Tag: Impact Investing

Meet These Rising Stars Fighting Climate Change at Work

Younger adults lead other generations in seeking purpose-driven work: A large majority of Gen Z (86%) and Millennial (89%) workers say that having a meaningful mission is important in their career, according to a Deloitte survey of 22,800 younger workers.

They’ll even “climate quit” when their employers renege on sustainability commitments.

This year’s GreenBiz 30 Under 30 list recognizes the rising stars of sustainability. These are the people who are driving change, at scale, at some of the world’s largest organizations.

The ninth class of the GreenBiz 30 Under 30 were all born on or after March 29, 1994. They hail from the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Brazil and the Philippines.

The GreenBiz editorial team has selected these individuals from nearly 300 nominations submitted in the spring, for their unique and effective efforts to impact the climate crisis at scale.

They are working at corporate giants like BlackRock, Estée Lauder and Whole Foods; startups such as HelloFresh and Circ, and non-governmental organizations including EDF and GRID Alternatives.

Their vocations include making sure that Starbucks serves ethically sourced coffee beans, doubling JetBlue’s sustainable fuel usage and helping drive Zara’s use of recycled fabric.

Their influence is already vast: Assessing climate risk for $2.5 trillion in assets under management at Barclays. Engineering millions of square feet of low-carbon buildings at Gensler, the architectural firm. Setting up the U.S. Department of Energy’s $3.5 billion carbon-removal hubs.

And they’re doing hard, difficult work that often goes unsung, like electrifying truck fleets and home appliances, embedding circularity into food and textiles, and installing renewable energy sources at companies that previously burned oil.

It’s important work, and it’s just beginning. Wish them well — because we’re all going to live in the future they are creating today.

 The 2024 30 Under 30 Honorees List:

 Kayalin Akens-Irby, Head of Growth at Planet FWD in San Francisco

Alex Authie, Associate, Energy and Sustainability at AMA Group in California

Sneha Balasubramanian, Sustainability Specialist at Cisco in Austin, Texas

Raunak Barnwal, Vice President at JP Morgan in London

Ngozi Chukwueke, Africa Technical Associate, Coffee and Farmer Equity Practices at SCS Global Services in Washington, D.C.

Tin Dalida, Chief Operations Officer and Co-founder at Wovoka in Manila

Dan Dinh, Assistant Manager, Product Sustainability at The Estée Lauder Companies in New York

Edward Freer, Sustainability Communications Lead at the London Stock Exchange Group

Hannah Friedman, Founding Principal, Independent Strategic Financial Advisor at Planeteer Capital in New York

Holly Funk, Manager of Energy Performance at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in Miami

Vincent Gauthier, Manager, Climate-Smart Agriculture, at Environmental Defense Fund in Boston

Nicoline Good, Associate, Corporate Sustainability at BlackRock in New York

Peter Harrison, interior designer and climate action + sustainability specialist at Gensler in Portland, Oregon

Maile Hartsook, Environmental Sustainability Program Manager at Brown-Forman in San Francisco

Bella Horstmann, Senior Analyst, Sustainability & ESG at JetBlue Airways in New York

Arshiya Lal, Director of Corporate Development at Circ in New York

Andrew Loranger, Senior Analyst, Energy & Sustainability at Host Hotels & Resorts in Bethesda, Maryland

Pedro Alexandre Martins, Senior Sustainable Sourcing Manager at HelloFresh International in Berlin

Kermith Morales Moguel, Impact Manager at United Nations Global Compact in Cordoba, Mexico

Marcela Mulholland, Deputy Director of Partnerships at the Carbon Removal Alliance in New York

Charles Orgbon III, Manager, Climate Change & Sustainability Services at EY in San Francisco

Colton Orr, Sustainable Transportation Program Manager at Gladstein, Neandross and Associates in Los Angeles

Daniel Park, Sustainable Design Specialist at HOK in Ellicott City, Maryland

Sarah Reice, Sustainability Manager at Anthropologie in Philadelphia

Kaity Robbins, Senior Program Manager of Diversion at Whole Foods Market in Austin, Texas

Jess Roberts, VP of Ratings at Sylvera in London

Campbell Weyland, Senior Sustainability Analyst at Lowe’s Companies in Charlotte, North Carolina

Michael Wong, Senior Manager for Environmental Sustainability at Ferguson in Richmond, Virginia

Angelica Wright, Tribal Education and Workforce Manager at the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund, GRID Alternatives in Orlando, Florida

Christy Zakarias, Climate Risk Vice President at Barclays in London

You can read more about each of these young innovators here.

