House Republicans kick off climate forum ahead of White House summit

House Republicans on Monday kicked off a three-day energy event they’re saying will promote “conservative solutions for a better climate,” ahead of a climate summit scheduled at the White House this week. 

Monday’s events were focused on innovation, one of three areas in which Republicans say they will address the issue. The party also says it will support clean energy infrastructure, as well as natural solutions and conservation, according to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) website.

Only events that take place on Monday are currently listed on the site. They include promoting nuclear energy and a still-developing type of technology called carbon capture which aims to prevent carbon dioxide from going into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned. 

Also listed is an event that will feature Vicki Hollub, the president and CEO of Occidental Petroleum, which describes itself as one of the largest oil producers in the U.S.

A GOP leadership aide familiar with the plans told The Hill that Tuesday’s events will focus on nuclear, natural gas, pipelines, mineral development, hydropower and regulatory reform. Wednesday will highlight legislation aiming to increase U.S. tree planting and conservation, other forest management bills and legislation focused on reducing emissions from U.S. agriculture production, the aide said.

Democrats have often criticized their Republican colleagues as not wanting to take actions that sufficiently or urgently address climate change. The critics have particularly pointed to the GOP’s support for the fossil fuel industry, as burning such fuels are a major source of climate-warming emissions.

In a video released Monday morning, McCarthy sought to address some of the criticism of his party.

“Democrats often dismiss Republicans as being disinterested in addressing global climate change. This is just false,” he said. “Our members have been working for years to develop thoughtful, targeted legislation to reduce global emissions by ensuring we can develop and build a new technology at home.”

Reps. Garret Graves (R-La.) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas) also criticized President Biden’s decision to rejoin the Paris climate agreement, which aims to prevent the world from reaching a specific level of warming.

The event comes ahead of the White House’s anticipated international climate summit that will take place Thursday and Friday.

On Thursday, the White House will also announce its updated interim emissions targets for 2030 under the Paris agreement.

Updated at 4:43 p.m.