Growing Awareness of the Impact of Climate Change on Nature
At the recent Cop 28, McKinsey discussed with different stakeholders an imperative that underpins the way to achieve a net zero future, that is the role of nature. Nature is an integral part of all of our lives and all economic activity. They argued that we need to see humans as an integral part of nature and not separate from it. This blog will look at the themes that were raised and look at how they might also apply in an educational context.
Charlotte Hankin from Coconut Thinking expressed a concern that there is a strong perception that children had become separated from Nature. She agreed with a key conclusion of Mc Kinsey’s discussions of how important nature was in all our lives and argued that children need to be exposed to it more in Education. At present there is reluctance to expose students in many places because of the risks involved and the perception of it being a dangerous place that has been created by the media.
One of the key theme that emerged from McKinsey's discussions about Business relationship to nature aligned with this was: “Nature should be treated like A balance sheet item and link protection to production”. This point is developed further by stating that businesses that understand, manage and monitor their impact on nature will ensure that they are resilient and be economically successful. Schools need to also consider their own impacts on nature and their students relationship with it.
A second theme that McKinsey explored was Looking beyond the risk and focus on potential opportunities in protecting nature. For many businesses, this meant looking at the risks of nature and considering the benefits from new sustainable businesses, product innovation and cost reductions. As the head of sustainability at Barclays Group said “....We also need to think about the opportunities presented by the transition to a more natural positive ecosystem.”
In an Educational context schools need to think more carefully about the transition to more renewable sources of energy, create more energy efficient buildings and also about how they use food waste.
A third theme which was discussed by McKinsey was to improve businesses relationship with nature was Collaborate with multiple companies to generate scale. A finding from their discussions was that companies that work together can provide both the scale and confidence to “aim high and gain maximum impact”. In Education we have seen that there are many schools that are examining their own sustainability and developing curricula that are going to further that aim. However, it is only recently that we see individual schools combining together to increase the pressure on school accrediting agencies to make changes in the way that schools are authorised. The first moves have been made in this direction by the Middle Schools Association by recognising schools of Distinction for Sustainability. There are also groups of schools that are working together with organisations such as Sused to stress the importance of a move in this direction.
Metanoia in their research on Sustainability in International Schools identified another major weakness of schools was their inability to work with local communities to identify issues that their shared local environment faces. Consequently, they had not been involved in solving these issues. Metanoia found that only 1 in 3 international schools were working with the local community on sustainable issues.
Another theme that was identified in these discussions was Investing in Nature. In a business context this was seen as an area that had been underutilised by many companies. Areas that were identified were more sustainably managed land and what were described as regenerative foods. In the Educational context this could mean that schools invest in planting more trees and plants that are attractive for insects and birds. They could also see what opportunities existed in the areas around their schools. Metanoia in their research on Sustainability of International schools identified consideration of the state of the school campus as being vitally important. Metanoia 1 in 6 not working with local groups..
Consideration of supply chains of businesses and how they might affect climate and Nature was another theme that was discussed by McKinsey. This is certainly something that schools can also consider when they are ordering materials for their operations. Schools are consumers of a wide range of products from paper to computers as well as food. The Alliance for Sustainable schools recently discussed how schools acquire food for meals that they provide for their students. Not only do they discuss whether the food comes from agriculture which are themselves sustainable, but also the food miles that bring the produce to the plate.
In concluding their paper on the COP 28 discussions Mckinsey argued that it was important that businesses Get started now on incorporating nature in their financial planning, identify positive opportunities from nature and collaborate with others. Metanoia in their research identified that many international schools have yet to embark on a coordinated approach to sustainability and the care of nature. Many of the schools leaders have recognised there are issues but have yet to address them. The message from business is to be more proactive in their consideration of nature and the opportunities it may present. Education has been slow to react to the need to consider and embrace nature and to include it in school operational activities and curricula.
References
Tony Hansen (2023) “Building and Financing nature-positive economy in the Spotlight at COP 28” PDF published by McKinsey
Metanoia, (2023) “Summary of Findings-Sustainability, A White Paper, Global Insights from the International School Market>”