The Near-term Impacts of Climate Change on Investors

Tuesday, May 2, 2017
8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

How can an application of the best climate science improve competition across the private sector? What are the actionable trends impacting the stability and security of food, water, shelter, health, and energy resources? How will these trends affect investment returns, creating both risks and opportunities for business leaders?

This forum—a joint effort by the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise at Columbia Business School and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory — brings together climate scientists and business leaders to understand how new advances in climate science can inform investments in specific sectors of the global economy. The conference will explore topics that address the value and opportunity of using a science-based approach to inform and guide business decisions.

This event is by invitation only.

Agenda

8:00–8:30 a.m.

Breakfast and Registration

 
8:30–8:40 a.m.

Introductions

  • Peter deMenocal
    Thomas Alva Edison/Con Edison Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences;
    and Director, Center for Climate and Life
    Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory;
    Dean of Science, Faculty of Arts and Sciences
8:40–8:50 a.m.

Welcome Remarks on Using Science to Make Smarter Business Decisions

8:50–9:20 a.m.

Lightning Talk on Sea Level and Coastal Property

9:20–9:50 a.m.

Lightning Talk on Extreme Climate Events and Reinsurance

  • Adam Sobel (view presentation)
    Professor, Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics and
    Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
    Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science
  • Stephen Weinstein
    Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer, Group General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
    RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
9:50–10:05 a.m.

Coffee Break

 
10:05–10:50 a.m.

Lightning Talk on Climate, Agriculture, and Water

10:50–11:10 a.m.

Keynote Address on Electric Utility Sector Disruption

11:10–11:20 a.m.

Coffee Break

 
11:20–11:50 a.m.

Keynote Address on Climate Change and Investing

11:50 a.m.–12:20 p.m.

Investor Panel on the Intersection of Climate and (Investment

  • Kent Daniel
    William von Mueffling Professor of Business
    Columbia Business School;
    Former Co-Chief Investment Officer and Head of Equity Research, Quantitative Investment Strategies
    Goldman Sachs Asset Management
  • Mary Jane McQuillen
    Managing Director, Portfolio Manager, Head of Environmental, Social and Governance Investment
    ClearBridge Investments
  • Ashley Schulten
    Portfolio Manager, BlackRock’s Green Bond Mandates
    BlackRock
12:20–12:30 p.m.

Closing Remarks

  • Damon Phillips
    Lambert Family Professor of Social Enterprise
    Co-Director of The Tamer Center for Social Enterprise
    Columbia Business School
  • Bruce Usher
    Elizabeth B. Strickler ’86 and Mark T. Gallogly ’86 Faculty Director
    Co-Director of The Tamer Center for Social Enterprise
    Columbia Business School

References and Links Provided by Speakers

Kent Daniel

Geoff Heal

Peter Huybers

Wolfram Schlenker

Richard Seager

Adam Sobel

Bruce Usher

Other References

Research Report

Download the report here.