EEM Professor Dr. Teresa Pohlman made a presentation on Accelerating Decarbonization Through Strategic Collaboration at the March 25, 2025, Decarb Summit on “Higher Education: Advancing Sustainability and Decarbonization” (Summit) conducted at the Catholic University of America. Dr. Pohlman’s panel was entitled “Navigating Energy and Decarbonization Under the New Administration.”Decarbonizing industries is one of the most pressing challenges of our time, requiring collaboration across diverse sectors, stakeholders, and geographies. The path to achieving sustainability is complex and involves countless interconnecting pieces, and successful projects require full alignment of multiple decision makers and cross-functional teams.
Yet, these critical connections are often fragmented, delaying progress and limiting impact. The exclusive event brought together university leaders, sustainability experts, and industry professionals to discuss strategies for campus decarbonization, energy policy impacts, and innovative financing solutions.
Dr. Pohlman drew on her experience leading sustainability initiatives at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security where she served for a long time as the Executive Director of Sustainability and Environmental Programs. In her presentation, she shared how federal policy and regulatory changes are directly influencing energy strategies across sectors. This session delivered actionable insights on how to navigate the evolving policy landscape while driving sustainability. Her panel was a conversation designed to bring together practical expertise and forward thinking solutions.