At Environmental Sustainability & Climate Innovation (ESCI) during Climate Week in New York, four leaders from diverse sectors share how they are reshaping their industries to support a regenerative economy. The session brings together Tony Perrotta, Partner for Sustainability & the Regenerative Economy at PA Consulting, David Hirschler, Chief Sustainability Officer at ERI, Tom Hobby, CEO of Yosemite Clean Energy, and Keith Bearden, CEO of Alter Eco Foods. Moderated by Perrotta, the conversation reflects a shared commitment to shifting business models toward practices that restore ecosystems, strengthen communities, and build long-term value.
David Hirschler explains how ERI tackles the growing e-waste crisis through a circular system that recovers valuable materials from discarded electronics. By combining advanced recycling technologies with transparent tracking, ERI helps close resource loops while supporting local supply chains and reducing reliance on raw materials.
Tom Hobby describes Yosemite Clean Energy’s efforts to develop clean, renewable hydrogen and biomass-based fuels. He highlights how regenerative energy systems can support climate goals, create jobs, and revitalize underserved regions through localized, low-emission solutions.
Keith Bearden shares how Alter Eco Foods embeds regenerative thinking across its operations - from improving soil health and supporting smallholder farmers to building ethical, transparent supply chains. For Bearden, regeneration is both a climate solution and a business opportunity grounded in responsibility and resilience.
Tony Perrotta leads the panel through a thoughtful discussion on where progress is happening, what barriers remain, and how companies can work together to accelerate change. The conversation covers innovation, finance, policy, and consumer behavior - with a focus on what’s practical, urgent, and achievable.
The conversation makes it clear that regeneration is more than a concept or a trend. It is a decisive shift in how industries operate, invest, and create value. By rethinking energy systems, transforming supply chains, and embedding circular practices, these leaders show that regeneration builds stronger economies, healthier communities, and more resilient businesses. The impact stretches far beyond individual sectors - it points to a new economic model where growth is aligned with restoration, where innovation drives responsibility, and where the future of business is inseparable from the future of the planet.
