Creating Climate Wealth: Unlocking the Impact Economy - Softcover

Shah, Jigar

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0989353109 ISBN 13: 9780989353106

Publisher: ICOSA, 2013

Synopsis

Creating Climate Wealth is about how climate change - the biggest challenge of our time –can be turned into a $10 trillion dollar wealth-creating opportunity. Author Jigar Shah, internationally recognized for revolutionizing the now multi-billion-dollar solar energy industry, outlines how entrepreneurs and investors can unlock the massive potential that climate change represents. Shah argues that, while new technical innovation is valuable, deployment of existing technologies are the key to reaching our near-term climate targets. Rather than waiting for yet to be developed technology, business model innovation is the key to attract mainstream capital and unlock transformational change. Shah makes a compelling case for reaching our 2020 climate change goals through 100,000 companies worldwide, each generating $100 million in sales. Unlocking our next economy will be driven by thousands of companies deploying existing clean and resource-efficient technologies in electricity-supply (like solar), transportation, building materials, industry, forestry, waste, and agriculture. Shah is not alone; according to the International Energy Agency, and others, $10 trillion can be invested profitably—today—in the world’s existing technologies, making Shah’s plan of 100,000 companies each generating $100 million in sales a reality in catalyzing a new economy in the process. Creating Climate Wealth is also the personal story of Shah’s journey through the solar industry and the founding of SunEdison, the world’s largest solar energy company. Through business model innovations, SunEdison helped trigger the multi-billion dollar solar energy services industry. Shah’s revolutionary approach has been emulated throughout the solar industry. But perhaps more important, it is also being adapted for other industrial sectors like agriculture and transportation – unlocking incredible new revenue streams, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs, and positively transforming the planet on a global level. This implementation of business-based solutions to solve complex social problems represents a new economic movement; driven by “Impact Investments.” Impact Investments are changing the world for the better, promoting development and economic growth, and encouraging local entrepreneurship. Unlocking these opportunities represent the largest wealth creation opportunity of our generation. Whether you are interested in climate change, poverty alleviation, or just promoting projects that make financial sense, this book is for you. Jigar Shah provides a proven roadmap to understanding the Impact Economy, and creating the lasting changes that will improve our world for future generations.

About this title

Review

"Everything Jigar has done proves that profits in energy aren’t just made in dirty fuels. Thanks to entrepreneurs like Jigar, climate change solutions are attracting investors, greener jobs are being created, and industries are saving big money on energy costs." Sir Richard Branson Founder, Virgin Group

"...this book provides essential insight to how mainstream capital can flow into climate friendlier ways to meet modern electricity needs while making compelling financial returns." Strive Masiyiwa Founder, Econet Wireless/ Board Rockefeller Foundation

"Shah shows that a new massive wealth opportunity is at our fingertips linking sustainability and economic development." Carl Pope Former Executive Director, Sierra Club

"Jigar Shah is a force of nature! Here he recounts his unique journey--as entrepreneur, investor and nature’s defender. His outlook: a fast–changing world where enterprise places greater value on our climate and society. A timely book from a Thinker and Doer, both!" Ann Goodman, Ph.D. Co-founder of the Women’s Network for a Sustainable Future

"Jigar is the fuel that moves our world round, cleanly, transporting us and our hopes to a better place where big ideas are boldly stated. Where Big Oil becomes Big Sun. His is the stuff that powers us forward . . . to a smarter, richer future with a thesis that would have us find the next “industrial revolution”...today, and with bigger impact. No inverter required. This work is electrifying, direct, and current." Chase Weir Chief Executive Officer of Distributed Sun, LLC

Edition details

• Publisher: ICOSA
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0989353109
• ISBN 13: 9780989353106
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 208