Insights

We’re Just Not Frightened Enough

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“We’re just not frightened enough. The government needs to frighten us,” my sister said as we drove back from visiting my mum in hospital.

Hospital visits have a way of making us confront vulnerability, forcing us to appreciate our health and life itself. That day, our conversation turned to the future and the urgency of the climate and nature crisis.

Since I began learning about the polycrisis, my life has changed. Awareness leads to choices, and for the past five years, I’ve worked hard to understand and improve the impact of my decisions. I also strive to help business leaders, family, and friends do the same.

But it’s tough. Once you understand the depth of the crisis, the lack of meaningful action – especially at a government level – becomes unbearable.

My sister thinks most people don’t understand or really care about the climate crisis. But is she right?

A 2024 GOV.UK poll found that 80% of people are concerned about climate change, with 37% very concerned and 84% of people believed that the UK should strengthen its commitments to address climate change.

So, why isn’t radical, systemic change happening? Why does business-as-usual still dominate?

Understanding the Challenge

Here are just some of the recent comments I’ve heard:

  • “Some new technology will turn up.”
  • “But what difference will I make?”
  • “I work hard all year; I deserve some winter sun.”
  • “Why isn’t the government telling us what to do?”
  • “Amazon’s cheaper and faster.”

The reality? These attitudes, though common, are part of the problem. But we can shift them.

What Can We Do?

Step 1: Face the Reality

If we want real change, we need to start with understanding. Here are some key resources:

Step 2: Take Action That Matters

Want to have a better impact? Here are practical ways to start:

Step 3: Stay Informed and Inspired

Despite the doom-laden headlines, real progress is happening. Fix the News recently shared 86 stories of positive change in 2024 – worth a read for a much-needed boost.

Let’s Shape a Cleaner, Greener, Fairer Future

We need business leaders who are ready to act. If you want to understand and improve the impact of your decisions, let’s talk.

And if you’re serious about change, sign up for our newsletter to get insights, solutions, and practical ways to help your business create a better future.

Final Thoughts

We might not need to be ‘frightened into action’ but we do need to be inspired, informed, and empowered. The time for incremental change is over. The time for bold, radical action is now.

Let’s make it happen together.

Empathy: The Leadership Superpower We Can’t Afford to Lose

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Two contrasting quotes caught my attention this morning:

“The fundamental weakness of Western civilisation is empathy.”
— Elon Musk

“The death of human empathy is one of the earliest and most telling signs of a culture about to fall into barbarism.”
— Hannah Arendt

One views empathy as a flaw, a hindrance to progress. The other sees its erosion as a warning sign of societal decline. Both perspectives raise an urgent question: What kind of leaders are we celebrating today, and what does that mean for the future?

The Rise of the Empathy-Deficient Leader

In Western culture, power and success are often associated with traits like dominance, decisiveness, and unshakable confidence. We revere leaders who appear strong, who take risks, who defy the status quo. But too often, this celebration of strength comes at the expense of empathy, of kindness, and compassion.

Leaders like Elon Musk and Donald Trump have built their influence on disruption – sometimes at great cost to those around them. Their rhetoric and actions often reveal a belief that emotional connection is a weakness, that empathy slows us down. Yet, history tells us otherwise.

Empathy Is Not a Weakness – It’s a Strength

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It builds trust, fosters collaboration, and fuels innovation. Without it, leadership becomes self-serving, transactional, and, ultimately, destructive.

Empathy allows a leader to:

  • See beyond short-term gains to long-term impact.
  • Prioritise people and planet over profit and power.
  • Recognise that strength is not about crushing opposition but about lifting others up.

Empathetic Leadership in Action

Thankfully, history offers us powerful examples of leaders who embedded empathy as a force for good:

Jacinda Ardern – Leading with Compassion

As Prime Minister of New Zealand, Ardern set a global example of empathetic leadership. From her response to the Christchurch mosque attacks where she embraced grieving families and swiftly enacted gun reforms, to her handling of the COVID-19 crisis, her leadership was defined by care, kindness, and decisive action.

