Pursuing Sustainable Practices in a Capitalist World

Kimberly talks with Dr. Joe Zammit-Lucia, management consultant and author about why pursuing sustainability in the capitalist system is a long game.

8/8/2024

Joe joins Kimberly to talk about the difficulties corporations, governments, and consumers face in the capitalist system (that has yet to find a viable competitor). Since consumers are driven by status, corporations are beholden to stakeholders, and governments are inextricably tied to both, meaningful progress toward climate change goals is a long game. The question is whether we’ll be around long enough to win.

Joe and Kimberly discuss:

  • How ‘three pillars’ seek to balance the capitalist system

  • How ‘dead nature’ jeopardizes ‘live nature’

  • Why less expensive electric vehicles (EV) from China imported in developed countries undermine the democratic foundations necessary to pursue green policies

  • How natural capital is at risk, despite the World Bank’s Comprehensive Wealth Accounting system’s emphasis on sustainable economic development policies

  • How corporations are caught between satisfying consumers and shareholders while pursuing eco-friendly policies

  • Why market-based solutions will not save nature, though ESG funds are more than just a publicity stunt

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