The Decade of Action: How Prince Charles is inspiring action through sustainable markets
“I intend to do my utmost to ensure that the message of urgency, systemic change, collaboration and integration is heard. We simply cannot waste any more time — the only limit is our willingness to act, and the time to act is now.”
This was the passionate plea from Prince Charles at the recent World Economic Forum at Davos in Sweden when speaking about Climate Change. This is not a new message from HRH, who has long been an advocate and champion for change with regards to the environment, circular economy and mitigating climate change. For over 15 years he has been raising these issues.
Davos was also the meeting of 2 icons from the climate campaign — the heir to the British throne and teenager Greta Thunberg. Both from very different generations and backgrounds, but united in their desperation to see change come about. There were also many youth attendees invited into discussions around solutions moving forward — they know they will be living with this world long after many world leaders are gone and they want action now.
It seemed much of the conversation this year, at the forum that brings together world leaders annually, was focused on this topic. Straight off the plane from Davos, Leanne Kemp, Queensland Chief Entrepreneur, shared with us at our recent Circular Economy Futures event that “Climate, Environment, Sustainability and Secure Economy” were the centre of the forum for the first time in it’s 50 year history. This year also marked the ‘end of business as usual capitalism’ and she further echoed the messages of HRH and Greta, emphatically stating that “We desperately need action brought forward this year” said Leanne.
Taking the lead to drive action, HRH Prince of Wales announced a 10-Point Plan and Sustainable Markets Initiative to kickstart the Decade of Action and help bring about a “paradigm shift, one that inspires action at revolutionary levels and pace”.
“Sustainable markets generate long-term value through the balance of natural, social, human and financial capital.” said the Prince of Wales.
The time of the triple or quadruple bottom line company has come. There are multiple stakeholders in the companies we create, that form such a fundamental part of our world and the constructs within which we live. The long silent & impartial stakeholder, the environment, is now making its voice heard.
I look forward to the upcoming discussions the Prince of Wales will be convening, to bring innovators, investors and decision-makers together so that we bring about the fast pace we will need to realise sustainable markets and a better world for future generations.