Jacqueline Novogratz – Investing in Dignity

Jacqueline Novogratz, founder and CEO of Acumen, has dedicated her career to tackling global poverty through “patient capital.” Her empathetic approach focuses on understanding the needs of underserved communities and investing in sustainable solutions that uphold human dignity. Since its founding in 2001, Acumen has impacted over 650 million individuals across Africa, South Asia, Latin America, and the United States.

Paul Polman – Redefining Corporate Responsibility

As CEO of Unilever, Polman rejected the traditional short-term profit model and courageously championed sustainable business practices. He understood that true leadership meant considering the impact on people and the planet, not just shareholders. His approach proved that empathy-driven business can also be highly successful.

The Academic Perspective: Empathy’s Role in Effective Leadership

There are myriad academic studies which illustrate the value of empathetic leadership. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Compassionate Leadership: This leadership style emphasises showing compassion to employees. Studies indicate that employees who experience compassion from leaders feel legitimised, valued, and more satisfied with their jobs. en.wikipedia.org
  • Jeremy Howick’s Research on Empathy: A Canadian-born philosopher and clinical epidemiologist based in the UK, Howick directs the Oxford Empathy Programme at the University of Oxford. His research focuses on evidence-based medicine, clinical empathy, and the philosophy of medicine, including the use of placebos in clinical practice and trials. en.wikipedia.org
  • Belinda Parmar’s Empathy Business: British entrepreneur and campaigner Belinda Parmar founded “The Empathy Business,” a consultancy that embeds empathy into companies. The firm published an annual “Global Empathy Index” in the Harvard Business Review, highlighting a causal relationship between corporate empathy and commercial performance. en.wikipedia.org

A Call to Action: The Leaders We Choose Shape the Future

Empathy is not a liability. It is not a weakness. It is what makes leadership human. In an era of climate crisis, inequality, and growing division, we need more leaders who see the world through the lens of shared responsibility, not individual gain.

So, as we reflect on these two opposing views of empathy in the quotes I saw this morning, we must ask ourselves:

  • What kind of leadership are we developing and celebrating?
  • Are we rewarding those who listen, understand, and act with compassion?
  • Or are we elevating those who see human connection as an obstacle to power?

Because the leaders we admire today will shape the world our children inherit tomorrow.

Enough is Enough

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Reflections on 2024 and the Courage to Lead Change

As the year draws to a close, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. 2024 has brought stark reminders of the risks we face – from escalating climate impacts to deepening social inequalities. But it has also shown us the resilience and ingenuity of those who choose to lead with courage and compassion. It’s a perfect time to reflect, recalibrate, and recommit.

Enough is enough.

Why It Matters: Risk and Resilience

The stakes could not be higher. According to PwC’s 2024 CEO Survey, 45% of business leaders do not believe their organisations will be economically viable in the next decade if they continue on their current path. Read the full report here. This sobering statistic underscores the urgent need for businesses to rethink their purpose and impact.

The climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and rising inequalities are not distant threats; they’re here, now, shaping our communities, economies, and lives. Yet, as we face these challenges, we must remember: risk and opportunity are two sides of the same coin. Businesses that take bold action to improve their impact will not only mitigate risks but also build resilience, unlock innovation, and create value for future generations.

How We Can Step Up

This year, we’ve seen extraordinary examples of courage and commitment. From businesses embedding Impact Performance Indicators (IPIs) into their strategies, the growth of the B Corp movement, to individuals committing to Take the Jump, we’ve seen progress.

Thousands of people have joined the Take the Jump movement, collectively adopting sustainable lifestyle shifts like eating more plant-based meals and embracing second-hand purchases. These examples prove that change is possible—and scalable. The seeds of change are being sown.

But incremental steps are not enough.

To step up, we must embrace a mindset shift:

  • Curiosity: Ask the tough questions. Are we doing enough to address the root causes of the challenges we face?
  • Courage: Be bold. Let’s challenge outdated norms and make decisions that prioritise people and the planet.
  • Commitment: Stay the course. Real change takes time and perseverance.

What We Can Do?

