Slo.

Last week, we finally took a moment to celebrate Slo. ’s new offices in Brussels with a welcome drink (better late than never 🥂). While the adventure began over the summer, this was our chance to pause, look back, and appreciate just how much has been accomplished – and how much more lies ahead. Starting a company is no small feat. The process has been a mix of challenges, long days, and big decisions. We have gone through highs that inspired us and moments that tested our resilience. From defining our values to shaping our vision and services, every step was a learning experience. Some parts came naturally, while others forced us to dig deep and step out of our comfort zones. But in every instance, the excitement of building something meaningful kept us going. Slo. isn’t just a company to us, it is a reflection of what we stand for and what we want the future of business to look like: responsible, agile, and committed to creating value that lasts and matters. We are here to help reshape how companies (including ourselves) think and act – both internally and externally – embedding sustainability and impact into their core. Of course, we know we are far from perfect, and we won’t ever be. There is so much to learn, to improve, and to build. We will continue to challenge ourselves and be challenged by those around us to raise the bar and do better. And we wouldn’t want it any other way. Still, today, we are incredibly proud of where we are and deeply grateful to everyone who has joined us on this journey – from our team to our partners and clients. You inspire us to give our best every single day, and we are excited to keep learning with you. 💫 Here’s to Slo.! To this incredible journey, and to a future where businesses truly make a difference. Thank you for being part of this adventure – we can’t wait to see where it takes us next. 

06.11.2024 - Donald Trump is back in the White House. At Slo, we hesitated long and hard before posting this. We turned it over in every direction. Yes, deep down, we knew this election result was a possibility. But that doesn’t make it any less shocking. With this majority in the votes, one of the world’s leading powers has chosen to normalise exclusion, dishonesty, misogyny, racism, climate change skepticism, fraud, violence, and much more. The opening of #COP29 in Baku will be under the shadow of this new U.S. agenda… and the consequences extend far beyond American borders, and far beyond climate. Donald Trump’s “Drill, baby, drill” slogan from 2008 resonates today more than ever, as his administration promises a resurgence of fossil fuels, fewer environmental protections, and a clear disregard for climate science. So... yes, we knew this election result was a possibility. Yes, it is discouraging. But we are not backing down. We are still ready to turn this reality into “fuel” for action. This isn’t a moment to despair, it’s a call to “dig” in deeper and keep pushing for real climate accountability. #USElection2024

The UN’s latest warning is clear: without a steep reduction in emissions, we’ll miss the 1.5°C global warming target. To avoid exceeding this limit set by the Paris Agreement, we must collectively commit to reducing our annual GHG emissions by 42% from 2019 levels by 2030, and by 57% by 2035, according to the #UN. The required measures imply investments in carbon reduction by at least sixfold, along with a “strong involvement” from the private sector. And here we are again: facing a climate reality check. As private sector players, we hold both the influence and responsibility to act NOW. Business as usual is not going to cut our emissions. If we don’t step up, we are signing off on a future of compromised systems and resilience across industries and communities. So… when exactly are we going to get serious about #sustainabletransformation? How long before we use our influence, resources, and networks to drive real change? This is the moment for bold and uncompromising action to bring #resilience and sustainability to the forefront. By working together across industries and borders, we can mobilise the innovation, funding, and resources needed. #Cooperation is key. Our planet can’t wait, and neither can we. Read the 2024 emissions gap report here: https://lnkd.in/eN68Wmwp

🌍 With #COP16 on biodiversity kicking off today in Colombia, it’s a key moment to consider the role businesses can play in tackling biodiversity loss, and to understand what’s at stake. Biodiversity loss is not just an environmental issue—it’s a strategic challenge that impacts long-term business sustainability and competitiveness. The #GlobalBiodiversityFramework, adopted in 2022 during COP15, outlines 23 action targets for 2030 aimed at stopping and reversing biodiversity loss, with 4 long-term goals set for 2050. At COP16, governments will come together to align their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (#NBSAPs) with this framework. The landscape of corporate environmental responsibility is shifting from a focus solely on climate issues to a broader consideration of nature-related risks, including biodiversity loss. Recognising the significant threats this poses to global economies, many organisations are pledging to address biodiversity loss. However, challenges remain, such as unclear metrics and the need to connect corporate actions to broader biodiversity goals. The introduction of regulations such as the #CSRD and #ESRS E4, as well as the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (#TNFD), represents hopeful steps. Yet, this is just the beginning. Addressing biodiversity loss is not only a regulatory expectation but also a crucial business imperative as it directly impacts operational risks and investor interest in sustainable practices. The time to act is now. How is your business preparing for the biodiversity challenge? 🌱 #Biodiversity #COP16 

Yesterday, Slo. attended the #PioneersForum2024, organised by the Solar Impulse Foundation at Maison de la Poste. It was a day filled with insightful keynotes and great networking! One of the key ideas shared by Bertrand Piccard was the need for paradigm shifts to drive systemic change, and to rethink our current economic model. One particularly interesting concept was the notion of a “qualitative economy” as a way to define the shift from unlimited growth to a system that balances environmental responsibility with social equity. By focusing on a “qualitative economy” – focusing on regenerative and efficient processes – we can better redirect resources toward more sustainable systems. We believe that this approach could resonate more positively, as it is essential for building long-term resilience in both business and society. It was also encouraging to see so many existing solutions already driving positive change, and we fully support the idea that collaboration is key to making this transition a reality. Thanks to everyone involved for such an inspiring event!

