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Why putting women in charge could be key to meeting climate goals

Bronagh Loughlin — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 16:06:58 +0000

Why putting women in charge could be key to meeting climate goals

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The strength of female leaders as a driving force for climate action is an asset not missed by the first female President of Ireland, Mary Robinson.

She allied herself with eminent female leaders around the world and established ‘The Elders’ group to push for urgent climate action with a feminist approach.

Since then, we have witnessed countless other trailblazing females standing up for what they believe in and fighting for the rights of nature and women everywhere.

New research has identified the critical role women play in climate leadership.

The report from the European Investment Fund reveals that women-led firms have higher environmental, social, and governance scores than other businesses.

Additionally, it says that businesses with greater representation of women in leadership positions have better track records of adopting sustainable initiatives and practices.

The report also finds that women leaders are more likely to invest in renewable energy, helping to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Besides, women-owned companies are more likely to focus on recycling and other energy-saving measures.

In the workplace, female leadership is associated with higher transparency concerning environmental footprints.

A higher percentage of females on a corporate board is also known to correlate positively with the proper disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions.

A vital mass of women on a board leads not only to better environmental outcomes but more innovation.

With these findings in mind, it is not so surprising that the world’s most sustainable cities are led by women.

However, despite all of this, those major corporations who have pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 are not taking steps to include women in their climate action strategies and decision-making.

Experts believe that if they did, they would stand a greater chance of meeting their targets.

Placing more women in the top ranks of businesses is more than just an equality matter; it is about driving economic growth and establishing jobs with positive environmental, social, and climate impacts.

The reality is, though, that women still face more socially and economically costly barriers to setting up and growing a business than men do.

Whilst female entrepreneurship is on the rise, the number of male business owners still surpasses that of female business owners by three to one.

Women are already leading the way in the development of sustainable enterprises and solutions that aim to improve the planet. Image: Canva

We must utilise every human talent, irrespective of gender, to effectively address the environmental catastrophe.

Gender equality and climate change issues have already benefited greatly from the involvement of women in environmental decision-making.

The potential of female leaders in the battle against climate change has been partially illuminated by the Network for Business Sustainability.

The organisation claims that female leaders are less likely to support unethical practices and can strengthen a company's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Since women deal with a greater number of issues related to equality than men do, they are more aware of justice-related issues.

According to the group, women are also more likely to be open to change and to adopt sustainable habits. In other words, they improve a company’s decision-making and drive innovation.

Research reported in the World Economic Forum discovered that females outscored men on most leadership competencies. The climate catastrophe disproportionately affects women and girls, and this is particularly true in developing countries.

Several inspirational, trailblazing women influenced the drafting of the Paris Agreement. Among these women are France's climate ambassador, Laurence Tubiana, and UN climate change chief, Christiana Figueres.

Greta Thunberg, a young climate activist from Sweden, has also mobilised millions to take action since the Agreement's creation.

The successful implementation of corporate sustainability efforts is heavily dependent on women, and there is a strong correlation between the possible attainment of the SDGs and female leadership.

The Business Commission has previously stated that women have six of the vital leadership qualities needed to advance progress here.

These qualities include collaboration, social inclusiveness, long-term thinking, innovation, and environmental management.

According to their report titled "Better Leadership, Better World: Women Leading for the Global Goals," female leadership is a secret sauce that has the power to usher in a new age for businesses today.

Women are powerful agents of change and could be the key to driving sustainable transformation across organisations.

It is well recognised that female leaders are inclusive, promote involvement, and share knowledge and power.

But, one of the most significant aspects of this leadership style is that it fosters greater empathy and takes into account the “human” side of individuals.

However, female entrepreneurs and leaders still face their own set of unique challenges to assume leadership roles.

We need to address the gender gap in climate entrepreneurship if we are to genuinely improve female leadership in sustainability.

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How to foster climate leadership?

Szilvia Szabó — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 17:48:22 +0000

How to foster climate leadership?

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Sustainability Leadership

Climate Action

Topic

Leadership

Today, we are increasingly aware of the planetary challenges and how they intersect with our lives.

However, what seems to remain untouched is the set of beliefs, values, assumptions, mental processes, and paradigms that we hold and share: our mindset.

