Towards US-Japan Co-creation of Sustainability Transformations:
Exploring Opportunities in Sustainable Consumption and Production
The Japan-US Sustainable Transitions Network (JUSTra Network)

Inaugural Meeting of the Japan-US Sustainable Transitions Network

Agenda

Date June 14, 2022
Venue The Kluge Center at the Library of Congress, Washington DC.

Morning session

Welcoming remarks Mr. Brent D. Yacobucci, Acting Director, The John W. Kluge Center, US Library of Congress
Brief introduction Prof. Dana R. Fisher
Project overview, Prof. Norichika Kanie /Prof. Reiko Sodeno
Presentations by core members (Interests and Expectations)

Afternoon session

Findings from the inaugural meeting:

Target issues/priority areas:

• Varied perspectives on energy sustainability in the current moment with some consensus about increased extraction since the war began in Ukraine.
• SDGs are not common metrics within US decision making.

Participants (in alphabetical order):

Becky Cairns, Staff Director, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, House Committee on Natural Resources
The Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources oversees these valuable public resources, ensuring they are developed in a safe and equitable manner and that U.S. taxpayers are properly compensated for their use.

Abbey Engleman, Senior Legislative Assistant, Office of Representative Alan Lowenthal (CA-47)
Rep. Lowenthal leads Congress’ most comprehensive plan to protect Americans’ health from plastic pollutions. His overall stance: It is my role to help ensure that our country’s natural resources are managed in the most sustainable and responsible way possible, and to strike the proper balance between our public lands’ many uses. It is our duty and our responsibility as citizens to ensure that we leave the planet in better shape than we found it.

Chris Espinosa, Director of Outreach & Engagement, House Committee on Natural Resources The House Committee on Natural Resources advances the interests of the indigenous peoples and residents of the territories of the United States, and considers legislation and oversees federal conservation and species protection programs under the leadership of Chairman Raúl M. Grijalva.
The U.S. Chamber works closely with a nationwide network of state and local chambers. Through this strong partnership, the U.S. Chamber has broad reach and deep relationships in communities across the country. In turn, state and local chambers have a powerful advocate in Washington. Together, we promote policies that create healthy business climates, from legal reform and smart regulation to workforce development and infrastructure.ote policies that create healthy business climates, from legal reform and smart regulation to workforce development and infrastructure.lopment and infrastructure.ote policies that create healthy business climates, from legal reform and smart regulation to workforce development and infrastructure.

Hiroaki Kaneko, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan

Laura Gillam, Senior Policy Advisor for Clean Air and Climate, Democratic Staff, U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Laura leads Democratic EPW Committee actions, including congressional hearings and policy development and strategy for EPW Chairman Tom Carper (D-DE) and other Democratic EPW members, related to climate change, the Clean Air Act, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Tennessee Valley Authority, biofuels and other energy issues.

Christopher Guith, Senior Vice President, Policy, U.S. Chamber Global Energy Institute, US Chamber of Commerce

Joseph Majkut, Director, Energy Security and Climate Change Program, Center for Strategic & International Studies
Offering leading research on emerging energy and climate change issues and delivering insightful, independent analysis to educate and drive effective policy

Spencer Nelson, Managing Director, Research and New Initiatives, ClearPath
ClearPath’s mission is to develop and advance policies that accelerate breakthrough innovations that reduce emissions in the energy and industrial sectors.

Joseph Thompson, Assistant Director, US Government Accountability Office
GAO provides Congress, the heads of executive agencies, and the public with timely, fact-based, non-partisan information that can be used to improve government and save taxpayers billions of dollars.