Podcast

BCG Global Chair Rich Lesser: How Businesses Can be “Bold and Pragmatic” on Climate Change

23 OCT 2024 |
Climate Rising

Rich Lesser, Global Chair of Boston Consulting Group (BCG), shares how BCG is helping clients walk the walk with net-zero commitments, transition to sustainable practices, and how it is partnering with global organizations to amplify their impact. He also delves into the challenges businesses face in adapting to climate risks and the role of AI in optimizing everything from supply chains to climate resilience. Rich suggests ways businesses can step up to create meaningful changes and concludes with his advice for those looking to enter the climate space.

Joel Makower @ Greenbiz

09 OCT 2024 |
Climate Rising

This is the fourth episode in our series on business and climate change in the media and entertainment industry, where we’re diving into the business of news and storytelling around climate change. Our prior episodes featured CNN, Netflix, and Sustainable Entertainment Alliance. In this episode, we are hosting Joel Makower, the co-founder and Chair of Trellis, formerly known as GreenBiz. Joel has been a pioneer in the climate media space since he founded The Green Business Letter in 1991. Today, Trellis stands as a leading independent media platform focused on the intersection of business, technology, and sustainability. In this conversation, Joel will share insights into his journey, the business strategy of a niche climate-focused digital media and event platform, and the critical role of a media platform in advancing climate action. With a career spanning over three decades at the intersection of media, business and climate, Joel also offers valuable advice for those who are looking to make impact in climate.

Sam Read, Sustainable Entertainment Alliance

25 SEP 2024 |
Climate Rising

This episode is the third in our series on how the media and entertainment industries are integrating climate change into their storytelling and TV show and film production processes. This episode features Sam Read, Executive Director of the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance, a consortium of major studios and streamers including Disney, Netflix, and Warner Brothers. Sam describes how these players are working together to share best practices and insights, and the progress he’s seeing in the industry. He also offers advice for those looking to work in climate-related alliances and collaborations.

Telling Climate Stories at Scale: Netflix's Strategy for Sustainability and Impact

11 SEP 2024 |
Climate Rising

In this episode of Climate Rising, we explore how Netflix, a global entertainment powerhouse, is leveraging its platform to tell compelling stories about climate change. Emma Stewart, Netflix's first Sustainability Officer, joins host Mike Toffel to discuss the company’s strategic approach to sustainability and how it supports creators looking to tell sustainability stories. Stewart shares insights into the challenges and opportunities of incorporating climate considerations into both operations and storytelling, revealing how Netflix is contributing to the global climate conversation.

CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir: Media's Role in Shaping Climate Action

28 AUG 2024 |
Climate Rising

This episode is the first of our latest series on climate in media and entertainment, where we explore and understand the role of storytelling in shaping climate actions. Today we have Bill Weir, Chief Climate Correspondent at CNN who shares his expertise on how CNN integrates climate narratives into their news coverage, the power of storytelling, and the strategies they employ to highlight both the urgency of the climate crisis and the innovative solutions emerging worldwide. Host and Guest Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative (LinkedIn) Guest: Bill Weir, Chief Climate Correspondent, CNN

Drawdown Fund: Scaling the Impact of Climate Technology

14 AUG 2024 |
Climate Rising

Erik Snyder, Founder and CEO of Drawdown Fund discusses financing climate tech startups through growth equity. He describes how he started the Drawdown Fund with Paul Hawken, editor of the New York Times best-selling book on climate solutions called Drawdown, and the strategic choices that set their fund operations apart from others. He also describes some of the fund’s portfolio companies: from sustainable packaging, community solar to decarbonizing mass-transit with AI.

MethaneSAT: The EDF Satellite Tracking Methane Emissions from Oil & Gas Operations

31 JUL 2024 |
Climate Rising

Fred Krupp, president of the non-profit Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), describes EDF’s work to address climate change through scientific, economic, and legal analyses, working with governments and companies, and public and legal advocacy for stronger climate and other environmental practices and policies. Fred joined us to talk about MethaneSAT, EDF’s new satellite that was recently launched to monitor emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, from oil and gas operations. Fred describes why EDF entered the satellite business, how its satellite differs from others already in orbit, the many partners EDF enlisted to design and deploy the satellite, how AI is deployed in the process, and what new opportunities this satellite will provide for EDF and the rest of us.

Decarbonizing Fashionable Materials

17 JUL 2024 |
Climate Rising

Today’s episode focuses on some innovative alternative low-carbon natural materials being used in fashion. Bolt Threads CEO Dan Widmaier describes Mylo, a substitute for leather that’s derived from mushrooms, via the TED Climate podcast that we’re bringing here a bonus episode of Climate Rising. It’s a perfect extension of our two most recent Climate Rising episodes that focus on other low-carbon advanced materials: GALY’s lab-grown cotton and C16 Bioscience’s lab-generated treeless palm oil.

A Biotech Solution to Palm Oil Deforestation

03 JUL 2024 |
Climate Rising

Today’s episode is the fifth in our series on decarbonizing the roots of value chains, where we’re looking deep into supply chains that serve many industries. Previously we talked about green concrete, green steel, regenerative agriculture, and lab-grown cotton. Today we’re discussing palm oil – a widely used product that’s also associated with climate change due to some palm oil plantations arising from clearing and burning tropical forests, releasing carbon and destroying habitat and biodiversity. We talk with Shara Ticku, Co-founder and CEO of C16 Biosciences (and HBS alumna), which uses fermentation to produce a palm oil substitute. She describes how she and her partners built their start-up, including how they decided which products to develop, and which customers to pursue. She also shares advice for those interested in working at climate tech startup companies like hers. Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative (LinkedIn) Guest: Shara Ticku, Co-founder and CEO, C16 Biosciences, and HBS alumna (LinkedIn)

How Lab - Grown Cotton can Decarbonize Textiles

19 JUN 2024 |
Climate Rising

Today’s episode is the fourth in our series on decarbonizing the roots of value chains, where we’re looking deep into supply chains that serve many industries. Previously we talked about the technical products of green concrete and green steel, and agriculture through the lens of regenerative agriculture. Today we continue our focus on decarbonizing agricultural products by focusing on lab-grown cotton. Luciano Bueno, founder and CEO of GALY, joins me today to talk about how his biomaterials start-up uses sugar to feed cells and grow cotton in the lab. Luciano will share how he rebounded from a venture that failed, and then started GALY and grew it into the Series B company it is today. I’ll also ask him to share his views of the future of lab-grown fabrics and his reflections on entrepreneurship in climate tech more broadly. Host and Guest Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative (LinkedIn) Guest: Luciano Bueno, Founder and CEO at GALY (LinkedIn)

Regenerative Agriculture and “The Profiteers” with Cambridge Professor Chris Marquis

05 JUN 2024 |
Climate Rising

Today’s episode is the third in our series on decarbonizing the roots of value chains, where we’re looking deep into supply chains that serve many industries. Previously we talked about green concrete and steel, and today we’re turning to agriculture. Chris Marquis, a professor at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School sheds light on regenerative agriculture, a set of practices that restore farming ecosystems while having the potential to decarbonize. We’ll also talk about his new book The Profiteers, where he discusses the need to hold companies accountable for the environmental and social externalities associated with their operations and supply chains, and he describes how some companies have engaged in what he calls “corporate gaslighting” to shift the focus of responsibility onto others.

