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Eco Hero: Nicky Chambers, Director of Best Foot Forward

HJ Fantaskis | 05.04.13

We are delighted to celebrate our Eco Hero, Nicky Chambers, Director of Best Foot Forward. 

Nicky co-founded Best Foot Forward with fellow Director Craig Simmons in 1997, and has since played a leading role in theoretical and practical advanced in sustainability. The company helps businesses and organisations (both internationally and nationally) to cost-effectively reduce their environmental impact in a world of limited resources. Their impressive client list include Coca-Cola, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Eurostar, prominent bodies in the public sector, and many more.

Co-author of Sharing nature's interest: ecological footprints as an indicator of sustainability, Nicky has written widely on the subject of business and sustainability. 

Currently Nicky is curating the UK Dreams Project - a fantastic initiative working to create a populist agenda for a more sustainable way of living, at transformative scale. 

'It's a not-for-profit coalition of some amazing people who, together, seek to find an energetic way beyond the current rhetoric and impenetrable language of sustainability in order to build a Dream that is highly actionable, by brands, business and policy makers,' Nicky says. 'The central tenets of the UK Dream work are, to change behaviour, we need to change habits and to change habits, we need to change social norms.' 

This great clip of Nicky at the Eco Islands Global Summit 2012 shares a snapshot of her phenomenal grasp of the issues and the direction industry needs to take to take a meaningful hold of their sustainability game plan. 

Global Summit 2012 - Nicky Chambers, CEO, Best Foot Forward from David Green.

 

Tell us, in 20 words or fewer, about Best Foot Forward - what's your mission? 

To help the world flourish – without trashing the planet.

What motivates you? 

Taking complex issues and making them seem very simple. Oh and a desire to leave the world a better place….

What is your greatest achievement to date? 

Getting the ecological footprint into the mainstream - that’s the idea that if everyone lived like we do in the UK, we’d need another few planets. We started talking about this back in 1997, and have been helping organisations large and small to adapt to reality ever since.

What are the challenges you face?

Helping people to understand that if humans are clever and imaginative, and get our skates on, we can live well, as well as saving the planet.

What are you working on that's getting you fired up and excited?

Lots of things! I’m writing something on what a truly sustainable organization looks like and working on a really exciting project which will make sustainability sexy to the mainstream…

Where do you want to take Best Foot Forward next? 

We plan to carry on expanding in size, influence and services we offer and we’ll continue to challenge and innovate for our clients.

What can we, as individuals, do to make a difference?

Spend your money on experience not stuff….and when you do buy stuff, buy knowingly and with a conscience.

If you were Prime Minister for a day, what would be the first thing you'd do? 

A day might not be enough but I’d start with taxing stuff not people and banning the building of any homes that weren’t energy independent.

What's the coolest project or product you've come across, and inspired you?

Too many to mention and every day a new one.

Can you recommend a life- or game-changing book for our readers? 

No – everyone will find their own life changing book when they start looking.

What do you listen to when you're cooking dinner?

My children all talking at once.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? 

Don’t look back, only forward.

Can you leave us with who'd be your Eco Hero? 

The youth of today.

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Eco Hero: Simon Leadbetter, founder & MD of Blue & Green Tomorrow

HJ Fantaskis | 22.03.13

We are delighted to celebrate Simon Leadbetter, found and MD of Blue & Green Tomorrow as this month's Eco Hero. 

Simon Leadbetter has been at the helm of Blue & Green Tomorrow (B&GT) since founding the publication in September 2010. He has lead B&GT to become the go-to source for news and guides on sustainability in all its forms - responsible investment, tourism, clean tech and energy. 

Prior to setting up B&GT, Simon was the Marketing Director of Emap, the UK's largest B2B publisher - and boasts extensive experience in the clean tech and marketing industry. 

Last night, Greenhouse's Director Anna Guyer joined B&GT at the New Energy Awards and added that Simon was, 'an inspiration. Simon dropped everything to set up B&GI, to address these critical issues. He's 100% committed to making encouraging others to shape a more sustainable future for everyone.'

