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- All HBS Web
(1,026)
- News (200)
- Research (606)
- Multimedia (20)
- Faculty Publications (410)
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- February 2020
- Supplement
Indigo Agriculture: Harnessing Nature
By: Michael W. Toffel and James Barnett
Indigo Agriculture used a digital-enabled research and development (R&D) process to launch its initial product, microbial coatings for agricultural seeds, which increase crop yields while reducing the need for fertilizers. In doing so, the company developed direct... View Details
Keywords: Operations; Supply Chain; Social Enterprise; Product Development; Distribution Channels; Business Strategy; Digital Platforms; Environmental Sustainability; Science-Based Business; Climate Change; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Green Technology Industry; United States; Massachusetts
- January 2009
- Case
Marks and Spencer: Plan A
By: David E. Bell, Nitin Sanghavi and Laura Winig
Marks & Spencer initiated a comprehensive approach to sustainability (reduction of waste, carbon emissions, fair trade) called Plan A. Does it offer a competitive advantage? View Details
Keywords: Marketing; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Strategic Planning; Environmental Sustainability; Competitive Advantage; Retail Industry
Bell, David E., Nitin Sanghavi, and Laura Winig. "Marks and Spencer: Plan A." Harvard Business School Case 509-029, January 2009.
- April 2020
- Teaching Note
Indigo Agriculture: Harnessing Nature
By: Michael W. Toffel and James Barnett
Teaching Note for HBS No. 620-024. Indigo Agriculture used a digital-enabled research and development (R&D) process to launch its initial product, microbial coatings for agricultural seeds, which increase crop yields while reducing the need for fertilizers. In doing... View Details
- February 2023
- Article
National Models of Climate Governance Among Major Emitters
By: Johnathan Guy, Esther Shears and Jonas Meckling
National climate institutions structure the process of climate mitigation policymaking and shape climate policy ambition and performance. Countries have, for example, been building science bodies, passing climate laws and creating new agencies. Here we provide the... View Details
Guy, Johnathan, Esther Shears, and Jonas Meckling. "National Models of Climate Governance Among Major Emitters." Nature Climate Change 13, no. 2 (February 2023): 189–195.
- June 2023 (Revised February 2024)
- Case
Betting on Green Steel
By: George Serafeim and Sofoklis Melissovas
'Betting on Green Steel' traces the innovative journey embarked upon by a group of MBA students who have set out to conceive a novel steelmaker that pioneers the production of green steel. The ensemble is confronted with a series of critical choices that will shape the... View Details
Keywords: Decarbonization; Sustainability Management; Technology; Industrialization; Climate Risk; Energy; Entrepreneurship; Environmental Sustainability; Technology Adoption; Climate Change; Innovation and Invention; Business Strategy; Family Business; Steel Industry; Middle East; India
Serafeim, George, and Sofoklis Melissovas. "Betting on Green Steel." Harvard Business School Case 123-101, June 2023. (Revised February 2024.)
- 11 Jul 2017
- First Look
First Look at New Ideas and Research, July 11
capacity to deliver those services, as the risk of damage to its bases and ports increases. This article examines the Navy’s approach to climate change and reflects on the implications for business. Publisher's link: https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Pages/item.aspx?num=52750... View Details
Keywords: Sean Silverthorne
- June 2025
- Supplement
Transforming a Titan (C)
By: George Serafeim and Lena Duchene
Three years in his tenure as CEO, Cobuz must decide whether to launch a more than €500 million carbon-capture-and-storage facility. The project—Europe’s largest planned CCS installation—would cut almost 20 % of group emissions and unlock a €234 million EU Innovation... View Details
- February 2007 (Revised March 2007)
- Case
UBS and Climate Change--Warming Up to Global Action?
