Center for Social Innovation

Economic Development, Environment

Making Solar Easy

SunRun's Ed Fenster discusses his business and the economics of solar power.

Resource: News Article

Topic :

The End of Cheap Oil Calls for a Balanced Approach to Energy Production, Stanford Scientists Say

Weaning America off fossil fuels and investing in renewable energy is the best path for the future, say Stanford researchers.

Resource: News Article

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Offshore wind energy could power entire U.S. East Coast, Stanford scientists say

Adapting a sophisticated climate model, researchers show that there is plenty of wind available to supply half to several times the world's total energy needs within the next two decades.

Resource: News Article

Topic :

Scientists predict major shifts in Pacific ecosystems by 2100

Scientific models suggest that major Pacific ecosystems will move hundreds of miles by 2100 as a result of climate change. The results of this research could help officials manage the potentially significant impacts – on sea creatures and humans – of marine habitat shifts.

Resource: News Article

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Two Green Approaches

There are all manner of approaches to 'green investing,' and the folks at Carbon Lighthouse — recipients of an $80,000 Social Innovation Fellowship from the Center for Social Innovation at the Graduate School of Business — manage to combine two of them under the same roof.

Resource: News Article

Topic :

Economic Development, Environment

Making Solar Easy

SunRun's Ed Fenster discusses his business and the economics of solar power.

Resource: News Article

Topic :

The End of Cheap Oil Calls for a Balanced Approach to Energy Production, Stanford Scientists Say

Weaning America off fossil fuels and investing in renewable energy is the best path for the future, say Stanford researchers.

Resource: News Article

Topic :

Offshore wind energy could power entire U.S. East Coast, Stanford scientists say

Adapting a sophisticated climate model, researchers show that there is plenty of wind available to supply half to several times the world's total energy needs within the next two decades.

Resource: News Article

Topic :

Scientists predict major shifts in Pacific ecosystems by 2100

Scientific models suggest that major Pacific ecosystems will move hundreds of miles by 2100 as a result of climate change. The results of this research could help officials manage the potentially significant impacts – on sea creatures and humans – of marine habitat shifts.

Resource: News Article

Topic :

Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

Two Green Approaches

There are all manner of approaches to 'green investing,' and the folks at Carbon Lighthouse — recipients of an $80,000 Social Innovation Fellowship from the Center for Social Innovation at the Graduate School of Business — manage to combine two of them under the same roof.

Resource: News Article

Topic :

Picking Green Tech’s Winners and Losers

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2011

Unless clean tech follows well-established rules of innovation and commercialization, the industry’s promise to provide sustainable sources of energy will fail.

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

Topic :

Beyond the Purple Berry

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Spring 2011

Sambazon’s commitment to social entrepreneurship creates a fair market for farmers in the Amazon

-Subscription Required

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Research: Bring Polluters Back In

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Winter 2011

Environmental justice research may be asking the wrong questions. Researchers employ a novel statistical technique called “fuzzy set analysis,” which, in laymen’s terms, allows for the unexpected.

-Subscription Required

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

Topic :

Business, Global Issues, Socially Responsible Business, Environment

This Old Green House

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Fall 2010

Clean Energy Works Portland gets consumers—and the workforce—energized about weatherization.

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

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Cause Marketing, Global Issues, Social Enterprises, Social Innovations, Environment

A Bigger Pie

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Summer 2010

Mission Pie, a for-profit bakery and café, supports local farmers while training at-risk kids.

-Subscription Required

Resource: Stanford Social Innovation Review Article

Topic :

Economic Development, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

MicroEnergy Credits Corporation: Catalyzing Clean Energy for the BoP

Using existing microfinance institutions and recent developments in the carbon credit markets on the supply side to facilitate the adoption of clean energy for the very poor.

Resource: Blog Post

Video/Audio : All | Audio | Video

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Environmental Sustainability and Energy Policy

New Obama administration goals are making this an excellent time for professionals interested in environmental sustainability. So say senior government energy and technology officials in this panel discussion convened by the Stanford's Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance. Pointing to the challenges ahead, they outline where the opportunities will lie for energy-focused entrepreneurs.

Resource: Audio

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Environmental Sustainability with World Water

World demand for water is likely to continue to outpace population. In this panel discussion, experts talk about how this troubling environmental sustainability issue offers a rare opportunity for cleantech entrepreneurs. Our search for sustainable water offers lessons that may help others facing similar large-scale challenges such as world demand for energy. The event was part of the MIT-Stanford Venture Lab Series.