 

Tell us, in 20 words or fewer, about Blue & Green Tomorrow - what's your mission? 

Investment shapes our future more than anything else. We encourage people to invest in, and buy from, companies that are sustainable.

What motivates you? 

My initial motivation was the realisation that investment (my previous industry) was doing something profoundly wrong to our planet. Securing short-term profits, regardless of the long-term impacts on the environment and society, was untenable. My children, William (3) and Sebastian (1), added greater urgency. My generation and the ones preceding will leave a terrible legacy for our children. How could I look them in the eye, when they are older, and say I had the choice and did nothing?

What is your greatest achievement to date? 

A lot of personal finance journalism about sustainable investment is sloppy and full of clichés and inaccuracies. We set out to be an honest voice in British media focusing on fair, accessible, responsible, optimistic and ethical journalism. During National Ethical Investment Week last year, the Investors Chronicle published a blatant attack on ethical investment. We criticised the many flaws in the article. The author privately threatened to sue us, until we gently pointed out that the IC’s parent, the Financial Times, might not look kindly on one journalist trying to silence another. Gratifyingly we got a far more balanced article from a more experienced writer a few weeks later. Shortly thereafter, it really felt like we’d arrived when we were mentioned in a Wall Street Journal article about Obama’s election.

What are the challenges you face?

Never underestimate how mind-numbingly dull people find finance. One mention of ISAs and pensions and most people’s eyes start to glaze over. We keep exploring new ways to talk about money, which engages, entertains and informs. I believe that most people don’t see the connection between the world around them and what they are investing in – we need to help them make that connection. Financial trade outstrips global GDP 26:1; money really does make the world go round, for good or ill.

What are you working on that's getting you fired up and excited?

Our monthly reports. Every single month we tackle a major theme of sustainability. It’s relentless but it fires me up to talk to the truly amazing people, out in the field, who are actually doing something to make the world a better place. These scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, volunteers are the real eco-heroes – all truly inspirational people. That said, we do this every day online, so I’m pretty fired up all the time.

Where do you want to take Blue & Green Tomorrow next? 

I’m keen to expand our reach in the UK, but also globally. Securing correspondents in America, Africa and Asia would give us a voice on the frontline of sustainable investment and climate change.

What can we, as individuals, do to make a difference?

Move your money. All the energy-saving light bulbs, electric cars, environmentally-friendly products and recycling is for nothing if your savings and investments are investing in oil, gas and mining. It’s really easy to find out where to put your money, or where not to put your money, at YourEthicalMoney.org.

If you were Prime Minister for a day, what would be the first thing you'd do? 

Direct all the money that we plan to spend on Trident (£100bn) at developing renewable energy. Investing in cold war weapons to defend against a threat that does not exist, rather than developing domestic energy security and mitigating the clear and present danger of climate change, is delusional and irresponsible.

What's the coolest project or product you've come across, and inspired you?

This is going to sound odd but windmills and watermills are cool. Ever since I saw my first watermill as a child and made one out of cardboard (not a great material to use for a watermill, I’ll confess) I remain amazed by how a tiny volume of water can create so much power. I can’t pass running water now without thinking, there’s a waste of energy…

Can you recommend a life- or game-changing book for our readers? 

Life Inc. by Douglas Rushkoff. It clearly articulates why we’re in the economic mess we’re in. I read it at a youth hostel in New Zealand in 2010, shortly after reading The Corporation, and pushed me along journey to work towards understanding sustainability.

What do you listen to when you're cooking dinner?

Normally whatever is on Radio 4, ideally a comedy if I get the timing right. Either that or Fireman Sam to keep my three-year old happy.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? 

Seek forgiveness, not permission and never be afraid to be fired.

Can you leave us with who'd be your Eco Hero? 

