San Francisco welcomed people from around the world in September 2018 as the meeting place for the Global Climate Action Summit to showcase climate action and inspire deeper commitments from national governments, and one another, in support of the Paris Agreement. As the organizers said, the Summit was “all about action: this unprecedented climate gathering brought together over 5,000 doers from around the world — heads of state, mayors, governors, CEOs, investors, scientists and advocates — and catalyzed bold new commitments to climate action across sectors.”

Our long-time client, Charge Across Town, hosted the Zero Emission Vehicle and Technology Showcase during the Summit to show the world how California is innovating in electric cars, autonomous technology, clean energy and sustainable transportation solutions. 

It was an exciting showcase and we were proud to help put it together. We were responsible for all aspects of the visual design of the exhibit which was held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Forum, adjacent to the main summit held at Moscone Center. This involved signage and banners as a way to identify the space and inform viewers about the contents of the exhibit. We worked closely with the YBCA team on lighting and exhibit layout, which included the large interior space as well as the exterior plaza. The exterior spaces, situated between busy Mission Street and the Yerba Buena Gardens, are areas of heavy foot traffic and presented opportunities to attract visitors to the exhibit which was open and free to the public. Our colorful and eye-catching design worked with the established summit’s and exhibitors’ branding while creating a distinct identity for the ZEV Showcase. 

Part of the Zero Emissions Vehicle and Technology Showcase at the Summit was a cruise on the San Francisco Bay aboard the Enhydra, the Bay Area’s first plug-in hybrid electric ferry from the Red and White Fleet. During the maiden voyage, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed a comprehensive package of bills aimed at dramatically reducing carbon emissions by boosting the number of zero-emission vehicles and charging stations in California and getting dirty cars and trucks off the road.

The signing included 8 bills that aim to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector, which currently accounts for approximately 50 percent of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and about 80 percent of smog-forming pollutants. It was a perfect evening on the bay and a perfect way to wrap up the Zero Emission Vehicle Showcase.