H2 Green Steel: Decarbonizing Steel Production with Green Hydrogen

22 MAY 2024 |
Climate Rising

This episode is a part of our series on decarbonizing the roots of value chains, where we’re looking deep into supply chains that serve many industries. Our prior episode explored green concrete, and today’s focuses on steel. Steel production primarily relies on coal and coke, and accounts for nearly 7% of global CO2 emissions. But new technologies are on the horizon. Maria Persson Gulda, Chief Technology Officer at H2 Green Steel, joins us to discuss an innovative solution: green steel made from green hydrogen. By harnessing renewable power, H2 Green Steel is pioneering a path to drastically reduce steel's carbon footprint. Maria will also share insights into the world’s largest green steel plant in Sweden H2 is building, the evolving technological landscape, and the pivotal role of initial adopters. Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative (LinkedIn) Guest: Maria Persson Gulda, the Chief Technology Officer at H2 Green Steel (LinkedIn)

Green Concrete: Decarbonizing Construction with Recycled Glass

08 MAY 2024 |
Climate Rising

The first of a series on decarbonizing the roots of value chains, where we’re looking deep into supply chains that serve many industries, this episode focuses on concrete. Concrete is one of the world’s most popular materials, and it accounts for nearly 8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, most of which comes from cement– the glue that binds conventional forms of concrete. We focus on one type of green concrete produced by Urban Mining Industries that replaces half of the cement with recycled glass that makes its product much less carbon intensive. We present this story through an episode of the HBR Cold Call podcast, where host Brian Kenny interviews HBS professors Shirley Lu and Bob Kaplan. They discuss how Harvard is pilot testing the use of green concrete in its current construction projects as part of the university’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. They’ll also discuss various methods to measure carbon emissions, including the e-liability approach Bob Kaplan lays out in a recent Harvard Business Review article.

Helping Companies Become More Climate Resilient

24 APR 2024 |
Climate Rising

In this episode in our adaptation series, Peter Hall, Managing Director at Resonance Impact Advisory, draws upon his experience in global engineering and professional services firms to share how consulting and advisory companies can help their clients assess their risks and take actions to become more resilient to climate change. He walks through several adaptation frameworks and roadmaps recently developed by governments, civil society, and private companies to help provide clarity and guidance on the steps necessary for more resilient companies and societies. For notes and resources visit; climaterising.org

How Insurance Companies are Addressing Climate Risks

10 APR 2024 |
Climate Rising

This episode in our adaptation series focuses climate change’s implications on the insurance industry. Claudine Blamey, Group Director of Sustainability at Aviva, describes how climate change evokes both transition risks and physical risks for insurance companies, and affects how insurance companies are assessing and pricing risk in their underwriting process, and influences their investment strategy. Claudine also describes innovative insurance products such as parametric and catastrophe insurance that are emerging to address natural disasters that are exacerbated by climate change. For resources and other episodes visit climaterising.org

Building Climate - Resilient Cities and Infrastructure

27 MAR 2024 |
Climate Rising

This episode in our climate adaptation series features HBS Professor John Macomber. John discusses how companies and governments need to incorporate climate resilience as they develop and finance real estate and infrastructure to address the risks of flooding, wildfire, extreme heat, drought, and sea level rise. John describes “five R” options to address these risks—to reinforce, rebound, retreat, restrict, and rebuild—and highlights best practices from insurance companies and the governments of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Singapore. He also identifies entrepreneurial opportunities to foster adaptation and resilience. Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: John Macomber, Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org

The Lightsmith Group’s Adaptation Investment Strategy

13 MAR 2024 |
Climate Rising

This episode continues our series on adaptation, and features Jay Koh who co-founded the Lightsmith Group, the first growth private equity firm focused on climate adaptation. Jay discusses the firm’s investment strategy, the sectors his firm invests in and their investment criteria process. He also shares thoughts on the role of public policy and offers career advice. Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guests: Jay Koh, Co-Founder and Managing Director of the Lightsmith Group For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org

Visualizing our Changing Climate with Probable Futures

28 FEB 2024 |
Climate Rising

In this first episode of our series on adaptation, host Mike Toffel sits down with Spencer Glendon and Alison Smart of Probable Futures. They discuss how Probable Futures tools are educating decision makers to better understand how their organizations will experience climate change, and how adaptation and resilience requires a paradigm shift in planning decisions. They describe a five-step process managers can use to identify and manage adaptation risks posed by climate change. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org

Raízen’s Decarbonization Strategy

14 FEB 2024 |
Climate Rising

The bonus episode of the Climate Rising features an episode of HBR’s Cold Call podcast featuring a discussion on ethanol, a biofuel with a complex history and an uncertain future. Host Brian Kenny is joined by Professor Gunnar Trumbull and Paula Kovarsky from Raízen. As Brazil's top producer of sugar and ethanol and the world's premier ethanol trader, Raízen is at the forefront of biofuel innovation. The conversation delves into Raízen’s cutting-edge work in biofuels, the strategic choices behind advancing second-generation ethanol, and how these efforts contribute to global decarbonization initiatives. Guest/Host: Brian Kenny, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Harvard Business School and host of Cold Call. Gunnar Trumbull, Phillip Caldwell Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. Paula Kovarsky, Vice President of Strategy & Sustainability at Raízen For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org Episode specific link

Decarbonizing Industrial Processes with Material Science

31 JAN 2024 |
Climate Rising

This episode continues Climate Rising's hard-to-abate series, and features Shreya Dave, CEO and Co-founder of Via Separations. Shreya describes how her company is decarbonizing the industrial sector by using material science to create a much less energy intensive and cheaper approach to separate substances, a common step in many industrial processes. Shreya talks about her company's journey, the challenges of market adoption, and the strategic partnerships that have been pivotal. She also shares some career advice. Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: Shreya Dave, CEO and Co-Founder Via Separations For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org.

