In episode 04 Part 2, Fiona continues her conversation with Iain Findlay founder of the Aurora Sustainability Group and Green Grow Mushrooms.  

As a Sustainability Consultant Iain has one heck of an answer to the question Fiona asks all of her guests, ‘What can the environmentally conscious amongst us do to improve our business ventures or the businesses we work within?’

Iain’s answer talks us through the globally recognised sustainability framework, The Natural Step, and shows us how the core principals can be applied to any business to enact positive change. 

There are of course more fantastic mushroom facts and a plethora of call-outs to green business support initiatives here in Scotland. 

Links to all things discussed:

• Aurora Sustainability Group - The Sustainable business consultancy that Iain and his business partner founded in 2014. 

• Green Grow Mushrooms - The zero-waste mushroom brand started by Iain which has won several awards for its true use of the circular economy. 

• The Natural Step Framework - More on this universally accepted framework for sustainability that Iain has introduced us to. 

• Ellen McArthur Foundation - Award-winning sailor turned environmentalist, Ellen McArthur is at the helm of thought leadership in the Circular Economy. The work being driven by the Ellen McArthur Foundation is truly inspiring, I recommend signing up to their email newsletter. 

• Gunter Pauli, The Blue Economy - A huge source of inspiration for Iain, Gunter Pauli developed a revolutionary concept for the world economy that supports both people and planet. 

• NHS Highland Project - Further reading on the latest project Iain is undertaking with NHS Highland to reduce levels of toxicity in hospital wastewater. 

• Highlands and Islands Enterprise -  Similar to Scottish Enterprise but tailored to the needs of our business community in the highlands and islands.

• Climate Launchpad - the world’s largest green business ideas competition. This is a platform to launch green business ideas. It’s global, it’s tough and it nurtures some incredible new initiatives every year.  

• Climate KIC - A European initiative, closely tied to Climate Launchpad, focussed on developing the innovation required to adapt to climate change. 

• Indi Nature - A really interesting hemp insulation brand operating here in Scotland. Iain became good pals with IndiNature’s founder Scott Simpson during their shared experience of the Unlocking Ambition programme.  

• Undisturbed - Another Scottish start-up in the sustainability space that Iain met during his time in the Unlocking Ambition programme. 

• Scottish Edge - An annual competition to identify and support Scotland’s up and coming entrepreneurs. 

• Unlocking Ambition - A business accelerator programme of the highest esteem.