Please join us for our inaugural Climate Forum.

The Climate Forum is a series of conversations hosted by First Republic Private Wealth Management to explore climate-related economic, investment and social risks, as well as the opportunities ahead.

This three-part series featuring climate change experts will focus on the following themes:

• Leading research findings on climate science
• Emerging trends in energy technologies
• The impact of climate change on investment decisions

The Climate Forum includes scientists from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory at Columbia University; Dr. Michael Webber, a world-renowned academic and research professional on the convergence of engineering, policy and commercialization; and Ian Bremmer, a political scientist, author, Columbia University lecturer and President of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media.

Session One - Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Climate Change: Emerging Investment Opportunities — and Risks

A summer of extreme weather has brought into sharper focus the need for investors to fully understand the risks and opportunities resulting from climate change. In this session, we share the latest research regarding climate systems and trends, and the potential impacts across industry sectors. The panel will feature a lively presentation and discussion between Dr. Arthur Lerner-Lam, Senior Advisor to the Deans of the Columbia Climate School; Dr. Radley Horton, Research Professor at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Christopher J. Wolfe, Chief Investment Officer, First Republic Investment Management.

Session Two - Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Global Energy Trends and Innovations for the Future

The worldwide energy sector is going through dramatic shifts in energy demand and energy sources. Our energy and information sectors are merging to form smarter energy systems and more energy-intensive information systems. In this session, Dr. Michael Webber, who is the Josey Centennial Professor in Energy Resources at the University of Texas at Austin and CTO of Energy Impact Partners, will provide an overview of global energy trends and offer a unique perspective on the future of energy production and consumption. In conversation with Bob Thornton, President of First Republic Private Wealth Management, Dr. Webber will share how research and technology innovations can help us prepare for the path ahead.

Session Three - Thursday, October 28, 2021

Investment Strategy and the Geopolitical Implications of Climate Change

Will governments around the world move fast enough to address climate change? How will climate risks impact our future way of life? Should investors reposition their portfolios now in anticipation of more fallout to come from climate change? Ian Bremmer, political scientist, author, Columbia University lecturer and President of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media, analyzes these key issues in conversation with Hafize Gaye Erkan, Co-CEO and President of First Republic.