Resource: Audio

Topic:

Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability

The environmental sustainability movement has long been pushing for the development of renewable energy resources. Yet to have a significant impact in the energy market, any renewable alternative must be scalable, argues Haas School professor Severin Borenstein in this audio lecture. Speaking at the 2010 Climate Policy Instruments in the Real World conference at Stanford, he suggests where policy interventions should be focused so as to pave the way for the greater appeal of renewable technologies.

Resource: Audio

Topic:

Environment, Leadership

Gulf Oil Spill and Environmental Sustainability

The 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill was one of the most disastrous and costly environmental sustainability crises on the planet. How were cultures affected, how were decisions made to address the situation, and what leadership lessons can be drawn from this unprecedented event? In this university podcast, expert Marcia McNutt offers her insights. The event, part of the Von Gugelberg Memorial Lecture on the Environment, was hosted by the Center for Social Innovation at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Resource: Audio

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Environmental Sustainability Through Adaptation

[photo - Photo: Professor Matthew E. Kahn]

Increasing energy consumption poses a serious threat to environmental sustainability. In this university podcast, delivered at the Stanford Climate Policy Instruments in the Real World conference, UCLA professor Matt Kahn reflects on what heat waves and increased natural disaster risk may do to households, landowners, and the general economic climate.

Resource: Audio

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Arts, Culture, and Religion, Environment, Nonprofit Management

The Effectiveness of Message Framing to Influence Behavior

Most observers agree that human consumption is on a crash course with the environment. Although recycling programs have been implemented in many cities around the world, people often do not participate as often as they could. This research examines the effectiveness of messages that highlight the negative consequences of not recycling (loss frames) versus those that emphasize the positive consequences of recycling (gain frames) in influencing people's behavior.

Resource: Video

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Dr. Marcia McNutt: Conradin von Gugelberg Memorial Lecture Series

How a team of scientists collaborated with the government to measure damage after the catastrophic Gulf oil spill in 2010.

Resource: Video

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Going Green, Seeing Red: Environmental Activism and Corporate Social Responsibility

Activist movements should be analyzed against not only state but also the corporate realm, says Professor Sarah Soule.

Resource: Video

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What It Takes to Be a Remarkable Leader: John Doerr, Venture Capitalist

Investing in Green Tech

Kleiner Perkins is greening its portfolio with an alternative energy fund.

Resource: Video

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Environment, Leadership

What are the ingredients for great leadership and entrepreneurship today?

Resource: Video

Topic:

Food, Water, and Energy

Our planet will reach nine billion people by 2050. Are we anywhere near ready to feed that many people? In this audio lecture, Dr. Ann Bartuska of the U.S. Department of Agriculture discussed the need to connect food, water, and energy technologies to address our need for sustainable agriculture. Dr. Bartuska spoke as part of the panel "Framing the Challenges: How Can Connection Technologies Support Sustainable Development?" at the USRio+2.0 Conference at Stanford University.

Resource: Audio

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Kung Wang: Energy and Cross-Strait Relations

Professor Kung Wang of China University of Technology discussed energy and cross-Strait relations at the "Innovations for Smart Green Cities: What's Working, What's Not, What's Next" conference.

Resource: Video

Topic:

Arts, Culture, and Religion, Environment, Nonprofit Management

The Effectiveness of Message Framing to Influence Behavior

Most observers agree that human consumption is on a crash course with the environment. Although recycling programs have been implemented in many cities around the world, people often do not participate as often as they could. This research examines the effectiveness of messages that highlight the negative consequences of not recycling (loss frames) versus those that emphasize the positive consequences of recycling (gain frames) in influencing people's behavior.

Resource: Video

Topic:

Environment, Nonprofit Management

Sustainable Water Treatment

How can a young nonprofit organization make a tangible improvement in people's health through clean water using only the power of gravity? This was the challenge for Daniel Smith and the AguaClara team when they began work to introduce community-level drinking water treatment plants in Honduras. In this audio interview, Sheela Sethuraman learns from the 2011 Intel Environment Award winners about the importance of using local resources and experts to encourage horizontal learning.

Resource: Audio

Topic:

EDF Future of Green Calls

Could it be that Defense takes the lead on climate change initiatives? An important DoD report cited climate change as a top national security concern. On this Future of Green Call, Daniel Kreeger explains how Defense is planning ways to avoid conflict over essential supplies such as clean water, resource consumption and keeping bases safe from predicted coastal flooding. Discussion also includes lessons learned from climate catastrophes and how to respond more quickly and efficiently to crisis.

