Why University Leadership Is Critical for Solving the Climate Crisis

Why University Leadership Is Critical for Solving the Climate Crisis

Author: Paul Ellis June 30, 2025 Duration: 25:38
On today’s program we talk about how universities are key innovators in solving the climate crisis. At the same time, as we read daily in the news, they’re dealing with tremendous uncertainty. So how is Lisa Sachs, the Director of the Columbia University Center on Sustainable Investment and the recently launched Columbia Climate School MS in Climate Finance, coping with these uncertainties in U.S. climate policy and sustainable finance? And what about the volatility in career opportunities that graduates of these programs will face during the next four years? For Sachs, these are just two of the stress points she is managing in today’s university environment. Sachs is also an Associate Professor of Professional Practice at the Columbia Climate School, where climate science and climate change are engaged in the 21st Century’s existential challenge for supremacy.

Hosted by Paul Ellis, The Sustainable Finance Podcast is a resource for investors and financial advisors looking to move beyond the buzzwords and understand the practical realities of integrating environmental, social, and governance principles into portfolios. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a series of direct conversations with the people shaping the industry-from asset managers and analysts to corporate leaders and policy experts. Each episode digs into how sustainability metrics are being applied, what constitutes genuine impact versus marketing, and where the real financial opportunities and risks lie. You'll hear detailed discussions on evolving regulations, new investment vehicles, and the tangible data driving decisions. By focusing on these candid interviews with pioneers, the podcast provides a clear-eyed view of a rapidly changing landscape, offering actionable insights for anyone navigating the intersection of capital and responsibility. Tune in for a grounded perspective that equips you to participate in this critical shift within modern finance.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The Sustainable Finance Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Climate Resiliency and Returns Are Not Mutually Exclusive Concepts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:08
Investors today have to consider sustainability and climate resilience across all asset classes in a diversified portfolio. In this episode, we speak with two professionals from Schroders to hear how these factors are in…
The Future of Sustainable Investing: What Needs to Happen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:06
How does an “immigrant kid” become the Founder of a firm that provides sustainable solutions for institutional investors, including ESG market analysis and education, regulatory risk management and investment process des…
Bridging the Missing Middle in Climate Infrastructure Financing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:51
Low-carbon infrastructure projects that rely on proven technologies are often overlooked as too early-stage or lacking the scale to attract infrastructure investors. My guest today, Joshua Kaufman, CEO and Co-Founder at…