Making your organisation sustainable doesn't have to be complicated... Learn the proven strategies that transformed ordinary businesses into sustainability leaders, and how to implement them in your organisation today. Struggling to make your organisation more sustainable without sacrificing business performance? Each month on Sustainability Solved, Will Richardson & Charlie Luxton unpack how leading companies are cracking the sustainability puzzle - and extract the strategies you can actually use, regardless of your industry. We dive deep into real success stories, breaking down exactly how organisations overcame common sustainability challenges, from supply chain emissions to waste reduction. Through candid conversations with leaders who've been there, you'll get battle-tested approaches, practical frameworks, and actionable insights you can implement today. Whether you're just starting your sustainability journey or looking to accelerate progress, each episode gives you concrete tools to drive meaningful change while strengthening your business. Ready to turn sustainability from a challenge into competitive advantage?
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May 11, 202649 min
Warming Homes, Changing Lives: Scarf's 40-Year Fight Against Fuel Poverty
Description:In this enlightening episode of Sustainability Solved, Will Richardson and Charlie explore the remarkable work of Scarf, a Scottish charity celebrating 40 years of tackling fuel poverty. Join Lawrence Johnston and David from Scarf as they reveal how their organization has transformed thousands of homes across Scotland, providing energy efficiency solutions that not only reduce carbon emissions but dramatically improve quality of life for vulnerable households.Show Notes:- **00:01-01:43** - Introduction to Sustainability Solved and welcome to guests- **01:48-03:47** - Introduction to Scarf: 40 years as a charity focused on reducing fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency- **03:48-06:22** - Discussion of Scarf's relationship with Scottish Government and their reach (20,000+ remote engagements, 4,000-5,000 home visits annually)- **07:47-10:51** - Explanation of fuel poverty metrics and KPIs used to measure impact- **10:51-12:53** - Discussion on data collection and measuring effectiveness of interventions- **12:55-15:30** - Exploration of quality of life improvements and social benefits from energy efficiency measures- **15:39-18:03** - Main challenges in Scottish housing: granite buildings, solid walls, and electric heating systems- **18:03-19:16** - The importance of balancing social and environmental sustainability for a just transition- **19:50-22:31** - Barriers to engagement: lack of awareness, stigma around poverty, and skepticism of "too good to be true" offers- **24:05-26:48** - Overview of organizations delivering similar services across Scotland and the fragmented approach in England- **32:18-34:16** - Scarf's approach to energy efficiency: starting with behavioral changes and low-cost measures before larger interventions- **35:02-37:14** - Discussion of Scarf's business energy services and varied impacts- **39:22-44:48** - Powerful case studies showcasing Scarf's life-changing impact on vulnerable households- **44:49-49:07** - Closing thoughts on the need for national recognition of housing as an emergency and potential for wider implementation of Scarf's modelKey Takeaways:- Scarf has facilitated approximately £20 million in private investment for energy efficiency measures- The average intervention is £18,000-£20,000 per property at no cost to eligible homeowners- There's a critical link between poor housing conditions and health issues that needs more attention- Scotland's regionalized approach to energy efficiency appears more effective than England's fragmented system
April 13, 202654 min
The Tech That Lets You See Carbon and Cost in Every Supply Chain Decision
Most organisations know their supply chain is where the bulk of their emissions sit. The problem has always been visibility: if you can't see it, you can't manage it.In this episode, we sit down with Saskia van Gendt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Blue Yonder, one of the biggest supply chain software platforms on the planet. Saskia has spent nearly two decades working across government, consumer goods, fashion and now enterprise tech, and she brings a rare combination of scientific rigour and real-world empathy to the conversation.We get into why large multinationals are staying the course on their carbon targets despite political headwinds, how companies are moving beyond spend-based carbon estimates to actual supplier data, and where AI fits into supply chain optimisation (including the honest trade-offs around energy use). Saskia also walks us through