Joel Cesare
Global Carbon Program Manager, Google
Joel Cesare is a visionary trailblazer in the green real estate/sustainability field known for challenging the status quo and executing game-changing projects. As global carbon program manager at Google, he currently leads the fight against climate change for Google’s Real Estate and Workplace Services (REWS) division. In line with a foundational ethos of Google, his team drives with a healthy disdain for the impossible: operate carbon emission free. No offsets. No net-anything. Absolute zero emissions. Prior to Google, Joel directed the world's first municipal Living Building Challenge project for the City of Santa Monica. He was recognized by ENR Magazine as a Top 25 Newsmaker in 2018 for his relentless efforts to permit and build a net-zero water building. The International Living Future Institute acknowledged Joel as a Hero at the 2019 Living Future UnConference. USGBC-LA awarded Joel with the inaugural “First in the World” achievement for his work spearheading Santa Monica’s zero-net energy ordinance in 2017. Building Design & Construction Magazine named Joel to their 2017 40 Under 40 class. Joel also advises ZNE Capital, a net-zero focused multifamily real estate investment company he co-founded. ZNE acquires existing apartment buildings and converts to net-zero offering investors private equity-grade returns with unprecedented impact. A career spanning tech, real estate, construction, consulting, finance, startup founder and non-profit director, his mission has always been to dream, inspire and deliver.
