The 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, is rapidly approaching. In order for COP27 to successfully address the scale of the climate crisis, attending nations must consider the gender balance of their delegations and hosted speakers. Women’s political leadership is integral to climate change, political awareness, and government action.

The Center on Global Energy Policy hosted a panel of experts to discuss the contribution of women to climate diplomacy and the important role of a gender framework in promoting successful climate action. The panel featured Catherine McKenna, who launched Women Leading on Climate at COP26 in Glasgow, and Amy Myers Jaffe, who recently released a commentary on women and gender in climate diplomacy.

Welcome Remarks:

• Jessica Weis, Program Director, Women In Energy, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA

Moderator:

• Amy Myers Jaffe, Research Professor and Managing Director, Climate Policy Lab, The Fletcher School at Tufts University, and Co-chair of the Women in Energy Steering Committee, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA

Panelists:

• Irina Lazzerini, Principal Specialist, Clean Energy, SEforAll
• Catherine McKenna, Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA and Founder and Principal, Climate and Nature Solutions

Brazil’s energy sector offers a valuable perspective, where the growth of the oil and gas sector is coming alongside the deployment of clean energy technologies in a country that displays one of the largest shares in the world of renewables in its electricity generation mix. 
 
The Center on Global Energy Policy, in partnership with Women in Energy Brasil and Columbia Global Centers | Rio de Janeiro, hosted a discussion to provide insights into Brazil’s pragmatic pathway to a clean energy transition from the perspective of an oil and gas producing country. A stellar panel of women leaders in the energy sector discussed the future of the country’s energy system in the context of global high energy prices, the country’s policy approach towards low carbon fuels, the lessons learned from the deployment of clean technologies, and integration of renewables in the power grid, all while at the same time working towards lowering the carbon footprint of its oil and gas production.
 
Moderator:

• Dr. Luisa Palacios, Senior Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA; and former Chairwoman, Citgo Petroleum Corporation

Keynote Speaker:

• Mrs. Agnes Maria de Aragão da Costa, Head of the Regulatory Special Advisory Office of the Ministry of Mines and Energy

Panelists:

• Fernanda Delgado, Executive Director of IBP – Instituto Brasileiro de Petróleo e Gás
• Elbia Gannoum, President, Brazilian Wind Energy Association – ABEEólica and Vice President of the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)
• Camila Ramos, Founder and managing director of CELA Clean Energy Latin America

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The transition away from a fossil fuel-based energy system to one based on cleaner energy technologies raises profound questions for traditional oil and gas companies. In looking to the world’s future energy requirements, some of these companies are looking for ways to evolve into broader energy companies to reach net-zero targets by 2050. They will require new capabilities, leadership, and cultures as they shift their business models, capital allocation, and organizational capabilities.
 
To better understand the opportunities, experiences, and challenges facing oil and gas companies in adapting to the energy transition, the Center on Global Energy Policy hosted a panel of experts with experience in the sector.
 
Moderator:

• Amy Myers Jaffe, Co-Chair, Women in Energy Steering Committee, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA and Managing Director, Climate Policy Lab, Fletcher School, Tufts University 

 
Speakers:

• Andrea Galieti, Vice President for Policy and Partnerships, bp
• Sunaina Ocalan, Director, Corporate Strategy and Climate Change, Hess Corporation
• Ariwoola Ogbemi, Senior Advisor, Equinor and Adjunct Senior Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA

Last year, the U.S. Congress passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that included $7.5 billion for electric vehicle charging, $65 billion to upgrade the electricity grid, and $8 billion to establish 4 hydrogen hubs, among other expenditures in clean energy. The U.S. Department of Energy Loan program office is targeting multiple infrastructure and technologies, including battery storage, DERs, advanced vehicle manufacturing and carbon capture and storage.

The new round of public funding comes against the backdrop of attention on social and environmental goals. The Biden administration stated aims to commit 40 percent of new clean energy funds to disadvantaged communities. Historically, women-run firms have been underrepresented in major infrastructure development projects receiving U.S. federal government support, such as the Loan Guarantee programs. For example, between 2009 and 2020, the chief executive officers of ventures that received over $1 billion allocations from the loan guarantee program were all male-run. Women are also underrepresented in grants from the DOE’s Small Business Innovation Research program (SBIR).