how tariff volatility is reshaping sourcing decisions and why the carbon intensity of manufacturing locations matters more than most people realise.If you work in sustainability consulting, supply chain, procurement, or you advise organisations on Scope 3 emissions, this one is packed with practical insight.Connect with Saskia on LinkedIn and visit https://www.blueyonder.com for case studies and their sustainable supply chain solutions.If you're a sustainability consultant or advisor looking to deliver stronger results for your clients, we'd love to have you in our network: https://www.51tocarbonzero.com/referral/Find out more about 51toCarbonZero: https://www.51tocarbonzero.comSubscribe and hit the bell so you don't miss the next episode. Drop us a comment or DM if there's a topic you want us to tackle.#Sustainability #SupplyChain #Scope3Emissions #NetZero #CarbonAccountingMentioned in this episode:Apply now
March 12, 202656 min
Climate Truth in Business: Mike Berners-Lee on the National Emergency Briefing
Episode SummaryIn this powerful episode of Sustainability Solved, hosts Will Richardson and Charlie Luxton speak with Mike Berners-Lee about the National Emergency Briefing (NEB) initiative. Mike explains how this groundbreaking project brings together top experts to communicate the urgent reality of our climate and nature emergency, and outlines how businesses can transform these challenges into opportunities. The conversation explores media misinformation, political inaction, and practical steps businesses can take to thrive in a sustainable future.GuestMike Berners-Lee - Professor at Lancaster University, author, and sustainability expert focused on helping organizations respond appropriately to climate and nature emergencies.Key TopicsThe National Emergency Briefing initiative and its impactMedia's role in climate misinformationBusiness opportunities in sustainability transitionsFood security and the shift to plant-rich dietsThe importance of truth in public discoursePositive tipping points in climate actionKey Quotes"We're accelerating into a poly crisis at the moment, and it's about a response to that." - Mike Berners-Lee"The most important thing to do is to keep the narrative, is to raise the narrative on this. We've got to make it normal to talk about this stuff as though it's a huge deal all the time." - Mike Berners-Lee"We can't afford not to do it. Businesses, you need to do your own independent thinking. You need to get clear view of proper facts on this and then you need to be a bit imaginative about working out how that economic business opportunity pans out for you." - Mike Berners-LeeResources MentionedNational Emergency Briefing website: nebriefing.orgPeople's Emergency Briefing film (available from April 7th)Mike's book: "A Climate of Truth"Fit for the Future business toolCall to ActionVisit nebriefing.org to watch the nine expert briefings and learn how to host a People's Emergency Briefing event at your business after April 7th.Mentioned in this episode:National Emergency BriefingNational Emergency BriefingApply now
December 18, 202513 min
A short update and "The impact of political climate and actionable outcomes from COP 30"
Organizations are increasingly leveraging AI-powered platforms to understand and reduce their carbon emissions.Creating innovative, sustainable settlements that integrate nature and human habitats is crucial to reversing biodiversity decline.Employee ownership trusts can incentivize long-term stewardship and success of service-based companies.Please contact Will @ will.richardson@51tocarbonzero.comMentioned in this episode:Book a call with me nowApply now
July 24, 20251 hr 18 min
POPULAR REPLAY: Wine Society talks about why investing in your supply chain is crucial in 2025
Host Will Richardson offers his thoughts on sustainability and more and replays one of our popular episodes on supply chain sustainability with the Wine Society. Will and Charlie Luxton are taking a break over the Summer to spend time with their families. We hope to bring you more episodes in early Autumn. From bottles to biodiversity! Welcome to Sustainability Solved! In this episode, hosts Will and Charlie dive into the fascinating world of wine and sustainability with Dom De Ville from the Wine Society. First set up in 1874 by a bunch of people who wanted to pay a fair price for their booze, the Wine Society is leading the charge in tackling supply chain emissions, improving agricultural practices, and supporting winemakers across the globe. If you’re curious about Scope 3 emissions, regenerative viticulture, and innovative approaches to sustainability, this episode is for you.Join the Sustainability Solved Hub to collaborate, ask questions, and share insights.ProblemThe wine industry faces mounting sustainability