Juliet Davenport – CEO of Good Energy

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Fairtrade Fortnight Eco Hero: Sophi Tranchell, founder of Divine Chocolate

HJ Fantaskis | 08.03.13

We are delighted to celebrate our Fairtrade Fortnight Eco Hero Sophi Tranchell, founder of Divine Chocolate.

Sophi Tranchell is ambitious, visionary, outspoken, and a genuine pioneer.  She took on Divine Chocolate as MD and has realised the potential to support and empower farmers and growers, not only through guaranteeing a fair and equitable price for the cocoa crop, but through the democratisation of Co-operatives, and through investing in and growing a valuable and divine chocolate brand in a highly competitive market. 

She speaks from the heart and when Divine launched into the US it was one of the women farmers now heading up a Co-operative who spoke out on the inequity of the cocoa market and the need for farmers to be recognized and rewarded fairly – on Capitol Hill in Washington, and on the front page of the Washington Times. 

Tell us about Divine Chocolate - what's your mission? 

To improve the lives and opportunities of small-scale cocoa farmers in West Africa through their own branded Fairtrade chocolate marketing company.

What motivates you? 

The sense that we are all linked together and that we can make the world the way we would like it to be, if we work together and are aware and selective about the goods and services we choose.

What is your greatest achievement to date? 

Making Divine a commercially successful company and getting the farmers a platform to speak for themselves.  It was fantastic to see Comfort Kumeah, a 56 year old farmer speaking on Capitol Hill in Washington DC to launch the chocolate company that she owns. And she even got on the front page of the Washington Times!

What are the challenges you face?

The chocolate market is very competitive and the big supermarkets control a huge amount of the market. Getting Divine out there, so everyone who would like to buy it can, is probably therefore the biggest challenge.

What value do you think the Fairtrade certification scheme adds to your products?

Third party verification - we make lots of claims about our chocolate and consumers can be confident about those claims because Fairtrade Foundation has audited them. They audit Divine and they certify the farmers and make sure that they have received the Fairtrade Premiums and that they are deciding how to spend the extra income in an accountable and democratic way.

What exciting plans do you have for Fairtrade Fortnight at the Pop-UP?

Our Pop Up shop in Monmouth Street is open until Saturday 9^th March so pop by to taste and buy Divine delicious chocolate and our two exciting new flavours; 38% milk with Toffee and Sea Salt and Dark with Chilli & Orange and see our photographic exhibition and our wonderful Fairtrade Warrior Sculpture .

Last night, we hosted Sew It Forward with Zoe Robinson's The Good Wardrobe to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight and International Womens Day AND raised money for Oxfam's Get Together.

Esther & Mary the Kuapa farmers from Ghana are speaking at the Women of the World Festival on the South bank for International Women’s Day (today).

And we also have a Fairtrade Market today (open from 10am - 5.30pm). You’ll find Fairtrade wine Parcel by Parcel, Fairtrade dried fruits and nuts from Tropical Wholefoods, Fairtrade and organic skincare from Essential Care, Fairtrade and sustainable Fashion from People Tree Fashion, Fairtrade underwear from Pants to Poverty, Organic and Fairtrade children clothes from Little Green Radicals, olive oil by Zaytoun and lots of lovely Fairtrade chocolate from Divine of course! 

What can we, as individuals, do to make a difference?

Join in with your community, support local businesses, reuse things, wash less and choose goods and services that make the world the way you would like it to be and know that together we can make a difference. 

What's the coolest project or product you've come across, and inspired you?

Hearing Zaytoun’s story of how they have worked with the Palestinian  farmers to harvest their olives and export their olive oil is an inspiration and a great example of the indefatigable human spirit.

Elvis & Kress handbags made from old fire hoses – an imaginative example of reusing materials really creating value with great designs, all in all, a clever little business.

Can you recommend a game-changing book for our readers? 

Treasure Islands: Tax Havens and the men who stole the world a book by Nicholas Shaxson.  These wealthy tax avoiders have not been paying their way for a long time.  Lord Vesty seems to be the founding father of tax avoidance back in 1910!  Put that in the History curriculum Mr Gove! 