Decarbonizing Aviation with McKinsey

17 JAN 2024 |
Climate Rising

This episode in our hard-to-abate series features aviation expert Robin Riedel, a Partner at McKinsey & Company who co-leads the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility. Robin describes five approaches to decarbonize aviation: upgrading aircraft, improving operational efficiency, sustainable aviation fuel, other novel fuels and aircraft configurations, and carbon credits. We also learn about some McKinsey engagements on aviation decarbonization, and conclude with Robin’s career advice. Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: Robin Riedel, Partner and co-head of the McKinsey Center for Future Mobility For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org

The Health Risks of Natural Gas Stoves

03 JAN 2024 |
Climate Rising

This bonus episode of Climate Rising features an episode from the Harvard Chan School of Public Health's podcast "Better Off" that explores the intersection of decarbonization and public health. While decarbonization requires shifting away from fossil fuels, this episode emphasizes the equally crucial health reasons to do so – especially for natural gas stoves. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation led by Anna Fisher-Pinkert of the Harvard Chan School of Public Health and her guests Brady Seals, Drew Michanowicz, and Jon Kung. Guest/Host: Anna Fisher-Pinkert, Director of Digital Strategy at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Brady Seals, Manager of RMI’s Carbon-Free Buildings program Drew Michanowicz, senior scientist, PSE Healthy Energy Jon Kung, Chef For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org

Sweden’s Northvolt Quest to Build the World’s Greenest EV Batteries

20 DEC 2023 |
Climate Rising

This bonus episode of Climate Rising features an episode of Harvard Business Review’s Cold Cast podcast with Brian Kenny interviewing HBS professor George Serafeim about his case on Northvolt, a Sweden-based start-up company producing batteries for Europe’s EV auto manufacturers. They'll discuss Northvolt’s efforts to build government partnerships, hire the right people, and attract financing in order to scale rapidly. Guest/Host: Brian Kenny, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Harvard Business School and host of Cold Call George Serafeim, Charles M. Williams Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org.

How Green Hydrogen can Decarbonize Hard-to-Abate Sectors

06 DEC 2023 |
Climate Rising

The third in our series on hard-to-abate sectors, this episode features Jacob Susman, CEO and co-founder of Ambient Fuels, a developer of green hydrogen projects. He describes how green hydrogen can help decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors and which applications are especially promising for green hydrogen solutions. Jacob also describes Ambient’s role in green hydrogen project and infrastructure development, provides career advice, and shares tips to attract early-stage financing. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: Jacob Susman, CEO and Co-founder at Ambient Fuels

CarbonBuilt: Decarbonizing Concrete Blocks

22 NOV 2023 |
Climate Rising

The second episode of our hard-to-abate series features Rahul Shendure, CEO and Director at CarbonBuilt. The company has developed and commercialized a Carbon XPRIZE-winning technology to produce what it calls “ultra low carbon” concrete. We start with the basics of how concrete is such a high-emitting product, then describe how CarbonBuilt’s technology is reducing product costs and emissions by replacing cement with a combination of industrial waste materials and CO2 – often captured directly from industrial sources. Rahul also shares advice for those looking to build careers in climate, particularly in the start-up world. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: Rahul Shendure, CEO and Director at CarbonBuilt.

Einride: Decarbonizing Trucking with EVs, Automony, and Digitalization

08 NOV 2023 |
Climate Rising

This first episode of our hard-to-abate series features Linnéa Kornehed Falck, Einride's Founder, Deputy CEO and Board Member. Einride is launching a fleet of battery electric autonomous trucks, orchestrated via route-optimization software. We discuss how its fleet-based freight capacity-as-a-service business model seeks to disrupt the cargo trucking industry, and better serve customers while decarbonizing the sector. Linnéa also shares some advice for purpose-driven entrepreneurs. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: Linnéa Kornehed Falck, Founder, Deputy CEO and Board Member, Einride.

How Sian Flowers Aims to Create a Low-Carbon Rose

25 OCT 2023 |
Climate Rising

This bonus episode of Climate Rising features Harvard Business Review’s Cold Cast podcast with Brian Kenny interviewing HBS professors Willy Shih and Mike Toffel about their teaching case about Kenya-based Sian Flowers. They discuss the company’s efforts to create a “low-carbon rose” by shipping them to their clients around the world by sea instead of by air without eroding their quality, and the effects this has on its production process. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org Guest/Host: ● Brian Kenny, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Harvard Business School and host of Cold Call ● Willy Shih, Robert and Jane Cizik Professor of Management Practice in Business Administration ● Mike Toffel, Senator John Heinz Professor of Environmental Management

Three MBA Summer Interns in Business and Climate Change

11 OCT 2023 |
Climate Rising

The final episode of our 2023 back-to-business school series features three Harvard Business School MBA students: Nabig Chaudhry, Mitch Hirai, and Kamya Jagadish. They describe how they spent the summer interning in climate-related businesses, from impact investing to a climate tech incubator and climate risk analytics. They also discuss what sparked their interest in the field and how they stay current on information and trends to explore career opportunities in business and climate change For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guests: ● Nabig Chaudhry, HBS MBA Class of 2024 ● Mitch Hirai, HBS MBA Class of 2024 ● Kamya Jagadish, HBS MBA/Harvard Kennedy School MPP Class of 2024

How Boards Can Drive Climate Performance

27 SEP 2023 |
Climate Rising

As part of our 2023 back-to-business school series, this episode features a session from Harvard’s Climate Action Week in May 2023. Moderated by HBS Prof. George Serafeim, the panel includes Carter Roberts, President & CEO of World Wildlife Fund, HBS professor Deb Spar, Bonita Stewart, Board Partner at Gradient Ventures, and Lauren Taylor Wolfe, Cofounder & Managing Partner of Impactive Capital. They discuss how companies and their boards can use accountability and transparency to drive climate performance. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Moderator/Panelists: ● George Serafeim, Charles M. Williams Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School ● Carter Roberts, President & CEO, World Wildlife Fund ● Debora L. Spar, Jaime and Josefina Chua Tiampo Professor of Business Administration; Senior Associate Dean for Business and Global Society; Board Director, Thermo Fisher Scientific ● Bonita Stewart, Board Partner, Gradient Ventures ● Lauren Taylor Wolfe, Cofounder & Managing Partner, Impactive Capital

How Arcos Dorados is Addressing Climate Change in Latin America

13 SEP 2023 |
Climate Rising

Today’s episode is the first in our 2023 back-to-business school series. The episode features Gabriel Serber, Vice President of Social Impact and Sustainable Development, Arcos Dorados, the largest McDonald’s franchise in the world. He discusses how Arcos Dorados designs and implements climate solutions across the 20 Latin American and Caribbean countries where they operate, the vast cultural diversity across the region, and how his work fits into the larger McDonald’s corporate climate goals For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: Gabriel Serber, Vice President of Social Impact and Sustainable Development, Arcos Dorados

An Investor’s Perspective on Corporate Climate Action

30 AUG 2023 |
Climate Rising

Today’s episode in our corporate net zero climate series features Paul Bodnar, Director of Sustainable Finance, Industry, and Diplomacy, Bezos Earth Fund, and former Global Head of Sustainable Investing at BlackRock. Paul discusses how investors approach the complex web of weighing climate priorities with fiduciary responsibilities. He also talks about his career in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors and where he thinks the next big climate-related investment priorities will be. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: Paul Bodnar, Director of Sustainable Finance, Industry, and Diplomacy, Bezos Earth Fund

Helping Consumers Decarbonize their Purchases

16 AUG 2023 |
Climate Rising

Today’s episode in our corporate net zero climate series features HBS alumna Sanchali Pal, Founder and CEO of Commons, an app created to help consumers make more climate-friendly purchasing decisions. Sanchali discusses why she chose an entrepreneurial pathway out of busine---ss school and what inspired her to focus on the power of consumers to drive corporate climate action. She also talks about building a startup and raising funds and offers advice for those seeking to work in business and climate change. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: Sanchali Pal, Founder and CEO of Commons

Going Carbon Negative at Microsoft

02 AUG 2023 |
Climate Rising

Formerly Microsoft’s Chief Environmental Officer, and now Chief Sustainability Officer & Senior Managing Director at Haveli Investments, Lucas Joppa discusses the strategies and tools Microsoft developed to meet its ambitious carbon negative goals, including setting an internal price on carbon, restructuring their corporate governance, and funding innovative climate technology solutions. He also tells us why he thinks climate finance is entering its most consequential decade. ---- Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: Lucas Joppa, Chief Sustainability Officer & Senior Managing Director, Haveli Investments For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org.

