By Tricia Dutton
Earlier this month, I attended the Bloomberg Green Festival right here in my own backyard –Seattle. It’s an impressive event that pulled together leaders from business, government, nonprofits, advocacy groups and the climate innovation sector to tackle our changing climate.
The timing couldn’t have been more relevant. While we all gathered in Seattle to brainstorm on climate action, the region was hit by a record-breaking heat wave – a reminder of the more intense and frequent heat waves hitting the Pacific Northwest. At the same time, millions in Texas and the Caribbean dealt with the devastating impacts of Hurricane Beryl. These weather events really drove home why we were all there and underscored the need for the meaningful solutions we discussed at the festival.
The Bloomberg Green Festival dived into several key areas: Technology and Innovation, The Climate Economy, Greener Living, and Green Policy. Although the discussions covered a wide range of topics, they all circled back to one central idea: collaboration.
Here are three ways different sectors can work together to address the climate crisis:
EMBRACING PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS
Several sessions underscored the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and other government officials discussed how cities and states partner with businesses to implement sustainable initiatives and policies. For example, Inslee highlighted Washington’s collaborations with local utility providers to invest in renewable energy products; its work with businesses to implement energy efficiency upgrades and the state’s public-private partnerships to expand the electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in Washington.
Another enlightening discussion centered around the climate economy and how environmental sustainability is no longer just good for the planet – it’s also good for business. Speakers like Executive Chairman & Director of TPG Rise Climate Jim Coulter and former U.S. Interior Secretary and former CEO of REI Co-Op Sally Jewell stressed the importance of government and business collaboration, noting sustainability is now table stakes for companies.
Jewell recognized businesses need to have a seat at the table, but they can’t abide by rules that constantly change.
“Thoughtful regulations that align with economic success is where we need to go for business and government to work together,” she said.
This economic angle encourages businesses to consider how their operations impact the environment and drive more companies to integrate sustainability into their core business strategies.
BROAD SUPPORT OF CLIMATE TECH
A major theme at the festival was how technological innovation can lead the charge in combating climate issues, but these advancements can only succeed with widespread support. Tech leaders emphasized the importance of partnerships that span different sectors – from government backing to financial investments and public acceptance. For instance, the development of renewable energy solutions, such as solar panels and wind turbines, requires engineers and scientists. But it also requires policymakers who can create favorable regulations and incentives and communities willing to adopt these new technologies.
Coulter dove into this topic during his conversation with Jason Kelly from Bloomberg Originals, emphasizing significant capital investment is necessary to drive the transition to a low-carbon economy and highlighting TPG Rise Climate’s commitment to supporting companies developing innovative technologies to combat climate change.
UNDERSTANDING THE POWER OF COMMUNITY AND STORYTELLING
The 2024 Bloomberg Green Festival highlighted that sustainability is not just about reducing carbon footprints, it’s also about embracing a holistic approach that considers social equity. Speakers like Stacey Abrams and Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. emphasized the intersection of climate justice and social equity, urging businesses to consider the broader impacts of their actions on communities and the environment.
Co-founder of the Re-Earth Initiative Xiye Bastida also spoke about the power of storytelling and transparent communication in driving climate action. She defined activism as being made up of community work, intersectionality and narrative building. The panel on the documentary “Bad River,” which featured executive producer Allison Abner, narrator Quannah ChasingHorse and director Mary Mazzio, spoke to this theme as well. They emphasized how storytelling can spotlight marginalized voices and inspire action.
“Storytelling has the power to bring to light the struggles and triumphs of communities that are often overlooked,” Mazzio said. “It creates empathy and urgency, driving collective action.”
THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAY
This year’s Bloomberg Green Festival illuminated the crucial interconnectivity between different sectors in the quest for climate resilience. The collaborative approaches discussed – establishing public-private partnerships, embracing climate tech and using the transformative power of storytelling underscores a multifaceted approach that is both necessary and inevitable. Each sector, from government to business to local communities, plays a pivotal role in creating a sustainable future.
As attendees return to their respective roles, armed with insights and enriched by the diverse perspectives shared, the challenge now lies in converting this discourse into concrete, actionable strategies that prioritize both planetary health, economic success and societal equity. The event provided a platform for these critical conversations and reinforced the collective commitment needed to drive significant change.
Tricia Dutton is a senior account executive at Allison’s Seattle office. She is a member of the Purpose Center of Excellence, a joint effort of Stagwell agencies Allison and Headstand that develops, executes, and amplifies impactful communications strategies that change minds, drive behavior, and accelerate movements for clients around the world.