The Center on Global Energy Policy hosted a panel of women clean energy CEOs to discuss the potential of the infrastructure bill and other Biden administration policies to fast-track clean energy infrastructure in the United States and the role of women-led firms in accelerating the energy transition.

Welcome Remarks:

• Amy Myers Jaffe, Co-chair of the Steering Committee, Women in Energy Program, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA

Moderator:

• Emily Chasan, Director, Communications, Generate Capital

Speakers:

• Alexandra Rasch Castillo, Founder and CEO, Caban Systems
• Janice Tran, CEO and Co-Founder, Kanin Energy

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Profound changes in state and federal policy are shaping the landscape for carbon capture, use, and storage in real time. Throughout the United States, these changes may be felt most in Wyoming, where extractive industries have long contributed to the economy, the culture, communities and tax base. As the energy transition mounts, Wyoming’s leaders, companies, and experts will help determine the rate and magnitude of deployment of carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS), which will affect every aspect of life and commerce in the Equality State.

The Center on Global Energy Policy’s Women in Energy program is delighted to announce the fourth event in the Women in Energy CCUS Roadshow series. This initiative aims to highlight the extraordinary accomplishments of women in the CCUS field and empower a workforce that is equitable, diverse, and strong by advancing equality and opportunity. The WIE program seeks to address institutional barriers to entry, help organizations and companies recruit women and improve retention, and empower women to achieve career growth through educational programming, enhanced visibility, and broader networks. The Center works in collaboration with local universities, non-governmental organizations, and public institutions to design cross-cutting, innovative programs that aim to improve the understanding of global challenges through a transdisciplinary, transcultural and applied perspective.

The Center hosted a discussion of the changes in federal and state laws concerning CCUS and how those changes might affect investment, development, climate, and communities in Wyoming. The conversation featured energy experts from Wyoming who also discussed ways to grow women’s share of the energy workforce and what organizations in the public and private sectors are looking for in new recruits.

Moderator:

• Dr. S. Julio Friedmann, Senior Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA

Speakers:

• Dr. Holly Krutka, Executive Director, University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources
• Sarah Forbes, Director, Carbon Capture and Storage, Center on Environmental Quality, Executive Office of the President
• Sheila Hollis, Acting Executive Director, United States Energy Association
• Deepika Nagabhushan, Client Project Manager, Carbon Direct

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Please note: This is a hybrid event. Registration for in-person attendance has reached capacity. Should additional space open, this message will be updated. Virtual attendance is still open and we invite you to join us remotely.

Background:

Foreign direct investment can contribute significantly to sustainable development through tax revenues, the transfer of capital and technology, job creation, linkages with local industries, infrastructure development, and capacity building. However, the extent to which these benefits actually accrue to host countries depends heavily on the policies of the host country and the investor, the regulatory and legal framework governing their relationship, and the institutions available to find mutually satisfactory outcomes for both parties. Nowhere are the stakes higher than with extractive industries, where oil, gas and mining have sometimes been a springboard to development and at other times a source of corruption, social degradation, and environmental catastrophe. As the resources are non-renewable, countries have a one-shot opportunity to transform the resource wealth into development.

Objective:

This event, co-hosted by the Center on Global Energy Policy and Columbia Global Centers | Rio de Janeiro, will provide a basic knowledge of the transformative potential, benefits and risks of the extractive-industry and the role of industry, governments and civil society. Participants will have the opportunity to learn and interact with experts from Columbia University and Fundação Getúlio Vargas to discuss the interlinkages of oil, gas and mining in Brazil and the U.S.

Speakers:

• Lisa Sachs

Director of the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment. Since joining CCSI in 2008, she established and now oversees CCSI’s robust research portfolio in its cross-cutting areas of expertise, and has overseen advisory work in Chile, Guinea, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Paraguay, Tanzania and Timor-Leste, among other countries. She teaches a masters seminar at Columbia Law School and Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs on Extractive Industries and Sustainable Development, and lectures at Externado University in Colombia on International Investment Law. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Harvard University, and earned her Juris Doctor and a Masters degree in International Affairs from Columbia University, where she was a James Kent Scholar and recipient of the Parker School Certificate in International and Comparative Law.