Managing Electricity to Meet Net Zero Targets

19 JUL 2023 |
Climate Rising

In this episode, Melissa Lott, Director of Research and Senior Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, and Michael Webber, Josey Centennial Professor in Energy Resources and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, discuss how companies can decarbonize their electricity when pursuing net zero climate goals, from increased efficiency to electrification to generating their own carbon-free electricity, and the pros and cons of these pathways. Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guests: Melissa Lott, Director of Research and Senior Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University Michael Webber, Josey Centennial Professor in Energy Resources and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin

How Science Based Climate Targets Work

05 JUL 2023 |
Climate Rising

Today’s episode features Alberto Carrillo Pineda, Co-Founder and Chief Technical Officer of the Science Based Targets Initiative explains how they help companies and financial institutions design verifiable and achievable climate targets, and how they assess and validate those targets. He also discusses how the SBTi is transitioning from focusing on technical assistance and assessments to a standard-setting organization. Company Resources: The Science Based Targets initiative How science-based targets work Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: Alberto Carrillo Pineda, Co-Founder and and Chief Technical Officer, Science Based Targets Initiative For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org

BCG Climate Vision 2050: Sustainability at 36,000 Feet

21 JUN 2023 |
Climate Rising

For the second episode in our series on corporate net zero programs, we’re sharing an episode on airline decarbonization from the Climate Vision 2050 podcast produced by the consulting firm Boston Consulting Group. This episode sets up a scenario in 2050 where the industry relies on liquid nitrogen, sustainable aviation fuels, electric aircraft, and blending-wing body planes, coupled with present-day experts who explain the changes. Link to original podcast: BCG Climate Vision 2050 (“Sustainability at 36,000 feet” episode) Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative

Beyond Net Zero: How Seventh Generation Plans to Achieve Real Zero Carbon

07 JUN 2023 |
Climate Rising

In this first episode in a new series on companies setting and meeting net zero climate targets, Ashley Orgain, Chief Impact Officer at Seventh Generation, discusses why this home care products company decided to set a real zero climate goal instead of net zero, and how they plan to achieve it. She also describes how Seventh Generation is going beyond a carbon footprint to measure its carbon fingerprints that touch every aspect of their business, from banking to creative services. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: Ashley Orgain, Chief Impact Officer, Seventh Generation

How BMW is Driving Decarbonization

24 MAY 2023 |
Climate Rising

This bonus episode of Climate Rising features Harvard Business Review’s Cold Cast podcast with Brian Kenny interviewing HBS professor Shirley Lu on BMW Group’s decarbonization strategy, which is the subject of a new case study that Shirley wrote with HBS colleagues George Serafeim and Mike Toffel. They discuss why BMW is focusing on reducing vehicle lifecycle emissions, and why the company has so far avoided setting a phase-out date for internal combustion engine BMWs. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guest/Host: ● Brian Kenny, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Harvard Business School and host of Cold Call ● Shirley Lu, Assistant Professor, Harvard Business School

Can We Really Engineer a Climate Fix?

17 MAY 2023 |
Climate Rising

Today, as a bonus, we’re sharing an episode of the Skydeck podcast that features interviews with HBS alumni where they share lessons learned and their life experiences. We thought this episode of Skydeck would be particularly interesting to you because it focuses on carbon capture technology. This is one of three Skydeck episodes on this topic. And for even more, check out Climate Rising’s own episodes on carbon capture, released in the fall of 2022. To hear more about the Skydeck podcast visit www.alumni.hbs.edu/skydeck Visit climaterising.org for more information. Climate Rising host: Mike Toffel Skydeck host: Dan Morrell

How OPower Uses Behavioral Science & AI to Reduce Energy Demand

10 MAY 2023 |
Climate Rising

In this sixth episode in our series on climate change and artificial intelligence (AI), Paul McDonald, Senior Director, Opower Product Strategy & Marketing at Oracle Energy and Water, discusses how OPower uses behavioral science and AI to help utility customers reduce their energy use. He describes why saving electricity benefits both customers and utilities, and shares his advice for those interested in careers in business and climate. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: Paul McDonald, Senior Director, Opower Product Strategy & Marketing at Oracle Energy and Water

Climate Adaptation & Supply Chains: Everstream Analytics’ AI Solution

26 APR 2023 |
Climate Rising

In this fifth episode in our series on climate change and artificial intelligence (AI), Jim Hayden, Chief Data Scientist at Everstream Analytics, discusses how they use AI and machine learning to help mitigate risk and optimize opportunities for supply chain logistics in a changing climate and in the face of extreme weather events, such as heat stress, drought, and temperature extremes. And he shares his advice for those interested in careers in business and climate. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: Jim Hayden, Chief Data Scientist, Everstream Analytics

Ideon: Mining the Energy Transition

12 APR 2023 |
Climate Rising

In this fourth episode in our series on climate change and artificial intelligence (AI), Gary Agnew, CEO and Co-founder of Ideon Technologies Inc, and Kim Lawrence, VP, Talent and Customer Experience, discuss how they use energy from supernovas, sensors, satellites, and machine learning to improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of mining for minerals critical to the clean energy transition. They also share their advice for those interested in careers in business and climate. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guests: ● Gary Agnew, CEO and Co-founder, Ideon Technologies Inc ● Kim Lawrence, VP, Talent and Customer Experience

WeaveGrid's AI Solution for EV-to-Grid Integration

29 MAR 2023 |
Climate Rising

In this third episode in our series on climate change and artificial intelligence (AI), Apoorv Bhargava, CEO and co-founder of WeaveGrid, a company that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to help electric utilities optimize the integration of electric vehicles into a clean energy grid. He describes how they approach the intersection of transportation and energy as a systems problem, and he shares his advice for those interested in careers in business and climate. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: Apoorv Bhargava, CEO and Co-founder, WeaveGrid

Google’s AI Approach to Climate Change

15 MAR 2023 |
Climate Rising

In this second episode in our series on climate change and AI, Yossi Matias, Vice President, Engineering & Research at Google, and the founding Managing Director of Google Center in Israel, explains how Google uses AI and Machine Learning to tackle some of the biggest challenges for climate mitigation and adaptation. He describes how Google uses partnerships and collaboration to innovate in the climate space, and shares his advice for those interested in careers in business and climate. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guest: ● Yossi Matias, Vice President, Engineering & Research at Google, and the founding Managing Director of Google Center in Israel

