“It is possible to maximize economic growth under the restrictions of carbon emission reductions,” he said.

Calderon noted that the public sector can help shape policy to incentivize private companies to invest in climate-friendly programs. Public policy, he said, can provide a powerful stimulus for companies to change the way they invest.

“We can propose profitable businesses for people and companies, we can propose public policies that are able to create jobs and economic growth, and we can change the [way] in which we are deciding development starting today [to create] real development [that considers] the risks associated with climate change in the future,” Calderon said.

Rebecca M. Henderson, a Business School professor, moderated the discussion, and said that sustainable investments can still be profitable.

She also said that the private sector may need something to galvanize it, noting that “sometimes we need a market signal to get people focused in these areas.”

Calderon said that hesitation could cost private companies potential profits.

“Companies are delaying all their decisions about the environment,” Calderon said. “That implies an economic cost.”

Maria Melas, an attendee who graduated from the Extension School with a degree in Environmental Management, found the talk particularly engaging.

“The most interesting thing is focusing on the economy and making economic suggestions for how to change things, which in turn will help the climate,” she said.