The need for companies to address and improve diversity, equity and inclusion has long been a priority, and the events of 2020 have intensified the urgency of this imperative. In addition to prioritizing diversity in hiring, companies must cultivate inclusive and equitable cultures. What role should the sustainability professional play in creating inclusive workplace cultures? How should sustainability leaders collaborate with their colleagues in diversity and inclusion? What is the relationship between sustainability and D&I, and how should these be integrated? What will it take to achieve meaningful progress? Join this session to learn why this must be part of your work and the approaches companies and organizations are taking to drive transformative change.

Trees are more than something pretty to look at or sit under. Much like schools, streets and sewer lines, trees are essential infrastructure. They are vital to the health and wealth of people, especially as climate change-induced heat waves are leading to more and more deaths and illnesses. But a map of tree cover is too often a map of income and race—especially in cities. That’s because, often in U.S. cities, trees are sparse in low-income neighborhoods and some neighborhoods of color. The inequitable distribution of trees exacerbates social inequities. Companies, governments and nonprofits throughout the U.S. are stepping up to address this challenge by creating Tree Equity—which, simply put, means trees in every part of every city. Many are doing so through the new (launched in August) U.S. Chapter of 1t.org, a community of people committed to conserving, restoring and growing 1 trillion trees globally by 2030. Join this session to learn why and how you and your company can join the global trillion trees movement.

In spring 2020, GreenBiz research found the number of women in sustainability leadership positions had grown dramatically over the past decade: 58% of sustainability executives in large companies are female, as are 54% in smaller firms. But the economic downturn hasn’t been gender-blind. Layoffs triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic have hit women — especially women of color — hardest. Systemic workplace issues, such as the lack of affordable child or elder care, have been exacerbated, making historical work-life balance issues even more difficult. Join this session for insights from resilient, compassionate female sustainability leaders who are rising above this challenge. Our dialogue will address how to lead with empathy in a time of crisis; how to navigate systemic corporate obstacles such as pay equity and lack of diversity within management; how to address the heightened balancing act women face between housework, childcare and their careers; and how to develop effective mentoring networks for women and people of color.

Youth leaders have played a key role in the growing awareness of climate change and the imperative of climate action. How can we continue to grow the next generation of activists, advocates, and informed citizens to engage in this critical work? What is the role of corporations in cultivating this next generation, and how should they partner with NGOs and youth leaders to advance this work towards maximum impact? What do successful ongoing relationships look like and how can they be mutually beneficial, beyond checking a box? Join this session to hear from youth, NGO and corporate leaders on how your company can be part of the solution and finish out your time at GreenBiz 21 with a strategy for engaging, educating and empowering the next generation.

In the wake of a global pandemic, political and economic instability and calls for social justice, how are companies quantifying their impact in a way that is meaningful for employees and recruits, and useful for investors, raters and rankers? Join this roundtable for a discussion on how some companies are starting to turn the corner of intent vs. action and supporting that with new disclosures, programs and more. What does meaningful disclosure look like? Is including D&I metrics in your ESG report enough? And how do we balance data with narrative to show authenticity? This discussion will give you an opportunity to explore these questions and hear from your peers to help you determine what approach will be right for your company.