How BCG Uses AI to Address Climate Change

01 MAR 2023 |
Climate Rising

In this first episode in a new series on climate change and AI, Hamid Maher and Charlotte Degot, Managing Directors and Partners at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), explain how BCG has developed and uses AI tools to help their clients manage climate risks and address mitigation and adaptation challenges. They describe how they pitch these solutions to potential clients, and share their advice for those interested in careers in business and climate. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Climate Rising Host: Professor Mike Toffel, Faculty Chair, Business & Environment Initiative Guests: ● Hamid Maher, Managing Director and Partner, Head of Africa, BCG ● Charlotte Degot, Managing Director and Partner, Global Lead for CO2 AI, BCG

Accelerating Climate Solutions for Food & Agriculture

15 FEB 2023 |
Climate Rising

This special episode features a discussion on solving the challenges climate change poses to food & agriculture, recorded as part of the HBS Short Intensive Program on Accelerating Climate Solutions. HBS Senior Lecturer Eleanor Laurans interviews Alex Bondar, partner at Acre Venture Partners, and Rebekah Moses, Vice President of Impact Strategy at Iron Ox. They discuss climate tech and venture capital and the roles played by consumers, farmers, investors, and corporations. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Host/Guests: ● Eleanor Laurans, Senior Lecturer, Harvard Business School ● Alex Bondar, Partner, Acre Venture Partners ● Rebekah Moses, Vice President, Iron Ox

Climate Tech Investing in Deep Decarbonization

01 FEB 2023 |
Climate Rising

This bonus episode features Harvard Business Review’s Exponential View podcast, where Azeem Azhar interviews climate tech investor Shayle Kann, a partner at Energy Impact Partners. They discuss the challenges and opportunities of investing in the net zero economy and why Shayle prefers to frame it as deep decarbonization. They also cover what metrics venture capitalists should consider when investing in climate tech and how net zero electricity fits into solutions. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guest/Host: ● Azeem Azhar, entrepreneur, investor, and host of Exponential View ● Shayle Kann, Partner, Energy Impact Partners

Accelerating the Energy Transition: The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act

18 JAN 2023 |
Climate Rising

This bonus episode features the Harvard Law School Environmental and Energy Law Program’s CleanLaw podcast, where professors Jody Freeman (Harvard) and Greg Dotson (University of Oregon) talk about the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act that was enacted in 2022. They discuss how the bill got passed, what the law contains, how its provisions connect to other climate-related laws, and how it seeks to accelerate the country’s deployment of clean energy and other efforts to address climate change. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guests: ● Jody Freeman, Archibald Cox Professor of Law & Director, Environmental and Energy Law Program, Harvard Law School ● Greg Dotson, Associate Professor, University of Oregon School of Law Episode specific link

A Lookback at COP27: How Do Companies Engage in Global Climate Policy?

28 DEC 2022 |
Climate Rising

Nat Keohane, President of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, discusses how companies participate in global climate talks and policy development, such as the recent UN Conference of Parties (COP) in Egypt. He also talks about what to expect as countries move from crafting climate agreements to implementation and what companies’ role is in that work. He also offers advice for those interested in careers in business and climate change. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guest: Nat Keohane, President, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions

Nature-based Carbon Removal: DroneSeed’s Reforestation Model

14 DEC 2022 |
Climate Rising

Grant Canary, CEO of DroneSeed, a startup company designed to accelerate reforestation after wildfires, shares his perspective on the landscape of nature-based carbon removal solutions and how DroneSeed has developed a business model to address both climate and financial risk. He also discusses how his venture capital background lends itself to tackling complex climate solutions and he offers advice for those interested in careers in business and climate change. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org . Guest: Grant Canary, CEO, DroneSeed

Tech-based Carbon Removal: Sustaera’s Direct Air Capture

30 NOV 2022 |
Climate Rising

Shantanu Agarwal, Co-Founder and Director of Sustaera, a startup company developing a Direct Air Capture technology to remove carbon from the atmosphere, shares his perspective on the landscape in the race to develop scalable and affordable carbon removal technologies–from engineering to financing to deployment–and how Sustaera’s specific technology fits in. He also discusses how his entrepreneurial background led him to finding solutions for climate change and he offers advice for those interested in careers in business and climate change. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guest: Shantanu Agarwal, Co-Founder and Director, Sustaera.

U.S. DOE’s Jigar Shah & the State of Carbon Removal

16 NOV 2022 |
Climate Rising

Jigar Shah, Director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office, shares some of the technical and finance challenges and opportunities of carbon removal solutions, and shares how transitioning his private-sector energy finance background into government leadership has shown him how public-private climate tech partnerships could be improved. He also offers advice for those interested in careers in business and climate change. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guest: Jigar Shah, Director, Loan Programs Office, U.S. Department of Energy.

McKinsey's Climate Consulting

02 NOV 2022 |
Climate Rising

Daniel Pacthod, Senior Partner and global co-leader of McKinsey Sustainability, shares how the company works with its clients to address climate risk and find opportunities through its pillars of net-zero strategy, green business building, decarbonization transformation, net-zero financial institutions, and sustainable investing. He also offers advice for those interested in careers in business and climate change. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org Guest: Daniel Pacthod, Senior Partner and global co-leader of McKinsey Sustainability, McKinsey & Company

Bain’s Climate Consulting

19 OCT 2022 |
Climate Rising

Cate Hight, an expert partner in Bain’s Sustainability & Responsibility and Energy & Natural Resources practices, shares how the company’s strategy, operations, customer value, and transformation work help enable their consulting and private equity clients identify opportunities associated with climate change and mitigate climate risks. She also offers advice for those interested in careers in business and climate change. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guest: Cate Hight, Expert Partner in Sustainability and Responsibility and Energy and Natural Resources practices, Bain.

Deloitte’s Climate Practice

05 OCT 2022 |
Climate Rising

Jennifer Steinmann, Global Sustainability and Climate Practice Leader at Deloitte, shares how Deloitte’s professionals work with companies to help them manage climate risks and pursue opportunities. She talks about how Deloitte’s climate work helps companies improve their strategy, operations, finance, and reporting—and how Deloitte is developing and hiring people to build its sustainability & climate practice. She also offers advice for those interested in careers in business and climate change. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guest: Jennifer Steinmann, Global Sustainability and Climate Practice Leader, Deloitte

McDonald’s’ Climate Change Efforts

21 SEP 2022 |
Climate Rising

In this special episode produced jointly with the Degrees podcast, Jenny McColloch, McDonald’s Chief Sustainability Officer, shares the challenges of meeting decarbonization goals at one of the world’s largest food service companies. She talks about how their climate action has evolved, and the critical role of their suppliers and franchisees, who operate 90% of McDonald’s restaurants. Jenny also offers advice for those interested in careers in business and climate change. Co-hosted with Yesh Pavlik Slenk. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org EDF Degrees podcast host: Yesh Pavlik Slenk, Senior Manager, Climate Corps Guest: Jenny McColloch, Chief Sustainability Officer, McDonald’s

How Environmental Defense Fund Engages Companies on Climate Policy

07 SEP 2022 |
Climate Rising

Victoria Mills, Managing Director of Environmental Defense Fund’s EDF+Biz program discusses how some companies are starting to advocate for more stringent climate policies as they see climate change affecting their operations, supply chains, and communities. She also describes how EDF acts as both advisor and catalyst to their engagement, shares some challenges and opportunities of working with companies on climate policy, and offers advice for those interested in pursuing a career in climate and business. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org Guest: Victoria Mills, Managing Director, Environmental Defense Fund+Business

How CDP Drives Corporate Climate Disclosure

24 AUG 2022 |
Climate Rising

Paul Dickinson, Founder Chair, CDP, shares how CDP works with investors to drive companies toward greater transparency by disclosing carbon emissions and other environmental indicators. He talks about how CDP is evolving in the face of new disclosure regulation, corporate disclosure trends, including expanding CDP’s reach to include water and forestry. Paul also offers advice for those interested in careers in business and climate change. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guest: Paul Dickinson, Founder Chair, CDP.

