The 2018 National Sustainability in Business Conference will be held on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 March at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Brisbane.
Mr Ken Hickson, Chairman at Sustain Ability Showcase Asia (SASA) in Singapore joins us next month at the conference to discuss ‘The Art of Sustainability in The Age of Digital Disruption’.
Ken Hickson provides a global overview of how sustainability measures and management in companies and countries has evolved, often in parallel with the emergence of “digital disruption”.
The new industrial revolution, largely observed as a technological or digital revolution, has evolved in parallel with the “Clean Energy Revolution”.
It can be argued that Sustainability in itself – along with the Circular Economy (also called the Blue Economy) – is in reality as “disruptive” as the digital revolution.
Looking at global and regional/Asia Pacific industry players, as well as in some countries, states and cities, we can see that sustainability and digital disruption are unlikely, but significantly compatible bedfellows!
Energy is one of four key factors which make up sustainability, the others being Environment, Economy and Ethics. This is an advance on John Elkington’s Triple Bottom Line – People, Planet and Profit – to provide a more balanced and stable position for Sustainability.
A four-legged table or chair is much more stable than a three-legged stool!
In the age of digital disruption and the new industrial revolution, the presence and practice of sustainability provides the every necessary “future-proofing” that’s needed, consistent with the 1987 UN Brundtland Report that sustainable development involves “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Likewise, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can also be seen as “disruptive” as they distinctively counter the “business as usual” approach which countries and industries have applied for some time.
Climate Change necessitates a change in mind-set and sustainability provides many of the measures needed to manage the planet.
Technology isn’t the complete answer but with human intervention and effective management of all resources – energy, water, food, waste and people included – it will be possible to provide a future for the earth and its people.
For more information on the 2018 National Sustainability in Business Conference and to secure your spot today, please visit the conference website.