What do you listen to when you're cooking dinner?

The Best of Earth Wind and Fire – this years’ wonderful French film Untouchable reminded me just how good it was to dance to.  

What's the best advice you've ever been given? 

Partnerships are a great way for a small company to succeed but you need to pick your partners carefully, make sure they share your values. 

Can you leave us with who'd be your Eco Hero?

Wangari Muta Maathai the Kenyan Nobel prize winner.

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Eco Hero: Howard Johns, CEO of Southern Solar

HJ Fantaskis | 08.02.13

We are delighted to celebrate Howard Johns, founder and CEO of Southern Solar as this month's Eco Hero. 

Howard set up Southern Solar in 2002 with two friends, as a proactive approach to environmental activism ("protesting is mostly saying no…so I started to say yes"). Today, he's also the Director of OVESCo, and until earlier last year was Chairman of industry body Solar Trade Association. He's a vocal proponent of renewables and, as you would expect, particularly solar-harvested energy. 

He worked with his local community in Lewes (a Transition Town) to set up OVESCo - a company which has set up community-owned renewables schemes, and helped residents reduce their carbon emissions.

Greenhouse's director, Anna Guyer, wanted to add a few words on why Howard is her Eco Hero. 

'Howard Johns is one of those great visionaries who decided to set up up a solar company, Southern Solar, to change the way we produce energy one roof at a time.  He gives so much of his time to campaigning on solar, to educating and informing people of the opportunity and potential to harness the power of solar long term, and in creating an organisation with a genuine commitment to community energy.'

Tell us, in 20 words or fewer, about Southern Solar - what's your mission? 

We help people reduce their bills and impact by turning their building, land or community into a solar power station and helping them to play their part in building the new decentralised low carbon energy system. 

What motivates you? 

Many things. This amazing life and the beautiful planet we live on. Watching my boys growing discovering life and the wonders therein. The thought that we can solve the problems we face and that change is really happening. Having a great team of people to work with who are determined to find a way through the obstacles we inevitably face. Seeing small actions and inspirational people make huge changes. 

What is your greatest achievement to date? 

Haven’t got there yet! But had a lot of fun along the way, lots of small steps that I am proud of, but still working on something really great! 

What are the challenges you face?

Surviving in a mad shifting market where government policy can have such a negative impact on business and consumer attitudes.

What are you working on that's getting you fired up and excited?

Many things: Telling the stories of change – from the centralized polluting monopoly power station, to the community owned, local renewable democratized one. Working on some international projects that could be real demonstrations of how solar can change the energy landscape. Developing a number of new community funded energy initiatives – which could touch thousands of people!

Where do you want to take Southern Solar next? 

I am keen to throw off the geographical limits we have given ourselves to previously; the solar revolution is truly underway around the world. I am very excited to take our skills and experience and help people in other countries to access this marvelous technology. More positive impact, more carbon savings, more green energy generation, more energy security, more very happy clients, more inspired team members at Southern Solar, more of our collective money going to solutions rather than the status quo. The last year has been the hardest one for solar in the UK for many years, but I am determined to use this as a springboard to better things.

What can we, as individuals, do to make a difference?

So many things…..I always think a smile is a good place to start. But, hey, you can redesign your whole life so that you are doing what you really want to do, in something that has a positive impact on people and planet, and live a simple life, where you don’t define success and happiness by the mediocre trappings of consumer capitalism, but by the richness of the relationships with all around.

If you were Prime Minister for a day, what would be the first thing you'd do? 

I would stop for a moment and take care to deliver the most rousing, inspiring, motivating and moving speech by any prime minister since Churchill. A call to action for the whole country and the world about why change has to happen faster, and why it is going to be a great journey we will walk together. The journey of bringing our species back into balance with the natural systems of our home the planet earth, and to create a more fair and happy society in the process. For me it all starts with inspired leadership. Then I would sit down with my cabinet and plan the simplest and swiftest actions that would have the biggest changes: end fossil fuel subsidies: cancel Trident: stop all Nuclear new build: pledge to take the country 100% renewable by 2030; …..I could go on!

