Today, the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business launched a new initiative titled, “Invest NYC SDG,” to accelerate New York City’s efforts to build a future economy that is resilient, sustainable and inclusive with $350,000 in support from the Goldman Sachs Center for Environmental Markets and PepsiCo. The project will leverage New York’s “One City: Built to Last” sustainable development plan and the widely adopted sustainable development goals (SDGs) from the United Nations as a framework to drive private sector financing of community-supported initiatives. Bringing together investors, corporate leaders and New Yorkers, Invest NYC SDG will tackle issues such as affordable housing, energy access, urban mobility and climate resilience while creating opportunities for employment, neighborhood revitalization and urban development.
“Based in the heart of New York City and drawing on our team’s research and field experience, the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business is uniquely positioned to lead this inclusive research and stakeholder engagement initiative that provides investable opportunities for business while creating a more sustainable future for New Yorkers,” said Professor Tensie Whelan, founding director of NYU Stern’s Center for Sustainable Business. “We are excited to develop a shared vision for the future of sustainable economic development in NYC with a wide group of public and private sector stakeholders, and longer-term, help others to replicate that vision in cities across the world.”
“Ultimately, we aim to have a set of actionable financing initiatives that will address key challenges and
create jobs in NYC, with investors committed to leading ongoing efforts,” said Chris Walker, project
director of Invest NYC SDG at NYU Stern’s Center for Sustainable Business and former North American director of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. “By documenting the process and lessons learned along the way, this project will serve as a model for other cities and position New York as a leader in sustainable development, finance and business innovation.”
“Innovative finance is needed to help address key societal challenges and we are proud to support this project in our home base of NYC as part of our ongoing commitment to sustainable development and serving our communities,” added Kyung-Ah Park, managing director and head of Environmental Markets at Goldman Sachs. “We look forward to helping NYU Stern’s Center for Sustainable Business establish partnerships that will bring together key public and private sector stakeholders to deliver on the
promise of the United Nations’ SDGs.”
“PepsiCo has long supported thriving, sustainable communities where we work and where our associates live – that is particularly true here in our home state of New York,” said Jon Banner, executive vice president of PepsiCo Global Communications and president of PepsiCo Foundation. “PepsiCo is
proud to support Invest NYC SDG’s efforts to address some of the City’s biggest challenges in a way that benefits New Yorkers, civil society and business alike.”
About NYU Stern’s Center for Sustainable Business
The NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business (CSB) envisions a better world through better business. The Center was founded on the principle that sustainable business is good business; delivering better financial results while protecting the planet and its people. CSB aims to help current and future business leaders embrace proactive and innovative mainstreaming of sustainability, resulting in competitive advantage and resiliency for their companies as well as a positive impact for society. Visit the Center’s website and follow on Twitter: @NYUSternCSB.
About Chris Walker
Chris Walker was recently appointed to project director of Invest NYC SDG in NYU Stern’s Center for Sustainable Business. Formerly the North American director of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, Walker has been a catalyst for pioneering partnership initiatives to achieve sustainable development for two decades. His prior experience includes stints as executive officer of the Carbon Trust, LLC, and executive director for North America for The Climate Group, where he
conceptualized “Climate Week” as a pivotal annual event in NYC to engage global influencers. He got his start in the sustainability field as a managing director of Swiss Re's Sustainability Business Development.
