Dr Karen Cripps’ Post

Sustainability is a key element of the USM;s Vision 2030 Strategic Plan. In his latest newsletter, Chancellor Jay Perman explores how our universities are building the environmental workforce and advancing science-based solutions to climate change and the other environmental challenges that threaten our state and our planet. https://lnkd.in/g9Cv9WMz

An evolutionary leap in climate leadership is ocurring at the local-level, which I address in my talk at the CDP 2024 US Workshop below. The worlds of urban & corporate sustainability are colliding and forming important symbiotic relationships: (1) Cities cannot control all of their emissions via climate action plans alone, they need to combine forces with local businesses who also have adopted sustainability/#ESG measures. (2) Large corporations' decarbonization budgets are actually quite limited, and they do need financial help from gov't on that front, meaning that when cities mobilize financial incentives (rebates, grants, etc.) to defray those costs, it can substantially accelerate local private sector decarbonization (i.e., instead of retrofitting 1 building, the business will be able afford to retrofit 2). New models of public-private partnerships provide an effective platform for this to happen, where cities + businesses can also align carbon targets, share resources, and collectively reduce more local GHG reductions than otherwise would be possible. This approach being harnessed by the City Business Climate Alliance and my ongoing research. cc Laura Parry, Katie Walsh, Zöe Fitzgerald Kyra Appleby Dexter Galvin Simon Fischweicher Kevin Chuah References from my address: (1) B. Leffel, Tom Lyon, Joshua Newell, "Filling the climate governance gap", Energy Research & Social Science, https://lnkd.in/gszT_X8Y (2) Dan Gearino, "A Boutique Hotel Helps Explain the Benefits of Businesses and Government Teaming Up to Conserve Energy", Inside Climate News, https://lnkd.in/g_STeVXY

Just finished "Sustainability Foundations: Core Concepts" by Amy Luers! Key Takeaways: 1. SDGs presented like a wedding cake modeled by Stockholm Resilience Center. Shows the biosphere as the foundation of economies and societies as the basis of all SDGs - That all SDGs are interconnected on its overall achievement. 2. Static thinking to Dynamic and forward-thinking. Enabling us to prepare and anticipate the increasingly volatile climate and environment. 3. Net Zero, Carbon Capture, Carbon Offset, and Net Positive. We can’t have healthy ecosystems without tackling climate change. 4. Carbon and Environment Accounting. On how can these send ripple positive effects on the entire supply value chain. 5. Reductionist to holistic systems thinking. Recognizing and navigating the intricate web of global connections.

🌍 What drives support for climate action? 🌍 I recently completed a module assignment to summarise findings from a recent study on international attitudes toward climate policies. The findings connect directly with the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) for sustainability which was part of the insightful learnings from the Sustainable Future leaderships skills by Change Agents UK workshop I attended last week, The IDGs emphasize on inner transformation to drive collective change. Here are my thoughts: 🧠 Critical Thinking Matters: Simply knowing about climate change isn't enough. True support for policies grows when people understand how these policies impact real lives and effectively reduce emissions. Developing critical thinking is essential to bridge this gap. 💡 Self-Awareness & Empathy: People's support often depends on how policies affect their personal lives and the most vulnerable. Encouraging empathy and self-awareness can help ensure policies resonate with everyone. 🤝 Collaboration & Fairness: Fair, inclusive policies are key. When people feel climate action is equitable, they're more likely to support it. This aligns directly with the IDGs’ call for a collaborative approach to sustainability. If I may quote Mr Gus Speth( the founder and former president of the World Resources Institute); “I used to think the top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and climate change. But I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed, and apathy-to deal with those issues we need a spiritual and cultural transformation.” These reflections remind me that sustainability isn’t just about systemic shifts; it’s about fostering personal transformation as well. Let’s continue to champion both! 🌱 #Sustainability #InnerDevelopmentGoals #ClimateAction #Leadership #Empathy #Collaboration #CriticalThinking #ESG

