The ESG Initiative hosts engagement opportunities for the Wharton community and beyond, from executive speaker series to research seminars to annual conferences. In addition, we are pleased to share ESG-related events led by other groups at Penn and Wharton. Details on event hosts and sponsors can be found on each event page. Check back regularly as events will be added throughout the year.
Upcoming Events
Zicklin Center Workshop in Normative Business Ethics #1
JMHH 641
Theory of change: What it is, and what people think it is
AI and Climate Data: A View from Inside NASA
Kleinman Center Energy Forum
Philadelphia
Reparations for Historical Injustice and Problems in Population Ethics
Jon M. Huntsman Hall G60
The Promise and Perils of ESG Investing
SHDH 350
Philadelphia
Zicklin Center Workshop in Normative Business Ethics #2
JMHH 641
Climate Center Workshop with Johannes Stroebel
Towards Environmentally Sustainable AI
Kleinman Center Energy Forum
Philadelphia
Zicklin Center Workshop in Normative Business Ethics #3
JMHH 641
Previous Event Highlights
Wharton Climate Prof 2023
Inspired by Iron Chef and Wharton’s own Iron Prof events, this special event hosted by the Wharton Climate Center took place during Penn’s Climate Week (September 18 – 22, 2023) to showcase the climate-related research of Wharton faculty. A packed room of Penn students heard from ten Wharton scholars who each presented their cutting-edge research on climate and business in five minutes or less.
Tackling Climate Change with Machine Learning
The first installment of the series “AI and Climate Change: Global Sustainability in an Era of Artificial Intelligence” on September 21, 2023 explored opportunities and challenges in machine learning for climate action, from designing new electrocatalysts to monitoring biodiversity. This event was hosted by the Penn Program for Regulation and co-sponsored by campus entities including the Wharton Climate Center as a part of Penn’s Climate Week.
2023 Migration and Organizations Conference
On May 24-25, 2023 the Migration and Organizations Conference convened global scholars working at this intersection in New York City. This welcoming group of scholars open to all disciplinary and methodological approaches met to advance rigorous research and strengthen their community. This event was hosted by the Political Risk and Identity Lab at the ESG Initiative at the Wharton School and the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise at the Columbia Business School.
2022 Migration and Organizations Conference
In its fifth edition on October 21 and 22, the 2022 Migration and Organizations Conference hosted by the Political Risk and Identity Lab gathered scholars from around the world to advance rigorous research that centers the role of firms in the conversation on migration.
Wharton Climate Prof 2022
In a format inspired by Iron Chef and Wharton’s own Iron Prof events, nine Wharton faculty members with expertise spanning from philosophy to accounting came together Wednesday, October 12 to share their research on climate and business to about 100 attendees at the Wharton Climate Prof event. Hosted as a part of Penn’s Climate Week and as one of the Wharton Climate Center’s first events under its new home, the recently established ESG Initiative at the Wharton School, it drew a packed house of curious students, alumni, faculty, and staff.
2021 Beyond Business Discussions
October 20, 2021
4:30–5:30 p.m. EDT
Tackling the Climate Crisis
What Can Companies and Policymakers Do to Drive Impact?
How should businesses evaluate their environmental footprint? Learn about the influence of environmental criteria on a company’s energy use, waste, pollution, natural resource conservation, and treatment of animals.
November 16, 2021
4:30–5:30 p.m. EST
Redefining Corporate Governance
Establishing Essentials for the New Business Era
Board governance is one of the most challenging issues for firms to manage, and social injustice, civil unrest, and the global pandemic have only added complications. Hear experts discuss which issues to address and how investors should interpret success.
December 7, 2021
4:30–5:30 p.m. EST
Humanizing ESG
Why Diversity, Wage Inequality, and Workers’ Rights Deserve Our Attention
The COVID crisis has further emphasized the inequalities between different professions, classes, racial groups, and nationalities. Join us as we re-evaluate how the industry can minimize harm and be a positive force in addressing these challenges.