Next generation of change makers, or conference tourists?

Attended the the LSU annual global conference, arranged in cooperation with WWF. The theme was Climate Change: Youth Perspectives on Security, Peace and Democracy. I always have mixed feelings at these kinds of events. On the one hand there is so much energy and potential on the other hand there is a risk that many of them will turn into people either working within systems that are part of the problem, or taking on the role as an outsider and never really engaging in the work that is needed to move from dreams to reality.

Maybe we are now in a situation where this will not happen and a new generation will not accept compromises and lack of concrete results. Maybe they will be willing to work in networks that look beyond current structures? I’m keeping my fingers crossed and hope to do what I can. One thing that I really want to see happen is “a change maker’s guide in the 21^st century” that can help a new generation to move beyond report writing and seminars…

The new corporate environment: Be Green or Die

Over the last 10 years I have felt increasingly frustrated from time to time as many NGO’s have been afraid to tell the truth in relation to companies. The challenge is not how companies can become greener, it is if they will be green or die (as Business week formulated it). It is not about being “best in class”, it is about delivering services that everyone on the planet can use without destroying the planet. Incremental improvements on products that are inherently unsustainable is often distracting the real discussion about what we need to do and what kind of innovation we need to see.

The Natural Step might be one of the few organizations that have a framework, the system conditions, that allow companies to know where they need to go. I would like to explore how key sectors that is in a position to develop solutions could use a framework to guide their strategy development. So far most tools have focused on how companies can reduce their problems, not provide solutions to others.

The new corporate environment: Be Green or Die

Over the last 10 years I have felt increasingly frustrated from time to time as many NGO’s have been afraid to tell the truth in relation to companies. The challenge is not how companies can become greener, it is if they will be green or die (as Business week formulated it). It is not about being “best in class”, it is about delivering services that everyone on the planet can use without destroying the planet. Incremental improvements on products that are inherently unsustainable is often distracting the real discussion about what we need to do and what kind of innovation we need to see.

The Natural Step might be one of the few organizations that have a framework, the system conditions, that allow companies to know where they need to go. I would like to explore how key sectors that is in a position to develop solutions could use a framework to guide their strategy development. So far most tools have focused on how companies can reduce their problems, not provide solutions to others.

IKEA and a 2020 strategy with transparency

Working with IKEA is often very fascinating. Last week about 70 people met (about 10 external and 60 from IKEA) to discuss the future for IKEA over three days. How many companies (or NGOs or governmental agencies for that matter) would allow external stakeholders to participate in their strategy development?

No issues where to challenging to discuss and if the energy can be turned into actions IKEA could become a real sustainability leader looking at delivering transformative change, not just incremental improvements. And maybe most important at all, with a focus on how to make money in the process by looking at the core business of IKEA, i.e. how they can deliver a low carbon living and become a winner in a low carbon economy.

Hopefully we will see words turn into action during 2008

Picture taken 2005 when I visited IKEA in Shanghai

Commissions aiming in the 98% direction regarding ICT and climate change: Time to celebrate

The “98% window of opportunity” perspective, i.e. don’t focus only on the 2% of the emission that ICT contributes to; focus more on the 98% of the emissions that can be reduced with smart ICT solutions, is now integrated into the Commissions language (read more about the 98% perspective here) . The latest press release was an official confirmation that the commission now is moving in the right direction:

“The Commission will encourage the ICT sector, which at present accounts for 2% of global CO₂ emissions, to lead by example the drive towards carbon neutrality. This will be done by reinforcing research, development and deployment of components and systems, complemented by voluntary agreements, for example on green procurement. The real gains from green ICT will come from developing energy efficient ICT solutions that impact the other 98% of global emissions.”

This is great and if it can result in concrete policy changes that would be amazing. One way to ensure that results will be achieved would be to use the roadmap for EU that WWF and ETNO put together in 2005, “Saving the Climate @ the Speed of Light”.

IT will also be important that the commission thinks carefully about "carbon neutral" as this in most cases is a PR tool today, might be a good thing to put a paper together on what a "Carbon Neutral Winner in a low Carbon Economy" would look like for the first meeting

The communication: "Addressing the challenge of energy efficiency through Information and Communication Technologies" can be downloaded here.