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Public Management Program

 

Public Management Initiative (PMI)

Climate Change: Energy, Economics and Corporate Policy (2004-5)

The Class of 2005's Public Management Initiative focused on the controversial and timely subject of global warming. The initiative, "Climate Change: Energy, Economics and Corporate Policy," is the first of its kind at a business school.

There is a consensus among the world's leading scientists that the global climate is changing rapidly and that industrial emissions are the root cause of these changes. The exact impacts of a changed climate remain unclear, but the evidence points to more frequent and intense severe weather events, significant sea level rise, and increased tropical disease, drought, and famine. Some scientists and economists have argued that the implications of climate change are on the order of trillions of dollars, millions of lives, and thousands of species.

Given the gravity of the situation, there are significant implications for the agriculture, insurance, finance, transportation, energy, and construction sectors. "Climate Change: Energy, Economics and Corporate Policy" examined these business implications and asked both: "What can business do to help mitigate climate change's worst impacts?" and "How will a changed climate alter global business?"

In June 2005, students released the MBA's Climate Change Primer [ PDF 1.08 MB], the final product of the year-long initiative. The primer was circulated to the entire Stanford Graduate School of Business community, including students, staff, and the school's alumni population; as well as to 1,600 Net Impact 2005 Conference attendees.