What's the coolest project or product you've come across, and inspired you?

Right now it has to be the $5 solar lantern. This little beauty of a product is currently revolutionizing the lives of hundreds of thousands of rural poor across the world. $5 dollars of light that replaces dirty, dangerous and polluting kerosene, pays for itself in three months, increases health and well being of the users, and creates a whole load of micro business to boot.

Can you recommend a life- or game-changing book for our readers?

One of my early inspirations was a book called Shapeshifting by a guy called John Perkins. It inspired me to set up Southern Solar.

What do you listen to when you're cooking dinner?

I am a huge music lover (and have DJ’d for the last 20years!), so it could be anything from world to funk, soul, jazz, hip hop, dubstep, folk, 60s classics, house or even a bit of classical. This week it would probably be Bobby Womack – The Greatest Man in the Universe, which is an awesome album.

What's the best advice you've ever been given? 

Follow your heart.

Can you leave us with who'd be your Eco Hero? 

Let’s hope it is going to be President Obama this coming few years. But for certain I am totally inspired by the works of Muhammad Yunus – one of the spin off companies from the Grameen bank – Grameen Shakti just completed it 1 millionth solar installation! Not bad going for a banker!

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Eco Hero: Mike Townsend, CEO of Earthshine Solutions

HJ Fantaskis | 21.01.13

We're delighted to celebrate Mike Townsend, CEO of Earthshine Solutions, and our Eco Hero of January. 

Mike launched Earthshine Solutions in 2006, to work with organisations to deliver sustainable business success, by integrating business and sustainability - ultimately guiding them to be part of the transition to a sustainable, low carbon world. 

He is a regular contributor on 2-degrees Network, and The Huffington Post, sharing a wealth of knowledge - and, we might add, a welcome talent for transparent pedagogy. We'll be watching his Sustainable Business Strategy Series with interest. 

Earthshine boasts a client list of large and small organisations around the globe, including Triodos Bank, Life Technologies, Aviva, LoyaltyOne (and many more). 

In 2009, Mike launched The Sustainable Business Lab, an online community and resource hub for businesses looking to explore and integrate sustainability principles into their business strategy and supply chain. 

In his Eco Hero interview, discover the radical changes he'd make if he were Prime Minister for a day, and his very own Eco Hero. 

Tell us, in 20 words or fewer, about Earthshine - what's your mission?

We help companies enhance business & sustainability performance – make the transition to a sustainable and low carbon economy – on a journey from eco-efficiency, through circular economy, and systemic change.

What motivates you?

The opportunity to make things better.

What is your greatest achievement to date?

My next one.

What are the challenges you face?

Getting sustainability thinking into the heart of business strategy – getting it into the mainstream.  We have some exciting stuff going on in this space, and I hope to share more with you soon.

What are you working on that's getting you fired up and excited?

The overall journey of the last six years, and our mission, coming to fruition; the penny starting to really drop, getting the opportunity to work with good people in making real change happen.

Where do you want to take Earthshine next?

Very simply, to do good work with good people, and keep making a difference.  We just want to work and collaborate with all those genuinely wanting to make the transition to a new, sustainable economy.  There is no other way.

What can we, as individuals, do to make a difference?

Gandhi nailed it: ‘Be the change you want to see’.  Such a profound statement, on many levels; we all have the power to change what we do, and this can add up to a worldwide change.  We’ve all got to become more aware, and make mindful choices – even if they can seem hard at first sight.  Don’t buy all that stuff – you really don’t need it.  Don’t work for that company, if you don’t like what they do, if they don’t live your values. Do go for that job that is really you; make it work, downsize your living costs and lifestyle, cut out what you don’t need, and spend every hour being true to you.  That way lies freedom; not through chasing the illusion of more status, more cash, more stuff.

