With a record number of House Republicans set to attend COP28 in Dubai, CRES Forum convened Members of Congress, industry leaders and policy experts to discuss the message Republicans are planning to bring to the conference: Conservatives care about the climate and have real solutions.
The event featured remarks from Representatives Garret Graves (R-La.) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) — two Members of Congress who attended last year’s COP and discussed the United States’ leadership in emissions reduction. The event programming also included two panel discussions with industry voices and congressional staff to highlight the importance of a Republican presence at COP28 and how leaders can effectively communicate a conservative perspective on climate issues.
The first panel discussed how industry leaders have previously engaged at COP events and what they plan to do in the coming years. Panelists included Carol L. Berrigan from the Nuclear Energy Institute, Dan Byers from the U.S. Chamber Global Energy Institute, Jennifer T. Gordon from the Atlantic Council, Lisa Jacobson from the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, and Roger Martella from GE Vernova.
Following a closer look into the industry perspective of COP28, current Republican staff members shared their insights and experience from previous trips to COP. Participating in this panel was Chief Counsel of Energy and Environment at the House Energy and Commerce Committee Mary Martin, Deputy Chief of Staff for Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah) Jake Bornstein, General Counsel for Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Jake Tyner, and Chief Strategist for Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) Marty Hall.
The event’s takeaway was clear: Republicans are to be taken seriously when it comes to climate. As Members of Congress and their staff prepare to board their flights to Dubai, we are confident they have been well equipped with the tools they need to bring commonsense, conservative climate and energy solutions to the global stage.