Intent to Impact: Courageous Leadership for 2025

Happy New Year! I hope the festive season gave you a chance to recharge and reflect on the year ahead.

During one of my many walks over Christmas, I was chatting with my daughter-in-law about New Year's resolutions. We agreed they didn't work (and research shows that 80% fail by February!) She told me that she had decided to set clear 'intentions' for the year ahead, and I think that's a great idea - both at work, home, and play. ?

A constructive, accountable way to progress.

?As we step into 2025, one thing is clear: this is not the year for business as usual. It’s time for bold moves, decisive action, and radical leadership to address the urgent challenges we face. We know what we need to do, and now need to step up. ?If you would like a clear, high-quality, evidence-based summary of where we are regarding climate change, it's worth reading this important update from

Dr James Hansen at the Climate Change Trial which took place just before Christmas at The International Court of Justice. It tells you everything you need to know.

These words really hit me hard:?

The scope of climate change, within the lifetime of a young person today, will be monumental and tragic, if governments are allowed to persist on a path of pretense and denial.

?Climate change is intergenerational injustice, as innocent young people and their children will suffer the most severe consequences.

So the question remains: we knew, what did we do?

The climate crisis, social inequality, and environmental degradation are not tomorrow’s problems - they’re today’s realities. As business leaders, we have a unique opportunity, and responsibility to drive impactful change.

I thought I'd begin 2025 buy offering you six?powerful intentions to encourage us all to more effectively turn intent into meaningful impact this year:

1. Buy fewer, better products: Prioritise ethical and sustainable choices both in your supply chain and personal lives. Start by creating an Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Policy to ensure every purchasing decision positively impacts the planet and future generations. Do you know how ethical and sustainable your supply chain is? If not, now is the time to analyse and improve it. (We at UK for Good can help with both of these!) For personal purchases, follow the five Rs: Regenerate, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
2. Travel lighter - much lighter: Lead by example and aim to radically reduce emissions from business and personal travel. Choose trains over planes (flying emits 2–3 times more CO2 per kilometre than train travel), and walk or cycle whenever possible. Take the Jump to explore sustainable travel options.
3. Set Impact Performance Indicators (IPIs): It's time to move beyond traditional KPIs. Demonstrate how your business will authentically and responsibly shape a better world by measuring your environmental and social impact alongside financial performance. Learn more in our blog on "From KPIs to IPIs".
4. Improve your diet: Transitioning to a plant-based diet is one of the simplest and most effective changes we can all make - both at home and in business. Commit to offering plant-based options at events and in workplace catering. A plant-based diet can reduce food-related emissions by ?over 70%, and significantly reduce the impact on biodiversity, water use, and waste.. Small changes make a big difference. Find inspiration through the Veganuary campaign.
5. Reduce screen time and increase engagement: Reclaim time to foster deeper connections with your team, customers, community, and family. Less distraction, more meaningful work.
6. Green your pension - According to Make My Money Matter, UK pension schemes currently invest a staggering ￡88 billion in fossil fuel companies. That means ￡2 out of every ￡10 of our pension spend is driving climate change. We can and must change that. Make sure you offer employees a sustainable pension option.

The Time to Act is Now

Courageous leadership is no longer optional - it’s a necessity. The decisions you make this year will ripple far beyond 2025, shaping the world for generations to come.

This is your moment.

?Let’s turn intent into impact and lead with purpose.

?With determination and best wishes for the year ahead,

Donna

Founder and B Leader

Join the Movement: Our Impact Leadership Programme

If you’re ready to lead with courage and commitment, our Impact Leadership Programme (ILP) can help you take the next step. Designed for business leaders, consultants, and advocates of better business, this three-day intensive programme equips you to:

• Enhance your work.
• Lead your organisation toward B Corp certification.
• Embed sustainability into your strategy.

Applications close on 13th January 2025.

Apply here

People, Planet, Pictures: A Series of Stories to Inspire Change

We’re also excited to launch People, Planet, Pictures, a film and discussion series at Storyhouse Chester. The first event on 9th January features the documentary Six Inches of Soil, a compelling story about regenerative farming and the critical role of soil health in combating climate change. A panel discussion with producer Claire Mackenzie will follow. Get your tickets here.