2022 Q1 Conservation Partner Meeting – COP 26 from Texan by Nature on Vimeo.
As part of our mission to uplift conservation efforts across Texas, Texan by Nature hosts quarterly meetings exclusive to over 110 organizations in our Conservation Partner network. Our goal with these meetings is to provide educational resources, best practices, and lessons learned to develop deeper partnerships and collaboration opportunities that drive conservation action.
We kicked off our first Conservation Partner quarterly meeting in 2022 with two COP26 delegates and experts in corporate environmental affairs, Robert Horton, Vice President of Environmental Affairs for Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Kris Russell, Senior Manager of ESG at Armanino LLP, to explore what we can do at a local level to support the outcomes and global goals of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).
Hosted in Glasgow, last October 31st – November 12th, COP26 focuses on uniting the world to tackle climate change and accelerate action toward the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on climate change.
The goals* of COP 26 are:
- Secure global net-zero by mid-century and keep 1.5 degrees within reach.
- Adapt to protect communities and natural habitats.
- Mobilize finance.
- Work together to deliver.
What does COP26 mean for local conservation and for the state of Texas?
Kris and Robert presented important highlights of COP26 that are key to conservation efforts in Texas. Currently, Texas sustains the 9th largest economy in the world, making our state’s businesses global leaders and models for sustainable growth.
“Businesses aren’t waiting around for policy to catch up. They see this as an imperative to operate. The issue of climate change is material, and it is something we need to address whether for-profit or non-profit organizations. This is on the radar and on the priority list at the executive level.”
– Kris Russell
While legislative action around environmental affairs and climate change may take years to change, conservation organizations and corporate businesses can work together to collaborate on science-based and metrics-focused projects. It is in this space that Texan by Nature plays a pivotal role. By acting as a strategic partner for industry and an accelerator for conservation, we convene the connections that catalyze action and create measurable impact in our state. As part of our Conservation Partner network, we provide our partners with an array of resources and opportunities to amplify and uplift their efforts.
“Sustainability and conservation, these are fields where you really have to have thick skin, because you hear ‘no’ quite often. And it’s really the creative minds that we have had the opportunity to work with that are making it more of a priority within the corporate agenda in today’s society, and it’s because you are showing that there’s a need to do something, there’s a need to be aware of your impact on the rest of the world.”
– Robert Horton
It is through our extensive network of conservation partners and business members that we continue to drive change. Collaboration between a broad range of stakeholders is key to the future of land, wildlife, natural resources, and the prosperity of Texans statewide.
If you’re interested in joining our mission, click the links below to get started.
For Conservation Partners.
For Business Members.
Robert Horton, Vice President of Environmental Affairs for Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. DFW International Airport is the first airport in North America and the largest in the world to achieve carbon-neutral accreditation. In addition, Robert Horton also serves as the Airport Board Environmental and Sustainability Officer and manages and directs DFW’s Noise Compatibility Program.
Kris Russell, Senior Manager of ESG at Armanino LLP is an experienced environmental consultant recognized globally for implementing sustainability solutions that reduce costs, increase access to capital, improve resilience enrich employee and community engagement, and protect natural resources. As the former Environmental Program Manager of the Dallas Fort Worth Airport, Kris led DFW to become the first carbon-neutral airport in North America and won the 2020 United Nations Global Climate Action Award.