1. Sustainability literacy: what is is, why is it necessary, how do we get it? European Training Foundation, 23 rd November 2010 Turin, Italy

2. What I will try to do Say what it is. A shared language for talking about sustainable development and sustainability literacy Explain why we need it. What is unsustainable development? A ‘tame’ problem or a critical systems failure? Talk about how to get it. Some ways for ETF to integrate sustainability into what they do. Demystify SD. Make it easier to communicate.

3. Sustainability Literacy – what is it? The same as any other sort of literacy But not synonymous with environmental literacy Practically we know what to do, it’s the psychology of change that matters How long have we got to get on track?

4. Sustainability literacy is gained the same way as any other sort of literacy The need for change is understood and accepted Knowledge and skills to behave differently are developed Right behaviour is recognized and, if appropriate, rewarded

5. Natural factors cannot explain recent warming

6. Recent warming can only be simulated when human GHG emissions are included

7. IPCC 2007 Radiative Forcing of Climate 1750-2005 The impact of humans dominates current radiative forcings* All available evidence shows that solar irradiance has a minor impact on global temperatures at present. * more energy entering than leaving the troposphere

8. Uncertainty in Future Climate Change IPCC 2007 Range of predicted global warming by 2100 6.4 o C 1.1 o C Different scenarios

9. Glacier retreat: Nef Glacier, Patagonia 4 km recession since the 1930s 180m surface melting since 1870s 1870 glacier surface 180 metres 1870 glacier surface These trees are growing where the glacier was in the 19 th century.

10. Sustainability is not synonymous with environment Sustainability: a quality, something with the capacity to continue into the long term Sustainable development: a path for human progress that has the capacity to continue into the long term This means meeting our environmental, social and economic goals AT THE SAME TIME

11. The psychology of change matters – a lot This is about people – their well-being now and in the future. Use language carefully. All life on earth includes us. We are not separate. Cognitive dissonance: consume more; use fewer resources Avoid clashes of values sets: saves money = selfish, taps self-interest good for everyone = caring, taps desire to belong, share Fear of change feeds denial

12. New habits feed new behaviours ‘We don’t have habits, they have us’ Elizabeth Shove 2003 Want to do right thing, but can’t practically. The ‘facilitating conditions’ are not there Practices have: material infrastructure meanings competencies

13. Triandis’ Theory of Interpersonal Behaviour (1977) Beliefs about outcomes Social factors Attitude Emotions Evaluation of outcomes Norms Roles Facilitating Conditions Self-concept Affect Frequency of behaviour Habits intention Behaviour

14. From Here to Sustainability: how long have we got? Sustainable Development 60 years to go? We have to be on track within the next 10-15 years, so it is THIS generation that has to act decisively 2072 Sustainability 1972 The First Earth Summit Now

15. Sustainability literacy: why do we need it The world is full up. The crisis is of supply and demand Our species has taken the wrong development path Some new directions for progress are emerging

16. A market or a leadership failure? Growing demand side human population UN data 1946 2.2 billion 1972 3.6 billion 2009 6.8 billion 2050 9.2 (10.7) billion Shrinking supply side “Normally, large, aggressive, predatory mammals are rare – humans have broken this rule” Colin Tudge, 2005

17. human economy takes 40+% Loss of biomass and diversity + Mineral depletion + Waste overdose + Excess fossil fuel use + persistent poverty, injustice & inequality = damaging feedback = damaging feedback Unsustainable development: Symptoms of a whole system failure

18. The laws of physics apply to us too There is no chain of being – just great networking Big, fierce, predatory animals are rare The safety catch of evolution is its slowness Our spirit evolved with and throughout the rest of life What we’ve forgotten:

19. Kotter (1990) A force for change: how leadership is different from management The compound error theory of history Biogeo- chemical economy real people the human economy A. SmithJ. Hutton

20. Kotter (1990) A force for change: how leadership is different from management Reconciliation economics Biogeo- chemical economy real people the human economy A. SmithJ. Hutton Reconciliation economics

21. New Directions are signalled: reconciliation economics ‘Greening’ of national accounts – World Bank and others The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity Behavioural economics – the death of homo oeconomicus? Broader definitions of capital – natural, human and social capital join infrastructure and finance New measures of economic success – www.stiglitz-sen-fitoussi.fr

