Climate Rising

In the latest episode of Climate Rising from Harvard Business School, Karen Pflug, Chief Sustainability Officer of Ingka Group (IKEA), shares how IKEA is embedding circularity throughout its business model.  She discusses how IKEA is redesigning iconic products like the Billy bookcase to make them easier to disassemble and repair, how secondhand retail pilot programs at IKEA stores are reaching new customers, and how investments like RetourMatras are developing circular solutions for end-of-life mattresses. Karen also describes how policy, design, and customer nudges can accelerate circularity at global scale—and offers advice for those seeking careers in circular economy innovation. 

Lauren Rodriguez, who leads partnerships at Circular Services, a Closed Loop Partners company, joins host Mike Toffel to discuss building the infrastructure and investment models needed to scale the circular economy. Lauren explains how Closed Loop Partners supports the transition from a linear to a circular economy through capital management, innovation initiatives, and operating companies like Circular Services. She shares how their private equity, venture capital, and catalytic credit strategies are helping scale recycling, reuse, and circular supply chains.Lauren also explores the critical role of policy—especially extended producer responsibility(EPR) laws—in driving investment and highlights emerging technologies like AI-powered waste stream analysis and autonomous electronics disassembly that are accelerating progress. She closes with advice and resources for students and professionals interested in careers at the intersection of circular economy, investing, and innovation.

Fabian Barthel, Co-Founder of Vytal, a circular economy packaging-as-a-service startup, joins host Mike Toffel to explore the innovation, behavioral science, and regulations shaping the market for reusable containers for take-out food and beverages.  Fabian shares how Vytal is tackling packaging waste by building a reusable container system for restaurants, canteens, and major events. He explains why deposit-based systems often fail, how Vytal's “borrow and return” model changes consumer behavior, and how data, technology and behavioral science underpin their service design. Fabian also discusses the evolving regulatory landscape, including Germany's reuse mandates and emerging municipal single-use taxes. He closes by offering advice to circular economy entrepreneurs about how to align impact with profit. 

In this bonus episode of Climate Rising, we share an episode from Harvard Business School's Cold Call podcast, featuring HBS professor Mike Toffel and Duncan van Bergen, Co-Founder of Calyx Global. The discussion focuses on Mike's recent HBS case study, Calyx Global: Rating Carbon Credits, which explores how the company is helping improve transparency and credibility in the voluntary carbon market. Mike and Duncan join host Brian Kenny to unpack how Calyx Global evaluates carbon credit quality, how the company maintains independence in a space vulnerable to conflicts of interest, and how data and technology—from satellite sensing to AI—are transforming how carbon credits are verified and rated. The conversation also highlights key themes in the voluntary carbon market, including the tension between financial models and credibility, the challenges of measuring impact, and the broader implications for corporate climate action.

Luke Leslie, Co-Founder and CEO of Key Carbon, joins Climate Rising as part of our series on voluntary carbon markets. Luke has spent over 20 years in carbon markets and finance, working in investment banking, private equity, and structured finance.  Luke explains how Key Carbon is financing high-integrity carbon projects and how new overlaps between the voluntary and compliance carbon markets are at the center of their investment strategy. He provides a “climate finance 101” introduction and discusses the role of investors in the carbon credit space, how structured finance can scale climate solutions. Luke also describes how investors source and evaluate carbon projects, the risks of over-crediting, and the future role of biodiversity markets. Finally, he offers career advice for those interested in climate finance. 

Alexia Kelly, Managing Director of the Carbon Policy and Markets Initiative (CPMI) at theHigh Tide Foundation, joins host Mike Toffel for the fifth episode in our series on voluntarycarbon markets. Alexia has worked for nearly two decades atthe intersection of carbonmarkets, policy, and finance, with roles spanning government, private industry, andnonprofits. In this episode, Alexia discusses how voluntary carbon markets are evolving, the criticalrole of policy in shaping carbon finance,and how standards and governance can improvemarket integrity. She also explores how advances in digital technology, data transparency,and AI-driven monitoring are transforming carbon credit verification and marketconfidence. Additionally, she shares herperspective on the integration of voluntary andcompliance markets, including recent developments in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.Alexia also offers career advice for those looking to enter the field and shares resources forstaying informed on carbon markets and climate finance.

Amy Merrill, CEO of the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) joins host Mike Toffel in this fourth episode of the Climate Rising series on voluntary carbon markets. Amy has extensive experience in carbon markets, including leading negotiations on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and advising on global carbon finance.  Amy explains how ICVCM uses a multi-stakeholder approach to enhance the integrity of carbon credits, including by developing ten Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) and using them to evaluate and strengthen carbon credit programs and methodologies. She discusses the challenges in ensuring credit quality and how the boundary is evolving between voluntary and compliance markets. Amy also shares her insights into the latest trends in carbon markets and offers advice for those interested in learning more about these topics. 

