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Sustainability Practice Network: 2009-10 Meeting Program
September 16 2009, 6-8 pm
Venue: New York Open Center 22 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016
Panelists: Doug Cogan Director of Climate Change Research, Risk Metrics;
Kate Cecys, International Fellow, Pew Center on Global Climate Change;
Stephen Kass Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP;
Moderator: Nat Keohane nvironmental Defense Fund, Director of Economic Policy and Analysis
The first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol will end in 2012 and negotiations for a post-Kyoto agreement have been taking place since 2007. A final treaty is
expected to be adopted in Copenhagen in December 2009. What improvements will be proposed to the Kyoto Protocol? What will be the major obstacles to an agreement?
What lessons have been learned from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Joint Implementation JI), the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and other trading schemes,
such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX)? What is the future of the growing multi-billion dollar annual emissions
trading market? This panel will provide insight into the major provisions of the international post-Kyoto climate change agreement, how the major obstacles to agreement
may be overcome, and the future of emissions trading markets.
Please RSVP events@sustainabilitypractice.net
October 20, 2009, 6-8 pm
Venue: New York University Law School, Vanderbilt Hall, 40 Washington Square South, Room 204 (between MacDougal and Sullivan Sts)
Panelists: Dr. Martin Fleming, Vice President, Corporate Strategy, IBM Corp.; Katherine Hamilton, President, GridWise Alliance;
David Gmach, Director NYC Public Affairs, Con Edison.
Moderator: Ashley C. Brown, Executive Director, Harvard Electricity Policy Group, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
According to the US DOE Office of Electrical Distribution, the US electricity grid is "aging, inefficient, and congested, and incapable of meeting the future energy
needs of the Information Economy without operational changes and substantial capital investment over the next several decades."
Leading states like California and Texas have been working towards modernizing their electricity system, and to that end, the 2009 economic stimulus bill
earmarked $4 billion in its clean technology provisions. In order to transform the electric power business, information technologies must be deployed such as
those that have transformed telecommunications, another "network" industry.
While the transformation process has begun, there exist technological limitations and market barriers to complete integration. The panelists will discuss the
technological, political and economic changes that need to happen for a complete modernization of the US electric system.
Please RSVP events@sustainabilitypractice.net
November 17, 2009, 6-8 pm
Venue: Robert Zicklin Center for Corporate Integrity - Newman Vertical Campus Room 14220 - 55 Lexington Avenue between 24 / 25 Sts.
Panelists: Gina Harman, Chief Executive, Accion USA; Gregory Larkin, Senior Analyst, Banking and Diversified Financials, RiskMetrics Sustainability Solutions Group; Cathie Mahon, Executive Director and Assistant Commissioner, Office of Financial Empowerment
NYC Department of Consumer Affairs
Moderator: Ben Levisohn, Staff Editor, BusinessWeek
While there is much uncertainty about the future of banking one thing is certain: lending to underserved/low income consumers will never be the
same. On this panel we hear how it is changing. If subprime was a bad (or sub-optimal) model for extending finance to underserved, underbanked demographics in the US what is the
right way? How will the underbanked get access to the capital they deserve? Who will provide that capital?
Please RSVP events@sustainabilitypractice.net
December 8, 2009, 6-8 pm
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Can 'Big Food' Embrace the 'Sustainable Agriculture' Movement
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Venue: RiskMetrics Group, One Chase Manhattan Plaza, 44th Fl.,
New York, NY
Panelists: Michael Doane, Agricultural Economics and Sustainability, Monsanto;
Ani Gulati, Assistant General Counsel and Sustainability, General Mills;
Chip Jones, SVP Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, Dean Foods;
Jake Baker, Climate Change Investment Research, Deutsche Bank;
Tensie Whelan, President, Rainforest Alliance;
Josh Viertel, President, Slow Food USA
Moderator: Linda-Eling Lee, Sustainability Research, RiskMetrics Group
Capital-intensive and chemical-intensive agricultural methods have been widely adopted by Big Food companies because of their ability to increase production as well as profits.
The long-term economic and environmental sustainability of conventional large-scale agriculture, however, is increasingly being called into question. A counter trend of community-based
local food production, including growing demand for local and organic products, rising number of farmers markets, CSAs and urban agriculture initiatives has taken hold around the country
in recent years. The Obama administration has helped extend growing public interest for fresh, local and sustainably grown food through official appointments at the Department of
Agriculture and the unofficial cultural cache of a White House organic garden. This 'civic agriculture' movement, however, focuses on small farmers and food producers but neglects
the role that global agribusinesses, food manufacturers and retailers must inevitably play in feeding the world's growing population.
How can we reconcile the innovation and progress made on a small scale in local communities with the
necessity of large-scale farming and distribution? Is it possible or desirable for Big Food companies to
circulate resources at the local level and replicate community-based models when catering to national
and international markets? What would spur corporations to provide incentives to farmers to improve
sustainable crop production methods? Efforts to develop voluntary national 'Sustainable Agriculture'
standards are currently underway; is developing a "sustainable agriculture" label even a good idea for
Big Food?
Please RSVP events@sustainabilitypractice.net
February 16, 2010, 6-8 pm
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High Performing Supply Chains
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Venue: NYU Center for Global Affairs Woolworth Building - 15 Barclay Street (Enter on Barclay Street) New York, NY
(Please present ID at Ground Floor Reception.) Subways - 2,3 at Park Place 4,5,6 at City Hall
Panelists: Sabrina Vigilante, Director, Rainforest Alliance, Americas & Asia Pacific Sustainable Value Chains, Sustainable Agriculture Division; Shayne McQuade, CEO, Voltaic Systems;
Mary White, Sr. Manager, Environmental Supplier Outreach, PepsiCo;
Moderator: Chrystina Gastelum, Manager, Carbon Disclosure Project, Supply Chain
In July 2009, the NYT reported the launch of Wal-Mart's supplier sustainability index: "As the world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores is on a mission to
determine the social and environmental impact of every item it puts on its shelves."