Whether you’re an organisation leader, a consultant, or an individual committed to making a difference, here are concrete actions you can take:

  1. Set Impact Performance Indicators (IPIs): The transition from traditional KPIs to longer-term, more impactful IPIs enable you to measure and manage your organisation’s social and environmental impact with the same rigour as financial performance.
  2. Commit to Take the Jump: This is such a simple tool to inspire and empower us all to shape a better world. Join the growing movement of people making six lifestyle shifts to reduce their environmental impact: buy less, travel better, eat more plants, fix and mend, share more, and nurture nature. Explore Take the Jump 
    Small, collective actions can create massive change.
  3. Join the UK for Good Impact Leadership Programme: Ready to lead with impact in 2025? Our three-day programme in January 2025 is designed to inform, inspire and empower you with the tools, insights, and community needed to drive meaningful change.

Enough is Enough

We have enough warnings.

We know enough data.

And for many of us, we have enough – more than enough.

Now is the time to act.

The world doesn’t need more passive observers; it needs courageous leaders. Leaders who will rise to the challenge, reshape their businesses, and inspire others to do the same.

As we close 2024, let’s carry forward this momentum.

Let’s make 2025 a year of action, impact, and hope – by embracing bold changes, holding ourselves accountable, and inspiring others to join us in shaping a better future.

Be the Change the World Desperately Needs

We can all play a part in creating a more equitable, sustainable, and compassionate world. Reflect on your 2024. What will you change in 2025? Will you prioritise reducing your environmental footprint, champion equality in your workplace, or take bold steps to transform your business into a force for good?

Every action counts—what will yours be?

Share your commitments with us, let’s explore ways we can help each other, let’s hold each other accountable, and let’s BE THE CHANGE.

Boycott Black Friday: Choose Kindness Over Consumption

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Black Friday has become synonymous with overconsumption, offering tempting deals but at a devastating cost to people and the planet. The environmental toll of this shopping frenzy is staggering: increased greenhouse gas emissions, mountains of waste, toxic pollution, and a throwaway culture that’s depleting our planet’s resources. This isn’t just a shopping event – it’s a wake-up call.

The Hard Facts:

  • Carbon Footprint: In the UK, Black Friday-related deliveries alone emit 400,000 tons of CO₂, equal to over 400 round-trip flights from London to New York.
  • E-Waste Crisis: Electronics are a top purchase on Black Friday, contributing to the 50 million tons of e-waste generated globally each year, 80% of which ends up in landfills or incinerated.
  • Landfill Overflow: Around 80% of Black Friday purchases are discarded within a year, creating a deluge of waste.
  • Financial Cost: The average UK shopper spends £150 or more, often on items they don’t need, adding unnecessary clutter and financial strain.

The Deeper Impacts:

  • Toxic Waste: Improperly processed e-waste releases hazardous materials like lead and mercury, poisoning water supplies in vulnerable communities worldwide.
  • Social and Psychological Stress: Black Friday encourages impulsive buying, leading to regret, financial stress, and a “throwaway” mindset.
  • Fast Fashion Fallout: Clothes bought during sales often contribute to the 14kg of textiles discarded annually per UK resident, choking landfills and waterways.

Why Boycott Black Friday?

By choosing not to participate, you can:

  1. Save Money 💷 : Avoid unnecessary spending and instead invest in what truly matters.
  2. Reduce Emissions 🌱: Every purchase avoided helps lower the carbon footprint of production, shipping, and returns.
  3. Cut Waste ♻️: Prevent items from adding to landfills and polluting our planet.
  4. Declutter Your Life 🏡: Focus on quality, not quantity, and free your home from unwanted items.
  5. Reclaim Your Time ❤️: Spend the day with loved ones, outdoors, or engaging in meaningful activities.

Call to Action: Let’s Make Black Friday a Force for Good

This Black Friday, let’s redefine what matters. Instead of overconsuming, let’s invest in kindness, courage, and impact. Support local businesses, donate to causes, or spend the day creating memories with family and friends. Together, we can challenge the status quo and show that a better way is possible.

Join us in taking a stand for our planet, our communities, and our future. Boycott Black Friday—and build a brighter tomorrow.