Source: GreenBiz / Trellis

Calvert Research and Management (Calvert) is pleased to announce the 20^th anniversary of the Calvert Women’s Principles, the first global code of corporate conduct focused exclusively on advancing, protecting and investing in women. Developed in 2004 with the support of the United Nations, the Calvert Women’s Principles provide a set of standards for companies to measure progress and serve as a tangible indicator for investors to assess the evolution of gender equity in the corporate community.

“Developing the Calvert Women’s Principles was a significant step forward in 2004 and highlights the role corporations play in driving greater equality,” said Jade Huang, Chief Investment Officer, Calvert.

“The Women’s Principles remain both important and relevant today, serving as a guide for companies to advance equity and inclusion across their employee base while also offering investors a consistent framework to measure progress on a factor that influences company performance.”

Calvert research and academic studies indicate that gender diversity is financially material to equity returns for both U.S. and international large-cap markets, both at the board level and when evaluating equitable advancement opportunities.

Ms. Huang continued, “Fully embracing the Calvert Women’s Principles and building an equitable workforce can be a competitive advantage for corporations.”

Implementing the Calvert Women’s Principles may help companies create strong talent pipelines to ensure equity at all levels of employment.

They focus on seven key areas:

1. Employment and compensation
2. Work-life balance and career development
3. Health, safety and freedom from violence
4. Management and governance
5. Business, supply chain and marketing practices
6. Civic and community engagement
7. Transparency and accountability

Gender equality has advanced significantly in the two decades since the development of the Calvert Women’s Principles but there is still more progress needed. Globally, companies have advanced female representation on corporate boards towards parity, with some regional differences.

In developed markets, large-cap companies generally exceeded the 30% female board representation threshold. Women remain underrepresented on corporate boards in emerging markets with about half the representation seen in developed markets. However, the broader trickle-down effect from increased gender diversity in the boardroom has not taken place as quickly as anticipated.

“Companies across the globe have made considerable progress incorporating the Calvert Women’s Principles and adhering to the basic tenants,” said Ms. Huang. “We see somewhat of a barbell with strong levels of gender parity at the board and employee level but lacking at the executive and senior management levels.”

 Key facts:

• Women represent 47% of the U.S. workforce, but hold only 25% of senior-level positions
• The female-to-male earnings ratio was 82.7% in 2023 for full-time, year-round U.S. workers.
• In 2023, the S&P Global Market Total Index comprised approximately 15,000 c-suite roles, of which women represented 11.8% of those roles.
• Research shows that closing the gender gap in labor force participation and management in Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries could raise global economic activity by roughly $7 trillion.
• The World Bank calculates that closing gender gaps in areas like employment and entrepreneurship could increase global gross domestic product by 20%.

“Company culture is an extremely important variable for success, yet difficult to measure,” Ms. Huang continued. “A culture that values different perspectives as a strength can often point to more positive outcomes. Having a framework like the Calvert Women’s Principles enables a more robust and balanced analysis that drives investment decisions focused on competitive returns and positive change.”

About Calvert Research and Management

Calvert Research and Management (Calvert) is a global leader in Responsible Investing, offering one of the largest and most diversified families of responsibly invested strategies. With over 40 years of experience, the firm seeks to generate favorable investment returns for clients by allocating capital consistent with environmental, social and governance best practices and through structured engagement with portfolio companies. Calvert is part of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, the asset management division of Morgan Stanley.

Imagine a world where 10,000 families or more come together with one powerful mission: to protect our planet, explore the stars and raise a generation of young leaders who will help build a sustainable, compassionate future for Earth and beyond.

That’s the world we dream of, and it’s a future our planet needs. So, when Cliff kindly invited me to share our story, I was thrilled to tell you about Global Galactics and the incredible journey we’re on.

Global Galactics is more than an entertainment brand — it’s a mission-driven company with a purpose. We’re here to inspire the next generation of eco-conscious, empathetic leaders. Through our eco-friendly products, stories and resources, we’re helping families grow together in ways that make both our Earth and our minds healthier and ready for the future of space exploration.

