Investing in the Era of Climate Change
On October 14, 2024, Columbia Global Center Tunis, in collaboration with South Mediterranean University (SMU) and Columbia University Press, hosted Columbia Business School’s Professor Bruce Usher, author of the book Investing in the Era of Climate Change (CUP, 2024). The event took place at SMU’s Tunis campus, where Professor Bruce Usher shared insights from his most recent book, focusing on the intersection of climate finance and sustainability.
With students, professors, ambassadors and key investors in attendance, the event drew around 30 participants, marking it as a high-profile gathering that underscored the urgency of climate solutions.
Professor Usher’s presentation addressed the challenges posed by climate change, and explored a range of innovative solutions that financial markets can offer. A central focus of the talk was on how major investors are shifting toward climate solutions, driven by both environmental necessity and the growing financial returns linked to sustainability. Professor Usher highlighted how large institutional investors are recognizing the long-term risks of climate change to their assets and are increasingly integrating climate considerations into their decision-making processes. This shift, he explained, marks a significant turning point in the global financial landscape.
The presentation concluded with a forward-looking perspective on where the world is heading in terms of climate action. Professor Usher urged participants to recognize the dual opportunity in climate investing—not only as a means of protecting the planet but also as a source of long-term, sustainable growth. His analysis left the audience with a clearer understanding of the path forward and the vital role of finance in shaping a sustainable future.
The presentation was followed by a Q&A session, where participants discussed the challenges of scaling the impact of climate-friendly investments.
More about the speaker:
Bruce Usher is a Professor of Practice at Columbia Business School, where he lectures on climate change, business, and finance, and is the recipient of multiple teaching awards. Professor Usher is also co-Director of the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change, and on the faculty of the
Columbia Climate School. In 2016, Professor Usher established the Columbia University Scholarship for Displaced Students, providing an opportunity for refugees to complete their higher education (now managed by the Columbia Global Centers).
Professor Usher’s latest book, Investing in the Era of Climate Change (Columbia University Press), was published fall 2024 and selected as a top-10 business book by Publishers Weekly. Professor Usher is an active investor and advisor to entrepreneurial ventures focused on climate change, and Chairs the Tamer Fund for Social Ventures.