22. Sustainability literacy: how to get it? Get the diagnosis right Accept there is no silver bullet Develop habits of mind and adopt principles of practice Us pedagogic innovation as part of the story Design some tools that are fit for purpose – and share them Remember it is a social enterprise – we are all sustainability entrepreneurs now! There is lots of compatibility with rest of ETF agenda

23. Getting the diagnosis right Being honest about the scale of the challenge – but recognising it is mission possible, if only just Remembering that one size doesn’t fit all. Where you live and what you do makes a difference Feelings of injustice must be addressed

24. I = P x C x T I Impact on environment P Number of People C Consumption T Technology or techniques of that consumption The all important formula Holdren & Ehrlich, 1974

25. I = P x A x T in 2050? Ekins & Jacobs (1995) adjusted I Impact on environmentdown by 50% P Number of peopleup to 9-10 billion A Affluence, consumptionup, say 3% pa  T Technologies/techniques of that consumption need to improve by 70-90%

26. population density CO2e emissions (millions) per sq/km tonnes/capita Bangladesh 1644 1142 0.3 Egypt 77 773 European Union (27) 495 118 10.7 Tajikstan 6.5 46 0.5 UK 60 248 11 Ukraine 47 78 10.3 USA 302 31 23.5 World5.5 Demography and geography matter WRI and UN

27. Reduction and equality MacKay, 2009 www.withouthotair.comwww.withouthotair.com 80% reduction + Equality = 1 tonne CO2e/person/ per year

28. No silver bullet – just millions of right actions + Build natural capital + Build human capital + Build social capital - Lower birth rates - Use FEWER resources + Be ultra-efficient in what you do use Now

29. Four habits of thought Understand world views – your own and others Sufficient knowledge about Ethics and values People and community Science and technology Economics Forum for the Future: Leadership for Sustainable Development Masters Programme Developing sustainability literacy: habits of mind and principles of practice

30. Four habits of thought Resilience Am I adding or undermining ecological resilience? Relationships Am I increasing or breaking down relationships? Reflection Have I considered and learn from past actions? Reverence Am I remembering nature is powerful and largely beyond our comprehension? Sara Parkin (2010) Positive Deviance: Sustainability leadership in a perverse world

31. Beubunto Practicepositive deviance Exercisecompassion Thinkin systems, about resilience Planoutcomes and strategies Distil wisdom from data deluge Mobiliseimagination, in yourself and others Principles of practice: Sara Parkin (2010) Positive Deviance: Sustainability leadership in a perverse world

32. “ The prescription … is to take sovereign responsibility to the local level. The defence against terrorism has to include rejection of it within the community where it hides. Carbon reduction and energy conservation require local targets to be set.” Sir Jeremy Greenstock, States must act locally in a globalised world, FT 15 May 2008 Implementation is always local ‘The crisis is of implementation’ Kofi Annan, WSSD, 2002

33. ‘Infrastructure of responsibility’ Role of supra-local governance is to provide the ‘facilitating conditions’ and ensure the right infrastructure is in place

34. Tools that everyone can use Pedagogic innovation Tools that are fit for purpose – and adaptable e.g.Futures Cradle to Cradle Five capital analysis tool Helping others to design their own, hastens uptake

35. Pedagogic innovation is part of the story One size does not fit all –design your own learning journey; aim to be good enough Experiential and group learning, reflection, action research Broad knowledge, flexible skills, transferable literacies

36. Course design for sustainability literacy government boss pollution air neighbours water colleagues friends family food bank Land/landscapes Professional associations suppliers internet media car Social groups Public transport regulators clients Pension fund customers Local park shops chemicals forests

37. Five capital tool for implementing SD Triple bottom line Sustainability Venn Diagram Environment E conomySociety Environment Society Economy Sustainable development

38. More accurate: but implementation still not clear Economy works within values of society Society sets ethical framework Environment sets physical boundaries - the real bottom line

39. If we ruled the world, what resources would we have? CAPITAL STOCKS of resources NATURAL HUMAN SOCIAL FINANCIAL land, sea, air, rivers, ecological systems money, stocks, bonds health, knowledge, motivation, spiritual ease governance, communities, families, institutions tools, infrastructure, buildings MANUFACTURED Forum for the Future

