Paulette Frank, the chief sustainability officer at Johnson & Johnson, has found a powerful way to inspire people to care about the environment. She explains that our health is closely linked to the health of our planet. According to Frank, everyone is concerned about their own well-being and that of their loved ones. This realization led her to embrace health as a key motivator for sustainability.
Frank shared her insights as the keynote speaker at the first Yale Business and the Environment Conference. This event brought together students and industry leaders to discuss how businesses can grow while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The conference highlighted the importance of balancing growth with the pressing need for environmental stewardship.
The planning for the conference involved strong collaboration between the Yale School of Management and the School of the Environment. The teams aimed to feature diverse topics, ensuring that attendees could explore various aspects of sustainability and business challenges. Topics included “Decarbonizing Today’s Operations” and “Growing in a Net-Zero Future.” Speakers from organizations like Nestlé and PwC participated, sharing their expertise with over 100 attendees.
Students worked diligently for more than six months to organize the event. They aimed to create a platform where students from different fields could connect and discuss sustainability. The idea emerged from a desire to broaden the conversation about climate challenges beyond just renewable energy. According to Derek Nong, a key organizer, the goal was to include discussions on various sustainability practices, such as waste management and water conservation.
The success of the conference was also due to the rich variety of perspectives shared among speakers and attendees. Nico Valette, who led the speakers’ committee, noted the value of creating a space where experts could openly discuss both the possibilities and limitations of corporate sustainability. This openness is crucial for driving real change in the business world.
Overall, the conference aimed to spark meaningful dialogue between business leaders and sustainability experts. Organizers hope that this event will enhance corporate efforts towards sustainable practices, fostering genuine conversations about the challenges and opportunities in this field.
Check out this related article: Strengthening Ties: How the EU and Mexico Are Joining Forces for a Greener Future
Source link