• Fernanda Delgado

PHD trained in Energetic Planning (engineering), with petroleum geopolitics emphasis, Master degrees in Management Engineering and in International Finance. Two published books on Petropolitics, and an affiliated professor of Oil Geopolitics in Brazilian Navy Officers University. Professional experience in relevant companies, in Brazil and abroad, as Deloitte, Vale S.A., Gama Filho University, Royal Shipping Services and Dickinson Maritime Agency. Skilled on business plans design and construction, project financial viability studies and business valuation. Long experience in strategic planning, merger and acquisition, business analysis, economic and financial evaluation and competitive intelligence.

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Please note: This is a hybrid event. Registration for in-person attendance has reached capacity. Should additional space open, this message will be updated. Virtual attendance is still open and we invite you to join us remotely.

Advance registration is required. Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email with access details.

For more information about the event, please contact energypolicyevents@columbia.edu.

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Please join the Center on Global Energy Policy's Women in Energy program for a virtual roundtable discussion with Marcia Burkey, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of TerraPower. Aside from her career path, Ms. Burkey will also discuss how TerraPower fits into the energy transition and what type of career disciplines propel their progress.

About TerraPower

TerraPower was started in 2008 when our founder, Bill Gates, saw clean energy as an opportunity to sustainably lift people out of poverty. Working with our employees and investors, we have expanded that vision to also include the advancement of nuclear science in medical isotopes to offer life-saving treatment for cancer. TerraPower is on a mission to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing mankind with safe, affordable and sustainable technologies.

Biography

​Marcia Burkey is the executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO), responsible for TerraPower’s finance operations, human resources, information technology, procurement and contracts, and commercial development.

Immediately prior to joining TerraPower, Burkey was the managing director at TeleSoft Partners, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm which funds, incubates and helps build value in companies of various stages. She oversaw investment operations for a family of funds with commitments exceeding $625M including SBIC commitments. TeleSoft’s funds invest in communication, energy, internet and information technology (IT) companies.

Prior to her work at TeleSoft, Burkey was a senior vice president and partner of Bechtel Group, Inc. In her capacity as CFO of Bechtel Enterprises, she was responsible for leading the investment efforts along with financial planning and analysis, control, tax, treasury, and IT efforts. Additionally, Burkey assisted in capital raisings within Bechtel Enterprises and Bechtel Group, and served on the boards of UIC, Alterra and InterGen. She led the development and sale of investments in North America, Asia, South America and the Middle East. Burkey also served as the president of Bechtel’s NASD broker-dealer, Bechtel Financing Services, Inc.

Prior to her work at Bechtel, Burkey spent nine years at SBC Warburg (now UBS) in corporate and project finance positions. She was involved in project financings globally for SBC Warburg in New York, and directed the firm’s Latin America project finance business development efforts. In addition, she was responsible for corporate advisory and financing in multiple industries, including work with U.S. public utilities. While at SBC Warburg, Burkey assisted in raising debt and equity capital for U.S. electric, water and gas utilities in excess of $2.5B.

Burkey holds a Bachelor's degree from Macalester College, Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude, and a Master's degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

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This event will be hosted via Zoom. Advance registration is required. Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email with access details. The event will be recorded and the video recording will be added to our website following the event.

For more information, please contact Jully Merino Carela (jem2245@columbia.edu) or Nicolina DueMogensen (energypolicyevents@columbia.edu).

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Carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS) technologies and approaches are critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation, industrial, and power sectors, and a key ingredient to creating a more sustainable and equitable energy system. Implementing CCUS more broadly will require navigating technology, policy, and science issues at the state and national level and attention to a broad set of equity and environmental justice concerns.

“Carbon Capture & Energy: Everything’s Bigger in Texas” is the third set of panels being convened as part of the Women In Energy CCUS Roadshow. These conversations highlight leading experts in the field of CCUS with a special focus on local policy and deployment. The Center on Global Energy Policy’s Carbon Management Research Initiative and Women in Energy program hosted a webinar addressing the vital role of carbon capture in greenhouse gas emissions reductions and carbon dioxide removal.  

The conversation focused on the status of carbon capture policy and technology in Texas, including how carbon removal technology fits into strategies to address climate change and bring global greenhouse gas emission to the equivalent of zero. We also explored how it can contribute to a more just energy transition and how to assure safe and effective deployment of the technology. A panel of exceptional leaders then discussed a recent analysis by Susan Hovorka at the Bureau of Economic Geology and recent announcements by Occidental Petroleum on carbon storage resources, state and federal regulations, technological advances, and commercial opportunities in carbon dioxide use and removal, and efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the industrial sector. 