Resource: Audio

Case Studies : All | Academic Cases

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Topics:

Environment, Healthcare, Social Entrepreneurship

IDEAAS and PSA: Replication in the Amazon

Two social ventures collaborated with each other to help expand one’s solar energy services from southern Brazil into the Amazon region. The case highlights the core factors that led to the project’s ultimate outcome.

Resource: Academic Case

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Khosla Ventures: Investing in Ethanol

Where in the ethanol value chain should Khosla Ventures consider investing? How should it get involved in strategic innovations? How should it leverage the non-market environment surrounding the ethanol value chain?

Resource: Academic Case

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Wal-Mart's Sustainability Strategy

Senior executives at Wal-Mart launched the company’s new sustainability strategy in 2005. The case describes their efforts to keep environmental improvement tightly coupled with business values and profitability.

Resource: Academic Case

Topics:

Economic Development, Environment, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing

Acumen Fund and WaterHealth International: The Role of Venture Philanthropy

The Acumen Fund provides modest amounts of capital, combined with business expertise, to help build enterprises that would serve the poor. The case describes the fund’s approach to helping address water resource problems in developing countries.

Resource: Academic Case

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A Technical Note on Ethanol as a Motor Fuel

This case provides background on the technology, economic forces, and nonmarket issues that affect ethanol’s supply, distribution, and demand. It also discusses emerging innovations.

Resource: Academic Case

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Esquel Group: Transforming Into A Vertically Integrated, Service-Oriented, Leading Manufacturer Of Quality Cotton

Esquel Group, one of the world’s leading producers of premium cotton shirts, offered innovative products and services and was devoted to protecting the environment in areas in which it operated. The case describes the company’s culture and strategy.

Resource: Academic Case

Topics:

Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

Green River Environmental

David Dodson started the septic company Green River Environmental after mixed results in his previous entrepreneurial ventures. This case tracks three difficult mangerial situations Dodson faced during his tenure as CEO and chairman of the company.

Resource: Academic Case

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FedEx and Environmental Defense: Building a Hybrid Delivery Fleet

From specification to production: FedEx and Environmental Defense started a collaboration in 2000 to develop energy efficient delivery trucks. Eaton Corporation and Freightliner soon joined them to prototype the new vehicles.

Resource: Academic Case

Topics:

Economic Development, Environment, Social Entrepreneurship

Waste Concern

Waste Concern in Bangladesh had earned an international reputation for its innovative approach to waste management in Dhaka. The organization needed to consider two opportunities to raise capital for expansion from large foreign firms.

Resource: Academic Case

Topics:

Economic Development, Environment, Philanthropy, Responsible Investing, Social Entrepreneurship

Acumen Fund and Mytry De-Fluoridation Filter Technologies

The chief investment officer of Acumen Fund, an international venture philanthropy fund, is reviewing the performance of a portfolio organization. Against the backdrop of Acumen’s own evolution, he is trying to determine how much additional support to provide an organization that has faced similar challenges.

Resource: Academic Case

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Environmental Enhancements in Road Vehicle Technologies

In 2007, the issue of global warming brought carbon dioxide emissions to the forefront of Americans’ minds. This paper examines some of the emerging innovations designed to reduce oil consumption.

Resource: Academic Case

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Disclosure Dilemma: Financial Reporting of Contingent and Environmental Liabilities

The case discusses U.S. and international accounting guidance regarding the disclosure of contingent and environmental liabilities.

Resource: Academic Case

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Fuel Economy Standards 2007

In 2007, Congress was discussing a 40 percent increase in required fuel efficiency. The automobile industry had a choice to fight the ruling., but instead decided to focus on influencing the details of the legislation.

Resource: Academic Case

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Note on Energy

Entrepreneurs and investors will find in this note a broad overview of the energy sector in 2008, highlighting trends and market dynamics.

Resource: Academic Case

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The Electric Car: The Major Players

The case covers and analyzes the major players in the electric car industry, including start-up and established automakers, battery makers, retrofitters, utility companies and the government.

Resource: Academic Case

Research Papers : All

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The Greening of Wal-Mart's Supply Chain

The article reports Wal-Mart's progress in achieving its business sustainability goals. Reviewed are its plans to be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy, to create zero waste, and to sell products that sustain our resources and the environment.

Resource: Research Paper

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Green Production through Competitive Testing

Electronics manufacturers have an incentive to test competitors’ products for hazardous substances, and reveal violations to regulators, thereby gaining market share when competitors’ products are blocked from the market. This paper argues that regulators should primarily rely on electronics manufacturers to do the testing, but that this is most e?ective in markets dominated by a few companies, and least effective in highly competitive markets composed of many small ?rms.

