Sustainable: The Podcast

How is white supremacy a symptom of systemic decline? It's a big question but it's one that Nafeez Ahmed, executive director of System Shift Lab, is happy to answer. He says the "othering" of people or communities can often be the result of crisis or instability -- a clash between world views. The mainstreaming of far-right, xenophobic discourses in the western world and the rise in "illiberal" politics, Nafeez says, have come from the convergence of many global crises, from economic to climate change. System Shift Lab works to bring together top scientists, technologists and business leaders to co-ordinate and share solution strategies for adaptation and evolution.

Why are diverse leadership approaches needed as we transition to a sustainable world? Dave Stewart, founder of The Fresh Air Leadership Company, explains that all transformations throw up complex problems and opportunities that require different ways of thinking. Dave calls most current leaders "one-trick ponies" and points out that evolving to a sustainable world will require people who understand different contexts and can apply appropriate strategies in each one. The Fresh Air Leadership Company takes clients out into nature, believing the natural environment to be conducive to creative thinking – a skill necessary for a successful move to sustainability.

Why are diverse leadership approaches needed as we transition to a sustainable world? Dave Stewart, founder of The Fresh Air Leadership Company, explains that all transformations throw up complex problems and opportunities that require different ways of thinking. Dave calls most current leaders "one-trick ponies" and points out that evolving to a sustainable world will require people who understand different contexts and can apply appropriate strategies in each one. The Fresh Air Leadership Company takes clients out into nature, believing the natural environment to be conducive to creative thinking – a skill necessary for a successful move to sustainability.

How can we address increasing skepticism around sustainability in business following Covid-19? Kevin Wilhelm, CEO of Sustainable Business Consulting and author of How To Talk To The Other Side, explains how "peeling back the onion layers" of skepticism can help understand its cause, and help find common ground. Once common ground is identified, conversations can be held, whether on climate change or the coronavirus pandemic. And Kevin reveals how taking proactive action on the environment and social justice issues can actually be financially beneficial for businesses. "Reach out to your skeptic first," says Kevin, "because they're going to tell you the reasons your idea won't work. And if you can figure out how to get past that, you have a greater chance of success."

What does it mean for an organisation to be "sustainable"? Linda Midgley, SDG lead at PwC Europe, defines sustainability as being futureproof -- ensuring a business is flexible, adaptable and successful in the long term. Linda explains the role of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals in uniting governments and businesses globally in the conversation about sustainability. Rather than attempting to embrace all 17 SDGs and becoming overwhelmed by them, says Linda, businesses should focus on just three to eight at a time -- by investing money and time in these, they will see cost savings and "quick wins".

Paul Adderley, of consultancy firm Beyond Green, explains how sustainability is not just about resilience but also about dependency — on natural resources, on markets, on consumers and even on competitors. Beyond Green helps businesses understand the value of all of their assets – including people, infrastructures, customers and suppliers – and shows how collaboration, asking questions and sharing risks can not only grow profits but also help protect people and planet.

How do we find the truth, in a chaotic world which bombards us with information? In a break from the norm, Tabitha Jayne is joined by two guests in this podcast edition: Jules Wyman, of JulesWyman.com, and Fiona Scrase, of Action Learning Centre. They discuss how to navigate bias, cope with uncertainty, engage in conversation and form an understanding of the world around us. Jules Wyman is an award-winning confidence coach who offers pragmatic methods for learning resilience; and Fiona Scrase is a coach and consultant specialising in action learning.

What are the added benefits of solar farms for business and planet? Rob Davis, a director at Fresh Energy, shares some important facts about the role of pollinating insects in food sustainability; and how creating pollinator-friendly areas under solar arrays can have a huge positive impact on crop production, clean air, the environment... and business. Fresh Energy works to drive policy for a clean energy economy, improving health and ensuring vibrant, thriving communities. Its Center for Pollinators in Energy seeks to share pollinator-friendly solar information, standards and best practices.

