The Future of ESG: Overhauling Our Approach to Saving the World
Our approach so far to ESG is ‘fundamentally flawed,’ argues veteran investor Terrence Keeley in a conversation with CBS Professor Shivaram Rajgopal.
Our approach so far to ESG is ‘fundamentally flawed,’ argues veteran investor Terrence Keeley in a conversation with CBS Professor Shivaram Rajgopal.
These Columbia-affiliated founders discuss how their innovations are shaping a more water-conscious world.
Here's what happened when CBS Climate Economist Gernot Wagner overhauled his leaky, 200-year-old New York City co-op.
A new study by Columbia Business School Professor Sandra C. Matz, Academic Director in Executive Education Moran Cerf, and Northwestern University Professor Malcolm A. MacIver, tests the effectiveness of climate prediction markets in boosting support, concern, and knowledge around climate action.
At this year’s event, headlined Climate × Data, five common themes emerged from panel discussions and interactive presentations.
Leaders must focus on implementing ideas, taking action, and making the transition to clean energy part of their core business strategy.
Steel is an infamously hard-to-abate sector. For one thing, steel production assets have long lifespans before they are due for expensive upgrades. For another, the sector’s energy requirements are massive and will likely tax emerging clean energy systems. Some of these roadblocks can be circumvented — at least for the time being — with an embrace of transitional, “messy middle” technologies and processes, which can represent decarbonization potentials of between 10% and 50% (though they still carry significant green price premiums).
“I think we need a green steel definition,” noted Marie Jaroni, senior vice president of decarbonization and ESG at Germany’s ThyssenKrupp. “Everyone is doing their own thing. It would help our clients and our customers to have one green steel definition, and I think that’s very crucial for all of us.”
“How do you build a just transition into all of this?” asked Columbia SIPA’s Bataille. “You’ve got to involve your communities and local workforces from the beginning and make them part of the solution-finding process.”
For many years, steelmaking has followed a consistent, two-step process: First, iron ore is mined and mixed with coal, as well as other substances, to make molten iron. This process most often happens using highly polluting blast furnaces. Some 90% of steel-related emissions come from this first iron-producing step.