“Isn’t every company a sustainable company?”

This is the challenging question posed by Kirsten Higgins, ND ’14, during her insightful interview on the present and future of renewable energy. She expanded on this question noting that as more companies become attuned to the costs—tangible and intangible—of energy, more will have to acknowledge their duty and obligation to stakeholders, employees, and society to make transparent ethical decisions on their company’s energy policy.

Kirsten Higgins knows a lot about renewable energy. After several years at BP and now as Vice President of Renewable Natural Gas at Anew, she is seeing the shift within companies to thinking about long-term, sustainable energy options to grow their business. These changes didn’t happen in a vacuum, nor does Kirsten see them as isolated to business.

She talks about the powerful role of individual decisions in shaping energy policy and how ethical leaders can make an important impact in tackling the global energy challenge. 

From the local to the global, Kirsten shows us the value of individuals and business leaders coming together to support accessible, affordable, sustainable energy solutions for a shared, equitable future.

 Collective Impact

Trends in the Renewable Energy Space

Key Challenges and Optimism

Individual Actions

A Career in Renewable Energy

Advocating for Sustainable Practices

Helpful Resources for Young Professionals

Integrating Sustainability in Your Own Career

For Further Reading:

• Read more about sustainability reporting and transparency in this interview with NDDCEL Faculty Fellow Sandra Vera-Muñoz: "Transparency Improves Business".
• Consider systems approaches to a low-carbon future from Deloitte.
• IEA reports that renewable power growth is surging – driven by the global energy crisis and policy momentum.