Beyond ESG: Action Steps for Bigger Environmental Impact with Mark Tercek, Former CEO of The Nature Conservancy
“It’s true that there’s a cost to addressing environmental problems but it’s also true that there’s a much higher cost to not addressing them.” And in Mark Tercek’s view, everyone can and should play a part. The former CEO of The Nature Conservancy believes that the best outcomes for the planet will come at the intersection of government, corporate, institutional, organizational, and individual effort. The common Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria are important but not enough and there are rewards for going above basic compliance levels.
It’s a familiar place to Tercek. With more than 1 million members, $1 billion in revenue, and active in 70+ countries, The Nature Conservancy is the world’s largest environmental nonprofit. With TNC, Tercek established NatureVest, their impact capital fund, drove a $7 billion capital fundraising campaign, and established a permanent department focused on gender, diversity, equity, and inclusion (GDEI). Prior to The Nature Conservancy, Tercek spent 24 years at Goldman Sachs where he was partner and managing director. He built Goldman’s environmental practice to help clients pursue initiatives that achieved positive financial and environmental outcomes. These days, Mark is a speaker, writer, advisor to business, institutional investors, and climate startups. He also publishes The Instigator which is intended to push the private sector to take bold action on the environment. His goal is to tackle huge environmental challenges in ways that make business sense.
In this episode of What I Wish I Knew with Mike Irwin & Simon Daw, Mark shares a blueprint for CEOs, organizational leaders, and individuals to maximize their positive environmental impact.
What I Wish I Knew with Mike Irwin & Simon Daw...
Life and career rarely go to plan. Breakthroughs happen on the ragged edge when things aren't quite going as expected. What I Wish I Knew podcast hosts Mike Irwin and Simon Daw explore lessons learned by leading athletes, creators, entrepreneurs, leaders, and difference makers. They all have three things in common: none are perfect, all are humble, and they've learned a few things along the way. In What I Wish I Knew, they share their lessons with you.
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Video Highlights: Environmental impact leader Mark Tercek
Beyond Environmental, Social, and Governance…steps for an even bigger environmental impact.
Mark Tercek on when CEOs should speak up about environmental or social issues.
Mark Tercek on why “our critics are our friends.”