SAPO: What is the individual action that any of us could take that could really make a difference towards sustainability?
Wayne: There are five key actions individuals can take: 1. choose low impact transport, like walking, cycling, public transport and EVs; 2. choose renewable energy; 3. choose regenerative products that are recycled, recyclable, fairtrade, or organic; 4. choose purpose-inspired work and employers who are bringing solutions to our social and environmental challenges; and 5. support politicians and social movements or NGOs that prioritise social justice and environmental protection.
SAPO: How do we convince those who still strive to have food on their table every day that sustainability actions make sense?
Wayne: There is a Pareto rule here: 80% of the negative impact in the world comes from 20% of the population. So, it is not those living in poverty or struggling to survive that we need to convince to make more sustainable choices. It is those of us who are already living high consumption lifestyles. Nevertheless, a combination of good government policy and innovation can also bring sustainable options to low-income communities. Renewables, for example, are cheaper than fossil fuels in almost every country now.
SAPO: What made you come to do a keynote at the INSURE.hub Conference? What are your main goals?
Wayne: INSURE stands for Innovation, Sustainability and Regeneration, which represents the positive solution space for tackling our most serious environmental, social and economic challenges. At the conference, I will be bringing the message that we need to move beyond sustainability to thriving, which is the breakthrough innovation agenda. I will also officially announce my new role at Católica Porto Business School as GALP Chair and Professor of Practice in Regenerative Business, Innovation and Technology.
Dr Wayne Visser is holder of the Galp Chair and a Professor of Practice in Regenerative Business, Innovation and Technology at Católica Porto Business School, as well as a Fellow and Head Program Instructor at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
Hey, Great post as always. I would add a 6th that might be more important that some of the others, but is rarely mentioned to average consumers: invest responsibly. Most of your readers have a retirement or pension plan, or invest even if that is small amounts into mutual funds. They often are too passive and don't get involved in really understanding what they are funding. Global asset managers are feeling the pressure to implement Transparency/ESG/RI/DEI/Decarbonization programs because pension members and share holders and investors are making it material and it's becoming a fiduciary duty. I think the long term changes are less impacted by shifting politics and more impactful that individual conservation efforts.