SEAS Events

24th Annual Wege Lecture on Sustainability Featuring Business Leader and Author Paul Polman

Becoming Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take

In this purpose-driven talk, Polman will discuss responsible leadership and how net positive businesses can contribute more to the environment and society than they take away.

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. 

Watch via livestream here.

About Paul Polman


Paul Polman is an internationally recognized business leader, philanthropist, investor, speaker and advocate for sustainable development. A co-architect of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, he continues to drive system-wide change by developing industry coalitions, accelerating leadership and advancing sustainable finance through board roles, impact investments and strategic advisory positions. 

As CEO of Unilever (2009–2019), he pioneered a more responsible and purpose-driven business model, demonstrating that sustainability delivers superior performance. During his tenure, shareholder returns increased by 290% while the company was consistently ranked as the world’s most sustainable business and one of the world’s best places to work.

He is the co-author of the bestselling book “Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take” (2021), which was recognized by The Financial Times and Thinkers50 as one of the top business books of the year.

About the Wege Lecture


The Wege Lecture Series honors Peter M. Wege for his outstanding contributions to the Center for Sustainable Systems and to the environmental field. Each Wege Lecture focuses on the critical sustainability challenges of the 21st century, such as global climate change, clean energy transitions, freshwater scarcity, ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss, and how to accelerate just and sustainable solutions. 

Presented by

School for Environment and Sustainability 

Center for Sustainable Systems 

Frederick A. & Barbara M. Erb Institute