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  1. Directory
  2. Faculty
  3. Bruce Usher

Bruce Usher

Professor of Professional Practice; Co-Director of the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change; Elizabeth B. Strickler '86 and Mark T. Gallogly '86 Faculty Director
Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change
Bruce Usher
Areas of Expertise
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Climate
Contact
Office: 391 Kravis
Phone: (212) 8547631
E-mail: [email protected]
Links
Curriculum Vitae
LinkedIn

Bruce Usher is a Professor of Professional Practice and the Elizabeth B. Strickler '86 and Mark T. Gallogly '86 Faculty Director of the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change at Columbia Business School. The Tamer Institute educates on the use business knowledge, entrepreneurial skills, and management tools to address social and environmental challenges. Professor Usher teaches courses on climate change, finance and business, and is a recipient of the Singhvi Prize for Scholarship in the Classroom, the Lear Award, and the Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

Professor Usher is also on the Columbia Climate School faculty. He chairs Columbia University’s Advisory Committee on Socially Responsible Investing, advising the university trustees on ethical and social issues that arise in the management of investments in the university’s endowment. In 2016, Professor Usher established the Columbia University Scholarship for Displaced Students, providing an opportunity for refugees to complete their higher education (now managed by the Columbia Global Centers).

In 2019, Professor Usher published Renewable Energy: A Primer for the Twenty-First Century, the first in the Earth Institute’s sustainability series of books. His latest book, Investing in the Era of Climate Change (Columbia University Press), was published in 2022. Professor Usher has written numerous cases for use in business school courses, with a primary focus on climate change and business.

Prior to joining Columbia University, Professor Usher was CEO of EcoSecurities Group plc, which developed greenhouse gas emission reduction projects in developing countries. EcoSecurities completed an IPO in 2005 and was acquired by JPMorgan in 2009. He was previously the co-founder and CEO of TreasuryConnect, which provided electronic trading solutions to banks and was acquired in 2001. Prior to that, he worked in financial services for twelve years in New York and Tokyo. Professor Usher is an active investor and advisor to entrepreneurial ventures focused on climate change, and is Chair of the Tamer Fund for Social Ventures. He earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Education
BComm, Queens University, 1986; MBA, Harvard, 1992

All Activities

  • Research
  • Teaching
  • Awards and Honors
  • Press
  • CaseWorks
  • Journal articles
  • Working papers
  • Articles
  • Books
  • Chapters
Newspaper/Magazine Article
Usher, Bruce
. “Real Progress on Emissions Can Lead to a Global Pact.”
NYTimes.com
. September 29, 2014.
Explore Further about Real Progress on Emissions Can Lead to a Global Pact
Newspaper/Magazine Article
Usher, Bruce
. “The U.S. as a Climate Change Leader?”
Huffington Post
. September 23, 2014.
Explore Further about The U.S. as a Climate Change Leader?
Newspaper/Magazine Article
Usher, Bruce
. “Savvy Risks, Sustainable Rewards.”
Ideas at Work
. July 18, 2014.
Explore Further about Savvy Risks, Sustainable Rewards
Newspaper/Magazine Article
Usher, Bruce
. “On Global Warming, Start Small.”
The New York Times
. November 27, 2010.
Explore Further about On Global Warming, Start Small
Newspaper/Magazine Article
Usher, Bruce
. “Red China, Green China.”
The New York Times
. May 10, 2010.
Explore Further about Red China, Green China
Book
Usher, Bruce
. Investing in the Era of Climate Change. 
New York
:
Columbia University Press
, 2022.
Explore Further about Investing in the Era of Climate Change
Book
Usher, Bruce
. Renewable Energy: A Primer for the Twenty-First Century. 
New York
:
Columbia University Press
, 2019.
Explore Further about Renewable Energy: A Primer for the Twenty-First Century
Chapter
Usher, Bruce and Albert Gore III
. “The Spectacular Growth of Solar PV Leasing.” In
Renewable Energy Finance: Powering the Future
, edited by
Charles W. Donovan
,
Imperial College Press, UK
:
World Scientific Publishing Co.
, 2015.
Explore Further about The Spectacular Growth of Solar PV Leasing
  • Courses
  • Case Studies
Course
B7583: Executive Ethics
View Course on Executive Ethics
Course
B8363: Climate Finance
View Course on Climate Finance
Course
B8767: Investing in Social Ventures
View Course on Investing in Social Ventures
Course
B8585: Bridging the American Divides
View Course on Bridging the American Divides
Course
B8355: Impact Investing
View Course on Impact Investing
Course
B8320: Climate Tech
View Course on Climate Tech
Course
B8705: Business and Climate Change
View Course on Business and Climate Change
Case Study
Wagner, Gernot and Bruce Usher
. The Cost to Achieve Net-Zero . 
New York, NY
:
Columbia CaseWorks
, 2022.
Explore Further about The Cost to Achieve Net-Zero
  • Awards & Honors
2023

Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence

2019

Lear Service Award

2017

Singhvi Prize for Scholarship in the Classroom

2014

Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence

  • In the Media
  • Articles
In the Media

ESG, Reincarnated

Marketplace's "How We Survive" Podcast
In the Media

India’s Clean Energy Revolution: How ReNew Is Leading the Charge

Times of India
In the Media

India’s Clean Energy Revolution: How ReNew is Leading the Charge

CBS Insights
In the Media

Addressing Climate Change: US Academic Hails China’s Green Progress

China Daily
In the Media

Climate Change Is the Focus in Shared Curriculum for Business Schools

Marketplace
In the Media

Climate Change Is the Focus in Shared Curriculum for Business Schools

Marketplace Morning Report
In the Media

Lessons From Bridging the American Divides

Columbia Business School
In the Media

Business Schools Pushed to Provide a More Responsible Education

Financial Times
In the Media

MBA Educators Have a Huge New Tool in the Fight against Climate Change

Poets & Quants
In the Media

Columbia Business School Celebrates the Launch of the Open Climate Curriculum

Columbia Business School
In the Media

Why the Success of COP28 Depends on Climate Finance

Columbia Climate School
In the Media

What Is COP28 and Why Is It Important?

Columbia Business School
In the Media

The Favorite Courses of MBAs

Poets & Quants
In the Media

Can Carbon Markets Accelerate Progress Towards Net Zero?

Financial Times
In the Media

At Awards Breakfast, Tamer Center Recognizes Alumni and Students Who Embody Its Mission

Columbia Business School
In the Media

Investors Play a Crucial Role in Solving Climate Change

Columbia Climate School
In the Media

Why Big Oil’s Record Profits Sparked a Backlash

CNBC
In the Media

Private Equity Firms Seek Piece of the Impact Investment Action

Financial Times
In the Media

At Columbia’s $600 Million Business School, Time to Rethink Capitalism

The New York Times
In the Media

Author Talks: An Investor’s Guide to the Net-zero Transition

McKinsey
In the Media

Investing in the Era of Climate Change: A Conversation With Professor Bruce Usher

Insights
In the Media

Bystanders No More, America’s CEOs Must Pay Attention to Societal Divides

Fortune
In the Media

Global Diplomats Are Talking about Climate Change - Again. Does It Do Any Good?

USA Today
In the Media

Flurry of climate change reports have ominous message: 'We are heading in the wrong direction'

USA Today
In the Media

Dealbook Newsletter

New York Times Dealbook
In the Media

Removing Friction in Climate Finance

The Hill
In the Media

Investing in the Era of Climate Change

Columbia Business School
In the Media

Climate Bill Said to Put Emission Goals in 'Striking Distance'

Roll Call
In the Media

Climate Bill Said to Put Emission Goals in ‘Striking Distance’

Roll Call
In the Media

Investing in the Era of Climate Change

Financial History
In the Media

Fall 2022 Announcements: Business & Economics

Publisher's Weekly
In the Media

Climate Change Climbs the Business School Curriculum

Financial Times
In the Media

These Moms Want the World’s Largest Money Manager to Divest From Coal. So They’re Protesting Outside the CEO’s House

Gothamist
In the Media

Do Airline Climate Offsets Really Work? Here’s the Good News, and the Bad

The New York Times
In the Media

What’s Next for SEC’s Proposed Climate Disclosure Regulation?

Bloomberg
In the Media

Are Wind and Solar Power Really More Expensive and Less Reliable?

Columbia Climate School
In the Media

Meet Columbia Business School’s MBA Class Of 2023

Poets & Quants
In the Media

What’s Still Misunderstood About Carbon Markets: Q&A With Professor Bruce Usher

Insights
In the Media

Wind and Solar Producer Tops Exxon as Most Valuable U.S. Energy Company

CBS News
In the Media

The Tax Rule That Inspired Billionaires and Movie Stars to Back Climate Moonshots

Bloomberg News
In the Media

Professor Bruce Usher on Books for Budding Social Entrepreneurs

Columbia
Article

Climate Change Must Be Core to Business Education

Read More about Climate Change Must Be Core to Business Education
Article

Paving the Way to Fusion Energy

Read More about Paving the Way to Fusion Energy
Article

India’s Clean Energy Revolution: How ReNew is Leading the Charge

Read More about India’s Clean Energy Revolution: How ReNew is Leading the Charge
Article

How to Assess the Outcome of COP28

Read More about How to Assess the Outcome of COP28
Article

What Is COP28 and Why Is It Important?