Moderator:

Dr. Julio Friedmann, Senior Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia SIPA

Keynote: 

• Vicki Hollub, President and Chief Executive Officer, Occidental Petroleum Corporation

Panelists: 

• Ellen S. Friedman, Partner, Co-Head Energy & Infrastructure Projects Team, Nixon Peabody LLP
• Susan Hovorka, Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas at Austin
• Deepika Nagabhushan, Program Director, Carbon Capture and Storage, Clean Air Task Force (CATF)

Women In Energy CCUS Roadshow. These conversations highlight leading experts in the field of CCUS with a special focus on local policy and deployment. The Center on Global Energy Policy’s Carbon Management Research Initiative and Women in Energy program will host a webinar addressing the vital role of carbon capture in greenhouse gas emissions reductions and carbon dioxide removal.   The conversation will focus on the status of carbon capture policy and technology in Texas, including how carbon removal technology fits into strategies to address climate change and bring global greenhouse gas emission to the equivalent of zero. We will also explore how it can contribute to a more just energy transition and how to assure safe and effective deployment of the technology. A panel of exceptional leaders will then discuss a recent analysis by Susan Hovorka at the Bureau of Economic Geology and recent announcements by Occidental Petroleum on carbon storage resources, state and federal regulations, technological advances, and commercial opportunities in carbon dioxide use and removal, and efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the industrial sector. 

Moderator:

• Dr. Julio Friedmann, Senior Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia SIPA
• Vicki Hollub, President and Chief Executive Officer, Occidental Petroleum Corporation

Keynote: 

Panelists: 

• Ellen S. Friedman, Partner, Co-Head Energy & Infrastructure Projects Team, Nixon Peabody LLP
• Susan Hovorka, Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas at Austin
• Deepika Nagabhushan, Program Director, Carbon Capture and Storage, Clean Air Task Force (CATF)

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Please join the Center on Global Energy Policy's Women in Energy program for a virtual roundtable discussion with Sophie Brochu, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro-Québec. Ms. Brochu will discuss her career and life path to becoming the first female CEO of Hydro-Quebec, North America’s largest renewable energy generator. She will also comment on the importance of accelerating regional decarbonization efforts to tackle the climate change crisis and share her vision for more equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Biography
Sophie Brochu took office as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hydro-Québec on April 2, 2020. She is the first woman in the company’s history to hold that office on a permanent basis.

Ms. Brochu has over 30 years of experience in the energy sector. She began her career in 1987 as a financial analyst with Société québécoise d’initiatives pétrolières (SOQUIP), a Québec government corporation responsible for developing the natural gas network in the province. In 1997, she joined Énergir (formerly Gaz Métro) as Vice President, Business Development, and subsequently went on to head other departments, including those in charge of sales and customer services, regulatory affairs and community relations. In 2007, she became Énergir’s President and Chief Executive Officer, a position she held until the end of 2019. Under her guidance, the Québec natural gas distributor added renewable natural gas to its supply portfolio and became an important player in the wind and solar energy spaces, in both Canada and the U.S. In the mid-2000s, Énergir acquired Vermont electric utility Green Mountain Power, which later acquired Central Vermont Public Services, creating a customer-centric electricity provider.

Sophie Brochu holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Université Laval and sits on the board of Banque de Montréal (BMO). Very active in the community, she has been involved with Centraide of Greater Montreal for many years and co-founded ruelle de l’avenir, a non-profit organization that encourages students in the Centre-Sud and Hochelaga neighborhoods of Montréal to stay in school. She chairs the board of Fondation Forces AVENIR, which supports activities designed to foster and celebrate community involvement by high school, college and university students. In addition, she is a leader of L’effet A, an initiative whose aim is to promote the participation of women at all organizational levels. Ms. Brochu was awarded honorary doctorates by Université de Montréal (HEC Montréal) and Bishop’s University. She is a member of the Order of Canada.

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This event will be hosted via Zoom. Advance registration is required. Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email with access details. The event will be recorded and the video recording will be added to our website following the event.
 
For more information, please contact Jully Merino Carela (jem2245@columbia.edu) or Nicolina DueMogensen (energypolicyevents@columbia.edu).

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