About Climate Positive

Candid conversations with the leaders shaping a more sustainable future. Hosted by Chad Reed, Gil Jenkins, Hilary Langer, and Guy Van Syckle.

June 3, 2021

E4: The evolution of corporate sustainability | Michael Kobori, CSO of Starbucks

Starbucks Chief Sustainability Officer Michael Kobori has been corporate sustainability changemaker for over two decades. From his time at Levi’s to his current role at Starbucks, Michael has been at the forefront of a movement that has evolved from a narrower focus on Corporate Social Responsibility to a broader conception of Stakeholder Capitalism. In this episode, Michael joined us to talk about how the intrapreneurship he exercised at Levi’s progressed and broadened its concept of sustainability. Chad and Michael also discuss the carbon footprint of coffee, how to discern greenwashers from true climate leaders, the role of business in combatting systemic racism, and how lessons from the Boy Scouts inform Starbucks’ recent commitment to become resource positive.

Links:

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-kobori-7a04b26/

Twitter
@koborigrillscsr

Sustainability at Starbucks
https://www.starbucks.com/responsibility

Starbucks Borrow a Cup Program
https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2021/seattle-starbucks-stores-go-even-greener-this-earth-month-with-new-borrow-a-cup-program/

Transform to Net Zero
https://transformtonetzero.org/

All We Can Save
https://www.amazon.com/All-We-Can-Save-Solutions/dp/0593237064

Utopia Theater Project
http://www.utopiatheatreproject.com/