Climate Business and Investment Conference 2023

Climate × Data

Friday, April 28, 2023
8:30 AM–1:00 PM ET

Columbia Business School, Geffen Hall | Cooperman Commons
645 West 130th Street, New York, NY 10027

Advances in data science are key to tackling climate change, enabling climate scientists to more accurately forecast the impact of rising emissions, and business leaders to develop more effective climate mitigation and adaptation solutions. From advanced modeling to machine learning, data technologies are of increasing importance to investors concerned about climate change.

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

Participants will include leaders from the investment community, a range of business sectors, and academia.

This event is invitation-only, and in-person tickets are non-transferable. In-person space is limited. If you are interested in being added to the invitation list, please email us at [email protected].

 

Agenda

Please note that the agenda is in formation and is subject to change.

 

8:30-9:00 AM

Breakfast and Networking

 
9:00–9:05 AM

Welcome Remarks

Geoffrey Heal

Geoffrey Heal
Donald C. Waite III Professor of Social Enterprise at Columbia Business School

Bruce Usher

Bruce Usher
Co-director of the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise; Elizabeth B. Strickler ’86 and Mark T. Gallogly ’86 Faculty Director, and Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia Business School

Gernot Wagner

Gernot Wagner
Senior Lecturer in Discipline of Economics at Columbia Business School
9:05–10:05 AM

Learning the Earth With Artificial Intelligence and Physics (LEAP)

Vanessa Burbano

Vanessa Burbano
Sidney Taurel Associate Professor of Business at Columbia Business School; and Corporate Engagement Director at LEAP

Julius-Busecke

Julius Busecke
Senior Staff Associate II at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University; and Manager of Data and Computing at LEAP

Pierre-Gentine

Pierre Gentine
Maurice Ewing and J. Lamar Worzel Professor of Geophysics in the Departments of Earth and Environmental Engineering and Earth and Environmental Sciences at Columbia University; and Director of LEAP
10:05–10:30 AM

Policy

Sheldon Whitehouse

Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse
US Senator for Rhode Island

Bob Litterman

Bob Litterman
Chairman of the Risk Committee and Founding Partner at Kepos Capital

Gernot Wagner

Gernot Wagner
Senior Lecturer in Discipline of Economics at Columbia Business School
10:30–11:00 AM

Changing Perceptions

Moran Cerf

Moran Cerf
Professor of Neuroscience and Business at Columbia Business School

Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson
Norman Eig Professor of Business at Columbia Business School

Sandra Matz

Sandra Matz
David W. Zalaznick Associate Professor of Business at Columbia Business School
11:00–11:15 AM

Coffee Break

 
11:15–11:45 AM

Evaluating Risk

Andrew MacFarlane

Andrew MacFarlane
Head of Climate at AXA XL

Linda Lee

Linda-Eling Lee
Managing Director and Head of ESG and Climate Research at MSCI
11:45 AM–12:45 PM

Implementing Solutions

Hamid_Samandari

Hamid Samandari
Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company

Kevin Cei

Kevin Cei
Head of Solutions Architecture at Jupiter Intelligence

Melanie-Nakagawa

Melanie Nakagawa
Chief Sustainability Officer at Microsoft

Mike-Pritchard

Mike Pritchard
Director of Climate Simulation Research at NVIDIA and Professor at UC Irvine
12:45–1:00 PM

Closing Remarks

Geoffrey Heal

Geoffrey Heal
Donald C. Waite III Professor of Social Enterprise at Columbia Business School

Bruce Usher

Bruce Usher
Co-director of the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise; Elizabeth B. Strickler ’86 and Mark T. Gallogly ’86 Faculty Director, and Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia Business School

Gernot Wagner

Gernot Wagner
Senior Lecturer in Discipline of Economics at Columbia Business School
1:00–2:30 PM (Optional Session)

LEAP Exploration Workshop

Following the conference, all participants are invited to join this optional session, hosted by Learning the Earth With Artificial Intelligence and Physics (LEAP), to interact more deeply with LEAP researchers and the climate data tools they are developing. The session will be held in Kravis Hall, Room 1040.

Vanessa Burbano

Vanessa Burbano
Sidney Taurel Associate Professor of Business at Columbia Business School; and Corporate Engagement Director at LEAP

Julius-Busecke

Julius Busecke
Senior Staff Associate II at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University; and Manager of Data and Computing at LEAP

Pierre-Gentine

Pierre Gentine
Maurice Ewing and J. Lamar Worzel Professor of Geophysics in the Departments of Earth and Environmental Engineering and Earth and Environmental Sciences at Columbia University; and Director of LEAP