How Ceres Supports Corporate Boards to Accelerate Climate Action

10 AUG 2022 |
Climate Rising

Steven Rothstein, Managing Director, Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets, shares how Ceres works with corporate boards to facilitate systemic change in private sector climate action, including why boards are a critical part of the equation. He also talks about how the recent proposed SEC disclosure rule could change boards’ roles on climate change, and offers advice for those interested in careers in business and climate change. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guest: Steven Rothstein, Managing Director, Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets

How RMI Collaborates with Companies to Accelerate the Energy Transition

27 JUL 2022 |
Climate Rising

Jules Kortnenhorst, CEO of RMI, shares how RMI works with companies in the transportation, cement, and steel sectors to encourage the rapid energy transition necessary to mitigate climate change. He also talks about RMI’s global partnerships, innovative energy programs, and accelerators—and describes how his experience in the HBS MBA program shaped his career journey, and offers advice for those interested in careers in business and climate change. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guest: Jules Kortenhorst, CEO, RMI

How World Wildlife Fund Partners with Companies on Climate Change

13 JUL 2022 |
Climate Rising

Carter Roberts, President/CEO of World Wildlife Fund-US, shares what successful climate collaborations between companies and environmental nongovernmental organizations (ENGOs) look like in practice, and how ENGOs can help by sharing their expertise and even pushing companies to take bolder action on climate change. Carter also talks about how being an HBS MBA student shaped his career in the private sector and nonprofit space, and offers advice for others interested in careers in climate and business. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guest: Carter Roberts, President and CEO, World Wildlife Fund-US

How New Belgium is Fighting Climate Change One Pint at a Time

18 MAY 2022 |
Climate Rising

Katie Wallace, Chief ESG Officer of New Belgium Brewing Company, and Adam Fetcher, Senior Director of Communications and Public Engagement, discuss how climate change’s impacts on their operations and ingredients led them to engage with policymakers and take their climate message to their beer customers. They share how the company has integrated climate action into its operations and supply chain, how they encourage customers to hold companies accountable for the climate plans, and offer advice for those interested in pursuing a career in climate and business. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guests: Katie Wallace, Chief ESG Officer, New Belgium Brewing Company & Adam Fetcher, Senior Director of Communications and Public Engagement, New Belgium Brewing Company

How Footwear Startup Allbirds is Decarbonizing Fashion

04 MAY 2022 |
Climate Rising

In this bonus episode, sustainable footwear brand Allbirds co-founder and co-CEO Joey Zwillinger, Prof. Michael Toffel, and Cold Call host Brian Kenny discuss the growing environmental impact of the fashion industry, and how Allbirds is balancing a critical tension between sharing its know-how and material innovations with competitors to scale its efforts to decarbonize fashion, while also retaining brand differentiation. This was originally broadcast on the HBS Cold Call podcast episode profiling the HBS case, “Allbirds: Decarbonizing Fashion,” which Prof. Toffel wrote with Ken Pucker and Eren Kuzucu. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guest: Joey Zwillinger, co-founder and co-CEO, Allbirds

XPRIZE: Accelerating Climate Change Solutions

20 APR 2022 |
Climate Rising

Marcius Extavour, XPRIZE’s VP-Climate and Energy, discusses how his organization designs competitions to spur innovations for carbon removal and carbon utilization (converting greenhouse gasses into products). In discussing the Carbon XPRIZE and Carbon Removal XPRIZE competitions, Marcius explains how the prize model fosters solutions that address certain climate problems. He describes what makes for a successful climate-tech pitch, and shares specific resources for those interested in innovating and investing in climate tech. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org

How Harvard is Going Fossil-Fuel Free

06 APR 2022 |
Climate Rising

Jaclyn Olsen, Associate Director of Harvard’s Office for Sustainability, and Erin Craig, Vice President of 3 Degrees, a climate solutions firm hired by Harvard, discuss the University’s goal to be fossil-fuel neutral by 2026 and fossil-fuel free by 2050. Jaclyn and Erin discuss Harvard’s carbon footprint, its efforts to reduce emissions and realize health benefits, and its emerging strategy on carbon offsets. And they share with us their advice for those interested in entering a climate and business career. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guests: Jaclyn Olsen, Associate Director of Harvard University’s Office for Sustainability and Erin Craig, Vice President of 3Degrees.

Strengthening Carbon Offsets: The Oxford Offsetting Principles

23 MAR 2022 |
Climate Rising

Myles Allen, Professor of Geosystem Science at the University of Oxford and Director of the Oxford Net Zero initiative, discusses the controversy over carbon offsets and how the Oxford Offsetting Principles can help organizations reduce risk and improve transparency in their use of carbon offsets to support their net zero goals. Myles also talks about what the University of Oxford is doing to address its own emissions, and shares the advice he gives his students interested in embarking on climate change careers. For transcripts and other resources, visit; climaterising.org. Guest: Myles Allen, Professor of Geosystem Science in the School of Geography and the Environment and Department of Physics at the University of Oxford, and Director of the Oxford Net Zero initiative.

The Aspen Institute’s Shipping Decarbonization Initiative

09 MAR 2022 |
Climate Rising

Ingrid Irigoyen, Director of the Aspen Institute Shipping Decarbonization Initiative, discussesthe importance of decarbonizing global maritime shipping, the opportunities and challenges, andhow the Aspen Institute is working with Amazon, IKEA, Unilever, Michelin, and othercompanies to accelerate the effort. Ingrid also talks about how her background in mediationhelps her convene and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and she reflects on why a career inclimate mitigation is a rewarding long-term strategy. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guest: Ingrid Irigoyen, Director, Aspen Institute Shipping Decarbonization Initiative; AssociateDirector, Ocean and Climate, for the Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Program

Supply Chain Decarbonization: Walmart’s Project Gigaton

23 FEB 2022 |
Climate Rising

Kathleen McLaughlin, Chief Sustainability Office at Walmart, Inc. and President of the WalmartFoundation, discusses how Walmart plans to achieve its goal to avoid a gigaton–a billion metrictons–of greenhouse gas emissions in its global supply chain by 2030. She shares some of thechallenges and opportunities of operating on such a large scale and offers advice for thoseinterested in working in the business and climate change space. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org. Guest: Kathleen McLaughlin, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer,Walmart, Inc.; President, Walmart Foundation

How BlocPower is Decarbonizing Buildings

09 FEB 2022 |
Climate Rising

Donnel Baird, founder and CEO of BlocPower, a climate tech startup, describes why decarbonizing the buildings sector is both a challenge and an opportunity, why he chose this corner of the climate tech space, and how BlocPower is working with the city of Ithaca to electrify its entire building stock. Donnel shares lessons learned on his journey as an entrepreneur and a few recommendations for launching climate tech startups. Guest: Donnel Baird, founder and CEO, BlocPower. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org.