At Global Galactics, we’re not only looking to nurture a love for Earth but also to inspire curiosity about the vast universe beyond. The galactic side of our brand encourages kids to look up, dream big and imagine a future where they might even explore the stars. With Sparky as their guide, children journey to distant planets and stars, learning that they’re part of a much larger story. Our stories and characters introduce them to the wonders of space, and we hope this sense of cosmic curiosity will inspire them to be thoughtful, courageous explorers — whether they’re discovering a new corner of Earth or looking to the skies for what lies beyond. By fostering an early connection to the galaxy, we’re preparing young minds for a future where Earth and space are interconnected, where their actions on our planet have a positive impact elsewhere.

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we create. From the eco-friendly materials in our products to the nature-inspired themes woven into each story, Global Galactics is designed to help children and families feel deeply connected to our planet. Through Sparky and his friends, we’re offering tools for self-leadership, relationship intelligence and environmental stewardship, empowering kids to become caring stewards of their own lives and the world around them.

This mission was inspired years ago by a spirited Jack Russell Terrier named Sparky, whom I found while living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Sparky was more than a pet — he was a companion with boundless curiosity, an explorer at heart who brought out the childlike wonder in me. Together, we explored the natural wonders of the Southwest and beyond, from the US to Mexico, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Africa. My wife, Karinna, joined us on many of these journeys, and together, we found ourselves in incredible places, meeting marvelous people and learning from the world around us.

Sparky and I often visited Teach for America classrooms in the U.S. and Asia, where we shared stories of our adventures, local wildlife and the importance of caring for animals with kids eager to learn. Sparky, in his own way, was a teacher, too — he showed kids what it meant to embrace curiosity, kindness and resilience. He lived a long, healthy life until the remarkable age of 18 years and 10 months, leaving us with an enduring legacy of exploration, compassion and a belief in the power of connection.

After Sparky’s long and joyful life, while spending time on the island of Huahine in French Polynesia, we were inspired by local youth programs to create Global Galactics — a children’s edutainment brand designed to bring families together in a journey of discovery. Partnering with students at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), we began developing characters and story concepts that bring our mission to life, combining adventure, education and empathy into a brand that inspires the next generation to become stewards of Earth and explorers of the universe.

Our first children’s book, The Spark at the Center of the Universe, invites young readers to join Sparky, the adventurous, galaxy-traveling pup, on an inspiring journey across the stars. Through encounters with creatures as small as an ant and as grand as a whale shark, Sparky discovers the incredible truth that every being is at the center of the universe—and that each of us has the power to protect it. This beautifully illustrated story encourages children to see the special importance in all living things and to become true “Global Galactics” — guardians of our planet and explorers of the wonders of the galaxy. Perfect for curious minds, the story sparks a love for nature, science, exploration and the connections that make our world and galaxy extraordinary.

Beyond the book, Global Galactics expands this mission with original songs that bring big ideas to life through music. Our song “Money Flows” uses a fun reggae groove to teach kids how money circulates through the economy, while “Community Disco” introduces the value of community and how people work together based on shared values and organizing principles. These songs engage kids and families alike, making it easy to learn these valuable concepts together.

Our content also includes Sparky’s Everyday Audio Adventures, a kid-friendly, everyday podcast where Sparky explores topics like community, mindful consumption and the circular economy. Each episode is designed to be short and engaging, offering children an entertaining way to connect with ideas that are foundational to sustainability and good citizenship. Our YouTube channel further expands these lessons, with sing-along videos, doodle-animated stories and educational content that children and parents can enjoy together.

For the founders out there, you know the challenges and joys of building a mission-driven venture. And for parents, we know how tough it is to find content that aligns with the future you envision for your children. That’s why we’re here to offer something unique: a blend of education, entertainment and hands-on lessons for building a better world.

We invite you to join us on this journey as we empower young leaders to look up, look within, reach out, and build a future rooted in sustainability and global citizenship. Thank you, Cliff, and to all the readers of The GreenMoney Journal, for giving us this opportunity to share our vision. Let’s make this a galac-tastic adventure together!

To learn more about Global Galactics, visit our website at www.globalgalactics.com and follow us on social media: Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

Article by Leadership expert and traveling adventurer Timothy Karsten who was inspired to create Global Galactics LLC by his own pup, Sparky, and their nineteen-year journey together across twenty-two countries and all across the United States. With a website that chronicled their travels, the pair took to schools in Los Angeles through Teach for America, along with visiting schools in India and Thailand with a film crew. The eye-opening result was a deep understanding of what was missing for kids. Global Galactics was created to make learning fun and entertaining, providing kids with information and tools to build self-esteem and understand themselves and their place in the world. He lives with his wife and creative partner, Karinna, in Coastal Georgia.