Leading in a Climate Changed World

Straight from the Climate Change and Consciousness Conference, Robin talks to Christiana Figueres, former Executive Secretary to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and convenor of Mission 2020 a shared global campaign to accelerate climate change action and reduce greenhouse emissions to protect the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Christiana spent 35 years as a senior international diplomat and was a significant figure in brokering the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Robin and Christiana talk about international leadership and the implication of the US pulling out of the Paris Agreement in 2020. Is this really the disaster it’s made out to be?

They discuss how top-down and grass roots leadership can combine to make an impact on important topics, like climate change.

They talk about the role that international government plays in working towards a carbon neutral planet.

If it can’t be the sole responsibility of the government, then who else must take action and what can we do as individuals?

A key discussion point includes, how leaders of businesses and communities can influence global corporates and their commercial decisions.

Over to Robin and Christiana…

Music by Kevin MacLeod. Available under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/.... Download link: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty

In our third podcast, we talk to Paul Dickinson, founder of the CDP formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure project.

The episode begins by discussing where we are with Climate change and whether it’s too late to act. Is there genuinely a time limit to work towards and if so, how do we progress with a sense of urgency, while at the same time, allowing us space to innovate.

Robin asks who holds the power to make a difference and the significance of the corporation as a political unit.

While it’s undeniable that there are organisations with more resource than many countries, are there still limits on what they can do based on their position within different industries? How do these organisations find a way to do things ethically, when profit has always been the primary objective. 

Is there such thing as shareholder activism and how could this have a significant effect on deliverables for these corporates?

They examine leadership and present examples of great leaders within existing organisations while questioning how people can be brave in different industries.

They ask how leaders act when they come up against companies and individuals holding back from doing the right thing for the sake of convenience and profit.

Robin and Paul discuss the role of marketing and present examples of where companies have been clever with developing business cases that work for consumers and the planet.

Leadership is a key theme throughout, with a focus on inspiration and moving people to change their habits to be conscious of the environment. How do leaders motivate society to revolutionize global thought and discussion? And why the younger generation is vital in this movement, drawing inspiration from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Greta Thunberg. 

Let’s hand over to Robin and Paul

In our second podcast, Senior Associate Robin Alfred talks to co-founder of the socio-political movement, Extinction Rebellion - Dr Gail Bradbrook.

The episode explores leadership in a time of environmental crisis and with an intense need for social change. We move away from the boardroom and explore the ways in which to build a network committed to campaign and reform.

Gail discusses attributes needed as a woman leader, building a system and working community.

They discuss how simply propagating solutions, is not enough to resolve a corrupt economic system and what’s needed to bring about change within a failing structure.

Change is a big topic throughout the episode, where Robin and Gail discuss the process for instigating a forceful uprising through systemic engagement.

They discuss Extinction Rebellion’s role in leading social change and how the demand for revolution, lies with the people.

Important leadership topics include the importance of defining your organisation or network’s vision and purpose, and what needs to be done to get people to follow you.

Plus, what needs to be sacrificed and identifying and dealing with sacrifices you will have to make as an advocate to your principles.

How can we face the possibility of human extinction in our children’s lifetime?

Is it possible to be hopeful within the face of ecological collapse?

Let’s hear from Robin and Gail.

In our first podcast, Robin interviews Andrew White, Associate Dean for Executive Education at Oxford Said Business School. Andrew acts as a consultant to a number of global organisations and has co-authored a review of how information technology will create intelligent infrastructure systems over the next few decades for the UK Government's Department of Trade and Industry.

Our first podcast explores many aspects of the climate change debate and how it will affect industry around the world. Robin and Andrew discuss the economics of sustainable technologies and different business climate change initiatives.

They explore the characteristics of leadership within organisations who are future proofing against climate change and ask how companies can help vision the future of sustainability.

Other topics include how leaders can be brave and help define their organisation’s purpose by developing systems for the future and bringing people together for action.

• Is knowledge of climate change enough?

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