Welcome to our Hopeful Leadership Now Briefing. This is a monthly compilation of hopeful news that speaks to our five impact pillars: self & community, natural environment, built environment, democracy & justice, and business & capital. We hope this briefing shines a light on our pathway to the next economy.
Welcome to the Hopeful Leadership Now briefing for November 2020. We are now into the fifth day in a row of 0 new COVID-19 cases in Melbourne and the border between VIC and NSW is about to reopen. Globally, and in the shadows of the US election, we have lots of positive climate news, with public policy shifts, activist wins, and moves from big business. Perhaps, just perhaps, 2020 will be seen as a tipping point in our climate emergency.
- Major economies around the world, including South Korea and China, have committed to net zero targets by mid-century, increasing the pressure on Australia to commit to similar targets. Further, the Philippines have announced they are banning all new coal-fired power stations, foreshadowing a drop in demand for Australia’s biggest export: coal. Finally, Britain and France are leading a group of countries calling on Australia and other countries to make new and more ambitious climate commitments.
- Twenty-five-year-old Mark McVeigh has successfully sued one of Australia’s biggest super funds over its handling of climate change. Rest Super Enviro settled the case at the 11th hour and has committed to net-zero emissions for its investments by 2050. In other finance news, the ANZ bank have released its new climate policy which indicates its move away from financing thermal coal and towards supporting the transition to a net zero emissions economy by 2050. And BlackRock has called on AGL to hasten the closure of its coal-fired power plants, when they supported a motion filed by the Australasian Centre for Corporate Responsibility (ACCR).
- Bunnings and Officeworks have joined Aldi in committing to 100% renewable electricity by 2025. This follows a concerted campaign by Greenpeace to convince Australia’s largest companies (and largest energy users) to cut their carbon emissions.
- TED Countdown was held last month, profiling a host of incredible speakers on the theme of accelerating solutions to the climate crisis and turning ideas into action. All sessions can be viewed here and we would especially recommend How to be a Good Ancestor (7 mins) by Roman Krznaric.
- Jacinda Ardern and the New Zealand Labour Party have won the national election in a landslide on the back of strong climate policies and a suite of social policies to support the most vulnerable population groups. PM Ardern has now announced a diverse and inclusive cabinet with two Greens MPs also included in the outer cabinet.
- Finally, here at SGA we have released our Mastery of Business and Empathy (MBE) and are seeking applications for our 2021 program. We live in an historic moment of turmoil, transition and opportunity. Our system has been fundamentally disrupted and the next economy is emerging through the cracks of the old. The MBE reinvents and extends the traditional MBA, equipping leaders with a regenerative understanding of the tools, strategies and philosophies to successfully lead next economy organisations. Apply now!