How do we transition to a sustainability mindset?

Dr Isabel Rimanoczy, author of the Sustainability Mindset book, identified 12 Principles for a Sustainability Mindset and created a framework that can be applied in higher education.

She says:

“If I were to name some of the characteristics of people who can generate change, I would start with self-reflection.”

Dr Isabel Rimanoczy, author of the Sustainability Mindset book

She further explains that reflection is all about stepping back, slowing down, giving time for myself and looking at where I am heading with what I am doing now.

"Having a sense of higher purpose, whatever it is for you, also helps you not just randomly react to life's demands but use this purpose to be your compass."

Of course, there are other factors, but to be in a position to change something, you first need to stop and realise your situation.

Isabel shares:

"While we carry off the everyday things we need to get done, going through our to-do list, we are simply not suited to listen or learn.

Being conscious about what is out there for us and how we behave and operate is a great power.

I like to compare consciousness to a curtain that once you open, you cannot close again, and once you look behind it, you cannot un-see those things you find there.”

They surveyed over 20,000 students about changing mindsets, and one thing that emerged is that once the shift in thinking happens, it brings the need to share this discovery with others so they wouldn’t feel alone with their new thoughts.

This practically means that they start talking with their boyfriend, girlfriend, neighbours, friends, parents, etc.

In collaboration with other experts, Isabel launched the Sustainability Mindset Indicator (SMI) to help leaders map their current mindset concerning sustainability.

This is the first instrument to map and profile where an individual is on their journey towards a Sustainability Mindset.

The SMI is a questionnaire consisting of 36 bipolar statements, exploring three dimensions of our mindset for sustainability: the cognitive, the behavioural and the affective.

It offers a personalised report that highlights the unique skills and opportunities to shape a better world.

It also provides questions for reflection to expand awareness and leverage personal resources.

The 12 Principles for a Sustainability Mindset is introduced by Dr Isabel Rimanoczy in her book.

Dr Ciarán Ó Carroll, sustainability consultant at Change by Degrees and lecturer on the Postgraduate Course on Sustainability Leadership at the Technological University in Dublin, says that the current trend in sustainability leadership is to focus on integrating holistic and systemic approaches.

This would include concepts such as the Doughnut Economics model, which seeks to balance human needs with the planet's ecological limits, adding that there's a strong emphasis on climate justice, ensuring that efforts to combat climate change are fair and equitable.

Regarding sustainability in organisations, Ciarán says:

“While leadership commitment is crucial for setting the vision and allocating resources, a ground-up movement is essential for embedding sustainability into the culture and operations of the business.

The ideal mix involves leaders who set the agenda and empower employees at all levels to contribute ideas and take action, fostering a culture of innovation and shared responsibility.”

Dr Ciarán Ó Carroll, sustainability expert and lecturer

He emphasises that we need visionary leaders capable of inspiring and motivating their teams and open to learning and adapting.

“Successful examples include leaders who practice participatory decision-making, allowing teams to contribute to sustainability initiatives and those who adopt a coaching style, facilitating personal and professional growth within the context of sustainability goals."

Ciarán believes that sustainability leadership prioritises long-term ecological and social well-being over short-term profits, emphasising collaboration and inclusivity, and requires a deep understanding of ecological limits and social equity.

Based on his experience teaching postgraduate students, he says that the most challenging aspect is overcoming scepticism and demonstrating the tangible benefits of sustainability initiatives.

This involves not only highlighting the ethical and regulatory imperatives but also showcasing how sustainability can drive innovation, reduce costs, and enhance brand loyalty.

“That includes setting meaningful, ambitious goals, regularly measuring and reporting on progress in a transparent manner and fostering a culture that values sustainability as essential to the business's success,” Ciarán explains.

Once you have that understanding, you can move forward with implementing sustainability strategies.

But you need to avoid making it a box-ticking exercise.

Reflecting on his experience as a lecturer, he adds:

“The most challenging part for many students is often integrating sustainability into traditional business models and strategies, requiring a deep understanding of both sustainability principles and business acumen to create solutions that are both effective and viable.”

