Can 2022 change everything?

“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” ??????????????????????????????????????????? ? Thomas Jefferson

When 2021 arrived, we were all certain that the “worst year ever” was over. We were leaving 2020 for dust and moving on to sunnier skies. Sadly, that was not the case.

There is something quite arbitrary about how we welcome a new year—we tend to think of it as a clean break, a new beginning, a magical time (that repeats annually) which allows us to commit to things we have never quite pulled off in the past.

But life has a timing of its own. It evades calendars. Here, now, as we wrap up 2021, we find ourselves in a similar state to the one we were in the final days of its predecessor: Omicron is forcing countries to shut down, infection rates are skyrocketing, the global economy remains vulnerable and the political landscape is an active minefield.

I am not saying this to sound pessimistic. On the contrary, I think that admitting the long-haul nature of our struggles gives us hope for better solutions. After all, life is a long-haul project as well. There is however some benefit to stopping occasionally and taking account of what you’ve learnt so far.

For me, 2021 was the year I made peace with uncertainty. ?The pandemic helped us to achieve a sense of endurance against the unknowns of our lives. I think there is some merit to that—life isn’t always clear in its messages, and to be able to perform even under unpredictable conditions can help you not only succeed, but also treat yourself in a more tolerant manner.?

I also managed to carve out a space for my mental health—often through working on my physical one. For example, I discovered the joy of going out on a walk or a run without phones or headphones—just being out there, listening to the wind and nature. It clears your head and lets your subconscious put things into order.

There is also the ultimate lesson that I learn again and again every day—spend time with your loved ones. Stay close, stay connected. I know it’s stating the obvious, but it was disheartening to see that as soon as activity picks up, we tend to forget all our oaths to put our families ahead of everything else. Well, here’s me reminding you. COVID may be gone tomorrow, or it could stay with us for years— what is certain is that your family is your true wealth.?

Last year’s challenges taught me these lessons, and I’m welcoming the new year with all its own, unique ways of teaching me to be more humble and accepting. The business community has been learning some lessons as well, and I want to talk to you a bit about what I believe is coming ahead.

Faster rollouts are crucial for recovery. 2021 saw the fast unveiling of vaccines, particularly in developed countries. But the main lesson we learnt about vaccinations is that they are most effective when everybody has them. An uneven rollout means a longer pandemic, and that means society and economies will have to falter under the pressures they were just beginning to shake off.

Net-zero becomes the norm. No space for greenwashing. If 2022 was a Bond-style high stake gamble situation, I would put all my money on the climate front. Since 2015, the number of companies with science-based target commitments has increased by 19-fold; even doubled between 2020 and 2021. The rising level of commitment is good news, but across all sectors, only about 9% of companies have really followed up targets with credible emission reductions.

Green tech is the solution to keep the momentum going. Governments are increasingly committed to a net-zero future, but significant gaps remain for 2030 and 2050, which also means that the private sector will have to fast track its net-zero plans.

We should focus on green tech and increase investments to help keep global temperatures below the 1.5 C goal. Among others, $30 trillion worth of electrification investments is required, according to the IEA.

The first movers will benefit the most. Next year, we will witness the rise of global carbon markets. Prior to COP26, analysts were expecting carbon prices to hit 90€ by 2030—carbon prices under the EU umbrella hit that mark mid-December. An ambitious, growing and internationally regulated carbon market is inevitable from 2022 onwards.

There is some great potential here. I am counting on the home appliances industry to rise to the challenge and undergo a transformation befitting of the task, pioneering the energy efficiency movement. At Ar?elik, we work tirelessly to push our boundaries. Our sustainability vision and recognitions bring us credibility, savings, and growth. We were the early mover, and we were rewarded for it. 2022 will continue to reward companies willing to commit, and willing to change.

Consumers vote with their money. A recent survey shows that nearly one third of consumers consider ethical and sustainability concerns in choosing what to purchase. This is only the beginning—as Gen Z rises to the top, brands that fail to live up to these concerns will lose out. The heightened sense of awareness for social and environmental issues will be the leading force in consumption, and companies that create value on these issues will be the winners. A BCG report suggests that there is a great growth potential for green products (CAGR of 4%-25%).

2022: A YEAR OF NEW BEGINNINGS

Before I wrap up, I want to talk about a personal highlight for me. I completed my first ever book, A Mountain to Climb, which is gearing up for its global launch in March of 22. The Turkish edition is already out, and the feedback has so far been very encouraging. The book—which merges the few challenging weeks I had climbing Everest with the global climate challenge—allowed me to reflect, again, on the priorities we choose for ourselves and the endurance the human mind and body can show when it must.

I know these are tough times and everything seems like a tougher challenge than the one before. But this can also allow us to redefine what it means to have “success”—I remember, back on the mountain, all my professional accolades had seemed so empty to me, and all I could think of was how lucky I was to be alive in such an amazing world. It’s OK—in 2022—to find success in things that help you grow, and change, for the better; to find ways to ease your mind and ensure your well-being. 2022 will be a year of new beginnings—and I hope it will usher in a wave of change for the better.

It doesn’t help that at a time when we were all hoping to reunite with loved ones and return to our New Year’s festivities, we are instead going back to restrictions. ?And yes, COVID once again heightens our worries and fears, but it can also heighten our hopes, ambitions, and love.

There is a song I really like—"Better Together” by Jack Johnson. Everything is better when we are together. And the best we can hope from 2022, under any circumstances, is that we remain that way. ?

Happy New Year to us all.