Joel Makower
For more than 30 years, through his writing, speaking and leadership, Joel has helped companies align pressing environmental and social issues with business success.
A former nationally syndicated columnist, Joel is author or co-author of more than a dozen books, including The New Grand Strategy, about a business plan for America, born at the Pentagon, that embeds sustainability as a national strategic imperative. Previous books include Strategies for the Green Economy, Beyond the Bottom Line: Putting Social Responsibility to Work for Your Business and the World, The E-Factor: The Bottom-Line Approach to Environmentally Responsible Business, and The Green Consumer.
In 2012, he was awarded the Hutchens Medal by the American Society for Quality, which cited “his ability to tell compelling stories that both inform and inspire business leaders toward profitable action.” In 2014, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the International Society of Sustainability Professionals.
Joel has spoken at hundreds of events and is a frequent keynote speaker at industry and company events around the world. His audiences and venues vary widely — including senior executives, corporate supply chains, customer groups, trade associations, marketing professionals, award ceremonies, and regional economic development bodies — from small roundtable discussions to large and diverse gatherings.
He is also a skilled moderator, called upon by companies and conferences around the world to conduct on-stage or on-camera one-on-one interviews, or to host lively and intelligent panel discussions with executives and thought leaders, for in-person, video, and online events, and has served as the emcee of dozens of events, including multi-day conferences, harnessing his talents as an engaging host, a nimble thinker, and a quick wit to ensure events rise above “conference as usual.”
The Associated Press has called him “The guru of green business practices.”
More about Joel here.
How Many Patents Does It Take to Reinvent the Automobile?
Why did General Motors file more clean energy patents last year than any other company? The answer offers a window into the future of vehicles. Read More
The Emergence of VERGE
This week, GreenBiz Group is unveiling a new initiative called VERGE, focusing on the convergence of four technology sectors: energy, information, buildings and vehicles. It represents an exciting new dimension for us, and I’m pleased to share the vision and the plan. Read More
Clean Tech's First Decade
On the occasion of a 10th annual assessment of the clean tech marketplace, a look back — and a look ahead. Read More
Autodesk and the Future of Sustainable Design
If you start with the premise that many of the solutions to our global sustainability challenges start with design and systems thinking, this software company is emerging as a key player in a sustainable future. Read More
Bioplastics Become Material
A steady parade of innovators in large and small companies have tried to create more environmentally benign alternatives to plastic; after decades of slow progress, bioplastics are sprouting like weeds. Read More
Companies Learn to Close the Loop
From Starbucks to Walmart, companies have been taking major strides in giving what would normally be waste at least one more go-round on store shelves. Read More
Metrics and Standards Become the Rule
Until now, it's been a truism about sustainable business that there are too many standards and not enough metrics; but a number of organizations are stepping up to fill in the gaps. Read More
The 10 Most Hopeful Green Business Stories of 2010
There’s a lot to be said for viewing the year just passed through the rear-view window, from runaway oil wells to crashing hybrids to political stalemate over climate change. Still, there’s much to be hopeful about. Here are 10 stories we published that represent significant, promising developments. Read More
The Material Facts About Bioplastics
Following on our recent webcast on bio-based plastics, we asked our presenters a series of questions on topics including the benefits of bioplastics, the differences among various biobased plastics, and the role of municipal waste agencies in creating a composting infrastructure. Read More
Is TerraChoice Greenwashing?
The third and latest Sins of Greenwashing report may be as much of a greenwash as the products and companies it is criticizing. Read More