This is a daunting task given that a company's supply chain is composed of a complex network of people, organizations and technologies and its management involves
coordinating and integrating these flows both within and among companies. With its focus on the social and environmental impacts, supply chain performance measurement
can range from GHG emissions, waste and water, to labor conditions, human rights and animal welfare. It has been argued, however, that there is a human cost to the
"green" movement as suppliers are being asked to reduce costs while improve their environmental performance.
This panel will discuss how companies are working on improving the sustainability performance of their supply chains and working to achieve a truly sustainable supply chain.
Please RSVP events@sustainabilitypractice.net
March 23, 2010, 6-8 pm
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Biomimcry - Principles of Nature Influencing Design
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Venue: New York University School of Law, 40 Washington Square South, 218 Vanderbilt Hall
Panelists: David Benjamin, Director of the Living Architecture Lab at GSAPP and Principal at The Living;
Martha Skinner., Co-founder, Field Office; Natalie Jeremijenko,
Professor, UCSD Global Distinguished Visiting Professor, The College of Arts and Science, New York University; Mark Dorfman,
Green Chemistry Naturalist, Biomimicry Guild
Moderators: Michael Block, Chief Executive, Kinetix; Founder Sustainability Practice Network
According to Janine Benyusis, biomimicry is an emerging discipline that studies natures best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes
to solve human problems. Although biomimcry is considered a relatively new science, Benyus popularized the theory in her 1997 book, Biomimicry:
Innovation Inspired by Nature, the practice has already borne many cutting edge applications. In many ways biomimcry is as old as the earth itself.
Evolution through a system of trial and error over millions of years has created many of the most advanced designs we know. Animals, plants and microbes are the consummate engineers.
By studying the natural world we can learn which designs work and which designs are innovative and sustainable.
Applications range widely from architecture, urban planning and product design to software development and organizational evolution. Some examples are: the echolocation of bats,
inspiring a cane for the visually impaired; spider webs, inspiring parachute design; mussels bissell threads that enable it to stick underwater to slipper surfaces, inspiring adhesive
glue; plant leaves, inspiring solar cell orientation; and much more. The panel will discuss how nature has influenced their projects and how biomimcry, cradle-cradle and green
chemistry concepts are influencing product design and development.
Please RSVP events@sustainabilitypractice.net
April 20, 2010, 6-8 pm
Venue: NYU Stern School of Business, Henry Kaufman Management Center,
44 West 4th Street (at Greene Street )
Panelists: Marc Robert, COO, Water Asset Management; Vlada Kenniff,
Director, NYC Environmental Protection, Bureau of Environmental Planning & Analysis | Planning & Water Demand Projections GIS ; David Walker,
Director, Environmental Sustainability, Pepsico; Lawrence Levine, Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council
Moderator: Adam Gromis, NYU Stern
Water is a basic human right, but potable water has become increasingly scarce due to pollution, industrial development and climate change. We are in the midst of serious energy and water problems; the two issues
are closely linked. The water supply sector uses large amounts of energy to transport, treat, and deliver water. For the energy sector, water is used in all energy creation stages including:
extraction, processing, refining and transporting the fuels to power-generation sources. As cities continue to grow, water-use efficiency and conservation are needed to ensure adequate protection
of water supply for these growing populations. The panel will examine what water conservation measures are being implemented by governments and corporations. In addition, it will address what
citizens can do to ensure that this important resource is being preserved and protected for the public good.
Please RSVP events@sustainabilitypractice.net
May 18, 2010, 6-8 pm
Venue: 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, 44th Floor
Panelists: Tom Croft, Executive Director, Steel Valley Authority and the Heartland Network, and author of Up From Wall Street: The Responsible Investment Alternative.
Laura Caruso, Director of Policy and Legislative Issues, Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union. Craig Moss, Director of Corporate Programs and Training,
Social Accountability International.
Moderator: Conan Magee, ESG Analytics, RiskMetrics Group
While declining union membership in the US and increasing globalization of the economy are stories that have been playing out for some time, it is not yet
clear what the fate of organized labor will be in the 21st century. Unions continue to make news in the US, for example, with efforts to pass the Employee
Free Choice Act to ease the process of organization, and were influential in the healthcare reform debate. At the same time, the methods of exerting
influence are evolving, as evidenced by shareholder proposals submitted by unions and partnerships with environmental organizations on health issues
and green jobs. NGOs have also stepped in with alternative means to address at least some of the issues surrounding fair treatment of workers.
Please join us as we explore questions surrounding the changing role of unions, other models available to ensure fair treatment of workers, and
the benefits and risks to which unionized companies are exposed.
Please RSVP http://www.riskmetrics.com/events/2010sustainability_practice
June 15, 2010, 6-8 pm
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Innovative Business Models
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Venue: TBD
Panelists: TBD
Moderator: TBD
Sustainability can help create innovative opportunities to improve environmental and social performance while making a profit. Companies, start-ups and nonprofits are focusing
on new business models to achieve this. A panel of entrepreneurs and sustainability leaders will discuss how their businesses and organizations are using innovation to drive
sustainability. The speakers will discuss their challenges - from developing business plans, securing investors and recruiting fellow entrepreneurs all while maintaining their
sustainability mission and vision.
Please RSVP events@sustainabilitypractice.net
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