Be radical, disruptive and take some risks on the transition to net zero

This Saturday we had the second live session for the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) course I'm enrolled in focused on collaborative partnerships to help the transition to net zero. In the spirit of the topic, paying forward my takeaways and the resources shared for those that are interested.

To start with, a few notable examples were shared by the tutors on the theme of collaborative partnerships:

• Natura – the Brazilian global personal care cosmetics group (with brands including Aesop, The Body Shop and Avon) headquartered in S?o Paulo were highlighted as a positive example of driving climate action including embracing circularity. Their strong combination of social inclusion and net zero stood out to me which is focused on their whole value chain. You can learn more about their 2030 sustainability vision here.
• The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) was shared as an example of industry collaboration in the financial sector with the purpose stated of bringing together the financial sector to accelerate the transition to a net-zero economy. The initial race to have banks with the biggest assets under management signed up was mentioned and the caution of big glossy partnerships which can yield big commitments and not big action. There has been a recent backlash to some banks mis-selling of so called sustainable funds and questionable carbon tracking practices (Bloomberg: ESG - Insiders say its time for course correction ?- Bloomberg: With ESG Everywhere Buyers Beware ). There was a call out for the value in smaller partnerships where you know there will be traction.
• The Dow’s collaboration with the Olympics on carbon savings and other innovations to bring together sport and science for a sustainable future was mentioned. It’s inspiring to see this collaboration across industries with the mission of empowering a positive climate legacy and advancing a circular economy.

There was an interesting point raised after discussing these examples on the balance of secretive company IP and being open. An example was shared of a tech company who registered patents every day on a mission to make smaller, more affordable devices. Yet the need for a more open, transparent, innovative model to net zero.

Who inspires you from a government perspective on climate action?

We then went into zoom breakouts and discussed our Country Governments and what’s inspiring us in the net zero transition. In our group we had the Netherlands, Brazil and Australia represented.

We shared here in Australia that we’re encouraged by the new Labor Government who have ?committed to reducing Australia’s carbon emissions by 43% from 2005 levels by 2030, compared with the Coalition’s target of 26%-28%. Also by the recent talks between our new Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern with climate high on the agenda.

Who inspires you from a leadership perspective on climate action?

In the second zoom breakout room we shared our leadership inspirations in this area and I drew on youth activists including Greta Thunberg. I shared in the Climate Warriors Group I’m a part of, the young passionate leaders like my cousin Josh Parkinson, a young coastal engineer inspire me to learn and help drive positive action. ‘Stand of the Planet’ movements such as this were mentioned of young people uniting to help halt climate change. ?I also shared I’m inspired by local ANZ multinational subsidiary leaders including Nicky Sparshott from Unilever who are really living the triple bottom line. You may enjoy this recent interview with Nicky here.

In our small group, an interesting question was posed on our thoughts on activist groups such as Extinction Rebellion where passionate protestors have been jailed. A considerate response was shared by a participant that who are we to judge potentially illegal actions for a common good and that bold action has been needed in other areas to progress women’s rights and gay rights. Greenpeace was mentioned as a very useful campaigning platform to help raise awareness of perspectives that could otherwise remain unknown.

As I wrote about in ‘Stubborn Optimism for a Net Zero Future and Beyond’ I'm not a huge fan of the scare tactics used in climate change communication as I feel they trigger a ‘flight or flight’ stress response which cannot always be helpful.?I think positive and emotive film is a powerful medium to communicate the impacts of climate change.

On that note, I enjoyed this video shared in the course ?by the University of California’s, Dr Sanjayan who considers why policy makers and businesses have been slow to respond to climate change and the big role of human psychology. It describes how fear and guilt tactics can make you feel passive. I liked a term I learnt in the Module 4 reading of ‘conditional optimism’ versus ‘urgent pessimism’. ?

My mind is very stimulated again! There was a big discussion on the oil and gas sector which I need to ponder on and the shifting of investment strategies for the long term.

In the calls to action from the tutors at the end of the session it was passionately shared to be radical and disruptive in our plans and double what we were planning. There’s a need to take some risk and if it’s not at least 8-12% emissions reductions year on year we won’t get there (You can read more on that here).

Through collaboration we can get there! Let's build some more Moonshot goals! #bettertogether ?