🌎 Climate reporting is crucial for sustainable progress, and as of 2025 this will be mandatory in Switzerland. Nonetheless, a study by Enfinit and Pelt8 reveals significant gaps in companies' knowledge and disclosure. Bridging these gaps was the focus of our January 30 event at SIX. The evening was packed with insights - here are some of our takeaway points: • Reporting requirements are a stepping stone toward climate action, but can also now provide competitive advantage • 70% of corporate investors have average understanding of material sustainability, citing cost and know-how as barriers • Intransparency can impede progress towards Net-Zero; decision-making relies on quality information • Lack of attention to Double Materiality and challenges in harmonization are concerns in sustainability reporting • Climate modeling and scenario analysis face challenges in the time horizon, with long-term assessments requiring mandates and resources • Lack of harmonization across standards and data compatibility are challenges in sustainability reporting • The majority of Swiss companies show positive disclosure on Board and Management roles in climate-related matters, but significant gaps exist in disclosing processes, impacts, and resilience strategies. 🙌 Thanks to Fidel Chiriboga for the excellent note-taking and summarizing. 🗓️ For a deep-dive into this topic, don’t miss our whole-day event on May 17th, again at SIX and co-hosted by Pelt8 and CelsiusPro. Tickets and info here: https://lnkd.in/eSxzYaKU #climatereporting #switzerland #sustainabilityreporting Thanks Antonio Carrillo | Gwen Jettain | Christoph Baumann | Rob Wyse | Adrian Kyburz, PhD | Vera Sokulskyj | Qendresa Rugova | Christian Reus

Such an honor: NATURE Sustainability introduces the #UnitedNationsGlobalClimateHub to the world! Professor Dr. Phoebe Koundouri introduces the Global Climate Hub in an interview with Dr. Angelos Alamanos for the Springer Nature Group Sustainability journal . Gain insights into how the Global Climate Hub #GCH aims to assist countries in achieving #sustainability amid interconnected and complex #challenges. Discover 🌍 ➡️What defines the Global Climate Hub? ➡️The operational framework of the #GCH ➡️Notable #achievements thus far ➡️The integration of research-informed approaches into #policy-making. ➡️Future expectations and contributions of the GCH in the pursuit of sustainability Read it here: https://lnkd.in/g8DVD7TP #UNSustainableDevelopmentSolutionsNetwork

Is there enough focus on sustainability education? Eric Lee gives his take on this and more during our conversation on Climate Tech Spotlight. Link to the episode in the comments. #sustainability #climatetech #esg

Completing Boston Consulting Group (BCG)'s Climate & Sustainability Accelerator Program has been an enlightening experience. It provided me with critical insights into climate science, cutting-edge sustainability strategies, and forward-thinking environmental policies. From Adaptation and Resilience strategies, to gaining a deep understanding of how current warming levels impact business models and supply chains, I am excited to apply these new skills and insights to foster a sustainable and impactful future! 🌎 🌸 🌦

How to tackle climate change using a social generative approach including sacrifice and ecological design, as drawn from examples studied at the Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation based on the following five social regenerative work principles:  - Sacrifice - Subsidiarity (or implementation by the lowest authority) possible - Ecological design - Solidarity - Prefigurative practice (which seeks to effectuate change now rather than later).

En route to New York for a packed week of action on sustainability! 🌍✈️ From 20-27 September, I’ll be representing BCSD Australia members at some of the year’s most pivotal events shaping the global sustainability agenda: the United Nations Summit of the Future, WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Council Meeting, Climate Group #ClimateWeekNYC2024, and the Nature Positive Hub at Climate Week. These gatherings promise rich insights and discussions across business, policy, and environmental innovation—critical as we accelerate towards a net-zero future. I’d love to know what issues or topics you’re most interested in—be it circular economy innovations, net-zero pathways, or the latest on climate finance. Drop your questions below, and I’ll share key takeaways and insights from the ground. Let’s make this week count for future-proofing our businesses, our society and planet. 🌱💼 #Sustainability #NetZero #ClimateWeekNYC #UNSummit #BusinessLeadership #CircularEconomy #WBCSD #NatureHub #ClimateAction