If you were Prime Minister for a day, what would be the first thing you'd do?

It would be a busy day. First off, I would throw away the 20^th Century ‘rule book’, and start again; that stuff led us into the mess we are in today. After breakfast, I’d take the Treasury through a re-programming session, so they understand 21st Century economy, then develop a national and regional long-term plan for affordable food, energy, housing, etc – based on greater self sufficiency in a resource and carbon constrained world – pretty much on a war-time footing, if you like. Then shape-up a new industrial policy – what sectors do we need to become great in, in meeting our needs, and developing lasting wealth. Then, just after lunch, mobilisation plans – how to deliver all this - looking at sustainable job creation, through greening the whole economy – providing opportunity and hope for the entire population.  How would we afford it?  By spending more money on people, and less on stuff and waste – from waste to wages!  Then we would cancel all domestic debt; start again, with a clean sheet, to enable the real economy to get moving again. Let a few banks go, that won’t make the grade, and bail out the people – not the banks. Just around teatime – renationalise the water and rail industries, followed by an announcement to the press, and away we go. Then enjoy a nice pint, and go home satisfied.

What's the coolest project or product you've come across, and inspired you?

I don’t get impressed by products that much, I’m more inspired by people – people that are striving to innovate, to make a difference, and that touch each other’s lives.  Many of the people I meet on our detailed case studies for our Global Research Project/Rough Guide to Sustainable Business inspire me. And I met a whole bunch of people at an Anglia Ruskin University/HEA ‘Skills for the Greener Economy' event a few weeks ago that inspired me – lots of energy, enthusiasm, and insight.

Can you recommend a life- or game-changing book for our readers?

John Ruskin’s Unto this Last – a powerful early critique of industrial capitalism that is still inspirational today: “There is no wealth but life”.

Ray Anderson’s Confessions of a Radical Industrialist – to inspire both thought and action towards sustainable business.

David Korten’s Agenda for a New Economy – a lucid account of what went wrong with our economies, and some really robust ideas for a more sustainable future – inspirational and helps us keep the big picture in mind.

Thich Nhat Hanh’s The World We Have – to help inspire mindful thought, and to help us challenge what we are really doing.

And Margaret Wheatley’s Perseverance – she provides ‘food for the soul’, just what you need when the going gets tough.

What do you listen to when you're cooking dinner?

During the week – classical music, to soothe my troubled soul.  But on Saturday night, it’s got to be Planet Rock – rocking out, while I prepare homemade curry!

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

Never give up.

Can you leave us with who'd be your Eco Hero?

My wife – she has been a real hero, in putting up with my sustainable business obsessions, these last six years, and the many sacrifices that have gone with this.  Without her support… it just doesn’t bear thinking about.

 

We also recommend you take a moment to read Mike's latest piece for 2-degrees on his 15 Hopes for 2013 - and take a look at the following discussion. We particularly admire Mike's sharp intuition for what doesn't work in the current economic model, and where we should be looking to focus development. 

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Eco Hero: Zoe Robinson, Ethical Fashion Stylist & Founder of The Good Wardrobe

HJ Fantaskis | 28.11.12

We are delighted to celebrate our Eco Hero Zoe Robinson, founder of The Good Wardrobe. We caught up with Zoe last week after the huge success of the launch of Sew It Forward.

Last week, the (ethical) fashion pack gathered to celebrate the launch of Zoe Robinson's Sew It Forward. The invite-only event brought together some of the capital’s top fashion designers to teach an audience of clothes lovers the secrets of the simple needle and thread at the launch of the new initiative to get London sewing.

The launch was held at top London designer Henrietta Ludgate’s Workshop in Whitely’s Shopping Centre in Bayswater, London. In a break in tradition guests were encouraged to bring garments along that need a bit of TLC and learn to keep them looking good for longer.

