As my youngest son started Kindy (first year of big school) in February, I reflected on the future Mother Earth I aspire for him to be connected to. This led me to join the school's sustainability committee to be a part of the local community action to "Think globally, act locally".  

In this blog, I share some of the learning gained across the Abundium community. 

stepping out of the sustainability slow lane

• We need to seize this moment to transform, it will be hard, yet there is exciting momentum to leverage and move fast
• Davos insights include the importance of biodiversity and nature being on the agenda and leveraging tech as a force for good
• The wellbeing of people is so important on this journey, let’s look after ourselves
• Progress trumps perfection - it’s not about promises but progress
• Regulation is coming and be prepared to disclose but don’t hide behind the frameworks
• Climate inequality is huge giving Pakistan as an example, how can we help close this gap?
• Fight the good fight internally and externally 
  

climate risk, the most important area in finance 

On the topic of regulation, we partnered with Bloomberg and Australian Corporate Treasury Association to discuss climate risk where we heard: 

• The importance of us as consumers being the change, for example carbon offsetting our flights and buying the electric vehicles we talk about.
• Collaboration as a key driver of the transition to net zero.  
• The evolving role of the Treasurer from managing the balance sheet to being a key partner to the CEO on ESG reporting and action.
• Resilience planning and mitigation strategies with the increase in natural disasters.
• Climate risk (both physical and transition risk) as the most important agenda item in finance. 
  The time to move from 'telling' to 'showing action' in our net zero transition plans. 

aligning purpose + performance

Collaboration and progressing from thought into action certainly seem consistent themes which are integral to the Abundium and UTS inaugural ‘Leading Strategic Action on Climate and Sustainability’ micro-credential that we launched in February.

There has been a wonderful energy, insight and commitment to learning in this cohort. Highlights have included: 

• Mel Edwards setting up a safe space to play in a systems context including planetary boundaries and sustainable development 
• Stuart Irvine’s real lived experience of strategic intent from a CEO’s perspective sharing thoughts on aligning purpose AND performance 
• A solutions mindset of abundance and some tips on leading climate action including leading with benefits not features,  
• Selling in complex organisations and how change comes slowly then quickly in a leapfrog fashion. 

Speaking of leapfrogging, we were excited that our Abundium Leapfrog sustainability initiatives have been shortlisted for the AFR Sustainability Leaders list. Thanks to our trailblazing multinational subsidiaries and NFP leaders who are on a mission to make a difference, be the change and lead bold and ambitious action in the ANZ region. 
 

next steps 

A couple of things coming up this month which you may like to get involved with: 

• Schneider Electric’s Digital Innovation Summit, 14th-15th March in Sydney at the ICC which will explore innovation for sustainability and a purpose-led active approach to achieving net zero with speakers including Saul Griffith. Register here! 
• B Corp Month – The annual celebration of everything it means to be a B Corp, as a force for good and showing the world how and why B Corp are transforming the economic system for the better. You can learn more about the events and activities here.#wegobeyond 

To finish, as I shared in my closing comment at the Bloomberg and ACTA event, let's not lead during these times of uncertainty with scarcity and fear but with abundant thinking to help drive the transformation required! #bethechange