Events

Conference Registration begins and will remain open throughout the day

Continental Breakfast

Ceres Stakeholder Team Breakfasts (by invitation)  

Conference Opening Plenary

Conference Opening & Welcome — Mindy Lubber, President, Ceres

Keynote — Michael Klein, Chairman, Citi Institutional Clients Group, and Vice Chairman, Citibank International plc

Networking Break

Morning Workshops

Critical friends: Engaging stakeholders to catalyze change
This workshop will spotlight the next generation of stakeholder engagement.  We will feature companies that have moved beyond ad-hoc engagement processes and are systematically talking to key environmental, social and community groups as a part of strategic, policy or product focused decision making. The panel will include an interactive discussion between companies and stakeholders and will highlight the value of this important trend, and what companies should do to keep it real.

Tod Arbogast, Dell
Julie Fox Gorte, Pax World Management Corporation
Andrea Moffat, Ceres
Sandy Nessing, American Electric Power
Ted Smith, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition

Getting in over our heads?  Finding solutions to water-related risk
This session will address how accelerating climate change, global economic growth, and emerging industries like biofuels are coming together to make water scarcity one of the most pressing environmental and social problems of our day.  We will look at how leading companies and investors are addressing water-related risk, as well as at the best practices advocated by environmental NGOs.

Jeffrey Connelly, General Electric
Andrew Hoffman, University of Michigan
Heidi Paul, Nestlé Waters, North America
Bruce Schlein, Citi
Chris Williams, World Wildlife Fund

The coal conundrum: Too abundant to ignore, or too risky to pursue?
Two years ago, U.S. electric power companies planned to build roughly 150 new coal-fired power plants.  Today, plans for most of those plants have been abandoned or postponed, major financial institutions have announced stricter due diligence for high-emitting projects such as coal plants, and the U.S. Department of Energy has backed off from the FutureGen project, which was meant to pave the way for coal's future.  Given today's competing realities —  cheap, abundant coal on the one hand, and the difficulty and expense of building new coal-fired generation on the other —  what is the real future of coal in the U.S. and global energy supply?  When will commercially viable technology emerge that could allow coal to compete in a carbon-constrained world? How soon will renewable energy sources be able to compete with coal?

Frank Alix, Powerspan Corporation
Bruce Biewald, Synapse Energy Economics
Mark Brownstein, Environmental Defense Fund
Paul Keller, Bank of America
Bruce Nilles, Sierra Club

Models wanted: How insurance catastrophe models can help business and government plan for climate change
Climate change brings a wide array of geographic risks, from sea level rise to drought. While the public and private sectors are working more than ever to limit the extent of climate change, business and government are increasingly aware that some degree of climate change is inevitable and will pose increasing risks to populations and investments.  With representatives from insurance, reinsurance, catastrophe modeling, banking and government, explore how different sectors are preparing for climate change.

Kathy Baughman McLeod, Florida Department of Financial Services
Celine Herweijer, Risk Management Solutions
Christophe Tulou, Heinz Center
Mark Way, Swiss Re

Low-hanging fruit:  Achieving efficiencies in our built environment
It's clear that we can realize huge climate benefits — and significant financial returns — by focusing on energy and other resource efficiencies in buildings; but it's not always clear how to go about it.   Whether it's investors seeking resource reductions in their real estate portfolios, municipalities setting efficiency goals, or affordable housing programs seeking to advance clean technology and energy efficiency in that market, these initiatives cannot be met without well defined policies and processes and the right financing models.  Join us to hear about some of the innovative approaches taking place to transform our built environment.

Cavarly Garrett, JP Morgan Investment
Dale McCormick, MaineHousing
Kirsten Spaulding, Ceres
Leanne Tobias, Malachite LLC

Corporate governance and climate: Creating sustainable companies from the boardroom down
What does it take to fully integrate corporate responsibility into the DNA of a company? What governance structures and strategies allow a company to become an industry leader?   Come and exchange ideas with experts who have helped their companies tackle sustainability challenges ranging from labor rights to climate change.   Learn from those who have moved beyond the greenwash rut and into the true blue groove of leadership.

Douglas Cogan, Risk Metrics Group
Arthur Gibson, Baxter International Inc.
Jill Ker Conway, Author
Anne Stausboll, California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)

Luncheon & Plenary Session

Networking Luncheon

Lost in translation? Sustainability in the global market
Panelists will discuss how resource limits, changing consumer preferences, and globalization are shaping corporate sustainability strategy. How are companies reconciling the market-driven imperatives of  growth and profits with pressing environmental and social challenges? Hear from corporate leaders and board members as they discuss the risks and opportunities of doing sustainable business globally in the early 21st century.