Resource: Research Paper

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Effects of E-Waste Regulation on New Product Introduction

When consumers purchase a new electronics product, the last-generation product they dispose of becomes e-waste. This paper investigates the impact of e-waste regulation on new product introduction in the electronics industry.

Resource: Research Paper

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Top-down Market Design Sometimes Works and Sometimes Doesn't

While economic theories can suggest fruitful directions to politicians, finding good economic policies requires experimentation and a recognition that grassroots folks also create economic change, says Stanford Business School economist John McMillan. Theorists, however, have been useful to state, national, and local governments on a less encompassing scale.

Resource: Research Paper

Courses : All

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Environmental Science for Managers and Policy Makers - advanced: OIT 339

Designed for students with strong modeling/optimization/simulation skills, this course allocates more time to environmental and energy science and its implications for management and policy, and less time to the basics of modeling/optimization/simulation. Students apply spreadsheet modeling, optimization, and Monte Carlo simulation to resource management and environmental policy.

Resource: MBA Course

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Environmental Science for Managers and Policy Makers: OIT 338

This course explores the fundamental science of ecosystems, climate, and energy. Students learn to apply spreadsheet modeling, optimization, and Monte Carlo simulation to resource management and environmental policy.

Resource: MBA Course

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Initiating, Sustaining, and Monetizing Green Marketing: MKTG 551

This course addresses numerous questions about how to initiate and sustain green marketing. It also explores what technological and marketing innovations are likely to arise in the future.

Resource: MBA Course

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Business and Environmental Issues: GSBGEN 547

This speaker seminar examines the overlap and synergies between the business and environmental fields. Weekly speakers include leaders from both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

Resource: MBA Course

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Environmental Entrepreneurship: GSBGEN 339

Markets have tremendous potential for solving environmental problems. Through case analysis, guest speakers, and the creation of business plans in environmental entrepreneurship, students will learn to apply core business principles of finance, marketing, economics, operations, accounting, and more to the provision of environmental goods and services.

Resource: MBA Course

Innovators : All

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Yohei Iwasaki (MBA '10)

Yohei Iwasaki and mOasis are enabling farmers to grow more crops from less water and to cultivate previously underutilized land, producing a sustainable environment that significantly reduces food and water shortages.

Resource: Alumni

Topic :

Lee Zimmerman and Brian Anderluh (MBA '94)

As co-owners of Evergreen Lodge in Yosemite, a social enterprise that combines environmental stewardship and socially-minded employment strategies, Lee Zimmerman and Brian Anderluh discuss keys and barriers to success, potential for scale, and opportunities for the future.

Resource: Alumni

Topic :

Environment, Leadership

Yoriko Kishimoto (MBA '81)

As mayor of Palo Alto in 2007, Yoriko Kishimoto championed a call to action to build a green economy through innovation, including strategies for zero waste, walkable communities, renewable energy, green building, farmers markets, and open space.

Resource: Alumni

Topic :

Government Programs, Nonprofits, Social Policy, Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Government

Ashley Boren (MBA '89)

Ashley Boren explains how protecting the environment can also be good for business. She spoke at the Oct 20, 2011 anniversary event celebrating the school's 40 year commitment to educating socially-conscious leaders.

Resource: Alumni

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An interview with Jeremy Sokulsky (MBA '04)

Jeremy Sokulsky is working with government land managers, environmental regulators and private conservation investors to restore Lake Tahoe clarity.

Resource: Alumni

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Cutting Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Perspectives from California

California, the ninth largest economy in the world, recently launched a new carbon cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. Mary Nichols, chair of the California Air Resources Board, leads this program that could provide a model to support other regional or national efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Resource: Video

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US-wide Carbon Policy: Two MBAs' Perspectives

As part of the annual Conradin Von Gugelberg Memorial Lecture on the Environment, Mike Volpe, MBA '13, and Jake Saper, MBA '14, lay out an argument for a US-wide carbon policy.

Resource: Video

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Going Negative: Stanford Scientists Explore New Ways to Remove Atmospheric CO2

Reducing carbon dioxide emissions may not be enough to curb global warming, say Stanford University scientists. The solution could require carbon-negative technologies that actually remove large amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere.

Resource: News Article

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Water World

Leading a Social Innovation Study Trip lands Robyn Beavers, MBA '10, in a new industry.

Resource: Innovators

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