SUSTAINABLE LIVING
News
Stay up to date with the latest news, events and articles about sustainable living that support and inspire real change.
The Path to Net Zero: Climate Assembly UK Report
REAL Sustainability takes a look at The Climate Assembly UK report The Path to Net Zero. The citizens’ assembly was commissioned in 2019 by politicians to consider how to achieve net zero by 2050. It strongly supported the principles of education and fairness. Recommendations considered travel, home, food and land use, goods, power generation, GHG removal and COVID-19 recovery.
Imagining a Regenerative Economy with John Fullerton
John Fullerton joined nRhthym for a webinar to discuss the regenerative economy. John is the founder of The Capital Institute and architect of Regenerative Economics. He discusses some of the eight core principles. Human society is a living system; we need an economy that behaves like a living system. He gives insight into his influences and the importance of self-reflection.
Extinction Rebellion – We’re back!
Extinction Rebellion (XR), the mass activist movement focusing on the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE), is back on the streets. The focus is on the CEE Bill. XR is also launching Money Rebellion and Small Business Resistance. There are Rebellions in London, Cardiff and Manchester plus a multitude of local actions. Post-COVID, XR urges the government to Build Back Better.
The Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill
The Climate and Ecological Bill was tabled in parliament by Green MP Caroline Lucas on 2 September 2020. The draft bill was launched as a grassroots campaign led by members of Extinction Rebellion and Big Ask campaign. Its focus is a 1.5oC target, consideration of all emissions (include international), conservation and restoration as well as a Citizens’ Assembly with powers.
The Long Time Project
The Long Time Project has created a guide to enable policy-makers to integrate long-termism into their work. They build on statutory precedents like the Well-being for Future Generations Act and municipal-level work like the Future Design project. Techniques include The Legacy Question, Empty Chair, Future Generations, Future Personas, Human Layers, Future Generations Impact Assessment and The Museum of Tomorrow.
Carbon pricing and Danone: this might just be a game changer
It might be surprising to know that a company that produces plastic water bottles and plastic yoghurt containers, Danone, has long been considered a pioneer in its sustained push on achieving environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. Entreprise a Mission.
Sustainable Supply Chains Webinar – 29 July 2020 REAL Sustainability and Business Declares
REAL Sustainability held a webinar on sustainable supply chains in the context of climate change, social and racial justice. Guests represented the business and NGO communities. They discussed issues from fair trade to the worker exploitation. COVID-19 is exposing the systemic supply chain faults. To achieve a just transition, we need collaboration and mission primacy as opposed to profit primacy.
The Future of Nature and Business – World Economic Forum
REAL Sustainability reviewed the WEF report “The Future of Nature and Business”. Post COVID-19, we need a reset in terms of carbon emissions and achieving a nature-positive economy. WEF identify opportunities valued at £7.7 trillion providing 395 million jobs by 2030. To build back better, in terms of land management, infrastructure and energy, needs action from government and the public.
Reducing UK Emissions – Progress Report to Parliament 2020 Committee on Climate Change
REAL Sustainability reviewed the Committee on Climate Change 2020 progress report “Reducing UK Emissions”. Carbon budget projections indicate we are falling significantly short of meeting the zero carbon 2050 target. Overall the government has only fully achieved two milestones out of 31 from their 2019 progress report. The UK government needs to engage with other countries ahead of COP 26.
An Economy that serves People and Planet
REAL Sustainability attended the Green Party online discussion with New Economics Foundation (NEF) “An Economy that Serves Planet and People”. NEF’s areas of focus are climate, inequality and democracy. A green recovery needs to address social and political concerns with all levels of government taking action. NEF supports using societal indicators such as sustainability, health and inequality rather than GDP.
Fashion Revolution
REAL Sustainability reports on the influential activism campaign Fashion Revolution and their Fashion Transparency Index. Fashion brands were assessed against 220 social and environmental indicators from living wage to achieving net zero. Increased transparency means increased accountability. COVID-19 has brought into sharp focus the need for brands to prioritise workers’ rights, sustainable supply chains and the circular economy.
Action for Happiness
Inspired by the work of Action for Happiness we explore their 3 tips to help you practice self-compassion. Suffering is part of the human condition, and practicing mindfulness and expressing loving kindness to ourselves can help us take control.
"...we use unkind and highly critical inner dialogue with ourselves, when we mostly know how to be encouraging and kind to a close friend if they were feeling down or insecure."
Learn how to be kind to yourself:
https://realsustainability.org/action-for-happiness/
#Happiness #Compassion #Mindfulness
“The global carbon budget has been squandered to expand the consumption of the already rich, rather than to improve humanity.” - @tim_e_gore @Oxfam
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/21/worlds-richest-1-cause-double-co2-emissions-of-poorest-50-says-oxfam?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=twt_gu&utm_medium&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1600645467
So so so cool. Sweden's (unofficial) Ministry of Transition.... amazing. https://twitter.com/stephen_hinton/status/1308130254997917696
When I helped start Transition Sweden, way back when, I never thought I would see the Swedish Ministry of Finance change its name to the Ministry of Transition. But it happened. All be it by activists with a big sticker. @robintransition
Join this with me https://www.crowdcast.io/e/is-london-the-engine @REALsustainable @XRebellionUK
