Agenda for the Climate Reality Leadership Corps Training in Rome
June 28-30, 2024
Please note: All sessions on the mainstage are held in English with simultaneous interpretation into Italian unless otherwise noted.
On the mezzanine level, there is a nursing space in Room V1 and a quiet space in Room V2.
Day 1 - Friday, 28 June
7:30 – 9:00
Registration
8:30
Doors Open
9:00 – 9:40
Welcome
Jon Kortajarena, Model, Actor, and Climate Activist
Opening day kicks off in Rome! An iconic model, actor, and climate ambassador welcomes attendees and helps create connection between fellow advocates, change-makers, and climate champions attending our first-ever Climate Reality Leadership Corps training in Italy!
9:40 – 9:45
Opening Remarks
Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor, City of Rome
Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, welcomes attendees to the Eternal City for the training weekend.
9:45 – 10:00
Introducing Climate Reality
Phyllis Cuttino, President and CEO, The Climate Reality Project
Wondering about what The Climate Reality Project does and how the organization helps address the climate crisis? President and CEO Phyllis Cuttino discusses the organization’s mission to catalyze global solutions through urgent action, elaborates on four climate impact areas, and shares exciting opportunities to engage with campaigns across the region.
10:00 – 12:00
The Climate Crisis: Science, Impacts, and Solutions across Southern Europe
Al Gore, Founder and Chairman, The Climate Reality Project
Experience the legendary presentation that inspired a movement from former US Vice President Al Gore, customized to highlight the unique climate impacts and innovative solutions relevant to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region.
12:00 – 12:30
Group Discussion
Attendees have an opportunity to reflect on and discuss Vice President Gore’s presentation by sharing questions, concerns, or inspiration. Training mentors will also help each table submit questions directly to our guest scientists.
12:30 – 13:50
Lunch Break
13:50 – 14:00
Strength in Numbers: Growing a Collective Climate Movement
Dr. Giovanni Ludovico Montagnani, Climate Activist, Ci Sarà Un Bel Clima
If we want to go far in advancing the climate movement, we must go together. Discover the power of collective action as our first keynote speaker shares insights from his personal climate activism journey on the importance of uniting at the local, regional, and EU levels to drive impactful climate campaigns.
14:00 – 14:45
Climate Action Across Europe
- Moderator: Al Gore, Founder and Chairman, The Climate Reality Project
- Federica Fricano, Director of EU Affairs, Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security; Co-Chair, G7 Climate and Energy
- Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate Action, European Commission
What are the greatest challenges and opportunities to advance climate progress across Europe? Vice President Gore hosts a crucial conversation with European Union leaders to explore the bloc’s ambitious climate commitments and discuss progress on green policies, just financing, and strategies to enhance resilience in the face of increasing climate risks.
14:45 – 15:20
City Leaders on Climate Action: Challenges and Successes
- Moderator: Silvia Gugu, Senior Governance Expert, Climate Neutral Cities, ICLEI European Secretariat
- Haris Doukas, Mayor, City of Athens
- Matteo Lepore, Mayor, City of Bologna
Cities are central to climate innovation and sustainability. In an engaging panel discussion, the forward-looking mayors of Athens and Bologna take center stage to discuss their bold climate action plans and share lessons for communities everywhere in transitioning to clean energy.
Language: This session is in both English and Italian
15:20 – 15:50
Coffee Break and Transition to Networking Rooms
15:50 – 16:40
Networking Session
Attendees have an opportunity to meet one another during a semi-structured networking session.
- Main Hall: Tables 26 – 34; 44 – 48; 53 – 61; 75 – 84
- Breakout A/B: Tables 1 – 25
- Breakout C/D: Tables 85 – 100
- Breakout E: Tables 64 – 74
- Breakout L/Q: Tables 35 – 43; 49 – 52; 62 – 63 (Italian only)
16:40 – 17:00
Transition to Breakout Rooms
17:00 – 18:00
Capacity-Building Breakout Session I
Please note that there is no simultaneous interpretation offered in breakout rooms. Interpretation is available only when indicated.