Read More about What Is COP28 and Why Is It Important?
Article

Climate and Clean Energy Policy in the Post-inflation Reduction Act World

Read More about Climate and Clean Energy Policy in the Post-inflation Reduction Act World
Article

History, Hope, and Self-Reflection in Youngstown, Ohio

Read More about History, Hope, and Self-Reflection in Youngstown, Ohio
Article

Financing the World's Future

Read More about Financing the World's Future
Article

Climate Week NYC: CBS Experts Weigh In on Smart Incentives, Solutions in the Fight Against Climate Change

Read More about Climate Week NYC: CBS Experts Weigh In on Smart Incentives, Solutions in the Fight Against Climate Change
Article

Investing in the Era of Climate Change: A conversation with Professor Bruce Usher

Read More about Investing in the Era of Climate Change: A conversation with Professor Bruce Usher
Article

Addressing Society's Toughest Challenge

Read More about Addressing Society's Toughest Challenge
Article

Four Investment Strategies to Combat Climate Change

Read More about Four Investment Strategies to Combat Climate Change
Article

Investing in the Era of Climate Change

Read More about Investing in the Era of Climate Change
Article

The Emerging Corporate Conscience

Read More about The Emerging Corporate Conscience
Article

What’s Next for the SEC’s Proposed Climate Disclosure Regulation?

Read More about What’s Next for the SEC’s Proposed Climate Disclosure Regulation?
Article

What’s Still Misunderstood About Carbon Markets: Q&A with Professor Bruce Usher

Read More about What’s Still Misunderstood About Carbon Markets: Q&A with Professor Bruce Usher
Article

What's Still Misunderstood About Carbon Markets: Q&A with Professor Bruce Usher

Read More about What's Still Misunderstood About Carbon Markets: Q&A with Professor Bruce Usher
Article

More Advice for the Next Administration

Read More about More Advice for the Next Administration
Article

Bruce Usher Named First Elizabeth B. Strickler ’86 and Mark T. Gallogly ’86 Faculty Director of Social Enterprise Program

Read More about Bruce Usher Named First Elizabeth B. Strickler ’86 and Mark T. Gallogly ’86 Faculty Director of Social Enterprise Program
Article

Bruce Usher to Serve as Social Enterprise Program Co-Director

Read More about Bruce Usher to Serve as Social Enterprise Program Co-Director
Article

Carbon Finance Leader To Serve As Executive in Residence

Read More about Carbon Finance Leader To Serve As Executive in Residence
  • CaseWorks
Case ID
250313

LONGi and the Green Hydrogen Opportunity

Was LONGi’s decision to expand into green hydrogen manufacturing the right one for sustainable growth and long-term financial success?

View Case on LONGi and the Green Hydrogen Opportunity
Case ID
250311

LONGi: Facing Strategic Challenges in the Solar PV Sector

What strategy should LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., LTD. pursue to build on its incredible success to maximize growth, profitability, and share price in the long term?

View Case on LONGi: Facing Strategic Challenges in the Solar PV Sector
Case ID
250309

Illuminate: Onshoring the US Solar Supply Chain?

Can Illuminate USA use federal tax credits and incentives to manufacture solar panel modules to be competitive in a global market dominated by China?

View Case on Illuminate: Onshoring the US Solar Supply Chain?
Case ID
250308

Ørsted’s Case for Offshore Wind

What are Danish renewable power company Ørsted’s next strategic steps?

View Case on Ørsted’s Case for Offshore Wind
Case ID
240306

ELP Greenport: Scaling Community Solar

What is the future of community solar development projects and what challenges need to be addressed for scalability?

View Case on ELP Greenport: Scaling Community Solar
Case ID
240302

Nextracker

Should a venture capital firm invest in a new solar panel-augmenting technology and if so, what is the impact from both commercial and sustainability standpoints?

View Case on Nextracker
Case ID
240301

Osprey I: DSD's Securitization of Solar Assets

Is securitization worthwhile for the solar sector? How can securitization be applied more broadly to renewable energy projects to provide capital needed to support a rapidly growing market?