What is the value of football in uniting communities? Danny Bisland, national club grow manager with the Scottish Football Association, explains how studies done in conjunction with UEFA have shown the true economic value of the sport. But Danny also reveals the power of football in uniting communities, and how the sport's reach among those who love it can help spread news of the UN's SDGs and empower individuals to work towards them.

Why should investors plough their funding into a circular economy? Because, says Bridget Croke, managing director at investment firm Closed Loop Partners, a company report reviewing 60 advanced recycling businesses showed there is tremendous opportunity – both economically and environmentally – to repeatedly turn plastic into new materials, instead of continually creating waste. The recycling technology is already there ­– it just needs investment to make a circular economy a far more economically viable option than sourcing rapidly depleting raw materials.

What is a wellbeing economy, and how will it help global markets as we emerge from Covid-19? Katherine Trebeck, advocacy and influencing lead at Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland, explains that returning to "business as usual" will be disastrous for people and planet. A thrust for economic growth will see a return to austerity that will only hurt the poorest and most vulnerable in society. The Wellbeing Economy Alliance unites groups and organisations who see the economy as a subset, not a pillar, of society. It needs to be squarely focused on delivering human and ecological wellbeing.

What do conspiracy theories have to do with a sustainable future?   Tabitha Jayne, director and lead coach of EarthSelf, looks at the logic behind conspiracy theories, and why people turn to them in times of chaos. She shows how the unexpected rationale behind such ideas can be harnessed to forge a path to the kind of sustainable world we would all want to live in. Identifying the reason for conspiracy theories – the search for control in an uncontrollable environment – allows us to find new, shared ways of taking control and recognise we have the power to change the world.

Mike Elm's New Story Ride initiative sees him cycling through Europe and Asia to find the new story of how humanity can prosper in the 21st century. From visiting car-free Croatian islands and meeting a permaculture garden engineer, to being impressed by one man's bike-cum-music stage and welcomed into the home of complete strangers, Mike is finding a plotline alternative to the tired old narrative for society and humankind.

Jean Claude Pierre, former CEO of Scott Bader, shares how he has used Chinese wisdom to build better business. Referring to the concept of wu wei, he emphasises the importance of "inaction" – of waiting for the right time and place before making decisions. Through dialogue, conversation and collaboration, a business can be built with sustainability at its heart, using new ways of thinking and with a business model driven by a sense of purpose.

Professor Peter Hawkins, director of Renewal Associates, explains how ecological coaching can make leadership fit for the 21st century – by bringing ecology into the boardroom, quite literally. By reframing the relationship between stakeholders, from customers and coaches, to partners, leaders can move from eco anxiety to being eco informed. Then they can take responsibility for the changes they make and the power they have to create those changes.

Tabitha Jayne, director and lead coach at EarthSelf, explains why coaching with nature is essential for the 21st century. Coaching with nature will make individuals and teams resilient and adaptable, and lead to sustainable, cost effective and resilient businesses; ones that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Brian Keane, CEO and co-founder of WeeGreen, describes how the business's digital platform taps into neighbours' relationships to spread the word of eco living. Through word-of-mouth recommendation, and the concept of trust, WeeGreen has successfully boosted residential solar installations

Jason Gregory, CEO and co-founder of EnergyRM, explains the concept of deep energy efficiency and how the company's software can analyse commercial buildings' energy usage. The DataMeter software can show landlords and property owners where the energy imbalance in a building is, and incentivise investment in more energy-efficient and sustainable retrofits. Jason's objective is to allow stakeholders to see energy as a capital asset that can be monetised.

Former computer scientist Henrietta Kekäläinen co-founded Carbo Culture to find a way of converting biomass waste into a high purity carbon; hacking Earth's natural carbon cycle to take down carbon from the atmosphere, secure it, nourish soil and crops, and reduce greenhouse gases and global warming.

Technology and social entrepreneur Traver Kennedy explains the work of diagnostics company Aviana in repurposing technology developed for NASA to diagnose illnesses including Covid-19. He believes that, with better testing, the ability to self-diagnose with easy-to-use technology will lower healthcare costs and protect healthcare workers.