Joel Makower

The specter of climate change is already upon us, roiling markets, supply chains and business continuity, and the world’s largest investors are demanding accountability and transparency. All of which represents an opportunity for companies to become more resilient and adaptive amid an uncertain future. Joel Makower, a veteran of 30 years in the worlds of business, sustainability and clean technology, lays out the strategies and technologies that will help companies navigate this dynamic environment — and how to be ready to survive and thrive in a climate-constrained world.

In an era of climate change, economic uncertainty and global turmoil, business as usual is giving way to bold, audacious thinking: How can America’s private sector realign its interests in a way that builds resilience and well-being while strengthening its economy and environment? It’s a trillion-dollar business opportunity that affects every sector, and the inspiring subject of my latest book, “The New Grand Strategy” (St. Martin’s Press, 2016), about an economic plan for America, born at the Pentagon, that embeds sustainability as a national strategic imperative — led by business, for profit, with or without Washington’s leadership.

A convergence is taking place among energy, information, building and vehicle technologies, representing one of the next great waves of business innovation — and a boon to the environment. This mash-up of clean technology, sustainable business, and smart everything is creating vast opportunities for companies to develop ultra-efficient and innovative products, services, and business models for companies, cities, and consumers. It’s one of the most significant drivers of business innovation and strategy. What You’ll Learn:

• Why the VERGE economy is happening now, what it means, and who’s involved
• The new business opportunities for both technology and non-technology companies
• How VERGE will increasingly impact business operations and career paths
• The new value chains and knowledge networks that will increasingly shake up markets
• Where the VERGE economy is headed and how to prepare for it

Nearly every company is assessing itself through the lens of sustainability. For a handful of leadership companies it involves asking the question: “How do we compete in a world in which energy, water, materials, and toxicity are constraints to growth?” Today, being green is not just about “doing less bad” or “greening the bottom line.” It’s about reducing risk — supply chain, reputation, financial and more. It’s about growing the top line through innovation, new markets, increased productivity, and increased ability to attract and retain talent. I tell how leaders align sustainability with business value. What You’ll Learn:

• What’s driving environmental issues to rise to the top inside the world’s biggest companies
• Strategies leading companies use to harness green thinking to create business value
• “How good is good enough?” when it comes to company environmental performance
• The challenges of communicating for environmental leaders
• How a new breed of green innovators is transforming markets

In an era of climate change, economic uncertainty and global turmoil, business as usual is giving way to bold, audacious thinking: How can America’s private sector realign its interests in a way that builds resilience and well-being while strengthening its economy and environment? It’s a trillion-dollar business opportunity that affects every sector, and the inspiring subject of Joel’s latest book (published in 2016), about a new economic opportunity for America, born at the Pentagon, that embeds sustainability as a strategic national imperative — and represents a massive opportunity for business.