challenges:Scope 3 Emissions: 94% of the Wine Society’s carbon footprint comes from their supply chain, particularly in wine production, glass bottle manufacturing, and shipping.Climate Change: Extreme weather patterns, droughts, and floods are threatening vineyards worldwide.Human Rights Risks: Reliance on seasonal, often migrant, labour raises ethical concerns.Biodiversity Loss: Conventional farming practices, such as pesticide and herbicide use, degrade soil and ecosystems.SolutionsInvesting in Suppliers (Insetting):Instead of traditional carbon offsets, the Wine Society invests directly in its growers through a Climate and Nature Fund. This supports projects like regenerative farming and reforestation.Examples include hydro-seeding trials, agroforestry initiatives, and providing seed money for transitioning to regenerative viticulture.Reducing Glass Bottle Emissions:The Wine Society collaborated with 12 retailers through the Bottle Weight Accord to reduce bottle weights by 2027, significantly lowering emissions.Regenerative Agriculture:Encouraging natural solutions, such as planting cover crops, using sheep for natural fertilisation, and avoiding soil tillage to preserve carbon stores.Collaboration:Active involvement in the Sustainable Wine Roundtable and the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation to share knowledge and best practices across the industry.Producers Making a Difference:Highlighting sustainable suppliers on their website to incentivise greener practices and reward innovation.ResultsDirect investment of £65,000 per year into supply chain projects, supporting growers in transitioning to more sustainable practices.A unified industry effort to reduce glass bottle weights, potentially transforming the carbon footprint of millions of bottles annually.Positive relationships with suppliers, fostering long-term partnerships and encouraging sustainable innovation.TakeawaysPay a Fair Price: Sustainability in supply chains requires investment and fair compensation for producers.Insetting Over Offsetting: Direct investment in suppliers creates measurable, on-the-ground impact while improving relationships.Collaboration is Key: Solving sustainability challenges requires industry-wide cooperation and shared solutions.Regenerative Practices Work: Nature-based approaches not only improve biodiversity but also increase resilience to climate change.ResourcesThe Wine Society: thewinesociety.comSustainable Wine Roundtable: An industry forum driving collaborative change: https://swroundtable.org/Regenerative Viticulture Foundation: Supporting growers in adopting sustainable, regenerative practices https://www.regenerativeviticulture.org/Producers Making a Difference: Explore sustainable winemakers on the Wine Society’s website: https://www.thewinesociety.com/buy/wines/producers-making-a-difference/Me and White Supremacy by Layla SaadMinistry for the future by Kim Stanley RobinsonGreen Element Group is an environmental management consultancy offering a range of bespoke sustainability services, products, and resources to accelerate the just transition to a stable climate. The Group consists of Green Element Limited, Compare Your Footprint Limited, and Sustainability Solved Podcast and Resource Hub.Find out more about Green Element Group here and benefit from a 20% discount on the first year of subscription to Compare Your Footprint, the highest quality carbon footprint software for your organisation. When registering, click ‘Got a Coupon’ and enter code ‘PODCAST‘ to claim discount.SponsorsThis episode is brought to you by Business Declares, a network inspiring businesses to address the climate, ecological, and social emergency. Learn more at Business Declares.CreditsHosts: Will Richardson, Charlie LuxtonProduction: SoundquakeExec-Producer: Sam Hamilton-TurnerProducer: Jake Lee-SavageFor questions or feedback, email us at podcast@sustainabilitysolved.org.Tune in next time for more stories on sustainability and business innovation!Mentioned in this episode:Book a call with me nowApply now
June 18, 20251 hr 2 min
From Regulatory Burden to Business Opportunity: Mastering Biodiversity Net Gain