By: Felix Oberholzer-Gee, Forest L. Reinhardt and Elizabeth Raabe
Marco Suter, Executive Vice-Chairman, UBS Board of Directors, carefully studied the chart on his desk. It showed the public commitment of major financial institutions to help mitigate global warming. Evidently, UBS lagged behind its competitors. The graph was part of a... View Details
Keywords: Climate Change; Energy Conservation; Cost vs Benefits; Law; Financial Institutions; Environmental Sustainability; Corporate Accountability; Financial Services Industry
Oberholzer-Gee, Felix, Forest L. Reinhardt, and Elizabeth Raabe. "UBS and Climate Change--Warming Up to Global Action?" Harvard Business School Case 707-511, February 2007. (Revised March 2007.)
- 23 Oct 2019
- Working Paper Summaries
Decarbonization Factors
- March 1998 (Revised August 1998)
- Case
Pepsi Blue
By: John A. Quelch
Executives at Pepsico are considering a possible redesign of the Pepsi carbonated beverage packages worldwide to give the brand a modern, up-to-date image and "ownership" of the color blue against Coca-Cola's "ownership" of the color red. View Details
Quelch, John A. "Pepsi Blue." Harvard Business School Case 598-097, March 1998. (Revised August 1998.)
- March 2016
- Case
N12 Technologies: Building an Organization and Building a Business
By: David A. Garvin and Aldo Sesia
N12 Technologies was a startup founded in 2010 that employed nanotechnology to manufacture a patented material to improve the performance of carbon fiber composites, which were used in a wide variety of products, ranging from bicycles to automobiles to aircraft parts.... View Details
Keywords: Startup; Organizational Structure; Nanotechnology; Business Processes; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Organizational Design; Management Systems; Commercialization; Industrial Products Industry; Manufacturing Industry; Auto Industry; Bicycle Industry; Transportation Industry; United States
Garvin, David A., and Aldo Sesia. "N12 Technologies: Building an Organization and Building a Business." Harvard Business School Case 316-002, March 2016.
- August 2024
- Background Note
Mitigating Climate Change with Machine Learning
By: Michael W. Toffel, Kelsey Carter, Amy Chambers, Avery Park and Susan Pinckney
This note highlights how machine learning is being used to decarbonize (reduce GHG emissions) several key sectors including electricity, transportation, building, industrial processes, and agriculture -- and how machine learning is being used to accelerate efforts to... View Details
Keywords: Climate; Artificial Intelligence; Adaptation; Climate Change; AI and Machine Learning; Innovation and Invention
Toffel, Michael W., Kelsey Carter, Amy Chambers, Avery Park, and Susan Pinckney. "Mitigating Climate Change with Machine Learning." Harvard Business School Background Note 625-014, August 2024.
- May 2013
- Article
The Performance Frontier: Innovating for a Sustainable Strategy
By: Robert G. Eccles and George Serafeim
By now most companies have sustainability programs. They're cutting carbon emissions, reducing waste, and otherwise enhancing operational efficiency. But a mishmash of sustainability tactics does not add up to a sustainable strategy. To endure, a strategy must address... View Details
Keywords: Sustainability; Innovation; Environment; Corporate Reporting; Corporate Social Responsibility; Governance; Strategy; Value; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Performance; Environmental Sustainability; Innovation and Invention
Eccles, Robert G., and George Serafeim. "The Performance Frontier: Innovating for a Sustainable Strategy." Harvard Business Review 91, no. 5 (May 2013): 50–60.
- March 2025 (Revised June 2025)
- Background Note
Getting to Net Zero: The Role of the Financial Sector
By: Shawn Cole, Jonah Zahnd, Karina Chung and Jack Cenovic
In early 2025, momentum towards the goal of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 continued in many parts of the world, even as it appeared to face a set-back following the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States. Financial institutions... View Details
Keywords: Transition; Climate Change; Environmental Regulation; Environmental Law; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Risk and Uncertainty; Competitive Advantage; Financial Services Industry
Cole, Shawn, Jonah Zahnd, Karina Chung, and Jack Cenovic. "Getting to Net Zero: The Role of the Financial Sector." Harvard Business School Background Note 225-066, March 2025. (Revised June 2025.)
