Carrots or sticks? Exploring new values and opportunities on the path towards a sustainable future
The panel discussion on sustainability, held during Novia's RDI seminar 2023 in Turku, concluded that a combination of bottom-up and top-down solutions is necessary for a holistic sustainability shift. The panelists, including Johan Saarela (Stormossen), Sara Libäck-Sandin (Losvik & Flen), Farid Karimi (University of Jyväskylä), and Anika Nicolaas-Ponder (IKEM - Institute for Climate Protection, Energy and Mobility), emphasized the need for empowerment, participation at all levels, and daily micro-actions from individuals. Bold regulations, policies, and demand for enhanced accountability on businesses being the biggest polluters are also necessary. The discussions ranged from circular economy and technological development to communication, highlighting the complexity of the methods and strategies needed to achieve sustainability.
“It’s not embedded in human
nature to question status quo”
Nicolaas-Ponder emphasized the need for humans to question the status quo, as it is crucial for us to move away from business-as-usual if we want to ensure a thriving future for coming generations and take active part in that journey. Karimi echoed this sentiment, stating that as a society and economy, we are trapped in old ways and must break free from them. Additionally, Karimi called into question if we need a big disruptive event like a pandemic, an energy crisis, or Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to spark creativity to accelerate the green transition and bring our thinking outside the box. Karimi emphasized the need for a clearer definition of sustainability as the term currently holds vagueness and multiple meanings. To create meaningful change, we must all agree on what we are changing and why. However, it is essential to not point fingers, and acknowledge that one definition cannot fit all actors, situations or needs.
"Circular economy as
an engine for change"
Libäck-Sandin and Saarela highlighted the opportunities and challenges that come with transitioning to a circular economy. It requires individuals and societies to question how things are done, what is valued, and explore how behaviours and operations can adapt towards more circular practices. Libäck-Sandin raised a critical question about whether we need ‘carrots’ that incentivize changes or ‘sticks’ that regulate and punish unsustainable operations to accelerate the circular economy. However, this shift requires a fundamental change in how we approach sustainability and finding the right balance between incentives and regulation will be crucial. Meanwhile, Saarela shared his insights from working at Stormossen, an innovative waste management company that is already making strides towards circularity. Despite progress being made, there are still knowledge gaps that need to be bridged.
Novia's RDI force is working towards accelerating knowledge and know-how to make societies more resilient and fit for the transition ahead. As we navigate the challenges of the 21st century, it's clear that the shift towards a circular economy is no longer optional, but an essential measure to reach global sustainability goals. This calls for embracing new values and collaborating across disciplines and businesses to find appropriate steps. It's essential to recognize that the transition to a circular economy is a journey, and the road ahead may not always be easy. However, this journey is necessary to create a sustainable future for generations to come. The circular economy requires collective effort, and every individual and organization must play their part in making it a reality.
After the panel discussion, the prevailing sentiment was a call for bold and holistic changes towards sustainability throughout the coming decade.
The blogpost has been reviewed by Novia's editorial board and accepted for publication on 16.5.2023.
