How do you actually make change happen? What’s the right balance between collaboration and competition? How important is it to convince people about the importance of sustainability?

Last year we (Osbert, Morag and Rich, co-founders of Realise Earth) headed for the hills of Westmoreland to camp, walk and talk – to see if we could pool our varied experiences of sustainability leadership to identify, and overcome, the fundamental challenge facing sustainability leaders. (We do our strategy and innovation out in nature.)

That challenge, we agreed, is that action on sustainability comes up against other priorities, and this leads to conflict, which blocks progress.

In this episode we lift the curtain on our conversations, to explain how and why, we not only came to this conclusion, but also came to realise the critical issue is that change needs collaboration, not conflict.

We discuss why, to make change happen, you need to move beyond conflicting priorities and turn your colleagues and stakeholders into active allies working with you towards shared goals.

Looking back at our very different careers in sustainability, we identify the common threads that underpin successful change, and talk through the practical five step approach we developed to help sustainability leaders make change happen:

1. Map the system
2. Discover what really matters
3. Identify common ground
4. Invite them to join
5. Work together for change

We also discuss the core skills sustainability leaders need to work in this way, and share our experience of working with these ‘Inner Development Goals’ in corporate environments.

Listen for rich insights and practical advice that you can apply right away to make change happen.

You'll find all the links mentioned in this episode in the companion guide here:

https://realise.earth/make-change-happen-a-how-to-guide/

What if we saw our purpose as helping create the conditions for people and the rest of nature to thrive – whatever happens? Read about Thrivable Field Notes…

Daniella Vega is Senior Vice President of Health and Sustainability with Ahold Delhaize, a Dutch-Belgian multinational retail and wholesale holding company.

Daniella talks with Osbert about this unusual role and the synergies between reducing emissions and improving health. She also talks about leading on Project Ocean, getting rid of single use plastic, as Group Director of Sustainability at the UK retailer Selfridge.

Listen for insights you can apply in your sustainability work including:

• The value of connecting sustainability with other issues that matter to your stakeholders.
• How making big bold moves can be more effective than starting with the easy stuff.
• How to look after yourself and keep going when things are tough.

You'll find all the links mentioned in this episode in the companion blog post here:

https://realise.earth/making-sustainability-something-people-care-about/

“It’s no longer sufficient to think about sustainability through the climate lens. The challenge and the exciting thing now is really grappling with the interconnectedness of the biodiversity crisis and the opportunity and necessity of the circular economy.”

In this episode I interview Sam Gardner, Head of Climate Change & Sustainability with Scottish Power, and formerly Head of Policy at WWF Scotland. In both these roles Sam has been closely involved in the climate and sustainability agenda in Scotland. In the conversation Sam talks about:

• The transformation of Scottish Power from oil and gas to entirely renewable energy sources.
• The importance of continuous engagement with staff and stakeholders, ensuring everyone in the organisation connects their work to climate goals.
• The need for a fair transition to net zero, and to deliver on biodiversity and the circular economy.

Listen for great insights into the challenges of accelerating the pace of change while bringing colleagues with you, maintaining public support and ensuring a just a transition.

Sam also talks about how he has kept motivated over many years of working on sustainability, offering useful ideas we can all apply ourselves and with our colleagues.

You'll find the links mentioned in this episode in the companion blog post here: https://realise.earth/grappling-with-climate-biodiversity-circular-economy-and-a-just-transition/

What if we saw our purpose as helping create the conditions for people and the rest of nature to thrive – whatever happens? Read about Thrivable Field Notes…

Connect with Osbert Lancaster - drop me a message and let me know you listen to the podcast! – and follow Realise Earth.