What if environmental regulations could become your competitive advantage? In this conversation with Emma Toovey, Chief Land and Nature Officer at Environment Bank, discover how the UK's new Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements are creating unexpected business opportunities while driving genuine environmental progress. Whether you're a developer, landowner, or business leader in any sector, learn how this game-changing framework provides certainty, reduces costs, and opens new revenue streams - while contributing to nature recovery at scale.🎯 Key TakeawaysBNG Creates Business Certainty and PredictabilityAfter decades of inconsistent biodiversity requirements across local authorities, the new BNG regulations provide a standardised Excel-based metric that removes professional judgment and bias from planning decisions. This consistency allows developers to plan, cost, and budget for biodiversity requirements from day one, transforming uncertainty into strategic advantage. As Emma notes, "Developers like the predictability and certainty that comes with this metric."Early Engagement Minimises Costs and Maximises OpportunitiesThe days of bringing ecologists in at the last minute are over. Smart developers are integrating biodiversity planning into their feasibility and master planning processes from the start, designing nature into schemes rather than retrofitting solutions. This approach not only reduces offsite requirements but can add property value and appeal to residents who increasingly want access to green spaces.Nature Disclosure is the Next Frontier for All BusinessesJust as carbon reporting became mandatory, nature-related financial disclosures are on the regulatory horizon through frameworks like TNFD (Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures). Forward-thinking businesses across all sectors are preparing now, recognising that understanding and managing nature dependencies and risks will become essential for regulatory compliance, investor relations, and talent retention.⚡ Quick Wins & Actionable Steps🌱 Start Biodiversity Planning Early📊 Assess Your Nature Dependencies and Risks🤝 Explore Revenue Opportunities in Nature Recovery🛠 Tools & ResourcesBiodiversity Net Gain Metric - Government Excel spreadsheet for calculating biodiversity unitsEnvironment Bank - Habitat banking provider with 32 projects across 2000+ hectaresTNFD Framework - Task Force on Nature-related Financial DisclosuresThe Guardian's TNFD Report - Practical example of nature disclosure implementationUK Biodiversity and Business Forum - Membership organisation providing support and guidanceCSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) - EU legislation requiring nature impact disclosure❓ Got a question?Ask us and we'll try our best to answer it in the show!podcast@sustainabilitysolved.org🔄 Share Your ImpactLet us know how you implemented these actionsSubmit your case studyJoin our Sustainability Solved Hub🎙 GuestEmma TooveyChief Land and Nature Officer at Environment BankTrained ecologist with 20+ years experienceFormer ecological consultant specialising in developer relationsExpert in biodiversity net gain implementation🏢 Green Element GroupGreen Element Group is an environmental management consultancy offering a range of bespoke sustainability services, products, and resources to accelerate the just transition to a stable climate. The Group consists of Green Element Limited, Compare Your Footprint Limited, and Sustainability Solved Podcast and Resource Hub.👫 CreditsHosts: Will Richardson, Charlie LuxtonProduction: SoundquakeExec-Producer: Sam Hamilton-TurnerProducer: Jake Lee-Savage💚 Help us make the show better! Share your feedbackRate and review us on your favourite podcast platformMentioned in this episode:Apply nowApply to become an Ambassador today!Earn extra income while being part of a growing community accelerating the sustainable future we all need. Apply nowBook a call with me now
May 14, 202524 min
ANTHROPY25: Paul Nowak - Trade Unions Are Essential To A Just Transition
For the final episode in our Anthropy special series, we speak with Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), representing 48 unions and 5.5 million workers across every sector of the UK economy. Paul shares a powerful perspective on ensuring a just transition to a sustainable economy, drawing on his personal experience growing up in Merseyside during the industrial changes of the 1980s and 1990s. He discusses the importance of bringing workers to the table when planning for sustainability transitions, the role public services can play in reducing emissions, and why skills development is crucial to sustainable economic transformation. Paul argues that without fairness at the heart of the transition, we risk having no transition at all.