Our Climate Future: Your Business, Climate Change & Vermont’s Climate Action Plan
Wednesday, October 30th · 1-2pm EST
Are you concerned about the impacts of our changing climate on your business?
Are you curious about how Vermont will move away from fossil fuels and toward climate resilience?
Did you know that Vermont has a Climate Action Plan?
In 2020, the Vermont Legislature passed the Global Warming Solutions Act, which charges the Vermont Climate Council with creating the “Vermont Climate Action Plan.” This comprehensive plan aims to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, help protect Vermont communities and landscapes from the greatest risks of climate change, and create new clean energy industry and jobs.
Vermont’s Climate Action Plan is being updated, and YOU can bring your voice to shaping it!
Join leaders from Vermont’s business community and the Vermont Climate Council to discuss how to justly transition Vermont away from fossil fuels and toward a resilient economy powered by clean energy, including centering small, rural, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and women-owned businesses in Vermont’s climate action strategies, policy, and programs. Our panel will include:
- Kelly Klein, Owner & CEO, Groennfell Meadery & Havoc Mead and Small Business representative on the Vermont Climate Council
- Sophi Veltrop, Community Engagement & Communications Coordinator – Climate Action Office, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
- Weiwei Wang, Co-Executive Director, Community and Policy/Co-Founder, Vermont Professionals of Color Network
After brief presentations, the panel will welcome questions from the audience related to Vermont’s Climate Action Plan. Bring your questions, concerns, and creative ideas!
Hosted by VBSR, this virtual policy forum is in support of engaging businesses in the Vermont Climate Council’s public input process continuing through July 2025. The Vermont Climate Council wants to hear what YOU need from our state government to not only survive, but to thrive as your business faces a changing climate!
Thank you to our speakers!
Kelly Klein, Owner & CEO, Groennfell Meadery & Havoc Mead and Small Business representative on the Vermont Climate Council
Kelly Klein is the founder and CEO of Groennfell Meadery and Havoc Mead, a certified B Corp located in St. Albans, Vermont. Kelly has worked since the company's founding to use the business as a force for good and to create a healthy, supportive environment for their growing team of employees.
Sophi Veltrop, Community Engagement & Communications Coordinator – Climate Action Office, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources
Sophi joined the Climate Action Office in 2023 to support community engagement and communications efforts. In this role she collects and shares public input about climate action and climate-related policy with decision-makers and implementers. Her role also includes making State of Vermont climate information meaningful and accessible to Vermonters. Sophi comes to the Agency of Natural Resources with communications experience working for natural and working lands non-profits, as well as engagement work through extracurricular education programs. She lives in a mountain hollow flanked by Winooski River headwaters in Woodbury.
Weiwei Wang, Co-Executive Director, Community and Policy/Co-Founder, Vermont Professionals of Color Network
Weiwei Wang immigrated from Beijing, China as a child and grew up in Vermont, California, and Utah. After completing undergraduate studies at Connecticut College, she worked in various roles in higher education, fitness, event management, international shipping logistics and trade, project management, and research. Through all of these experiences, Weiwei has focused on access to community as an avenue for self- and community empowerment, and community building as a source of grounding and inspiration. This has driven her work in communities across the state and has been fostered through her work as a founding member of the VT Professionals of Color Network. As Yuri Kochiyama said, “Life is not what you alone make it. Life is the input of everyone who touched your life and every experience that entered it. We are all part of one another.” Community is vital.
Currently, she serves as the Executive Director focusing on Community and Policy for the VT PoC Network, and is a co-founder of the Vermont Health Equity Initiative. Weiwei gives back to the community through board service and volunteer opportunities across the state/region and is an alum of Vermont Changemakers Table (’18), New Leaders Council – Vermont Chapter (’20), and Leadership Champlain (’22).
Thank you to our sponsor!
Southern Vermont Solar is a local, mission driven renewable energy company committed to doing right by our community, customers, and employees in the transition towards a renewable energy future.
Our dedicated and expert team of electricians and energy professionals design, install, and service ground mounted and rooftop solar systems, and energy storage systems, from large commercial to small residential sites. From concept to the finished product that may well last beyond our lifetimes, we create meaningful improvements to our customers’ lives to reduce their carbon footprints and utility bills. We choose the best products, design beautiful systems, do high-quality work with great integrity throughout, and are here for post-installation service and future upgrades.
The Southern Vermont Solar mission is to be a sustainable, value-driven local business that helps our community make the bold transition off of fossil fuels. We deliver exceptional customer service and rewarding green careers to our employees in the shift to clean, renewable energy. Our work is a reflection of our commitment to investing in the improvement of our community.
Questions? If so, please contact Molly Rand at mollyr@vbsr.org.