SUSTAINABLE LIVING
News
Stay up to date with the latest news, events and articles about sustainable living that support and inspire real change.
Fashion and Degrowth
REAL Sustainability attended the online event “Fashion and Degrowth” hosted by Extinction Rebellion. Historically wealth has been created in the global North through extraction and exploitation in the South. We need to work collaboratively to imagine solutions to the broken system which will vary between regions and countries. There needs to be a focus on people and the environment.
Is Green Growth the Solution
REAL Sustainability takes a look at green growth. Green growth theory asserts that continued economic expansion is compatible with our planet’s ecology. But empirical evidence on resource use and carbon emissions does not support green growth theory. We need a cross-sector approach looking at ideas such as degrowth and doughnut economics.
Right to Roam Campaign 24 April
As part of the proposed Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, the UK government is planning to restrict public access to the countryside. Extinction Rebellion is supporting the Right to Roam campaign opposing this through a mass trespass on April 24th.
Real Sustainability Volunteer
We’re looking for a Real Sustainability Volunteer! We are currently looking for a talented and
The Future of Fashion
REAL attended the Aspen UK webinar The Future of Fashion. Panelists discussed the social and environmental challenges facing the industry, some encouraging initiatives and how to get stakeholders to support change. The speakers talked about a range of issues including changing public behaviour and the need for new economic models.
Why feminine leadership is needed in the climate, ecological and social crises
On International Women’s Day, Safia Minney of REAL was in conversation with Roopa Mehta, CEO of SASHA and President of the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO). They talked about issues affecting women, particularly in the global south, and how WFTO works to empower women, what action needs to be taken to achieve gender parity and promote female leadership.
Purpose Disruptors Initiative: Creating an Alternative Reality
Purpose Disruptors is a network of advertising insiders created in 2018. REAL attended their event launching a new initiative to bring about a sustainable shift in lifestyle by presenting a tangible vision of the future. Involvement of the media and advertising sectors will harness their skills in communicating cultural change. The project will run alongside Race to Zero.
BCorp in Leadership
REAL Sustainability takes a look at BCorporation the organisation building a community of businesses focused on balancing the outdated primacy of shareholder profit with environmental and social impacts. Certification as BCorp requires a company to make appropriate changes to its Articles of Association. BCorporation is seeking changes to the UK Companies Act to make business responsible for their impacts.
Climate Action – The Countdown Continues
REAL reports on the Swedish Textile Initiative for Climate Action (STICA) webinar “Climate Action – The Countdown Continues”. The event considers the challenge facing the industry in terms of targets necessary to meet the Paris Agreement. There is a discussion on how to achieve a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030 and for STICA to lead the way in climate action.
Cutting Your Digital Footprint
REAL Sustainability attended the Business Declares and Tech Nation webinar Inspiring Action. The event considered the environmental impact of the digital sector in particular emissions which correspond roughly to the contribution from Germany (ranked #7 in the world). Speakers talked about how to account for emissions, ideas for reducing emissions and offsetting with a particular focus on remote working.
Defining a Global Net Zero Standard
REAL Sustainability attended SBTi webinar launching a public consultation process on net-zero criteria. SBTi drives the adoption of science-based targets based on Paris Agreement goals. The current initiative seeks to ensure a common understanding of net-zero in terms of boundaries, definitions, timeframes, and mitigation strategies. It covers emission reduction in line with a 1.5oC pathway and neutralisation of residual emissions.
Fashion’s Circular Future
REAL Sustainability attended the Vogue Business webinar “Fashion’s Circular Future”. The industry is currently embedded in a linear system. Cheap fossil fuels and labour facilitate fast fashion. A circular system eliminates waste and retains resources for subsequent use. We need to move to value-added chains and products to protect workers. We also need to look at business models.