🎯 Key Takeaways1. Just transition requires concrete plans, not warm wordsWorkers in carbon-intensive industries need clear pathways for their future, not distant promisesPeople have a right to be around the table and shape their own futureWithout fairness at the centre of sustainability transitions, there will be no transition at allExample: Oil and gas workers in Aberdeen need specific plans, not vague assurances2. De-industrialisation is not a viable path to net zeroOffshoring emissions by importing steel and other materials is not a sustainable solutionMaintaining an industrial base in the UK that complements net zero objectives is essentialGreen technologies like electric arc furnaces for steel and carbon capture must be part of the mixThe UK should maximise domestic supply chains in renewable industries to support good jobs3. Public services can lead the way in emission reductionGovernment can use procurement power to ensure taxpayer money is spent sustainably4 million union members in public services could help drive the transitionLeading by example in the public sector makes it easier to ask private sector to followHealthcare delivery models can be reimagined for better patient outcomes and sustainability4. Workers need to be involved in net zero planningCompanies should draw up net zero plans in consultation with their workforce"Union green reps" can function like shop stewards for climate change in workplacesFrontline workers often have the best insights into making operations more sustainableSmall employers in transitioning sectors need particular support5. Flexibility and lifelong learning are key skills for the futureEmployers themselves often don't know what skills they'll need in 5 yearsEducation system should prioritise adaptability over specific employer requirementsRetraining throughout working life needs to become normalisedUK employers invest about half the EU average in skills and need to increase this⚡ Quick Wins & Actionable Steps1. Establish workplace "green reps"2. Develop transition plans collaboratively3. Reimagine service delivery models❓ Got a question?Ask us and we'll try our best to answer it in the show!podcast@sustainabilitysolved.org🔄 Share Your ImpactLet us know how you implemented these actionsSubmit your case studyJoin our Sustainability Solved Hub🎙️ About Our GuestPaul Nowak is the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), representing 48 unions and just short of 5.5 million workers across every sector of the UK economy. With a background growing up in Merseyside during the industrial changes of the 1980s and 1990s, Paul brings firsthand understanding of what happens when industrial transition is mismanaged. He advocates for a just transition to a sustainable economy that creates good quality employment in the long term, while ensuring workers have a voice in shaping their future.👫 CreditsHosts: Will Richardson, Charlie LuxtonProduction: SoundquakeExec-Producer: Sam Hamilton-TurnerProducer: Jake Lee-Savage💚 Help us make the show better! Share your feedbackRate and review us on your favourite podcast platformMentioned in this episode:Book a call with me nowApply to become an Ambassador today!Earn extra income while being part of a growing community accelerating the sustainable future we all need. Apply nowApply now
May 7, 202526 min
ANTHROPY25: Joanna Yarrow - The Importance Of Joy
In this episode of our Anthropy special series, we speak with Joanna Yarrow, who helps run Human Nature Places, a company creating neighbourhoods that make sustainable living easier. Joanna brings a unique perspective shaped by her upbringing in a Sussex woodland with "Good Life" parents who embraced sustainability before it was fashionable. Her journey from homemade clothes and organic sandwiches to working with IKEA on sustainability reveals how she's navigated the tension between sustainable values and modern aspirations. Joanna discusses how sustainability needs to connect to people's everyday lives to truly succeed, focusing particularly on food and transportation as key impact areas. She offers a refreshing take on joy as an important but overlooked sustainability metric.🎯 Key Takeaways1. Making sustainability relatable to everyday lifeSustainability solutions need to connect to people's daily realities and aspirationsStarting with people's needs (saving money, time, health goals) makes sustainability accessibleAt IKEA, sustainability was reframed as "creating a better everyday life with lower climate impact"Most organisations still fail to ground big existential challenges in people's daily experiences2. Food and transportation offer the biggest impact opportunitiesTogether they represent 60-70% of our climate and ecological impactWe don't need high-tech solutions like lab-grown meat or flying carsBetter design of neighbourhoods reduces car dependenceMore plant-based, less wasteful meals make a substantial differenceThese integrate with necessary everyday activities rather than becoming "extra tasks"3. Joy deserves more attention as a sustainability metricSustainability is often framed as difficult, worthy, and problem-focused, which isn't motivatingLiving sustainably should enhance quality of life - health, social connection, agency, place connectionThere's science showing these factors contribute to happiness and healthA "joy matrix" could help accelerate sustainability adoptionPeople are drawn to positive outcomes more