Day 2 - Saturday, 29 June
8:30
Doors Open
9:00 – 9:20
Day Two Opening
Alice Casiraghi, Circular Economy Designer; Advisor, Circular Food Systems; Climate Reality Leader, 2020 Global Virtual Training; Community Champion and Alumna, Global Shapers Milan Hub
The host welcomes attendees back to the training for a second day of exciting panels, discussions, and more.
9:20 – 10:10
Answering Your Climate Science Questions
- Moderator: Al Gore, Founder and Chairman, The Climate Reality Project
- Carlo Buontempo, Director, Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) / European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF)
- Dr. Filippo Giorgi, Climate Scientist, Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)
The science is clear: to tackle the climate crisis, we need to end our reliance on fossil fuels & invest in clean, affordable energy for all. Don’t miss hearing from Vice President Gore and two leading climate scientists from the region as they answer your questions on climate science, impacts, and solutions in southern Europe.
10:10 – 10:55
Reimagining a Clean Energy Future: Driving a Socially Just Transition
- Moderator: Caterina Sarfatti, Managing Director for Inclusion and Global Leadership, C40 Cities
- Giulia Giordano, Head of International Programs, ECCO
- Ambassador Grammenos Mastrojeni, Deputy Secretary General for Energy and Climate Action, Union for the Mediterranean; Climate Reality Leader, 2013 Istanbul Training
Hear from regional leaders and experts as they discuss how driving a clean energy transition that says farewell to fossil fuels will lead us towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
10:55 – 11:40
Climate Truths: The Dangers of Greenwashing and Disinformation
- Moderator: Anna Toniolo, Freelance Journalist
- Stella Levantesi, Climate Journalist; Author, The Climate Deniers
- Federico Spadini, Climate Campaigner, Greenpeace Italia
- Antonio Tricarico, Program Director, ReCommon
Discover the truth behind disinformation and greenwashing tactics in this eye-opening panel. Learn how to identify perpetrators and hold them accountable for their misleading environmental claims.
11:40 – 12:10
Let’s Take Action: Calling for a Clean Energy Future Now
Gosia Rychlik, Branch Manager, The Climate Reality Project Europe
Together, let’s take action while at this training!
12:10 – 13:20
Lunch
13:20 – 13:35
Garbage Patch State: An Artist’s Climate Advocacy Journey
Maria Cristina Finucci, President, The Garbage Patch State; Architect, Studio Finucci
Embark on a captivating journey with internationally recognized artist, architect, and designer Maria Cristina Finucci as she shares how she has used the power of art to raise awareness about the harms of plastic waste.
13:35 – 14:15
Centering Agriculture: Building Resiliency for an Unstable Climate Future
- Moderator: Al Gore, Founder and Chairman, The Climate Reality Project
- Bruno Basso, Distinguished Professor, Michigan State University; Cofounder and Chief Scientist, CIBO
- Silvia Coderoni PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Teramo
Agriculture plays a critical role in sustaining livelihoods, preserving cultural heritage, and ensuring food and economic security across the Mediterranean and southern Europe. Learn how extreme weather events are impacting agriculture throughout the region and how cultivating resilient, innovative, and adaptative agricultural systems is vital for ensuring job continuity and food security.
14:15 – 14:30
Group Discussions
14:30 – 15:40
Lightning Round: Highlighting Local Climate Action
Learn about the exciting work run by some of Climate Reality’s training partners in the region and ways to join them in action.
Language: This session is both in English and Italian
- Urgewald
- A Sud
- C40 Cities
- Climate KIC
- ECCO
- Greenpeace Italia
- Italian Climate Network
- Legambiente
- ReCommon
- Stati Generali dell’Azione per il Clima
- WEF Global Shapers Community
- WWF Italia
15:40 – 16:10
Coffee Break and Transition to Capacity Building Sessions
16:10 – 17:00
Capacity-Building Breakout Sessions II
Attendees can choose to attend a second capacity-building session from the options offered on Day One. Please note that there is no simultaneous interpretation offered in breakout rooms. Interpretation is available only when indicated.