- February 2009
- Article
GHG Trading Framework for the U.S. Biofuels Sector
By: Subbu Kumarappan and Satish V. Joshi
Substitution of petroleum fuels with biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel has been shown to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These GHG reductions can be traded in the emerging carbon markets, and methodologies for quantifying and trading are still being... View Details
Keywords: Climate Change; Environmental Sustainability; Energy Sources; Energy Industry; United States
Kumarappan, Subbu, and Satish V. Joshi. "GHG Trading Framework for the U.S. Biofuels Sector." Transition to a Bioeconomy: Environmental and Rural Development Impacts (February 2009), 78–95.
- February 2023
- Case
Germany, Europe, and Green Industrial Revolution
By: Gunnar Trumbull and Jonathan Schlefer
In 2023, Germany was racing to master yet another industrial revolution: this time in green technology. Could it transform its manufacturing and industry in time to sustain internationally competitiveness, especially with the United States and China; reach carbon... View Details
- November 2019 (Revised May 2021)
- Case
DeepGreen - the Metals Company and Polymetallic Nodules
The world has begun a “green transition”—a move to reduce carbon emissions. Part of this will entail a growing shift to electric vehicles. Huge amounts of metals—cobalt, nickel, and copper—will be needed to supply electric vehicles. Mining these on land, however, is... View Details
Keywords: Polymetallic Nodules; Seabed Mining; Entrepreneurial Finance; Metals and Minerals; Mining; Entrepreneurship; Finance; Problems and Challenges
Vietor, Richard H.K. "DeepGreen - the Metals Company and Polymetallic Nodules." Harvard Business School Case 720-016, November 2019. (Revised May 2021.)
- July 2012 (Revised July 2014)
- Case
Warby Parker: Vision of a 'Good' Fashion Brand
By: Christopher Marquis and Laura Velez Villa
In its third year of existence and poised to double its workforce, Warby Parker attributed its success to an innovative approach in the eyewear industry and to the company culture that supported it. With a mission combining social and business goals, the company had... View Details
Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Innovation; Business And Society; Social Responsiblity; Organizational Behavior; Social Entrepreneurship; Growth Management; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Brands and Branding; Organizational Culture; Marketing Strategy; Innovation and Invention; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Health Industry; United States
Marquis, Christopher, and Laura Velez Villa. "Warby Parker: Vision of a 'Good' Fashion Brand." Harvard Business School Case 413-051, July 2012. (Revised July 2014.)
- September–October 2020
- Article
Social-Impact Efforts That Create Real Value
By: George Serafeim
Until the mid-2010s few investors paid attention to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data—information about companies’ carbon footprints, labor policies, board makeup, and so forth. Today the data is widely used by investors. How can organizations create... View Details
Keywords: Sustainability; Sustainability Management; ESG; ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Performance; ESG Disclosure; ESG Disclosure Metrics; ESG Ratings; ESG Reporting; Social Impact; Impact Measurement; Social Innovation; Purpose; Corporate Purpose; Corporate Social Responsibility; Strategy; Social Enterprise; Society; Accounting; Investment; Environmental Sustainability; Climate Change; Corporate Strategy; Mission and Purpose; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Financial Services Industry; Chemical Industry; Technology Industry; Consumer Products Industry; Pharmaceutical Industry; North America; Europe; Japan; Australia
Serafeim, George. "Social-Impact Efforts That Create Real Value." Harvard Business Review 98, no. 5 (September–October 2020): 38–48.
- February 2016 (Revised October 2017)
- Case
Nuclear Energy: An Answer to Climate Change?
By: Michael W. Toffel, Glen W. S. Dowell and James Weber
Environmental activist groups have traditionally opposed nuclear energy. However, the growing environmental problems associated with global climate change require major changes to reduce the carbon intensity of electricity generation. Should environmental groups... View Details
Keywords: Nuclear Energy; Nuclear Power; Climate Change; Safety; Activism; Nonprofit; Environment; Environmental Protection; Social Movements; Energy; Energy Generation; Environmental Sustainability; Non-Governmental Organizations; Non-Renewable Energy; Energy Industry; United States
Toffel, Michael W., Glen W. S. Dowell, and James Weber. "Nuclear Energy: An Answer to Climate Change?" Harvard Business School Case 616-052, February 2016. (Revised October 2017.)