We are entering a new era for sustainable business. Gone are the days of fluffy Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and incremental efforts. But what does this mean for businesses, and what is it going to take for companies to thrive in our new low carbon future?

For this episode, Ali is joined by Solitaire Townsend, Co-founder of Futerra, a leading change agency focused on sustainability.  Solitaire has been a passionate change-maker for over 30 years and believes that making the world a better place is a damn good business plan. She has advised governments, charities and brands including Google, IKEA and the United Nations on imagining a better future, and making it happen. 

In this wide ranging chat, Ali and Solitaire discuss the the growing influence employees are having in driving change, the rising importance of climate as a board issue, the emergence of new business models such as BCorps, the huge opportunities that await progressive companies, and the need for companies to look beyond their supply chains to have real impact, a concept Solitaire defines as Scope X. 

Solitaire was named ‘Ethical Entrepreneur of the Year’ in 2008 and more recently was Chair of the UK Green Energy Scheme, a member of the United Nations Sustainable Lifestyles Taskforce, and a London Leader for Sustainability. She has also published a book The Happy Hero - How To Change Your Life By Changing The World .

You can follow Solitaire on Twitter.

Some links to find out more about what was discussed in this episode include:

What's Your Lifeboat? Why You Need A Sustainability Backup Business,  Solitaire Townsend (Forbes)

We Urgently Need ‘Scope X’ Business Leadership For Climate, Solitaire Townsend (Forbes)

UN Climate Change Conference (COP26)
 
B Corp

Futerra's Client Disclosure Project

Purpose Disruptors

Clean Creatives

Lovebug Pet Food