40. Healthy stocks = flow of benefits NATURAL HUMAN SOCIAL FINANCIAL STOCK: land, sea, air, rivers, ecological systems FLOW: energy, food, water, climate, waste disposal STOCK: money, stocks, bonds FLOW: means of valuing, owning, exchanging other 4 STOCK: health, knowledge, motivation, spiritual ease FLOW: energy, work, creativity, love, happiness STOCK: governance, communities, families, institutions FLOW: security, justice, social inclusion STOCK: tools, infrastructure, buildings FLOW: places to live, work, play; access to them MANUFACTURED CAPITAL STOCKS: of resources FLOW: of benefits

41. Five Capitals: Analysis Grid Kotter (1990) A force for change: how leadership is different from management CAPITAL In its business practices In the products or services it provides In the communities where it has influence FINANCE1 611 MANUFACTURED2 712 SOCIAL3 813 HUMAN4 914 NATURAL5 1015 What is your organisation doing to maintain or enhance these stocks of capital? What more could it do?

42. We are all social enterprises now A business model that can work for all types and sizes of enterprises

43. Definitions need to be refreshed Enterprise an undertaking; a bold or dangerous undertaking; a business concern (Chambers) Entrepreneur One who undertakes an undertaking (Chambers) An economic agent who perceives market opportunities and assembles the factors of production to exploit them in a firm (Penguin D of Economics) Innovation ‘putting new products and or services on to the market or new means of producing them (Penguin Dictionary of Economics) To make changes; (in Scots law) to substitute one obligation for another ( Chambers)

44. Draft criteria for a sustainability enterprise/undertaking Red text is same for refreshed definition of social enterprise Whether undertaken by an individual, or any group of individuals or organisations a sustainability enterprise: 1.has as objective(s) outcomes that either directly contribute to the stock of social, human and natural capital, or increases the capacity of others to do so (holistic and interconnected) 2.is mindful of others and its broader impact, so growth of capital or benefit in one area does not result in a diminishment of capital or benefit in others (systematic and transparent) 3.can explain gains (and any losses) in each capital area and provide evidence of how the enterprise will maximise gains, and minimise and/or restore any loss. (maximising benefit, minimising damage) Continued …

45. 4. can explain the strategy, structure, process and skills behind the design and implementation of the exercise (sharing experience, transferring learning) 5. knows and respects the scientific principles affecting the physical world and that of human behaviour change (scientific and people literacy) 6. is replacing, or will replace, some unsustainable activity, rather than adding a new product or activity to business or life as before (substituting good behaviour for bad) 7. whether undertaken voluntarily, or by a for- or not-for-profit exercise, reinvests any surplus financial or physical assets in either the original undertaking, or in other undertakings that meet sustainability beneficial outcomes (sustainability value added) Draft Criteria for a sustainability enterprise/undertaking … cont

46. Compatibility with other ETF objectives and responsibilities EU policy on sustainable development and climate change Poverty reduction policies and programmes Security - developing local resilience ‘Flexicurity’ – for individual, in changing job markets Entrepreneurialism essential – build on local strengths Is consistent with new economic thinking, business practice

47. ‘practical wisdom is a reasoned and true state of capacity to act with regard to the human good’’ Aristotle Desired outcome – practical wisdom

48. Advice to Obama: global trends to 2025 The hallmarks of tomorrow’s world will be scarcity – of land, water,oil, food and ‘air-space’ (for greenhouse gases) –Leaders and their ideas matter –Economic volatility introduces a major risk –Geopolitics rivalries trigger discontinuities more than does technological change … …and the greatest of these is leadership: “leadership matters, no trend is immutable, and … timely and well- informed intervention can decrease the likelihood and severity of negative developments and increase the likelihood of positive ones” The US National Intelligence Council, 2008

49. Thankyou for listening Sara Parkin saraparkinoffice@forumforthefuture.org www.forumforthefuture.org

50. Positive Deviant: A person who does the right thing for sustainability, despite being surrounded by the wrong institutional structures or processes and by stubbornly uncooperative people Perverse: Obstinately in the wrong; wrongheaded; against the evidence; turned aside from the truth (Chambers Dictionary)

51. a F