The HP Way to Net Zero

26 JAN 2022 |
Climate Rising

Ellen Jackowski, HP’s Chief Impact Officer, describes the company’s climate targets and how HP is shifting its business model to respond to climate change. She explains how HP is both engaging their employees in the effort and meeting customer demands for increased climate action. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org

Making Infrastructure Climate Ready: Alice Hill, Council on Foreign Relations

19 JAN 2022 |
Climate Rising

In early 2021, a severe winter storm knocked out Texas’ power grid for days, leaving millions shivering in the dark and killing hundreds of residents. Other states have also been caught off guard by extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. This episode of the Deep Background podcast features , Alice Hill who led the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s effort to develop its first-ever climate resilience plan, being interviewed by Harvard Law School professor Noah Feldman. Hill explains what Texas’ electrical grid collapse means for the United States’ infrastructure at large. She also makes recommendations to start preparing infrastructure to be more resilient to extreme weather events. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org

Climate Change Lessons from the U.S. Navy: Forest Reinhardt & Michael Toffel

12 JAN 2022 |
Climate Rising

Climate change poses two very different challenges to the U.S. Navy. First, the Navy has to buttress its billions of dollars of shoreline assets against rising sea levels. Second, it has to plan to be called on more often to address both military threats and humanitarian crises caused by climate change. In this episode of HBR Idea Cast, Climate Rising host Harvard Business School professor Mike Toffel and his colleague Forest Reinhardt discuss how the U.S. Navy is both addressing climate change and adapting to it. They explain what the private sector can learn from the Navy’s scientific and sober view of the world. Reinhardt and Toffel are the authors of the Harvard Business Review article, “Managing Limate Change: Lessons from the U.S. Navy”. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org Resources: S. Department of Defense report: DOD Installation Exposure to Climate Change at Home and Abroad (April 2021)

Rebecca Henderson: Can Capitalism Address Climate Change

05 JAN 2022 |
Climate Rising

As the impacts of climate change mount, questions have arisen about whether the capitalist economic system we have in place is able to adequately address them. But what if, rather than upending the system, we recognized the power capitalism offers when it is properly regulated? In this episode of the Ask a Harvard Professor podcast, Harvard Business School Professor Rebecca Henderson talks through her own efforts to reconcile the climate crisis with her faith in the ingenuity of capitalism. “I believe that at the moment, our capitalism is also neither free nor fair,” she says. “The free market works when everyone can take part, and prices reflect real costs”—when polluters have to pay the cost of emitting fossil fuels. Henderson walks us through her vision for reimagining the system to address climate change by returning to its roots and building just and sustainable capitalism. For transcripts and other resources, visit climaterising.org

Making a Marketplace for Captured Carbon: Steve Oldham, Carbon Engineering

20 MAY 2021 |
Climate Rising

Many of the innovators we’ve spoken with this season are launching technologies or business models that produce less carbon than status quo approaches – leather made from mushrooms instead of cows, for example, and vehicles that run on electricity instead of fossil fuels. Other guests are finding new ways to finance those new technologies or business models. In this episode, we meet Steve Oldham, the CEO of Carbon Engineering, who is tackling climate change from a different angle – by developing a technology that captures carbon already in the air. The potential benefits of this approach are huge, but the challenges are at this point significant.

Investment Management for the Carbon Potential of Forests: David Brand, New Forests

13 MAY 2021 |
Climate Rising

David Brand is founder and CEO of New Forests, a business that manages forests for long-term returns for institutional investors. He has an unusual climate vision. Right now the forestry business, together with agriculture and land use, is responsible for about one-quarter of the emissions that cause climate change. By unlocking the value of the carbon sequestered in forests, in conserved land, and other real natural assets, Brand aims to reverse this: Forestry, agriculture, and land use are currently responsible for producing one quarter of global emissions, but Brand wants to make the forestry industry responsible for capturing well over that percentage of emissions—all within 10 years. And he foresees a profitable way to achieve this.

Electrifying Mass Mobility: Uday Khemka, SUN Mobility

06 MAY 2021 |
Climate Rising

Decarbonizing our economy will require shifting transportation from fossil fuels to electricity generated by carbon-free sources. Uday Khemka (HBS MBA 1995), co-Founder and Vice Chairman of SUN Mobility, aims to accelerate mass adoption of electric mobility in India by making it affordable and accessible. SUN Mobility’s battery swapping model has the potential to overcome the factors that have held back market penetration of electric vehicles in many places: high upfront costs, “range anxiety” (concern about a battery running low in the middle of a trip), and long charging times.

Critical Climate Infrastructure: Scott Jacobs, Generate Capital

29 APR 2021 |
Climate Rising

Generate Capital invests in and operates technologies that provide distributed clean energy and energy efficiency, electric vehicles and charging depots, and waste transformation—technologies important to efforts to mitigate climate change. CEO Scott Jacobs (HBS MBA 2007) describes how Generate Capital’s keys to success involve applying new business models and new financing models to tried and true technology and existing infrastructure, and in many cases taking on both financing and operating roles, much like a utility. Its approach seeks to bring to scale technologies critical for addressing climate change.

Ensuring a Resilient Future: Shalini Vajjhala and Jamie Rhodes, re:focus partners

22 APR 2021 |
Climate Rising

Shalini Vajjhala and Jamie Rhodes of re:focus partners share new thinking on how they are helping communities design and finance climate resilience projects needed to protect municipalities from the physical impacts of climate change, including more intense storms, sea level rise, droughts, and wildfires. They discuss resilience bonds, an innovative financial instrument that is enabling communities to finance large-scale infrastructure projects by capturing value from the costs they avoid to create a “revenue stream” from those savings.

Innovation in Materials for a Better Climate: Matt Scullin, MycoWorks

15 APR 2021 |
Climate Rising

Matthew Scullin, CEO of MycoWorks, is attempting to reduce the carbon impact of the fashion industry by producing leather made from mushrooms as an alternative to leather made from cow hides or plastic. His product is called Reishi, and unlike conventional leathers it produces very little greenhouse gases. And because it’s grown in a laboratory to precise product specifications, it produces far less waste as well.

Bringing Scale Capital to Climate Game-Changers: David Crane, Climate Real Impact Solutions SPAC

08 APR 2021 |
Climate Rising

David Crane tried to lead the NRG utility to transition from fossil fuel energy sources, but was ousted in 2015. He shares his lessons learned, reflects on what’s changed since then, and describes his newest venture raising funds for a climate-tech SPAC.

