💚 First-ever climate leadership roundtable

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Hej, It's finally December and we have exciting news! Last week, we hosted the first edition of our climate leadership roundtable. We share an opinion piece about why ESG ratings are unreliable and some resources for having a productive conversation on climate change this festive season. Last but not least, check out our blog for a piece on why it's time for us to rethink our use of GDP. Roundtable What constitutes effective climate leadership?  Last week, Another Tomorrow hosted the first edition of our climate leadership roundtable on the topic of ‘Roadmap Net Zero’. Together with our climate research partners, Åsa Löfgren and Sverker Jagers, and industry leaders from organisations such as PostNord and Stockholm Exergi, we explored enablers and barriers to unleash bold collaborative climate action.   Key takeaways were how organisations can advance by strengthening internal and external cooperation through awareness, trust, communication, direction, skills, tools, accountability and commitment. This is important given the challenges posed by the significant scales of climate interconnections across time, geographies and number of actors. Efficient climate leadership also requires net-zero transition challenges to be clearly defined and understood, while systematising the work ahead. Nevertheless, Nordic businesses are privileged with globally unrivalled conditions and positioned to create a Silicon Valley of Sustainability. Further strengthened by recent policy advances such as the EU Green Deal and Fit-for-55, likely to override most potential slowdowns of Swedish climate legislation, along with international ripple effects of the US’ Inflation Reduction Act, sustainability oriented organisations are facing market opportunities of historic proportions. To help organisations seize this unique opportunity, Another Tomorrow has developed TransitionView, a tool that helps companies diagnose current capabilities, alignment and motivation levels, while highlighting “blank spots” or areas urgently needing improvement for real progress to be made. Want to learn more about both TransitionView and the next round table set to take place in early 2023? Reach out to Lisa!  Opinion The end of ESG ratings? Source Earlier this week, Head of Sustainable Impact Lisa suggested this read to us by Sasja Belik where he highlights how ESG ratings are misleading. As a sustainable finance professional who has used ESG as a key tool for many years, he believes that ESG analysis is the way forward instead. ESG ratings are often used by the financial industry, but neglects how sustainable a firm’s business model, products and services are.  According to Beslik, “What they tell you is whether the company ticks the boxes of reporting on its own corporate conduct. There is no link, and I mean it, no link between a company’s corporate business growth strategy and their sustainability ratings.” These ratings are self-published by companies and rarely verified by third parties. Take for example, the World Cup. Qatar’s ESG rating puts it at 24th out of 32 places as it scores badly on political rights, civil liberties, treatment of migrant workers and environmental risks. Perhaps, those who care about ESG should avoid this year’s tournament. Read on here to find out why ESG ratings are problematic. Recommendations Top picks for this holiday season Feeling apprehensive about upcoming dinners and gatherings with people who are skeptical about climate change? Fear not, we've got you covered – here are some resources for you to check out before your next festive dinner. 1. The Birth of Climate Denial podcast: Have you ever wondered if climate denial has always existed, and how this denial came about? This podcast provides insight into how the concept has developed over the past 25 years. Source 2. Skeptical Science: A summary of climate change myths vs science, such as "It's not bad" vs "Negative impacts of global warming on agriculture, health & environment far outweigh any positives". It also includes links to research and offers different levels of scientific explanations. If you're interested in exploring the topic of climate skepticism, Uppsala University is offering an open course starting next week - registration ends on 11th December! 3. Why Climate Change is Anti-Justice: This video by Talia Buford introduces the concept of environmental justice on the PBS show 'Hot Mess'. Although climate change affects everyone around the world, some are more affected than others. Blog GDP & Prosperity Source As so many sources, one of them being this year's Stockholm+50 event, have shown us, we urgently need bold, urgent collective action to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. If we remain at the status quo, societies will not be able to prosper.  In our latest blog article, we explore the origins of the concept of GDP and why we should focus on prosperity instead of growth.  Read the full blog article here. Last but not least, we'd like to thank our intern Yuet Ying for the past 11 months at Another Tomorrow. Most of the pieces you've been reading in the past year have been suggested, written and edited by YY and she is one of the big reasons we can deliver a beautiful newsletter right into your inboxes bi-weekly. Thank you, YY and good luck on your future journey ⭐️ And as always, stay safe and stay curious! / Linnéa & Team Another Tomorrow