Livestream the First Annual Harvard Climate Symposium on May 9

The Harvard Climate Symposium provides a rare and important opportunity for leaders across academia, business, government, and civil society to discuss some of the most difficult questions raised by climate change. The Salata Institute website will host a livestream of all plenary sessions, including a fireside chat between U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and President of Harvard University Lawrence Bacow.
Apr 24, 2023

At the inaugural Harvard Climate Symposium, keynote speakers from across academia, industry, government, and civil society will discuss the fundamental changes that we must make to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This event will be livestreamed to the Salata Institute’s homepage.

No registration is required to view the livestream. Tune in on our homepage on Tuesday, May 9 to watch: salatainstitute.harvard.edu.

Explore the plenary sessions below:

How Do We Move to a Better Emissions Path?

May 9, 2023| 9:30 AM-10:30 AM ET

Moderated by Gillian Tett, this panel discussion will focus on the strategic interventions that are necessary to move us onto a better emissions path. Panelists will include leaders in business, government, and civil society:

  • Gillian Tett: Chair of the Editorial Board & Editor-at-Large, Financial Times
  • Mark Carney: Chair, Head of Transition Investing, Brookfield Asset Management
  • Jeremy Grantham: Co-Founder, GMO
  • Janet McCabe: Deputy Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Net-Zero Commitments: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

May 9, 2023 | 10:45 AM-11:45 AM ET

Moderated by Professor George Serafeim, this panel will include top business executives from banking and firms that represent various corporate actors: those that have made progress in emissions reductions; businesses for which climate action has a revenue benefit; and firms that must rely on negative emissions technologies to reduce their emissions. Featuring:

  • George Serafeim: Charles M. Williams Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School
  • David Blood: Founding Partner and Senior Partner, Generation Investment Management
  • Kristen Siemen: Vice President of Sustainable Workplaces and Chief Sustainability Officer, General Motors


Strengthening Global Ambition – Fireside Chat

May 9, 2023 | 12:00 PM-1:00 PM ET

This conversation between Secretary Kerry and President Bacow will take place during the crucial run-up to COP28 and the conclusion of the first global stocktake of the Paris Agreement. We will hear from Secretary Kerry on his view of global progress towards the Paris Agreement goals, the impacts of recent U.S. legislation on international climate ambitions, and more. Featuring:

  • John Kerry: U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate
  • Lawrence Bacow: President of Harvard University

What Can I Do?

May 9, 2023 | 4:45 PM-5:45 PM ET

Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions will lead to extensive changes in how we live and how we work, how industries are organized, and what governments do. It can seem like a daunting task, but millions of people working in NGOs, companies, and governments are already engaged in making these changes happen. This conversation explores ways that people are making changes happen and ways that each of us can get involved. How are we changing our workforce? How do we help workers and communities that may be affected by the move away from fossil fuels? How can organizations change laws through advocacy? How are cities changing building codes, transportation, and other activities in order to reduce greenhouse gases and mitigate heat, flooding, and other problems? Featuring:

  • Roxanne Brown: International Vice President at Large, United Steelworkers
  • Brad Campbell: Conservation Law Foundation
  • Marshall Ganz: Rita E. Hauser Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Organizing, and Civil Society, Harvard Kennedy School
  • Sam Sankar: Senior Vice President for Programs, Earthjustice

Note: The presence of speakers at this event does not constitute an endorsement by Harvard or receipt of funding by the Salata Institute.