For Ciarán, one of the most influential people in sustainability leadership is Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, Chair of The Elders Foundation and fierce advocate for climate issues.

“Her work brilliantly showcases how leadership, when combined with a deep commitment to justice and equality, can drive significant progress in sustainability.”

What he also finds fascinating is Robinson`s ability to articulate the interconnectedness of climate change, social equity, and human rights and then mobilise action at both grassroots and global levels.

“Mary Robinson exemplifies the kind of leadership that sees the bigger picture and acts with compassion and conviction, making her a true role model in sustainability leadership.

Her work is a reminder that to truly address the challenges of sustainability, we must look at them through a lens that encompasses not just the environmental impact but also the social and ethical implications.”

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Coping with carbon: the rise of carbon anxiety

Bronagh Loughlin — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 15:26:32 +0000

Coping with carbon: the rise of carbon anxiety

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Mental Health

Carbon Management

Topic

Carbon Management

Managing carbon emissions is on the strategic plan for many organisations, but dealing with carbon footprint, net zero emissions and all that comes with that can cause many people to experience a sense of carbon overwhelm.

Think about the many terms under this umbrella and the vast number of activities and responsibilities linked to climate action; it can be information overload.

The phrase ‘eco-anxiety’ has become increasingly used, but just like sustainability, eco can be quite the umbrella term.

Climate or eco-anxiety refers to a chronic stress or fear associated with the climate crisis.

There’s no denying that much of this fear is well and truly justified. For some, fear may be a motivator for engaging in more sustainable activities. For others, it can leave them feeling powerless and immovable.

It is also important to acknowledge that education or lack of awareness or knowledge is a significant barrier to making change happen.

This lack of education can especially be applied to carbon, a constantly evolving area. We are seeing the rise of new approaches, like various types of carbon offsetting and storing.

Still, new terms like carbon neutral, carbon positive, carbon negative, net zero, carbon zero, and much more are also there to keep up with.

With all the buzz around carbon, businesses with the best intentions still don’t know how to approach this area, making the feeling of being overwhelmed more likely.

Despite the challenges, the 2022 SME Climate Hub report found that half of small businesses calculate emissions, and 60 per cent have created plans to reduce their carbon impact.

In saying that, two-thirds of small business owners did share that they were worried they lacked the proper knowledge and skills to tackle the environmental emergency of which carbon is a significant part.

The top reason they shared to delay climate action was a lack of knowledge and skills (63 per cent).

SME Climate HUB data revealed two-thirds of surveyed small businesses concerned over navigating climate action. Source: SME Climate HUB

Ultimately, the survey concluded that SMEs need additional support and guidance surrounding carbon, and we can assume some larger organisations also struggle with this, given the complexity of their operations.

There is a significant need for a comprehensive yet easy-to-digest carbon literacy like never before so businesses can take adequate steps to minimise their carbon footprint.

A British Chamber of Commerce report unveiled that a lack of business understanding has blocked action on net zero in the business sector.

This is both in terms of the actual targets and steps to achieve these targets.

Without a complete understanding, businesses will be unlikely to act, which is greatly needed given that lack of action undermines their ability to reach net zero emissions and future-proof their enterprise.

Illustration based on Research from the British Business Bank. Source: Profit with Purpose Magazine

NatWestGroup research also revealed that 87 per cent of UK SMEs are unaware of their organisation’s total carbon emissions. While they have good intentions, a lack of understanding is acting as a significant barrier.

This isn’t just affecting UK organisations; plenty of businesses and entrepreneurs worldwide are struggling with carbon overwhelm.

The lack of corporate and business understanding of net zero and carbon emissions also filters down to their customers.

Research from BRC reports that around 70 per cent of consumers openly admit they do not understand the contributions to their carbon footprint or comprehend the most impactful choices they can make.

The sense of anxiety and hopelessness business owners can feel about the carbon challenge is justified.

However, despite these challenges, it is crucial for businesses to take action and play a significant role in mitigating the crisis.

Many resources are available that work to demystify the carbon landscape and make it more accessible for businesses, such as the Carbon Jargon Buster published by the Irish government and The Carbon Literacy Project, which enables organisations to take on this challenge.

