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This position paper explores the critical interplay between adaptation and mitigation as complementary strategies for effective climate risk management. The paper distinguishes between adaptation (managing preparedness for climate impacts) and mitigation (reducing factors causing climate change), showing how businesses and governments must balance short-term resilience with long-term risk reduction. Examining financing challenges, the analysis highlights how immediate climate impacts require emergency funds and public-private partnerships, while long-term transformation demands innovative financial instruments like green bonds and climate investment funds. The paper identifies key stakeholders — governments providing regulatory frameworks, regulators ensuring financial stability, and institutional bodies directing capital flows — and demonstrates how their coordinated action integrates physical risk management with transition risk management, as evidenced by recent Israeli initiatives like the Green Taxonomy and Banking Directive No. 345. By integrating these approaches, organizations can not only reduce climate risks but also unlock new economic opportunities within a sustainable green economy. To read the full article, visit our Hebrew main blog

This post explores how political dynamics in the United States are shaping the availability and design of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investment products offered to the public—particularly through pension funds. As partisan divisions around ESG deepen, state-level political leadership is playing an increasingly active role in defining which investment options are promoted or restricted. Drawing on recent empirical studies, the post highlights a stark divide between Republican-led and Democratic-led states. While the latter tend to support broader access to ESG-aligned financial products, the former often impose limitations or even bans on them—citing concerns about politicization or financial performance. These regulatory decisions, often motivated by political ideology, may ultimately impact not only the range of choices available to savers, but also the long-term effectiveness of ESG strategies themselves. The post also discusses the legal and public implications of such political interference. A notable example is a recent court case involving American Airlines’ pension fund, where the balance between fiduciary duty and ESG preferences came under judicial review. This and similar cases point to a growing legal complexity in aligning ESG considerations with institutional responsibilities in polarized environments. Ultimately, the post raises important questions about who decides which investment products citizens are allowed to access, and whether ESG-related decisions should be driven by political agendas—or by evidence-based financial and sustainability considerations. To read the full article, visit our Hebrew main blog.

In recent years, major figures in the tech industry have positioned themselves as champions of progressive values, including those reflected in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles. However, this article explores a surprising shift: the increasing fusion between business leaders and political power structures, even under administrations whose policies may contradict those same progressive ideals. The authors examine how tech billionaires such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg have navigated the political landscape. They show how corporate leaders, once external actors advocating for change, are now becoming key players within government institutions. This movement raises complex questions about the authenticity of corporate ESG commitments, as well as about the risks to democratic processes when private economic interests and public governance become intertwined. Through recent examples and a critical lens, the article highlights the gradual erosion of boundaries between corporate power and state authority. It warns that what once seemed like a theoretical concern—capital increasingly controlling government—has now materialized into an observable and urgent phenomenon that challenges the ideals of democratic oversight, public accountability, and responsible governance. To read the full article, visit our Hebrew main blog.

This paper advocates for implementing "green demolition" through selective deconstruction in Israel's urban renewal projects, highlighting environmental, social, and economic benefits. While Israel has embraced green building standards for new construction, the demolition phase remains largely overlooked in regulatory frameworks. Despite thousands of apartments being demolished annually, generating approximately 1.5 tons of waste per 10 square meters, pre-demolition deconstruction receives minimal incentives. Selective deconstruction—the controlled dismantling of buildings to enable reuse and recycling—could divert an estimated 700,000 tons of waste from landfills annually. The Just A Second Association proposes a three-pronged approach: engaging developers, working with regulators to create incentives, and raising public awareness. Key challenges include the need for regulatory changes, economic incentives, cost-benefit analysis, infrastructure development, and increased awareness. International examples from Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, and the European Union demonstrate successful implementation through various policy mechanisms. The paper concludes that integrating selective deconstruction into Israel's construction industry requires mandatory legislation, economic incentives, and public-private partnerships. To read the full article, visit our Hebrew main blog

This position paper explores how the convergence of two major revolutions—the Impact Revolution and the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Revolution—is transforming the landscape of business competition. Using the collaboration between BMW and Toyota as a case study, the paper shows how global challenges are prompting companies to adopt coopetition—a strategic approach that integrates competition and cooperation. The Impact Revolution redefines the purpose of business to include not only financial profit but also social and environmental value, aligned with the UN's Agenda 2030. Meanwhile, AI enables smarter, faster, and more inclusive collaboration—by democratizing knowledge, optimizing global partnerships, and accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Together, these revolutions foster a new business paradigm, where competitive advantage lies in the ability to build high-impact strategic alliances. Despite challenges such as trust and value-sharing, coopetition—supported by AI—is emerging as a powerful tool for sustainable and systemic change. To read the full article, visit our Hebrew main blog

This position paper examines corporate responsibility and leadership in the post-ESG era,  the evolving debate surrounding ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) considerations and their impact on business practices, with reference to Robert G. Eccles' framework as discussed in the Harvard Business Review . We argue that companies should adopt a practical, balanced approach to ESG, recognizing the tension between single materiality (financial risks) and double materiality (corporate actions and social impact). A "one-size-fits-all" approach is inadequate; companies must prioritize clear, measurable goals and transparent reporting. By integrating both financial and social considerations, companies can enhance long-term competitive advantage. However, it is essential to assess ESG costs and benefits to align with broader strategic objectives. If the benefits outweigh the costs, companies gain a sustainable edge; if not, the competitive advantage is lost. Applying Robert G. Eccles' framework in Israel could help local companies navigate ESG challenges and capitalize on sustainability. These strategies should be tailored to each company’s competitive context, balancing social responsibility with financial performance. In the long term, businesses that effectively integrate ESG are likely see enhanced shareholder value, reinforcing the importance of sustainability in corporate strategy. To read the full post, visit our Hebrew main blog