Endorsements
“A landmark book. Essential reading for institutional investors providing the finance for companies and the boards of directors who need to oversee one of the greatest challenges in global business. Much has been written on why we need to move the economy to net zero emissions, and fast, but precious little on how we get this done.
Now we have a clear framework, to guide companies as they develop credible transition plans which are financially viable and fully integrated into business strategy. For companies large and small, in public or private markets, across industries as diverse as manufacturing, agriculture, and IT, you’ll find the practical guide we’ve all been waiting for.”
Anne Simpson
Global Head, Sustainability, Franklin Templeton Investments;
National Association of Corporate Directors, Top 100 Most Influential People in the Boardroom
Time Magazine’s Top 15 Women Leading the Global Fight on Climate Change
Founding Co-Chair Climate Action 100
“Net Zero Business Models presents an invaluable analytical framework built on in-depth research and insightful contributions from leading business strategy and finance experts along with sustainability practitioners in the real economy. It is the playbook for Corporate Boards, the C-Suite and Investors.”
Henrik K Jeppesen, CFA
Director, ESG Implementation, Janus Henderson Investors
Co-chair of the Sustainable Investing Group at the CFA Society New York
“Finally a book that recognizes and separates reality from fiction in what it will really take to achieve net zero carbon emissions. Montgomery and Van Clieaf make clear that, for companies with high carbon intensity footprints, contracts for renewable resources (solar or wind) alone do not provide 24x7 electricity or steam needed for their operations. We are proud to be recognized as one of the solutions to achieve the 2040 net zero emissions target as outlined by the International Energy Agency. Net Zero Business Models is brilliant because it concisely outlines the foundation of the future energy system required for a net zero world: Smart Power Grids powered by 100% Carbon Free Energy and 24/7/365 electric power reliability.”
Chris Colbert, CFA
Chief Financial Officer, NuScale Power Corporation
“A fantastic book – amazing even! I’ve spent the last 25 years immersed in values-based banking and I really wish I had this book at the start of my journey.”
Ken LaRoe
Founder, CEO & Chairman, Climate First Bank
“Given the widespread evidence of climate change, the need to create a net zero economy is a global imperative. What’s been missing is a clear roadmap for companies to achieve this goal. Net Zero Business Models: Winning in the Global Net Zero Economy, by John Montgomery and Mark Van Clieaf, lays out the practical steps companies need to take – and boards need to monitor – to ensure a successful transition to the net zero economy. It provides invaluable insights for corporate leaders and investors alike.”
Chris Librie
Global Director, ESG and Sustainability Strategy, Applied Materials
Original contributor to the Green House Gas (GHG) Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard
“An Extraordinary Book!”
Michael Hugman
Director, Climate Finance, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation
“Transitioning the North American power system over the next 20 years to a 100% carbon free energy (CFE) and a SMART power grid that delivers 24/7/365 power reliability, is the engine to achieve the net zero global economy. Net Zero Business Models provides C-Suites, Boards and Regulators 4 net zero navigation pathways and 5 core eco-efficiency processes, based on best-in-class research from companies executing a Net Zero Business Model strategic intent. Adopting a long-term energy strategy that identifies the requisite strategic leadership capacity, including the 3 domains of systems thinking and innovation required, reduces the friction to transition to a Net Zero economy.”
Aurora Geis, PCC
Former Board Chair, CPS Energy, San Antonio, Texas, America’s largest electric and gas municipal utility
“This inspired and pragmatic book points the way to an urgently needed new economic mainstream that naturally integrates business success and economic development with the regeneration of people and society, nature and the climate. The time is now!”
Walter Link
Founding CEO, NOW.Partners and FutureEconomy.Forum
“Many books make the case for change towards net zero. This book goes further in setting out four distinct pathways for companies to follow in transitioning to net zero business models and playing a role in creating a net zero economy. Cultivating systems leadership is seen as essential to the transformation. Many books play lip service to the need for companies to recognise systemic interrelationships in achieving their long-term goals in a complex world. Uniquely, this book is clear about the different forms of systems thinking required in pursuing a net zero economy at the operational, business system and industry/economy levels.”