than problem-solving4. There's no silver bullet - action is what mattersWhile we discuss theoretical perfect solutions, we're wasting time"Do everything everywhere all at once" is the pragmatic approachFocus on high-impact areas that people interact with frequentlyPrioritise solutions that also provide immediate benefits5. Sustainable placemaking goes beyond efficient buildingsHuman Nature Places uses bio-based building materialsDesigns incorporate active travel (walking, biking) and car sharingCommunity food systems integrate growing spaces and canteensLooking at total lifestyle carbon footprint, not just operational building emissions⚡ Quick Wins & Actionable Steps1. Prioritise food and transportation changes2. Frame sustainability through personal benefits3. Add joy and social connection to sustainability initiatives❓ Got a question?Ask us and we'll try our best to answer it in the show!podcast@sustainabilitysolved.org🔄 Share Your ImpactLet us know how you implemented these actionsSubmit your case studyJoin our Sustainability Solved Hub🎙️ About Our GuestJoanna Yarrow helps run Human Nature Places, a property development company that designs, builds, and manages neighborhoods that make sustainable living easier. With a background shaped by growing up in a woodland in Sussex with environmentally conscious parents in the 1970s, Joanna has dedicated her career to making sustainability accessible and appealing to mainstream audiences. She previously spent seven years leading sustainability initiatives at IKEA, where she helped integrate environmental considerations into everyday product design and business operations.👫 CreditsHosts: Will Richardson, Charlie LuxtonProduction: SoundquakeExec-Producer: Sam Hamilton-TurnerProducer: Jake Lee-Savage💚 Help us make the show better! Share your feedbackRate and review us on your favourite podcast platformMentioned in this episode:Apply to become an Ambassador today!Earn extra income while being part of a growing community accelerating the sustainable future we all need. Apply nowApply nowBook a call with me now
April 30, 202524 min
ANTHROPY25: Gbemi Oluleye - The One Environmental Metric We Aren't Talking About...
“That’s genius!” - Charlie Luxton in response to Gbemi’s revolutionary new idea… In this episode of our Anthropy special series recorded at the Eden Project, we speak with Dr. Gbemi Oluleye from Imperial College London. Gbemi brings a refreshing academic perspective to how businesses can make sustainable transitions affordable. As a lecturer at the Grantham Institute, she leads research on making sustainability economically viable for the manufacturing sector while also running executive education programs for sustainability officers. Gbemi discusses the need for convergent thinking, offers a sobering assessment of how late the sustainability movement started, and proposes a revolutionary new metric to track how planetary degradation impacts human productivity.🎯 Key Takeaways1. It's not just the cost, but how we see costsWe tend to view sustainability as a burden rather than risk mitigationPoor accounting practices fail to consider whole system valueWhat appears as a cost to one business may be value to another in the supply chainExample: Housing retrofit costs are viewed as a burden rather than as societal savings2. Convergent thinking is the most valuable business skill for the futureWe've moved from multidisciplinary to interdisciplinary and now need convergent thinkingCurrent education creates divergent thinkers who operate in silosUniversities are restructuring around global problems rather than traditional disciplinesHolistic perspectives are essential to extract economic value from sustainability3. The sustainability movement started too lateMaterials like rubber, iron, steel, and cement were invented centuries before sustainability was consideredWe've "had years to do rubbish" and now face urgent pressure to fix itThe delay makes the challenge harder, though opportunities still exist to catch up4. We need a metric for planetary impact on human productivityCurrent metrics focus on human impact on planet, not how planetary degradation affects peopleA "Gbemi scale" would measure how environmental changes affect individualsPeople connect more with health impacts than abstract concepts like sea level riseLinking sustainability to personal productivity could be a game-changer for business adoption5. Businesses need safe spaces to discuss implementation challengesSustainability rhetoric vs. business reality creates a significant disconnectCompanies put on a show of knowing what they're doing when many don'tCSO teams often operate separately from core business functionsExecutives lack time to integrate sustainability into existing responsibilities⚡ Quick Wins & Actionable Steps1. Adopt