Scott Foster, Director of the Sustainable Energy Division for the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and North America, will be the keynote speaker for the Annual NAPHN Conference and Expo, “Passive + Renewables,” taking place this year from Oct. 4 to Oct. 8 in Oakland, Calif.

The conference, which focuses on the adoption of Passive House building strategies and brings together experts committed to a post carbon all-renewable energy future, comes at an important time as the U.S. pulls out of the Paris Climate Agreement.

“Now more than ever, it’s critical for us to take climate action into our own hands at the local, regional and state levels,” said Mr. Foster. “I’m inspired by the work of the North American Passive House Network community who are already going well beyond code requirements to keep buildings from further impacting our climate balance.”

Mr. Foster has a 30-year legacy of leadership in the energy field and a profound grasp of the critical role of renewable energy in combating climate change and has garnered international respect for his expertise on energy market fundamentals and market design, including analysis and assessment of the major driving forces shaping demand, supply and price.

Mr. Foster has led major studies of the long-term outlook for European gas and power markets from pricing and supply security perspectives, and has advised governments, regulators, and industry on the strategic implications. The studies have clear implications for North America. They are influencing the building industry’s growing embrace of Passive House as a way to reduce energy consumption to the point where remaining power needs can be efficiently met with renewable energy sources.

For more information on Scott Foster and on the North American Passive House Network’s 2017 Passive + Renewables Conference, visit http://www.naphnconference.com/.