Dr. Michael C. Jackson
Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Emeritus Professor, University of Hull, United Kingdom
Former Editor-in Chief, Systems Research and Behavioral Science
“A must read for all businesses in this era of climate transition!”
Christopher Marquis
Sinyi Professor of Chinese Management, Cambridge Judge Business School, and author of Better Business: How the B Corp Movement is Remaking Capitalism and Mao and Markets: The Communist Roots of Chinese Enterprise
“Evolving the mainstream economic paradigm away from extraction to regeneration rapidly is the world’s #1 challenge. It impacts every facet of human existence, including not only not-so long-term financial returns, human security, inclusion, diversity, democracy, but also innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership and politics. Net Zero Business Models show us it can be done, and how! The book is a trove of examples, strategies, and solutions never assembled and shared in one place. Phenomenal!”
Marcello Palazzi
Co-Founder, B Lab Europe, B for Good Leaders, and NOW Partners
“Finally, someone organized the conversation about net zero. A must read for anyone serious about getting the carbon out of the economy as part of a just transition to credible stakeholder capitalism.”
Jay Coen Gilbert
CEO, Imperative 21 and co-founder B-Lab
“Achieving a net zero economy has become a global necessity. Net Zero Business Models documents the challenges corporations face in attaining this goal in a sober, proactive manner. Net zero must become a core part of each company’s long-term strategy. Four net zero pathways are described in detail with excellent examples given for each pathway. For some companies, the change will be transitional and for others transformational. Change management is an essential ingredient. The authors go to great pains to point out that winning business models must be net zero AND commercial successes. Corporate strategy and finance must act together.
Winners will be companies that can make the net zero transition integral to their core business strategy and a competitive advantage while generating returns on capital that exceed the cost of capital and future cost of carbon. The enormity of the challenge should not be underestimated. The authors provide a comprehensive playbook for not only meeting the net zero challenge but making it an economic success.”
David Holland
Fractal Value Advisors and Co-Author “Beyond Earnings”
Former Managing Director, Credit Suisse HOLT, Company Valuation and Analytics
“An excellent book that offers detailed pathways to net zero business models, a necessary step on society’s longer journey to a net negative future where a regenerative and distributive economy will counteract the damage wrought to our climate regulation and human systems since the Industrial Revolution.”
Bill Baue
Senior Director, r3.0 (Redesign for Resilience & Regeneration)
Original Instigator, Science Based Targets initiative
“Finally, a book that transcends the climate change debates to provide a roadmap for companies and their investors to successfully navigate perhaps the greatest business opportunity and challenge of the 21st century. The authors offer insights on real world economic risks and industry sector net zero business strategy benchmarks. They also provide best in class examples and metrics from their research, that goes beyond the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), UK Transition Plan Task Force (UK-TFT), Climate Action 100 + (CA-100) net zero guidance frameworks from which to evaluate the viability of company net zero transition plans.
This book is a “must read” for legal counsel, advisors, executives, directors, and managers with fiduciary-related accountability for companies or institutional investors.”
Keith Johnson
Former Chief Legal Counsel, State of Wisconsin Investment Board (SWIB)
Co-Editor, Cambridge Handbook of Institutional Investment and Fiduciary Duty
National Association of Public Pension Attorneys, Former President
“The world is being challenged, businesses are being challenged, and we need to educate future business leaders to address these challenges. Net Zero Business Models is the blueprint for doing that!”
Dean Thomas Horan
School of Business and Society, University of Redlands School of Business
“As companies and investors wake up to the reality that “net zero” is more than a marketing strategy or a compliance exercise, Net Zero Business Models provides an excellent guide to understanding not only what it means but also how to get there with practical, phased recommendations to change the scaffolding that determines how companies operate, grow, and adapt to impending radical change. Thank you!”
Susan MacCormack
Partner and Chair ESG, Social Enterprise and Impact Investing and Energy practices, Morrison & Foerster