whole-system accounting practices in your organisation2. Create cross-functional sustainability teams3. Connect environmental metrics to human impacts❓ Got a question?Ask us and we'll try our best to answer it in the show!podcast@sustainabilitysolved.org🔄 Share Your ImpactLet us know how you implemented these actionsSubmit your case studyJoin our Sustainability Solved Hub🎙️ About Our GuestDr. Gbemi Oluleye is a lecturer at the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, where she leads research activities focused on making sustainable transitions affordable for industry and the manufacturing sector. She translates her research into executive education programs for chief sustainability officers and sustainability leads, helping them implement strategies in cost-effective ways. Gbemi also teaches Masters students at Imperial on creating sustainable futures, focusing on both the economics and innovation required to drive change.👫 CreditsHosts: Will Richardson, Charlie LuxtonProduction: SoundquakeExec-Producer: Sam Hamilton-TurnerProducer: Jake Lee-Savage💚 Help us make the show better! Share your feedbackRate and review us on your favourite podcast platformMentioned in this episode:Apply nowBook a call with me nowApply to become an Ambassador today!Earn extra income while being part of a growing community accelerating the sustainable future we all need. Apply now
April 23, 202541 min
ANTHROPY25: Andy Jasper - Why We Need Regeneration Instead Of Sustainability
Continuing our Anthropy special series from the Eden Project, we speak with Andy Jasper, CEO of the Eden Project itself. Andy shares his philosophy that sustainability should follow regeneration - that we need to boost and accelerate natural systems before we can sustain them. With a career spanning the RHS, National Trust, and now Eden Project, Andy brings a wealth of knowledge about how large-scale environmental projects can transform landscapes and communities. He discusses Eden's global expansion with projects in China, Costa Rica, and across the UK, and shares his perspective on the importance of confidence and optimism as key skills for business leaders navigating the sustainability transition.🎯 Key Takeaways1. Regeneration before sustainabilityAndy challenges the term "sustainability" itself, arguing we shouldn't just sustain everything at its current levelFirst regenerate natural systems and accelerate restoration, then sustain themThe Eden Project itself exemplifies this approach - transforming barren clay pits into thriving ecosystems2. Global Eden Projects are expanding the model worldwideEden Project China opening June 202565,000-hectare restoration project in Costa Rica transforming slash-and-burn farming to sustainable cacao productionNew UK Eden Project sites planned for Morecambe and Dundee with unique local connections3. Confidence and optimism are essential business skillsHaving confidence to make decisions with incomplete information (80% is enough)Optimism allows better framing and solving of problemsWillingness to embrace failure as part of the innovation process4. Nature has no waste - and neither should weEverything in nature is repurposed as part of a systemHuman systems create unnecessary byproducts and wasteCircular economy principles should be applied to all new projects⚡ Quick Wins & Actionable Steps1. Focus on soil health in your garden or community2. Involve diverse perspectives in decision-making3. Try circular economy practices in your next project❓ Got a question?Ask us and we'll try our best to answer it in the show!podcast@sustainabilitysolved.org🔄 Share Your ImpactLet us know how you implemented these actionsSubmit your case studyJoin our Sustainability Solved Hub🎙️ About Our GuestAndy Jasper is the CEO of the Eden Project, a role he took up six months prior to this interview. With a background as Director of Gardens and Parklands for the National Trust and Director of the Investment Program for the Royal Horticultural Society, Andy has had what he describes as "one of the best careers in the world, working in gardens, traveling around the world, and helping make botanic gardens more beautiful and greener places." He previously worked at Eden as Head of Research and Evaluation, giving him deep insight into the organisation's operations and impact.👫 CreditsHosts: Will Richardson, Charlie LuxtonProduction: SoundquakeExec-Producer: Sam Hamilton-TurnerProducer: Jake Lee-Savage💚 Help us make the show better! Share your feedbackRate and review us on your favourite podcast platformMentioned in this episode:Apply to become an Ambassador today!Earn extra income while being part of a growing community accelerating the sustainable future we all need. Apply nowApply nowBook a call with me now
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