News in 3’s – The ups and downs 📈 Pact for the Future: a redefinition of global progress, moving beyond GDP. World leaders have adopted the Pact for the Future, committing to concrete actions for a safer, more sustainable, and inclusive world for future generations. A key point in the pact is the mention of “developing a framework on measures of progress to go beyond gross domestic product”, marking a shift in how global progress is measured. For the first time, governments have agreed to move beyond GDP as the sole indicator of success, recognising the need for a more holistic approach. The way we think about progress could finally include factors such as planetary health, human wellbeing, biodiversity,… which could reshape how we define economic and societal success. 🌎 We may have breached 7 of 9 planetary boundaries. Industrial civilisation is nearing the breach of a 7th planetary boundary, with ocean acidification approaching critical levels, particularly in the Southern and Arctic Oceans. This growing acidity threatens marine ecosystems and undermines the ocean’s role as a carbon sink. Six other planetary boundaries, including climate change and biosphere integrity, have already been breached, jeopardising the planet’s stability. Researchers emphasise that these issues are interconnected, and addressing them separately overlooks how changes in one system impact others, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to environmental solutions. 🦏 Indian rhino population surpasses 4,000. The Indian rhinoceros population has made a remarkable recovery, tripling to over 4,000 individuals in 40 years. This success is thanks to dedicated conservation efforts by forest departments and local communities. The species, once on the brink of extinction due to poaching and habitat loss, now plays a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and combating climate change. By fostering tree growth and aiding carbon sequestration, the rhinos are key allies in the fight against global warming.

News in 3’s – The ups and downs 🔥 Amazon and Pantanal fires continue. Since late June 2024, the Pantanal has been under a state of emergency due to severe fires. Located in the southernmost part of the Amazon rainforest, this region is the largest freshwater wetland on the planet. Designated as a Unesco World Heritage site in 2000, the Pantanal is now facing critical threats. Since the start of 2024, more than 13,4000 fires have been reported in the Amazon, driven by an intense drought that has persisted since 2023. President Lula has called for urgent action as Brazil strives to meet its commitment to halt deforestation by 2030. 🌏 Update your maps! Indonesia is building a new capital, Nusantara, on Borneo, as Jakarta continues to sink into the sea. On August 17, Indonesia celebrated its Independence Day by inaugurating Nusantara, a colossal project estimated at more than €30 billion. While Jakarta will remain the economic capital, Nusantara is set to become the new political and administrative center. The key factors driving the relocation? Pollution, rising sea levels, earthquakes,… environmental degradation, in summary. ⚡ For the 1st time, wind and solar have surpassed fossil fuels in Europe. For the first time, renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, have surpassed fossil fuels in the European Union. According to a report (https://lnkd.in/eagj6__w) by Ember released on July 30, solar and wind accounted for 30% of Europe’s electricity in the first half of 2024, compared to 27% from fossil fuels.

Our latest article explores how the unity and collaboration seen in the Olympic Games can inspire a global response to environmental collapse. Just as athletes from diverse backgrounds come together for a common purpose, we must unite in our efforts for more environmental action. Key insights include: - Acknowledging climate change as an urgent issue - Prioritising resilience and long-term sustainability - Holding organisations accountable with measurable emissions reductions Discover our reflection on how the Olympic spirit can drive meaningful environmental action: https://lnkd.in/eBjiD2NJ

We are hiring: join us in shaping the future of energy! We are looking for engineers who are skilled at evaluating data, drawing insightful conclusions, and providing valuable recommendations to optimise asset performance, particularly in the fields of photovoltaics and storage. This role goes beyond coding: we need professionals with a strong engineering background who understand the bigger picture of sustainability and the complexities of PV and battery systems, and who can provide strategic, data-driven advice to our clients. Interested? More info here: https://lnkd.in/eJyxdt-r Please apply via our website.

Today, we are very excited to officially announce the launch of Slo., a consultancy dedicated to helping businesses navigate an increasingly unpredictable world. Our mission is to empower companies with science-based guidance and engineering solutions that enhance resilience and sustainability. Whether you are a small startup looking to scale, or a well-established company aiming to stay ahead of the curve, Slo helps you build a more robust business, inside and out. Want to know more? Go to www.slo.eco Let's build a future where success is measured not just by profits, but by the positive impact we create. Together, we can challenge the status quo!