We have to do the work to make the change

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Hello Reader,

We were surprised in recent weeks to see the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) announce the allowance for companies to use offset credits for Scope 3 emissions. It seems though that we weren't the only ones that were shocked. A group of SBTi staff issued a letter to the Board calling for the resignation of the CEO and the reversal of the policy.

This sparked our interest for a couple of reasons. Firstly we love to see stakeholder activism. While, at the time of writing, the CEO and policy are still in place, it demonstrates that employees, shareholders and communities truly can have an impact. This letter made news and shone a light on the inadequacy of offsets in a sustainability plan. While being a sustainability advocate may seem like a lonely battle, it is worth it in the end.

Which brings us to the other reason we like it.

You have to do the work.

Businesses can't just buy their way to a clean bill of ESG health. If you aren't making changes to prevent or end negative impacts, all you're doing is greenwashing. This diminishes all efforts.

While some ESG frameworks might allow it, discerning clients, customers or consumers will cotton on. Engaging with stakeholders internally and externally will reveal opportunities for improvement and innovation.

So, what do you think, Reader?

Cheers,

Adam

Inspiring Purpose

I met with Seven Clean Seas this week, who are on a mission to end plastic pollution in waterways. Their objective is the physical removal of plastic pollution from the water. To achieve this they partner with businesses to fund their cleanup teams. The cleanup crews are made up of workers from the coastal areas impacted and are paid fairly and get paid leave and health care entitlements.

The local support goes further with projects to bring better waste management and education to these coastal areas, maintaining the work they've done.

While they do offer 'plastic offsets' (yes, I know we just said you have to 'do the work' and that offsets won't cut it), they recognise this isn't an ideal solution, so look to reduce plastic use in the businesses they work with, offering the support of their sustainability consultants.

Business As Unusual Innovation

This week, Melissa had the pleasure of connecting with Radhika, founder of Left-Hand Design, a plantable stationery company. Recently achieving B-Corp certification, all of their products can be planted to grow your choice of flower or herb.

Offering a range of everyday pens and pencils, notebooks and gift packs, the really exciting opportunity is for corporate gifting and wholesale and how ideas like this could change the way we think about office consumables. If you or people in your network are looking for client gifts with a difference, or using stationery at scale, we'd recommend reaching out to Radhika. This isn't sponsored, it's just close to Melissa's heart as a recovering stationery addict!

🌳 In another example of stakeholder activism, shareholders raised concerns with Australian oil and gas company Woodside's response to climate action at the recent AGM. While it seems to have fallen on deaf ears, it is encouraging to even see this kind of conversation. Of course with a large chunk of investment coming from superannuation funds, the biggest impact would be moving to ethical and sustainable super providers.

🌳 The University of Melbourne released a report detailing Australia's food insecurity and exploring opportunities for decentralising manufacture and connecting local farmers to consumers to not only make food supply chain more resilient but also potentially decrease food waste and GHG emissions.

🌳 A new app, Saveful, helps households use up the food they have. By providing recipes for what you have on hand, it hopes to reduce food waste and household costs.

🌳 Mars has partnered with Unreasonable Food to support the growth of purpose-led ventures seeking to create impact within the food value chain. One of which is Tasmania's recently launched Sea Forest.

What We're Reading

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a breathtakingly beautiful ode to nature, written by renowned botanist and a proud citizen of the Potawatomi Nation. An insightful and engaging slow read for anyone with a pulse 😉

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