Diplomat Christiana Figueres and former Unilever CEO Paul Polman - How to Fight the Climate Crisis
Mar 22, 2024
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Diplomat Christiana Figueres and former Unilever CEO Paul Polman discuss the importance of the 1.5 degrees Celsius target in fighting climate change. They explore the dilemma between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius, the impact of historical notions of superiority on nature, and the need for corporations to shift towards sustainable profit. The conversation also delves into embracing pain for social change and the intersection of personal responsibility and systemic transformation.
Urgent action needed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius to ensure a livable future.
Corporate leaders must drive sustainable transformations with regenerative practices and societal impact in mind.
Deep dives
Understanding the Significance of 1.5 Degrees
Discussions center around the critical importance of the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit in averting catastrophic climate change. The Paris Agreement aimed to keep global temperatures below this threshold to sustain life on Earth, as crossing it would lead to immense challenges. The scientific community highlighted the stark difference between a 1.5 and 2-degree world, emphasizing the urgent need to address climate change.
Assessing COP 28 Outcomes and Fossil Fuel Phase Out
Reflections on COP 28 outcomes reveal a mixed assessment, with a focus on the transition beyond fossil fuels. Despite the absence of a clear phase-out commitment, progress was acknowledged towards moving beyond fossil fuels. The discussions at COP 28 emphasized the complexities of international negotiations and the incremental steps taken towards sustainability.
Shifting Corporate Mindsets Towards Sustainability
Corporate leadership plays a vital role in driving sustainable transformations, beyond mere carbon emission reductions. Emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift in business models, the focus shifted towards regenerative practices and long-term investments. Leaders like Paul Pullman advocate for a holistic approach that encompasses environmental stewardship and social responsibility, aligning profitability with positive societal impact.
Fostering Behavioral Change at Scale for Climate Action
The challenge of instigating behavioral change at a widespread scale for effective climate action is acknowledged. The importance of combining individual and systemic efforts in catalyzing substantial transformations is highlighted. Inclusive dialogues involving diverse stakeholders, from businesses to civil society, are pivotal in shaping sustainable solutions and fostering a shared responsibility towards a resilient future.
A household name in the climate movement, Costa Rican diplomat Christiana Figueres was Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from 2010-2016 and led the negotiation of the Paris Accords. Ten years on from the Accords, Christiana continues her fight for our planet and our shared future. In this episode she joins former CEO of Unilever (2009-2019) Paul Polman, himself a major figure for the climate movement, to present a bold and utterly necessary call-to-action for our present and future.