Investing in No-Sacrifice Models for Climate: Nancy Pfund, DBL Partners

01 APR 2021 |
Climate Rising

Nancy Pfund is founder and managing partner of DBL Partners, one of the first and largest impact investing venture capital firms in the world. DBL seeks to achieve “Double Bottom Line” results for its investors: top tier financial returns as well as meaningful social and environmental impact. It currently holds over $400 million in assets under management. Through her early stage investments in Tesla and support for companies in sectors from fashion to agriculture, Nancy has shaped the field of impact investing and demonstrated the power of venture capital to address climate change. In this episode, she describes the how she identifies double-bottom-line opportunities and some of the companies she's excited to be investing in now.

Financial Regulation and Climate Risk Management

07 JUL 2020 |
Climate Rising

Explore different approaches to modeling and managing climate risk from the vantage points of industry leaders Robert Litterman, a seasoned risk management expert; Nushin Kormi, a specialist in sustainable finance; and Kevin Stiroh, a financial regulator. The discussion, moderated by Professor Ramana Nanda, focuses on the concept of transition risk—the potential consequences if climate regulations are imposed gradually or suddenly—and investment strategies to prepare for and mitigate this risk. This is one of 4 new episodes this summer based on live content from the Harvard Business School Climate Risk conference held earlier in 2020.

Uncovering and Pricing Climate Risk

07 JUL 2020 |
Climate Rising

How do managers within the different sectors of financial services identify and value climate risk? Professor George Serafeim talks with an asset manager, an insurer, a hedge fund manager, and an investment banker about their approaches to identifying and valuing climate risk. The discussion highlights both the bridges and the gaps between ESG metrics and climate risk management. This is one of 4 new episodes this summer based on live content from the Harvard Business School Climate Risk conference held earlier in 2020.

Incorporating Climate Risk in Pension Fund Investment Decisions

07 JUL 2020 |
Climate Rising

Hiro Mizuno, former head of the Japanese Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), and Professor Vikram Gandhi discuss the steps GPIF has taken to incorporate climate risk in its investment process. Mizuno highlights the need to address the entire investment universe and challenges of his approach. This is one of 4 new episodes this summer based on live content from the Harvard Business School Climate Risk conference held earlier in 2020.

Leading State Street Corporation in the Era of Climate Change

07 JUL 2020 |
Climate Rising

State Street Chairman & CEO Ron O’Hanley describes leading one of the world’s largest financial institutions in the era of climate change. In a discussion moderated by Professor George Serafeim, he describes the roles of asset managers, shareholders, and asset owners with a focus on the concept of values vs. value in approaches to investment decisions. This is one of 4 new episodes this summer based on live content from the Harvard Business School Climate Risk conference held earlier in 2020.

Climate Change Challenges Facing the Real Estate Industry

20 DEC 2019 |
Climate Rising

The real estate industry faces climate change challenges like difficult financing in coastal cities, more stringent regulations on where and how to build, and the need to retrofit existing properties to reduce emissions. Bryan Koop of Boston Properties, one of the largest commercial real estate development companies in the country, and Professor Arthur Segel discuss the climate change challenges confronting the real estate industry.

Working with Companies and Investors to Address Climate Change

16 DEC 2019 |
Climate Rising

How will a warming climate affect a company’s bottom line? How can groups like Ceres help persuade shareholders, CEOs, and their boards to use their influence to address climate change? Mindy Lubber of Ceres and Professor Rebecca Henderson at Harvard discuss the difficult changes businesses must make now—taking a systems approach, setting long-term goals, and including sustainability metrics in their compensation systems—in order to mitigate the risks of climate change.

Developing the Wind Industry

06 DEC 2019 |
Climate Rising

Wind power has more than tripled in the United States over the past decade. It's now the largest source of renewable energy in the country, accounting for more than 6% of the nation's electricity. The wind industry faces potential hurdles, however, with federal tax credits scheduled to start phasing out and delays in building major offshore wind farms. Francis Slingsby of Orsted, a global leader in offshore wind, discusses how the U.S. and the world is developing the wind industry and what the future looks like.

Increasing Solar Power

02 DEC 2019 |
Climate Rising

Is increasing solar power the answer? Abby Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association, and Professor Joe Lassiter discuss how to deliver reliable, clean, low cost power for people everywhere.

Business and the Politics of Climate Change

25 NOV 2019 |
Climate Rising

What influence does business have on the politics of climate change? In today’s episode, we'll look at how climate change affects different businesses, and how proposed regulations like a carbon tax could help or harm business. Weighing in with their unique perspectives are Auden Schendler from Aspen Skiing Company, Bill Eacho from the Partnership for Responsible Growth, and Professor Mike Toffel.

Making the Food of the Future

14 NOV 2019 |
Climate Rising

Agriculture contributes a quarter of the world's greenhouse gas, and 60% comes from manure and methane emissions from animals like cattle. How is the beef industry changing to address this challenge? Could plant-based or clean meat truly change our diets enough to make an impact? Nicole Johnson-Hoffman from the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, Bruce Friedrich from the Good Food Institute, and Professor Max Bazerman discuss how to produce high quality protein to feed the world in the face of climate change.

Growing Our Food: Making Agriculture More Sustainable

07 NOV 2019 |
Climate Rising

The massive agriculture industry feeds billions of people but also contributes heavily to climate change. How do we employ more sustainable agricultural practices and maintain our ability to feed 7.7 billion people, plus 2 billion more by 2050? Indigo Agriculture’s David Perry and Harvard Business School Professor David Bell discuss the promising opportunities to change the ways in which we grow food.

Getting Around: Shaping the Future of Transportation

04 NOV 2019 |
Climate Rising

What should the future of transportation look like? The solutions will likely require us to change how often we drive cars, the types of fuels we use, an investment in public transportation, congestion charges, and more car-pooling and ride-hailing services. But, it won’t be easy to change consumer behavior. Adam Gromis of Uber; Nicole Freedman, Director of Transportation for the City of Newton, MA; and Harvard Business School’s Ashley Whillans discuss the impact of transportation on climate change.

Creating Resilience: How Businesses Can Cope with the Costs of a Warming Planet

28 OCT 2019 |
Climate Rising

Both cities and businesses need to prepare for climate change. That means changing how they do business today and in the future, but there’s potential for big financial benefits with change, too. Rachel Cleetus from the Union of Concerned Scientists and Harvard Business School Professor John Macomber discuss the importance of resilience.

Trailer: Introducing Climate Rising

07 OCT 2019 |
Climate Rising

Climate Rising is about the impact of climate change on business. It brings together business and policy leaders like Rachel Cleetus from the Union of Concerned Scientists, Adam Gromis of Uber, Bruce Friedrich from the Good Food Institute, Abigail Ross Harper from the Solar Energy Industries Association, and Mindy Lubber of Ceres with Harvard Business School faculty to share insights about what businesses can do to confront climate change. Hosted by environmental reporter David Abel, Harvard Business School Climate Rising explores the many challenges and opportunities that climate change raises for managers.

Podcast

Previous Episodes

Provide Feedback