This episode, the third in our series on Voluntary Carbon Markets, features Mark Kenber, Executive Director of the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI). Mark has worked in carbon markets and climate finance for nearly three decades, with experience at organizations like WWF, The Climate Group, and Fundación Natura in Ecuador.  Mark describes VCMI's mission to provide guidance for companies and other non-state actors on how to credibly use carbon credits as part of their climate commitments. He discusses the current challenges and opportunities in voluntary carbon markets, the role of businesses and governments in ensuring integrity, and how emerging trends—such as the blurring lines between voluntary and compliance markets—will shape the future. Mark also shares career advice for those interested in working in carbon markets and climate finance. 

Our second episode on the voluntary carbon market is a bonus episode of a panel discussion recorded at Harvard Climate Action Week in 2024. Harvard Kennedy School Professor Joe Aldy moderates this discussion with Nat Keohane from the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, Donna Lee from Calyx Global, UC San Diego Professor David Victor, and Carolyn Weinberg, formerly of Blackrock. Together, they bring perspectives from policy, business, and academia. The conversation explores the role of voluntary carbon markets in mobilizing finance for decarbonization, ensuring the integrity of carbon credits, and scaling high-quality projects. They also discuss emerging standards, innovative financial products, and how companies can leverage VCMs to achieve net-zero goals while addressing climate risks.

Dr. Jennifer Jenkins, Chief Science Officer at Rubicon Carbon, joins our host Mike to talk about the critical role of voluntary carbon markets in achieving net-zero goals. Dr. Jenkins shares insights on how Rubicon Carbon is advancing the integrity and scalability of carbon credit through tools like the Rubicon Carbon Integrity Framework (RCIF). The conversation explores the lifecycle of a carbon credit, the challenges of managing risks like additionality and leakage, and how voluntary carbon markets can incentivize global climate action. Dr. Jenkins also shares her outlook on the future of carbon markets and offers advice for those pursuing careers in sustainability and climate solutions.

Logan Ward, Deputy Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, joins host Mike Toffel to discuss how AI is transforming the discovery process for new materials in grid-scale batteries. Logan explains Argonne's research on improving energy storage solutions, why AI plays a critical role, and the partnerships between national labs and the industry. He also shares his outlook on the future of AI in climate science and offers career advice for those interested in this field.

Dr. Alyssa Whitcraft is a professor at University of Maryland and a leading expert in agricultural remote sensing and climate adaptation. Dr. Whitcraft discusses her journey from co-founding NASA Harvest, a global program addressing food security with satellite data, to leading NASA Acres, which focuses on U.S. agriculture. She explains how AI and satellite technology are changing the agricultural sector, offering solutions ranging from crop yield prediction to regenerative farming practices. Alyssa also shares insights into Harvest SARA, a nonprofit she founded to foster collaboration between public and private sectors in advancing sustainable agriculture. Finally, she provides career advice for aspiring scientists and professionals interested in the intersection of AI, climate, and agriculture.

Carsten Brinkschulte is the CEO of Dryad, a company that leverages AI to detect wildfires early and prevent catastrophic damage. Carsten shares his journey from a telecom entrepreneur to climate tech innovator, explaining how Dryad's solar-powered sensors and mesh networks detect wildfires at their inception and transmit real-time alerts to their customers. He also discusses the technical challenges of embedding machine learning into low-cost sensors, the importance of collaborating with public and private stakeholders, and the evolving landscape of wildfire detection technology. Carsten provides advice for aspiring climate tech entrepreneurs, emphasizing the need to align impact with profitability.

In this episode, host Mike Toffel speaks with Pasi Miettinen, CEO of Sagewell, a company that uses AI to help utilities and their customers manage energy demand efficiently. Pasi explains how Sagewell's technology helps reduce peak electricity usage, which in turn lowers energy costs and lessens climate impact. He also discusses how smart data analytics can identify energy-saving opportunities and the importance of AI in optimizing energy usage patterns. Pasi provides insights on the challenges and successes in the utility sector and shares career advice for those looking to work in AI and clean energy.

In this episode, host Mike Toffel sits down with Paul Dickinson and Tom Rivett-Carnac, co-hosts of the climate podcast Outrage & Optimism, to preview COP29, the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. With their extensive experience in climate negotiations and industry collaboration, Paul and Tom share insights on how COP29 fits into the broader climate agenda, what business leaders should expect, and how they can best engage. The conversation delves into the evolving role of COP, from setting targets to ensuring implementation, and the critical importance of corporate involvement in driving ambitious climate action.

David Cash, the Regional Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for New England, shares his journey from environmental science to state and federal leadership roles. He highlights how the clean energy transition in the United States is being driven by public policy, community engagement, and new funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. He explains the U.S. EPA's role in balancing climate action with economic development, while promoting environmental justice. David also offers insights on career opportunities at the intersection of business, climate, and government.

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.

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.

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.

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. Stewart, Netflix's first Sustainability Officer, joins host Mike Toffel to discuss the company's strategic approach to sustainability, the importance of embedding climate themes in popular content, and how these efforts aim to educate and inspire action among its vast audience. 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.

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 (LinkedIn)

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.

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.

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.

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)

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)

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.

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)

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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