GreenBiz Chairman and Executive Editor Joel Makower, CEO Eric Faurot and VP, Conferences Ellie Buechner welcome GreenBiz 20 participants to the conference.

GreenBiz Chairman and Executive Editor Joel Makower shares findings from the annual State of Green Business report, examining the key trends affecting sustainable business and exploring the current state of the sustainability profession.

2019 saw an unprecedented growth in interest in and consideration for ESG (environmental, social and governance) issues from companies, investors and now government, with the first congressional hearing on ESG issues in the United States held in July. This trend signals a growing recognition that climate change is not only detrimental to our environment, but also to our economic system, and that many issues that were once considered non-financial are now seen as financially material. Corporate disclosure is key to understanding risks and their corresponding exposures and opportunities. Hear from Ceres CEO and President Mindy Lubber why disclosure is so important, what new legislation could mean for companies and how your company can prepare — and lead — in this new age of transparency.

Making significant progress in addressing climate change and sustainability requires an inclusive approach, in which people and communities of all different backgrounds are involved and engaged. MGM's Chief Diversity and Sustainability Officer, Jyoti Chopra; eBay's director of diversity and inclusion, Beric Alleyne; and Unilever NA's diversity and inclusion lead and GreenBiz 30 Under 30 honoree, Kamillah Knight share advice for how they champion inclusivity and equity within their own organization and within the communities in which they do business.

Are you looking to make ESG an authentic part of your culture? In this talk, Kim Dabbs will outline four cultural elements to help employees approach every decision with an ESG mindset, so your company can move toward deeper understanding and higher engagement with everyone — not just senior leaders.

Building consensus inclusively among government, NGOs and business is key to realizing the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. But it’s not always clear how corporates and investors can act on fulfilling these goals, despite the necessity of participation from the private sector. Hear from Cornerstone Capital CEO Erika Karp on the role business can and should play in advancing and achieving these goals, and drive business excellence at the same time. 

Since Chobani's founding, the company has embraced purpose, with a unique focus on community, environmental and worker wellbeing. Meanwhile, the dairy industry is complex and ever-changing. Hear from Chobani President Peter McGuiness and Fair Trade CEO Paul Rice on their shared efforts towards creating comprehensive standards for ensuring sound labor, environmental and animal welfare conditions in the dairy industry, what it will take to accomplish, and why this matters. They'll also explore the evolving landscape of dairy and rise of plant-based options, including the non-dairy offerings Chobani released last year, and what this means for the future.

2030 is a critical milestone for halting devastating climate change. With 10 years to halve global emissions, what are leading companies doing right now to fend off and prepare for the worst environmental consequences? In this talk, Bruno Sarda, president of CDP North America, will share exclusive insights from CDP’s latest data cycle, including key trends around the actions A-list companies are taking. You’ll leave with clarity and momentum to deepen your own ambition in the movement to build an economy that works for people, planet and profits.

Is traceability the key to unlocking circular supply chains and a more sustainable future? There are no silver bullets in sustainability, but the ability to more effectively and intelligently track materials and products is emerging as a promising driver of circularity. From decreasing overproduction to prolonging the use of items to ensuring appropriate end of life strategies, connected goods with digital identities unlock bold possibilities across sectors.

This session will discuss the ways in which traceability and tracking can forge more circular supply chains, exploring real world applications and unpacking unintended consequences.

Agriculture has a key role to play in addressing societal and environmental challenges, from combating hunger, to empowering women in developing countries, to drawing down carbon, to creating new supply chains for alternative protein production. Hear from Cargill Chief Sustainability Officer and Head of Business Operations & Supply Chain, Ruth Kimmelshue, on the integration of sustainability and supply chain at one of the largest agricultural companies in the world.

Foundations ​play​ a vital role in society, filling gaps that companies and government cannot. ​Those backed by large corporations have an opportunity to effectively attack some of our most important problems. How should companies decide where to focus? And how should they measure their​ impact? The Levi Strauss Foundation, led by Daniel Lee, has done pioneering work to promote social justice. Daniel talks with veteran reporter Marc Gunther about how corporate philanthropy can make an impact.

As the planet warms, our cities are heating up even faster, and it is especially true for desert cities. Solving heat, pollution and water problems will be key to the future of our growing cities. What is the role of technology, data and community involvement in solving these problems? Arizona State University has been a leader in looking for these solutions and Dr. Mark Bernstein will highlight some of the opportunities. He will be joined on stage by a team of middle-school students who are working to solving water problems. Make sure to join us Wednesday evening for our Sustainability Celebration to talk about more solutions.

As a leading author, scientist and speaker in the fields of autism and animal behavior, Dr. Temple Grandin has long understood the merits of different types of thinking and the strength of cognitive diversity in the workforce. When we recognize and embrace types of thinking different from our own, we can make breakthroughs that otherwise would be unattainable. Hear how you can apply new ways of thinking to your own work to achieve your sustainability goals.

Hear from Copia Founder & CEO, Komal Ahmad, about the company's efforts to solve "the world's dumbest problem," and the link between food waste and hunger. Komal will also share results of the GreenBiz 20 conference food donation program.

As CEO of Ecolab since 2004, Doug Baker has infused sustainability and purpose within Ecolab’s own operations and through the work the company does around the world to help customers achieve their sustainability goals. In 2018, Ecolab helped customers save 188 billion gallons of water, equivalent to the drinking water needs of 650 million people —connecting the company's work to advancing the global agenda with a focus on SDG 6: ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all. Baker will share his vision for how business can drive change that matters by delivering both economic and environmental benefits.

Hear from City of Phoenix Mayor, Kate Gallego, on her efforts to make Phoenix a leading city for its businesses and residents. With a focus on job creation, public safety, medical care, transportation planning and sustainability, Mayor Gallego is passionate about building a Phoenix that works for everyone.

Hear from Dow CEO Jim Fitterling about the company's increasing focus on sustainability and efforts to create a circular plastics economy — designing materials for easy recycling, incentivizing collection in local communities across the country, and recognizing the true value of recycled and recyclable plastic by creating a market.

Biodiversity is fundamental to human well-being and a healthy planet, but biodiversity loss and species extinction is currently happening at an alarming rate. According to a draft plan from the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, world leaders must enact protections for at least 30 percent of the world's land and oceans in the next decade to protect current biodiversity levels and avert the extinction of many species. But we shouldn’t stop there, of course. "Transformative changes across economic, social, political and technological factors" will be necessary to reach environmental goals, the plan states. Hear from Dr. Helen Crowley, head of sustainable sourcing innovation at Kering and fellow and senior advisor for resilient supply chains at Conservation International, on how business must play an essential role in addressing climate and biodiversity challenges.

Youth leaders around the world are rising up to inspire, empower and mobilize a generational movement to demand action on the climate crisis and ensure environmental justice for all. From organized strikes calling for bold climate solutions to filing (and sometimes winning) lawsuits against state and federal governments, they’re taking their future into their own hands. How are they working to create the change they want to see in the world? Hear stories from youth leaders on the frontlines of change around the world.

Stephen Ritz is an educator in the South Bronx, where he takes a "whole school" approach to education, rooted in health, wellness and mindfulness. In the poorest Congressional district in America, where 45,000 people live within 8 square blocks of each other and healthy, fresh food is not available, he teaches students about growing and preparing their own vegetables in school farms.  "Of all the crops I've grown," he says, "my greatest crops have been my students themselves."