industry trends

For example, earlier this year, I sat in on a “Scope 3 Bootcamp” at Greenbiz in Phoenix, Arizona, and learned how several CSOs were approaching Scope 3 emission calculations & reductions.

I learned practitioner tips on best ways to approach supplier data questionnaires & capacity support, and when to use GHG accounting software vs. professional services to get the work done.

🔥 Hot-tip: Sit in and engage actively in a session. Connect directly with the speaker(s) afterwards, sharing specifics on what they shared, how you resonated, trade contacts, and email them on the spot.

2. Show up, lean in, and connect irl

While we all know that digital communication has its place, and should be prioritized when possible, you can’t deny the impact of meeting with people in person.

• Cross-Industry Insights: Gain fresh perspectives and innovative ideas from professionals outside your field or zone of genius

• Networking Opportunities: Build deeper, more meaningful connections with peers, potential clients, and industry leaders.

• Building Relationships: Personal interactions often lead to collaborations and partnerships that can have significant impact.

Earlier this year, I stirred up the confidence to connect with CSOs and sustainability executives, which led to the CSO of Starbucks, Head of ESG at Meta, and Head of Sustainability Communications at Kind Bars later accepting invitations to speak at out OnePointFive Academy

These connections would not have been as strong & meaningful without in-person meetings, and stepping away from the day-to-day zoom-heavy work days, to listen, learn and network with others also doing the same.

🔥 Hot-tip: Focus on quality over quantity of connections. People will remember the conversations and connections that go beyond just work talk.

3. Share your learnings, and allow for serendipity

Conferences are more than just sessions—they’re about making your presence felt and creating new opportunities.

• Visibility: Show up and actively participate to position yourself as a key player in your field.

• Influence the Agenda: Contribute to discussions and present your ideas to help shape the industry’s future.

• Serendipity: Conferences create unique opportunities for unexpected encounters that you otherwise wouldn’t get.

Offering up your expertise to contribute to the agenda of a climate conference is a great way to not only share with others in the climate community, but also improves your chances of connecting with interesting folk.

Earlier this year in Chicago, I attended the Regenerative Agricultural Conference, and spoke about a project we’re working on to measure and reduce emissions from the cattle supply chain, and within the hour had connected with a dozen experts across USDA, FAO, and alike, who have provide invaluable inputs into our project.

🔥 Hot-tip: Generally if you apply (or are nominated) to be a speaker, you are given a free ticket, which helps you save on conference costs.

So what?

Attending conferences is a game-changer for anyone serious about sustainability consulting, no matter where you are in your career.

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From finding mentors that can guide your growth, to expanding your network, or to sharing your expertise, conferences provide a unique blend of education, networking, and inspiration that’s hard to find elsewhere.

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By staying up to date, engaging in face-to-face interactions, and creating serendipitous opportunities, you can significantly broaden your knowledge and contribute to the industry's evolution.

Make it a priority to attend, and more importantly, actively participate in conferences. The next conference I will be attending is GreenFin24 in NYC from June 17th to 19th 2024, if you are planning to attend, let me know!

More about Greenfin24 and a promo code!

Join the #GreenFin24 community of leading finance, investment and sustainability professionals, June 17-19 in NYC to get up to speed on emerging trends, and discover the latest tools to accelerate your organization's sustainability strategy.

This year’s program includes inspiring keynotes and engaging breakout sessions following six thematic tracks: ESG Ecosystem, Financing the Transition, Corporate Finance & Reporting, The Investor View, Natural Capital, and The Policy Landscape.  

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