Who's responsible for being responsible? With Mary Portas and Emily Cromwell
Oct 17, 2023
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Exploring how to make a systemic shift towards sustainability, discussing the role of individuals, businesses, and governments. Topics include redefining consumerism, vintage clothing becoming mainstream, businesses changing in response to the climate crisis, the importance of the 'kindness economy', and individual actions in sustainability. Also covers the frustration over unimplemented solutions, corporate sustainability reporting, and the need for collective effort and systems change.
Consumerism is no longer fit for purpose and individuals and businesses need to develop a new understanding of success and status that is built on conscious choices and a respect for society and the planet.
Businesses play a crucial role in driving sustainability by adopting new strategies and business models, aligning values with employees and consumers, and collaborating with governments to work towards a shared goal of a more sustainable future.
Deep dives
The Shift Away from Consumerism
The podcast episode discusses the shift away from consumerism and the need for new language and consciousness around the concept. The speaker highlights that consumerism, which focused on material possessions and wealth, is no longer fit for purpose. This transition requires individuals and businesses to develop a new understanding of success and status that is built on conscious choices and a respect for society and the planet. The episode emphasizes the importance of creating a new aspiration and storytelling, grounded in truth and hope, to drive the transition to a more sustainable and mindful way of living.
Promoting Sustainable Consumer Behavior
The podcast explores ways to encourage more sustainable consumer behavior. The speaker highlights the importance of understanding the barriers that prevent people from making sustainable choices, such as cost and lack of clarity. The episode emphasizes the need for businesses to offer more affordable sustainable options and provide clear information about the environmental impact of their products. It also emphasizes the role of storytelling and empowering individuals to make better decisions. The discussion highlights the growing trend of buying vintage and embracing circularity as a step towards more sustainable consumption.
The Role of Businesses in Driving Change
The podcast highlights the responsibility of businesses to lead and drive change towards sustainability. The episode emphasizes that companies need to adopt new strategies and business models to ensure their resilience in a changing world. It discusses the importance of businesses aligning their values with those of their employees and consumers, and the need for transparency and accountability in reporting sustainability efforts. The episode also touches on the role of government regulation in accelerating change and calls for businesses to collaborate with governments and work towards a shared goal of a more sustainable future.
Collective Responsibility for Change
The podcast emphasizes that achieving sustainability requires a collective effort and a systems change approach. It highlights the interconnectedness of all stakeholders, from suppliers to consumers, and the need for collaboration and shared responsibility. The episode stresses that responsibility for being responsible lies with society as a whole, including individuals, businesses, and governments. It recognizes that creating a more sustainable world requires conscious choices and actions from all members of society.
And not just any change. We’re talking about a systemic shift towards living, working and doing business more sustainably.
Does it start with us?
What about the companies supplying the products and services we buy? Should they change their ways in response to demand - or lead the way because it’s the right thing to do? For the planet and their business. And what about the role of governments and regulation?
In this episode, we’re exploring how we got to peak consumption – and peak waste, as well as the role individuals and businesses can play in shaping a more sustainable way forward. Our guests? Retail expert, Mary Portas, and consumer leader, Emily Cromwell.
Tune in to find out:
Why the word ‘consumerism’ might be out of date
How vintage clothing and upcycling are becoming mainstream
How businesses are changing their models in response to the climate crisis
What Mary describes as the ‘kindness economy’ and why it's important
Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts
Guests: Mary Portas, retail expert and founder of Portas Agency and Emily Cromwell, Climate Change and Sustainability Lead for the Consumer Industry at Deloitte.
Hosts: George Parrett and Lizzie Elston
Technical support: Deloitte Creative Studio
Original music: Ali Barrett
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