Let’s choose impact over impulse. Will you? 💚

Impact Leadership Programme

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Excited to announce the launch of the UK for Good Impact Leadership Programme (ILP).

The ILP is an interactive and inclusive in-person programme for leaders, consultants, strategists, and in-business sustainability advocates looking to advise on and apply the principles of good business.

Building on the success of our Leadership for Good Programme, ILP has been designed and delivered by me and Louisa Burman; two experienced Impact Consultants and B Leaders, and underpinned by the B Corp principles.

Whether you aspire to support a business to become B Corp certified or not, you will leave the programme with an understanding of how business can lead the change we need to achieve a sustainable future, and the skills to support your clients or business to drive that change.

We champion inclusivity and empowerment to those who face systemic barriers to business so we offer an equity discount of 40% to women and marginalised groups.

Places are strictly limited.

Priority applications open today.

Learn more and apply

Small Changes, Big Ripples: Digital Decisions Matter

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The urgency of tackling climate change has never been clearer. According to the most recent IPCC report, global carbon emissions are still rising, putting us perilously close to exceeding 1.5°C global temperature increase. At COP29, world leaders continue to reiterate that without drastic reductions, we risk severe and irreversible impacts on biodiversity, food security, and human livelihoods. Yet, despite these warnings, the global community is far from where it needs to be, and the impact on our children and future generations may be catastrophic

As business leaders, we hold immense power and responsibility to shape a better future. Every decision we make has consequences for people, communities, and our planet. But sometimes, the most impactful changes are the ones we overlook.

The Hidden Carbon Footprint of Digital Operations

Digital activities, like websites, emails, and social media, may feel intangible, but they come with a tangible carbon cost. In the UK alone:

  • Websites: The average webpage produces 1.76g of CO₂ per page view, and poorly optimised websites can emit significantly more.
  • Emails: Sending a typical marketing email with an attachment emits 50g of CO₂, equivalent to boiling water for a cup of tea three times, or driving a car 1km.
  • Social Media: Scrolling for one hour generates 1.5kg of CO₂ annually per user.
  • AI Services: Training large AI models can emit the same CO₂ as flying across the Atlantic. The use of AI has led to increased carbon emissions by tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, and Google. For example, Google’s emissions were almost 50% higher in 2023 than in 2019.

These numbers remind us that every click, post, and send contributes to a larger environmental footprint. And while reducing emissions might seem daunting, even small steps can make an incredible difference.

Leading by Example: Our Website Transformation

That’s why I’m thrilled to share a significant milestone for us: we’ve radically reduced the carbon emissions from our website and email communications.

We partnered with erjjio, a certified B Corp, to develop a new website that aligns with our values and ambitions. The process was seamless, inspiring, and yes—fun! Together, we created a platform that not only looks fantastic but delivers a meaningful impact.

Our old website had a carbon rating of D, emitting significantly more CO₂ than necessary. Now, with our redesigned site, we’ve achieved an A+ rating and reduced emissions by a staggering 86%! This change not only aligns with our mission but also ensures that every visitor to our site contributes to a lower carbon footprint.

How You Can Start Small and Think Big

Making changes like these doesn’t require a massive overhaul. Start by auditing your website or digital communications. A great tool to begin with is Website Carbon, a free resource to check your website’s rating. You can also ask the team at erjjio for a free Website Health Check if you’d like to get a more detailed assessment of your opportunities to reduce emissions. Small steps, like reducing image sizes or switching to a greener hosting provider, can yield significant results.

The Ripple Effect

When we each take responsibility for our footprint, we create ripples that extend far beyond our own businesses. Imagine if every organisation committed to reducing the emissions from their digital presence. The collective impact would be transformative.

As leaders, let’s continue asking:

  • What small changes can we make today?
  • How can we inspire others to follow suit?
  • Are we making the right decisions for future generations?

A Huge Thank You

I’d like to thank the incredible team at erjjio for their enthusiasm, kindness, creativity, and expertise. If you’re curious about our journey or considering your own website redesign, I’d be happy to share more insights. Let’s keep the ripples going.

Check out your own website rating today: www.websitecarbon.com

Together, small changes lead to extraordinary outcomes.