View Case on Osprey I: DSD's Securitization of Solar Assets
Case ID
230304

Impact America

How should Impact America Fund, a prominent early-stage socially-conscious investment think about its ongoing strategy after initial fundraising success?

View Case on Impact America
Case ID
230302

Oil and Gas "Super Majors" and the Transition to Net Zero

What is the strategy that the oil and gas "super majors" are implementing as they transition to net zero?

View Case on Oil and Gas "Super Majors" and the Transition to Net Zero
Case ID
230301

Columbia Divestment

How should Columbia University manage its active endowment holdings in fossil fuel-related companies?

View Case on Columbia Divestment
Case ID
220310

The Cost to Achieve Net-Zero

What are the factors that must be considered in the global transition to a net-zero carbon emission economy and who should pay for it?

View Case on The Cost to Achieve Net-Zero
Case ID
220304

Green Bond Research Note

How can green bond issuances gain wider acceptance as a free market vehicle to support environmentally sustainable activities?

View Case on Green Bond Research Note
Case ID
200307

Water.org: Financial Innovation for Impact

Were credit guarantees, in partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the right path for Water.org to scale its water-related microfinance initiatives in emerging markets?

View Case on Water.org: Financial Innovation for Impact
Case ID
200304

MyAgro: Planting the Seeds of Opportunity

What path should the non-profit organization myAgro take to ensure its continued growth in support of African smallholder farmers?

View Case on MyAgro: Planting the Seeds of Opportunity
Case ID
200302

SunCulture: The Opportunity and Challenge of Investing in Kenya

Did SunCulture, a company that produced and sold solar-powered water pumps to Kenyan farmers represent a good investment opportunity for the PanAfrican Investment Company?

View Case on SunCulture: The Opportunity and Challenge of Investing in Kenya
Case ID
190304

Shift Capital: Transforming the Kensington Neighborhood

Can Shift Capital raise the $25 million additional funding it needs to keep its real estate development plans on track for a blighted Philadelphia neighborhood?

View Case on Shift Capital: Transforming the Kensington Neighborhood
Case ID
190302

Kingo: Growth Opportunities in Off-Grid Renewable Energy

What should the expansion strategy be for Guatemala-based Kingo, a provider of off-grid renewable energy?

View Case on Kingo: Growth Opportunities in Off-Grid Renewable Energy
Case ID
180303

From Pioneer to Pariah: SunEdison, Inc., and the Global Solar Photovoltaics Industry

How did Sun Edison's business model, emulated by an entire industry, prove unsuccessful for the organization that originated it?

View Case on From Pioneer to Pariah: SunEdison, Inc., and the Global Solar Photovoltaics Industry
Case ID
180302

Investing in Financial Inclusion & the Bottom of the Pyramid

How should an investment associate select the best investment from among the three short-listed potential investments for the firm's financial inclusion fund?

View Case on Investing in Financial Inclusion & the Bottom of the Pyramid
Case ID
170306

Architects of the Future? Tesla, Inc., Energy, Transportation, and the Climate

Can Tesla replicate its success in the United States to become a global leader in the rapidly growing electric vehicle market?

View Case on Architects of the Future? Tesla, Inc., Energy, Transportation, and the Climate
Case ID
160308

Pattern Energy and the YieldCo Sector

Are YieldCos a long-term viable source of capital for the renewable sector?

View Case on Pattern Energy and the YieldCo Sector
Case ID
150307

Stanford Dumps Coal

What will be the longer term impact of Stanford University's decision to divest its endowment's holdings in companies that produce coal?

View Case on Stanford Dumps Coal
Case ID
140311

EasyPay: An Alternative Loan for the Underbanked

Opportunity Fund's small business lending program had historically offered only a traditional installment loan product—would its new EasyPay product offer more opportunities to scale?

View Case on EasyPay: An Alternative Loan for the Underbanked
Case ID
140305

E+Co: A View from the Boardroom

After 15 years of success, does E+Co's, a well-respected clean energy impact investment firm, need to reconsider its business model?

View Case on E+Co: A View from the Boardroom
Case ID
130305

Keystone Solar

What factors should an alternate energy company consider when deciding whether to operate a project once it has been built?

View Case on Keystone Solar
Case ID
120307

The Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm

How should a firm with the stated goal of identifying and developing renewable energy projects determine the potential financial returns of a wind farm project?

View Case on The Jersey-Atlantic Wind Farm

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