How can we live more sustainably?

Together for a Fair Climate Future
Discussion 3: How can we live more sustainably?

Tuesday 20 April 2021

How can we live more sustainably? explored the social and environmental impacts of our actions as individuals and communities. The event shared practical tips and ideas for living more sustainably as individuals, from cutting our carbon emissions to raising our voices on climate issues. It also looked at how we link these with wider systems changes and the actions needed by business and government to support this change.

The ideas presented here are those of the panellists and video contributors - full credit must be attributed to them. Find out more about the speakers at the end of the summary note.

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Panellists and video contributors explored the social and environmental impacts of our behaviours and actions as individuals and communities. They shared practical tips and ideas for living mores sustainably.

"Raise your voice, cut your footprint" – Angela Terry

These included talking about climate change and fairnessas well as reducing our emissions through consuming less, changing our diets, choosing low-carbon transport options, making homes and heating more energy efficient, and making sure our money is invested in companies taking action for sustainability.

"We need to speak to people to better understand their perspective and think about how we can redesign processes and systems so the eco-friendly choices feel easy and intuitive" – Alice Farrell

The event discussed ways to enable behaviour change so that sustainable choices are easy and accessible for all. Panellists shared examples of how behaviour change works in practice and why starting by understanding people's experiences in a day-to-day context is essential. Panellistsemphasised that moves towards net zero and a green economy must be fair, inclusive, and ensure security for marginalised and disadvantaged communities, with no one left behind.

"What is the point of having a really sustainable world that only affluent people can really enjoy? … We need to ensure not just a sustainable world, but a happy world for all of us to live in" - Kareena Birla

The event then looked at how we link individual and community action with wider system changes and the responses needed by business and government to support this change. Individual behaviour change won't lead to change at the scale and pace needed without also changing how the systems in which we live work. The event explored models of circular economy, what it means to be a responsible and sustainable business, and why policy decisions need to be taken today with a view to the long-term.

We can't just change one small part of the system to solve the problem. In fact, we need to change the whole goal of the system" – Jack Barrie

Live event illustration: William Bock – Visual Scribe

Panellists

Jack Barrie - Circular Economy Policy Analyst, Zero Waste Scotland

Jack is an expert on the topic of the circular economy. He holds a PhD on accelerating systemic innovation to accelerate the circular economy transition and a Masters in Sustainable Development from Cambridge University. He has worked on a range of radical sustainable technologies across Europe, Africa and Asia. In his role as Circular Economy Policy Analyst for Zero Waste Scotland, he develops the research, evidence, analysis and advice to Zero Waste Scotland and the Scottish Government to help realise circular economy policy commitments. In May, Jack will begin his new role as Circular Economy Research Fellow at Chatham House.

Kareena Birla - Social and Climate Activist

Kareena is an 18-year-old student studying Politics and International Relations at Keele University. Her activism is rooted in freeing people and the planet from cooperate and governmental oppression. She focusses largely on how the patriarchy effects all walks of life, how ingrained racism is within the system and how we can tackle this.

Alice Farrell - Policy Advisor, Behavioural Insights Team

Alice is a Policy Advisor at the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT). BIT is a global social purpose company which generates and applies behavioural insights to inform policy, improve public services and deliver results for citizens and society. Alice specialises in Environment & Sustainability Policy. In her work, she develops interventions to encourage pro-environmental behaviours such as recycling, sustainable transport, and food consumption. Alice has a bachelors degree in Biological Sciences from Oxford University.

Angela Terry - Founder, One Home: Positive Solutions

Angela Terry is an environmental scientist who founded One Home, the UK’s first one-stop-shop on climate action for consumers. One Home has reached over 260 million people since launching in April 2018 and is number one on Google for search terms such as home insulation. Angela has twenty years’ experience in developing and financing renewable energy projects, Government energy policy, energy efficiency and sustainable forestry. She regularly contributes to national TV, radio and print on the impacts and the solutions to climate change including the ground-breaking IPCC report on 1.5C of warming for the BBC and The Sun’s Green Week initiative.

Video Contributors

Jen Zead - Author
Maria Arceo – Sculptor and Installation Artist
Charlotte Boggon – Young Trustee, Young People's Trust for the Environment (YPTE)
Rachel Edwards – Tenant and Resident Strategy group, Blaenau GwentDr Mark Williamson – Director, Action for Happiness
Syed Ahmed – Director, Energy for London and Chair, Community Energy London
Sharlene Gandhi – Business and Sustainability
Miranda Schnitger – Government Lead, Ellen MacArthur Foundation