17:15 – 18:30
Partner Fair and Community Reception
Room: The Forum
Join us at the Partner Fair and Community Reception! Learn more about our partners' impactful work, ask questions, and explore ways to engage in the regional climate movement. This is your chance to connect, collaborate, and make a real difference in the climate space.
Day 3 - Sunday, 30 June
8:30
Doors Open
9:00 – 9:15
Day Three Host Opening
Shooka Bidarian, Environmental Correspondent; Climate Reality Leader, 2016 Manila Training; Green Ring Award Winner, 2020 Global Virtual Training
The host welcomes attendees back for the third and final day of the training in Rome.
9:15 – 9:45
Truth in Ten
Al Gore, Founder and Chairman, The Climate Reality Project
Vice President Gore first shares an overview of Climate TRACE – a comprehensive platform tracking global emissions. Then, he shares a shortened version of his presentation from Day One. Get ready to supercharge your climate activism and use “Truth in Ten” to effectively communicate climate science, impacts, and solutions in your own advocacy work.
9:45 – 10:00
Fighting Fast Fashion
Matteo Ward, Cofounder and CEO, WRÅD; Vice President, Fashion Revolution Italia
The impacts of fast fashion can have devastating social and environmental effects. Matteo Ward sheds light on the dark side of the global fashion scene, as he shares clips from his groundbreaking docuseries, JUNK, and discusses ways to make the industry more climate-friendly and just.
10:00 – 10:35
Sustainable Growth from Southern Europe’s Innovators
- Moderator: Phoebe Koundouri, Professor, Athens University of Economics and Business & Technical University of Denmark; President, European Association of Environmental Resource Economists; Chair, SDSN Global Climate Hub; Director, AE4RIA
- Cristina Crava, Head of Projects, The Porto Protocol; Owner, Casa de Algar; Climate Reality Leader, 2020 Global Virtual Training
- Rodolfo Pinto, CEO, SuperUrbanity; Board Member, Green Energy Storage
Southern Europe’s innovative spirit flows through the region’s family businesses and small or medium enterprises (SMEs). Hear from visionary local leaders as they share how their projects and strategies are driving sustainable innovations to reduce emissions while growing profits and creating jobs.
10:35 – 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00 – 11:45
Stories of Inspiration from Trained Climate Leaders
- Moderator: Al Gore, Founder and Chairman, The Climate Reality Project
- Asia Guerreschi, Circular Economy Research Fellow, University of Ferrara; Founder, Rethinking Climate; Climate Reality Leader, 2020 Global Virtual Training
- Mattia Lucertini, Research Fellow, University of Bologna; National Coordinator, Italian Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN Italy); Climate Reality Leader, 2021 Global Virtual Training
- Ilaria Quotta, Founder and Creative Director, ARTE FACTA; Climate Reality Leader, 2020 Global Virtual Training
- Álvaro Rodríguez, National Coordinator, The Climate Reality Project Spain Team; Climate Reality Leader, 2007 Seville Training
Climate Reality Leaders from across southern Europe join Vice President Gore on a panel to discuss their inspiration to join the climate movement and the path they’ve taken as trained Leaders. Panelists share about their dedication to the movement, local campaigns, and hopes for the future of climate action.
Language: This session is in both English and Italian
11:45 – 12:35
The Climate Reality Leadership Corps: Engagement Across Europe
- Gosia Rychlik, Branch Manager, The Climate Reality Project Europe
- Ethan Spaner, International Policy Senior Advisor, The Climate Reality Project
- Erin Taylor, Campaigns and Field Senior Vice President, The Climate Reality Project
Staff discuss Climate Reality’s campaigns, advocacy opportunities and ways to plug into our wider network, as well as how to stay connected to other Climate Reality Leaders after the training. Wrapping up, take an action urging European leaders to strengthen their climate commitments.