Diane Dillon-Ridgely, Director, Interface
Steve Elbert, Vice Chairman, BP America
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, Chairman, Anglo American plc

Moderator — Jane Nelson, Director of the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative, Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government, Harvard Kennedy School

Networking Break

Afternoon Workshops

Spotlight on solar:  Advances across the solar spectrum
The renewable energy industry is experiencing dramatic growth globally, with solar energy becoming increasingly recognized as an especially promising opportunity.  Major utility-scale projects utilizing concentrating solar power (CSP) technology have been announced over the past year, while the market for photovoltaics is expected to more than quintuple to 20-plus gigawatts globally by 2011.  Moreover, some analysts predict that solar could reach cost-competitiveness with some forms of traditional generation years ahead of predictions and as early as 2010.  How much can we expect from solar, and how soon?  How will rapidly-expanding solar generating capacity impact the power industry's plans to build new supply?  How can companies, investors and environmentalists effectively support solar's growth?

Mark Farber, Photon Consulting
David Jallo, Arizona Public Service Company
Kenneth Locklin, Clean Energy Group
Polly Shaw, Suntech America
Reese Tisdale, Emerging Energy Research

Forging new links:  Sustainability in supply chain management
This session will address how companies in different industries are moving from just monitoring to actively managing their supply chains, putting special focus on human and labor rights and health and safety issues.  Join us to hear speakers discuss innovative approaches, challenges and opportunities.

Michael Kobori, Levi Strauss & Co.
Bob Langert, McDonald’s
Michele Sacconaghi, Time Warner
Rev. David Schilling, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility

The Future of Shareholder Rights: Threats and Opportunities
Experts will examine key issues for 2008 and beyond, including the value and impact of shareowner advocacy, proposals to restrict shareholder resolutions, climate risk disclosure, proxy access and attempts by some sectors of the business community to limit the rights of shareholders to be effective advocates.  What role did the SEC play in 2007 and what should they do in 2008 to protect the rights of investors?  What type of additional disclosure should the SEC require from companies to provide greater transparency on issues of material interest to investors that affect long-term shareholder value?

Richard Ferlauto, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO
Peggy Foran, Pfizer
Donald Kirshbaum, Connecticut State Treasury
Elizabeth McGeveran, F&C Management
Timothy Smith, Walden Asset Management

The rise of eco-messaging: What does “green really mean?
Everyday more and more companies are responding to consumer pressure to become better environmental and social stewards.  This workshop will analyze the increase of green marketing and consumer-targeted messaging amongst the world's leading corporations and discuss the pitfalls of greenwashing, and how companies can move beyond the hype.  The panel will explore credible strategies for communicating sustainability solutions with consumers, shareholders, NGOs and the general public.

Joel Makower, GreenBiz.com
Johanna O'Kelley, Sierra Club
Patricia Penman, SC Johnson
Rachel Webber, News Corporation

Government actions on energy security and climate change: International, national, state developments
Energy security and climate change-related laws are taking effect at the state, national and international levels.  In Congress and in the 2008 Presidential campaign there is a lively debate about the best way to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and increase U.S. energy security.  This session will provide an overview of energy & climate policy developments in the US and worldwide, and will focus on how investors and companies are engaging in the policy debates.

David Gardiner, David Gardiner & Associates
Paul Joffe, National Wildlife Federation
Alice LeBlanc, American International Group
Anne Stausboll, CalPERS

Green collar job creation for a sustainable economy
Investments in clean, climate-friendly companies and projects — such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, transportation, water and power infrastructure — represent significant opportunities and will ultimately enhance and sustain the long-term viability of corporate assets and shareholder value by broadening and deepening the range of tools available to help the world avoid the worst impacts of climate change.  Investments in these companies and projects have the potential to produce triple bottom line returns — economic, social and environmental benefits to our funds, our fund participants and our communities.  Panelists will discuss new types of investments and the tools for measuring their triple bottom line returns.

Landon Butler, Landon Butler Company
Damon Silvers, AFL-CIO
Marco Trbovich, United Steel Workers of America

Break

Afternoon Plenary Session

Designing effective climate policy: How should the carbon permits flow?
As the debate heats up in Washington over enactment of economy-wide cap-and-trade legislation, the discussion is now centering on key issues such as setting specific greenhouse gas reduction targets, the allocation of emissions allowances, and cost containment measures.  This panel will address questions such as:  Should emissions allowances be granted for free or auctioned?  Should safety valve or price caps be used to limit the cost of carbon?  How do we ensure that funds are used for public benefit? CEOs from the power sector will join leading experts for a lively discussion of the issues.

David Doniger, Natural Resource Defense Council Policy Director, Climate Center
Ralph Izzo, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, PSEG
Jim Rogers, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Duke Energy

Moderated by, David Gardiner, David Gardiner and Associates

Break

Meet the Authors

Bracken Hendricks, Apollo’s Fire: Igniting Amerca’s Clean Energy Economy
Andrew Hoffman, Climate Change: What’s Your Business Strategy
Gary Hirshberg, Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World

Networking Reception

Joan Bavaria Awards for Building Sustainability into Capital Markets

Wednesday, April 30

Conference Registration open

7:00 – 8:30am

7:30 – 8:30am

Continental Breakfast

Ceres Stakeholder Team Breakfasts (by invitation)

Conference Plenary

Welcome — Norm Dean, Executive Director, Friends of the Earth, Ceres Board Co-Chair

