A subscription to Harvard Business Review would’ve spared President Trump his embarrassing “Pittsburgh, not Paris” punchline, delivered as he pulled the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord. Abandoning the treaty was predicated on preserving American jobs, but if he’d tuned into our HBR webinar, Delivering Economic Resilience in the New Energy Paradigm, he’d have been forewarned that Pittsburgh dismantles his argument. Instead of suffering from the Paris accord, Pittsburgh and its corporate partners stand to profit as pioneers of a clean and green energy future. As Bill Peduto, mayor of Pittsburgh, said after the announcement, the city has already done what the Paris agreement calls for. What Pittsburgh is doing has implications, not just for policy, but also for business strategy and the future of public-private collaboration.
Pittsburgh’s Transformation Is a Model for Clean Energy Innovation
In pulling out of the global Paris accord on climate change, President Trump said he was representing “Pittsburgh, not Paris.” But instead of suffering from Paris, Pittsburgh and its corporate partners were poised to profit as pioneers of clean and green energy future. A renewable energy system is already being pioneered in Pittsburgh, one that is driving job growth and economic dynamism. The city currently employees 13,000 people renewable energy and energy efficiency and just 5,300 in iron and steel. Producing greener energy has helped clean up the city and create a quality of life that attracts companies and talent to Pittsburgh, where a vibrant startup scene is emerging alongside university research labs. While the city may have been a symbol of industrial jobs — and pollution — 60 years ago, today it should be seen as symbol of public-private collaboration for a clean-energy future.