Business Models for a People-Centered Climate Transition

New York

September 24, 2025

11 am - 1 pm EDT

This event is at capacity. A poorly managed transition to a net-zero economy poses systemic risks, deepening inequalities, displacing workers, destabilizing communities, and undermining long-term market stability. Because risks to people and the planet are often embedded in how companies create and deliver value, corporate climate strategies must address the root causes within business models that may increase these systemic risks. Redesigning business models is a powerful yet underused lever to mitigate these risks and seize the opportunities of a just transition to a low-carbon economy.

Business model risks are financially material. When companies fail to address just transition risks embedded in their business models, they face heightened financial, legal, and reputational risks as well as missed opportunities for value creation. For institutional investors, identifying harmful business model features offers critical insight beyond traditional sector or company-level analysis.

To support a people-centered transition grounded in respect for human rights, BSR and Shift have developed a suite of resources, including a publication on Business Model Red Flags for a Just Transition and an update to the Business Model Red Flags report, Bringing a Climate Lens to Business Model Risks to People, to guide companies and investors in aligning climate action with respect for people and the planet.

Join BSR and Shift during Climate Week NYC to explore how people-centered transformation can drive both climate and investment outcomes and strengthen decision-making and stewardship.

Objectives:

Explore business model transformation as a driver of climate resilience, social equity, and long-term value creation
Explore business model “red flags” that signal climate-related risks to people and the just transition
Share cross-sector insights on the challenges and opportunities of business models for a people-centered transition
Network with peers across the investor, company, and civil society landscape
Reaffirm the value of the business model lens on risk identification

Please note: This event is at capacity and you are welcome to join our waitlist by following the registration button. Should a seat open up, we will notify you promptly if a space becomes available. We may need to limit attendance to one person per company to maximize the diversity of participants for the event.

Scheduled Speakers

Paloma Muñoz Quick, Director, Human Rights Standards, BSR

Director, Human Rights Standards, BSR

Copenhagen

Paloma leads BSR’s work on Human Rights Standards, including standard-setting, knowledge management, and helping companies respond to emerging standards and regulation. She is also Senior Advisor to BSR’s Finance & Human Rights Practice.

Prior to joining BSR, Paloma was Advisor to the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and Senior Consultant of the UN B-Tech Project, where she developed a vision for promoting the uptake of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights among investors and guidance on responsible investment in digital technologies. Prior to the UN, Paloma launched and led the Investor Alliance for Human Rights, where she developed thought leadership on the investor responsibility to respect human rights and supported stewardship engagements across industries. She also worked at the Danish Institute for Human Rights advising companies, governments, and civil society on business and human rights.

Paloma is a member of the US government’s Advisory Committee on Responsible Business Conduct. She sits on the Editorial Board of Developments in the Field of the Business and Human Rights Journal of Cambridge University.

She holds a Master of International Affairs (M.I.A.) in Human Rights from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University and a B.A. in Political Science, also from Columbia University.

Paloma is Chilean-American and is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.