Headline Image by pressfoto on Freepik

This article is published in collaboration with the Profit with Purpose Magazine.

To read more articles you can download the digital edition of the magazine that further explores topics such as carbon management or circular economy. Read online here>>

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The new buzz in offsetting: Blue Carbon

Szilvia Szabó — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 10:06:29 +0000

The new buzz in offsetting: Blue Carbon

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Just when businesses are starting to measure, reduce, and offset their carbon emissions, a new term has entered the realm of carbon management.

Blue carbon is simply a term that refers to the carbon captured by the world’s ocean and coastal ecosystems and has become a buzzword in the search for solutions to mitigate climate change.

How does underwater carbon capture work?

Mangroves, seagrass meadows, salt marshes and phytoplankton absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Some of this CO2 is converted into carbon in leaves, branches and other parts of the organism in much the same way as land-dwelling plants.

The difference is that marine habitats can sequester carbon up to 10 times faster than mature forests.

Below layers of coastal vegetation are thick carbon-rich sediments which have accumulated over time, often for hundreds or thousands of years. There are three main carbon-sinking habitats: Mangroves, Tidal Marshes, and Seagrass.

Example:

Verra registered its first blue carbon project in 2021: a mangrove conservation initiative called Vida Manglar (‘mangrove life’ in Spanish) situated on the north coast of Colombia.

The project is set to remove 1 million tonnes of CO2 over the next thirty years. Some income generated from carbon credit purchases will go towards sustainable development and improving local education and employment.

Blue carbon refers to the carbon captured by the world’s ocean and coastal ecosystems. Image: Unsplash

Offsetting with added benefits

Blue carbon started to gain attention in 2009 when the United Nations published an influential report entitled Blue Carbon: The Role of Healthy Oceans in Binding Carbon.

Over 150 countries have blue carbon habitats within their borders, making their conservation and protection a global issue.

The Blue Carbon Initiative (BCI) is perhaps the flagship example of this type of multilateral collaboration.

This UNESCO-backed agency brings together research institutions, governments, NGOs, and stakeholder communities from around the world to tackle global warming through the sustainable management of blue carbon ecosystems at all levels.

The demand for carbon credits is likely to increase 15-fold by 2030.

Why is Blue Carbon so unique?

Mangroves and salt marshes remove carbon from the atmosphere at a rate ten times greater than tropical forests.
Seagrass meadows account for just 0.1 per cent of the world’s seafloor but store 11 per cent of the organic carbon buried in the ocean.
Mangroves and salt marshes store three to five times more carbon per acre than tropical forests.
83% of the global carbon cycle is circulated through the ocean.
Coastal habitats cover less than 2% of all ocean areas but account for about half of the total carbon sequestered in ocean sediments.

(Sources: The Blue Carbon Initiative; Office for Coastal Management NOAA)

Coastal communities are being struck especially hard by the effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels and disappearing fish stocks.

Blue carbon credits can provide these communities with crucial financial aid while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Blue carbon habitats are also extremely scarce – they only make up 2% of global ocean cover and are disappearing quickly –yet they support a vast range of economically and ecologically important species.

It is worth noting that some researchers are sceptical since determining carbon removal rates for marine ecosystems is far from an exact science – estimates can vary widely even along a single stretch of coast.

This makes it difficult to know precisely how effective any blue carbon restoration project will be in the longer term.

On a practical level, the Blue Carbon Projects works on REDD+ * Mangrove Project Development in Indonesia and Mexico, including coastal ecosystems of mangroves, tidal marshes, and seagrass meadows. Indonesia’s mangroves are estimated to contain 3.14 billion metric tonnes of carbon, one-third of global coastal carbon stocks.

However, deforestation and the destruction of peatlands make Indonesia the world’s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases.

There is great potential in exploring further opportunitities to utilise blue carbon in reaching net zero goals while keeping these rich ecosystems healthy.

*REDD+ stands for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation

Image source: Blue Carbon Initiative

Headline image: Getty Images

This article is published in collaboration with the Profit with Purpose Magazine.

To read more insights regarding carbon management, you can download the latest digital edition of the magazine that further explores topics such as carbon offsetting, regulations and more.

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