2008 Ceres-ACCA North American Awards for Sustainability Reporting

Introduced by Patricia Limoges, Senior Advisor to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
Presented by Brendan May, Managing Director, Planet 2050, Weber Shandwick

Keynote — Jeffrey Swartz, President and CEO, Timberland

CEO’s getting serious about sustainability

Jeffrey Swartz, President and CEO, Timberland
Gary Hirshberg, President and CEO of Stonyfield Farm
Led by Andy Savitz, Senior Consultant, Sustainable Business Strategies

Networking Break

Morning Workshops

Operating in a carbon-constrained business environment: U.S. scenarios, U.K. lessons
This workshop will examine the business impacts of doing business in a world where companies must pay for carbon. We will discuss best practices in cost and risk mitigation and demonstrate these as a path to success in a carbon-constrained business environment, showcasing companies that have successfully transitioned to mandatory carbon trading in the EU, and those that are planning for the inevitable here in the U.S.

Rhian Chilcott, Confederation of British Industry
Björn Fischer, 3C The Carbon Credit Company LLC
Sonia Hamel, British Consulate
Joe Kwasnik, National Grid
Kevin Moss, BT America

Stuck in Traffic? Moving Toward Sustainable Mobility
Increased greenhouse gas emissions and congestion are just some of the consequences of the unprecedented growth in the global transportation sector. Which strategies have proven effective in promoting cleaner vehicles and alternative transportation models?  How can we improve mobility while reducing our environmental footprint? Join us for a discussion of global trends in transportation, as well as the private sector's role in developing new transportation solutions.

Drew Kodjak, International Council on Clean Transportation
Paul Morris, Cherokee
Michael Replogle, Environmental Defense Fund
Susan Zielinski, University of Michigan

Developments in shareowner activism:  The 2008 proxy season and beyond
The 2008 proxy season promises record levels of shareholder activism on environmental, social and governance issues.  Hear from leading experts about the power of the proxy during the 2008 season and beyond.

Bennett Freeman, Calvert Group
Lance Lindblom, The Nathan Cummings Foundation
Leslie Lowe, Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility
Tracey  Rembert, Service Employees International Union
Brian Rice, CalSTRS

Conserving Capital: The corporate case for investing in ecosystem services
Climate change may dominate the headlines today, but tomorrow it will be ecosystem degradation.  Ecosystems provide crucial support to the world’s economies, and their despoilment has severe implications for businesses’ bottom lines.  Declining fresh water sources, collapsing pollinator populations, shrinking mangrove forests—all of these ecological problems threaten to destabilize growth in a number of industries.  This panel will discuss how major multinational corporations and financial institutions are developing strategies to manage the risks and opportunities arising from changing ecosystems.

Juan Gonzalez-Valero, Syngenta International AG
Craig Hanson, World Resources Institute
Bruce Kahn, Second Vice-President Wealth Management, Smith Barney a division of Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.
Jenny Liu, DuPont

The energy efficiency opportunity: Overcoming obstacles to large-scale energy efficiency investment
Energy efficiency is widely recognized as the most cost-effective and low-risk option for meeting energy demand growth, and could provide up to half of the necessary greenhouse gas reductions in order to avert the worst impacts of climate change.  At the same time, energy efficiency offers attractive and stable investment opportunities, as recent reports by McKinsey and others attest.  But a host of financial and regulatory barriers stand in the way of realizing the energy efficiency opportunity.  What are those barriers, and where and how has breakthrough progress been made?  How will energy efficiency reshape the electric power industry, and what are implications for investors?  How can companies, investors and environmentalists work together to realize the energy efficiency opportunity?

Reid Detchon, Energy Future Coalition, United Nations Foundation
Jeffrey Eckel, Hannon Armstrong
Philip Guidice, Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources
Melissa Lavinson, PG&E
Susan Reid, Conservation Law Foundation

Do ask - Do tell:  What are savvy investors asking for and how are smart companies responding?
In this age of full-spectrum reporting, investors are asking for increasingly robust disclosure on the full range of broad sustainability risks within and around climate change.  How will the 2008 Investor Network on Climate Risk Action Plan help to spur a new wave of analysis among debt and equity analysts and others in the finance sector?  How should companies respond to demands for greater information on climate risks in the context of immediate sustainability challenges like water shortages, human rights violations and product responsibility crises?  Come and join our discussion and learn what cutting edge disclosure really looks like.

Sean Gilbert, Global Reporting Initiative
Alisa Gravitz, Co-Op America
Richard Pearl, State Street
Howard Rifkin, Connecticut State Treasury

Break

Luncheon & Plenary Session

Networking Luncheon

The Economic Opportunities of Climate Change
Combating climate change will require a massive shift in how the world uses and produces energy, creating vast new economic opportunities.  A growing number of government, business, labor, and Wall Street leaders now agree that a global transition to energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies means significant opportunities for economic growth and job creation.  Join our panel of experts for a lively discussion about the technologies, policies, and financing needed to attain a clean energy future at home and abroad.

Van Jones, President, Green for All
Michael T. Eckhart, President, American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE)
Theodore Roosevelt IV, Managing Director, Lehman Brothers

Moderator — Chip Giller, President and CEO, Grist