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The Science of Climate Change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat or just a possibility, it is now a reality for all of us. In this pathway, Kevin Trenberth, a renowned climatologist, delves into the science behind climate change. He first introduces the climate system, its main components and forces.

Tackling the Plastic Crisis

Plastic pollution is by far the biggest threat to our oceans and this remains an incredibly tough problem to solve. Plastic credits could potentially serve as one of the much needed solutions for this crisis.

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The Scale of the Net Zero Challenge

The price of meeting net zero is estimated to be between $100-150 trillion over the next 30 years. Regardless of this cost, we need to reach net zero before climate change does irreversible damage to the environment and the economy.

ESG, Sustainability and Impact Jargon Buster

ESG, sustainability, impact… they all just mean green, right? Not quite. Despite being used often interchangeably, there are distinct differences between these terms.

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Featured Pathways

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The Science of Climate Change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat or just a possibility, it is now a reality for all of us. In this pathway, Kevin Trenberth, a renowned climatologist, delves into the science behind climate change. He first introduces the climate system, its main components and forces.

Tackling the Plastic Crisis

Plastic pollution is by far the biggest threat to our oceans and this remains an incredibly tough problem to solve. Plastic credits could potentially serve as one of the much needed solutions for this crisis.

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Expert led content

+1,000 expert presented, on-demand video modules

Learning analytics

Keep track of learning progress with our comprehensive data

Interactive learning

Engage with our video hotspots and knowledge check-ins

Testing & certification

Gain CPD / CPE credits and professional certification

Managed learning

Build, scale and manage your organisation’s learning

Integrations

Connect Sustainability Unlocked to your current platform

Featured Content

More featured content

The Scale of the Net Zero Challenge

The price of meeting net zero is estimated to be between $100-150 trillion over the next 30 years. Regardless of this cost, we need to reach net zero before climate change does irreversible damage to the environment and the economy.

ESG, Sustainability and Impact Jargon Buster

ESG, sustainability, impact… they all just mean green, right? Not quite. Despite being used often interchangeably, there are distinct differences between these terms.

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How Can Organisations Lead the Sustainability Transition?

How Can Organisations Lead the Sustainability Transition?

Birgit Valmüür

18 years: Sustainability leadership

Who is best positioned to lead the sustainability transition? Is it governments? Consumers? Join Birgit Valmüür as she argues that corporations are actually best placed to take us forward into a sustainable new world.

Who is best positioned to lead the sustainability transition? Is it governments? Consumers? Join Birgit Valmüür as she argues that corporations are actually best placed to take us forward into a sustainable new world.

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How Can Organisations Lead the Sustainability Transition?

17 mins 19 secs

Key learning objectives:

  • Identify why corporations should lead the sustainability transition

  • Understand how the ‘blame game’ prevents progress

  • Outline the actions corporations can take to lead

Overview:

Corporations will encounter two dominant views: 1. that their only responsibility is towards their shareholders or 2. that they have a corporate purpose to create wider social value. It is to be expected that in a business context one will still encounter both views, but, at the same time, without efforts from corporations the world will not be able to reach its climate goals. By 2017 data, 69 of the top 100 economic entities in the world are corporations. Out of 200 economic entities, 157 are corporations. Corporations can be more powerful than governments and aren’t hindered by long-term planning. Corporations are also more knowledgeable than consumers - consumers can only act if given the correct information. By not delaying innovation, lobbying for (not against) sustainability and amending business practices, corporations can lead us into a sustainable new world.

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Summary

Why should corporations lead the sustainability transition?

By 2017 data, 69 of the top 100 economic entities in the world are corporations. Out of 200 economic entities, 157 are corporations. Corporations can be more powerful than governments and aren’t hindered by long-term planning. Corporations are also more knowledgeable than consumers - consumers can only act if given the correct information. By not delaying innovation, lobbying for (not against) sustainability and amending business practices, corporations can lead us into a sustainable new world. 

What is the blame game? 

Corporations, governments and consumers all blame each other for the current state of sustainability. 

Governments feel that they need to ensure their popularity to remain in power and potentially be re-elected. They need to keep the wider population happy in the near term, so they cannot easily establish changes that would restrict individual preferences. On the other hand, they often owe their power to corporate donors. Their future careers and success in politics may also rely on corporate donations. Hence, they might prefer to suggest that companies and people make changes voluntarily. Individuals often think that what they do individually does not matter as not everyone acts in the same way – particularly as governments do not pass legislation and companies keep producing products and services that are wasteful.

This creates a closed loop of believing and suggesting that someone else holds a key to change and that someone else should lead. 

How can corporations lead the sustainability revolution? 

Actions of corporations towards the public

1. Meet the expectations of your customers behind the scenes – better your business practices by eliminating your worst harms

2. Help your clients make the sustainable decisions they want to make – avoid greenwashing

3. Educate your customers to create demand for more sustainable products and services

Actions of corporations towards politicians

1. Do not delay innovation until government regulation requires it

2. Avoid lobbying against sustainability efforts

3. Lobby for sustainability efforts

Internal actions of corporations 

1. Choose voluntarily to lead the industry with your own business practices

2. Engage with your suppliers and partners to encourage them to change their practices

3. Invite other businesses to join and form wider collaborative efforts.

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Birgit Valmüür

Birgit Valmüür

Birgit Vallmüür is the founder of TitanSwan, a sustainability leadership boutique consulting firm in London. She has advised listed and multinational companies and governments globally and has taught management and change management undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive education courses. This has given her first-hand and academic insight into both businesses and governments and convinced her that businesses can have a substantial impact.

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