The Clinton Global Initiative was launched by former President Bill Clinton in 2005 to bring together non-profit, corporate, governmental, and philanthropic leaders to work collaboratively to take on the world's greatest challenges. CGS advises on the climate change agenda and works with participants to develop commitments for announcement at each annual gathering in New York City. CGS also advises on the carbon neutral strategy for the meeting and its attendees.
As the entrepreneurial foundation of the Virgin Group, Virgin Unite works with the Virgin companies and local partners around the world to develop sustainable and scalable solutions to social and environmental problems. CGS works with Unite to design and implement its Environmental Entrepreneurship Fund which is designing and investing in projects that simultaneously alleviate poverty and protect or enhance the environment. CGS is also helping to conceptualize and structure the Environmental War Room which was announced by Sir Richard Branson at the UN in February 2008.
In an effort to join their voices to tackle international challenges, Nelson Mandela, Graça Machel and Desmond Tutu have convened a group of global leaders to find consensus and press for action. CGS is advising The Elders as they consider global environmental challenges.
48STRAIGHT is a new lifestyle company that operates out of Sun Valley, Idaho. Co-founded by former Goldman Sachs partner Kipp Nelson, CGS advises on new environmental business opportunities, engaging local communities, and the development of the "Green Your Scene" environmental symposium, "Climate Change and the Mountain Lifestyle," March 11-13, 2008 in Sun Valley. Aimée Christensen served as the moderator of the event which included participation by Mayor Rocky Anderson, Michael Franti, Mariel Hemingway, and Auden Schendler.
The Rockefeller Brothers Fund and Simon Roosevelt are working to bring together top financial leaders to consider their personal and professional role in addressing global climate change. CGS is working with them to conceptualize and implement One Evening – a new program that provides an intimate setting for leading financiers to discuss climate change and its potential solutions. CGS is helping to identify and involve key leaders, to develop the substantive agenda and briefing materials, and to support future efforts to carry learning to action.