Paper by Mark Goyder: Capitalism is in trouble because stewardship is failing. The world needs shareholders whose priorities and behaviors are aligned with the long-term interests of the company, and with the health of the soil in which it is being nourished.  

This is an Executive Summary report on the “Coal Plants in Transition: An Economic Case Study” prepared by Natural Capitalism Solutions in Colorado. The report makes a strong business case for energy providers to consider transitioning away from coal to a combination of renewable and energy efficiency technologies.  The transition becomes cost effective and quite profitable when combined with revenue streams that result from selling pollution credits (NOx, SO2), carbon credits, water rights, and also fuel savings.       The study specifically considers the Navajo Generating Station as an example. But the report is designed to provide information to utility managers all over the country who are faced with serious economic decisions regarding the future of their coal plants as we enter a carbon and water constrained world.

Business leader Ray Anderson asks: when you meet your Maker, what will you talk about?Will you proudly discuss your rate of return? Or how you enhanced shareholder value?What will your legacy be?The way most companies do business, most communities operate, and most of us live will leave a legacy of an environmentally and financially impoverished planet. We can, we must do better. This paper will describe how climate protection is good for business.  The market can solve the climate crisis not at a cost but as an investment in a far better future for all of the world’s people.  It will describe how this future is already emerging remarkably rapidly despite restrictions at every turn.  

The conference explored how companies can inspire themselves by and through nature, by developing and implementing 'natural business strategies' into their business models. This helps businesses become both sustainable and successful in an increasingly challenging and uncertain global climate. Keynote addresses and contributions from: L. Hunter Lovins - founder and president of Natural CapitalismDianne Dillon-Ridgley - director of InterfaceMichael Bremans - chairman of Ecover InternationalAndy Wood - CEO of AdnamsJane Davidson - director of InspireGiles Hutchins - global director of sustainability of AtosDiane Gilpin - director of B9 ShippingJo Fox - director of 'bigger picture' BSkyBMelissa Sterry - futurologist and Earth 2.0Denise DeLuca - founder of BCIAndy Middleton - founder of TYFNigel Stansfield - senior and vice president of product and innovation at InferfaceFLORAnthony Hilton - financial editor of the London Evening Standard You can download the slide deck from the day...