We spoke to Zoe at the end of the evening. "Henrietta Ludgate's Workshop was a hive of activity for the launch of Sew It Forward and I was really blown away to see how excited the guests were about the campaign," she said. "Having spent the evening learning to sew, knit, darn or mend, fifteen attendees pledged to share their newfound skills." 

The event also marks the launch of Zoe's latest initiative, The Good Wardrobe - a new kind of sustainable fashion hub. Zoe is a renowned champion of the ‘slow fashion’ movement, which refuses to follow mass-produced seasonal trends - instead focusing on quality and long-lasting garments. The Good Wardrobe is London’s online style-sharing community hub, mixing the best of sustainable fashion with services that prolong the life of your wardrobe.

Tell us, in 20 words or fewer, about The Good Wardrobe - what's your mission?
To create an online community hub for sharing information about sustainable fashion and services that prolongs the life of clothes.

What motivates you?
I want to make it as easy as possible for people to dress stylishly and sustainably. The sharing economy is growing daily which is hugely exciting – it is thought by industry expert Rachel Botsman to be ‘the biggest shift in economics since the industrial revolution’. Collaboration, like sustainability, has a vital part to play in the future of the fashion industry and The Good Wardrobe enables us all to share our knowledge and pool our resources.

What is your greatest achievement to date?
On a professional level I feel very proud to have been appointed a London Leader by the London Sustainable Development Commission earlier this year. Personally my involvement with The Little Big Peace Event has been incredibly rewarding. What began as a three day community festival last year in Streatham in celebration of Peace Day grew to eight days this year. I programmed a number of events for the 2012 festival many of which involved local children. We even had a pop-up waste food restaurant.

What are the challenges you face?
Aside from practical things like lack of time and resources, an ongoing challenge in promoting sustainable fashion is communication. There is always someone who doubts that sustainable fashion can be stylish or affordable. One of the most effective ways to dress sustainably and affordably is to consume consciously; to think before you buy; to really care for the clothes you have (by learning how to sew and laundering carefully); to dispose of textiles responsibly. Communicating that as a ‘stylish’ option is part of the challenge.

What are you working on that's getting you fired up and excited?
The launch of Sew It Forward, a frock-friendly initiative that encourages people to share their sewing skills. I was lucky to have inherited skills from my Mum and to study textiles at school but sewing is not passed down through the generations like it used to be. A couple of years ago my aunt taught me to knit as a Christmas gift – I love the idea that rather than buying one another often useless ‘stuff’ we can instead share our skills. Not only do we learn something incredibly valuable and feel a sense of achievement but spend time together in the process. You can download a Sew It Forward voucher from The Good Wardrobe and give it to someone for Christmas with a promise to share your sewing skills.

How would you like to see The Good Wardrobe grow?
The site has only just gone live so the community has just started to grow but the more people that join, the more wisdom that can be shared. Thinking about that is very exciting.

What can we, as individuals, do to make a difference?
Aside from caring for the clothes you already own, when buying new clothing ask a retailer questions about the supply chain; tell them sustainability is important to you. Talk to your friends and family – you may be surprised how many people hadn’t even thought about where their clothes come from. Join The Good Wardrobe community; ask questions on the forum or share your skills and advice.

(Zoe with Lisa, co-founder of sustainable caterers Squid and Pear, and ethical fashion designer Henrietta Ludgate)

If you were Prime Minister for a day, what would be the first thing you'd do?
Bring back sewing, cooking and woodwork into the curriculum of every school - all skills which teach resourcefulness, creativity and the value of doing things slowly. Students would develop a greater respect for the work that goes into making something and hopefully think twice before paying a couple of pounds for fast-fashion. More young people would take up apprenticeships and see a trade as a viable and attractive career choice.

What's the coolest project or product you've come across, and inspired you?
I recently met a young guy called James Gilley (nephew of Jeremy Gilley who founded Peace One Day). James has just set up social enterprise SPAT, a 6-month running, fitness and nutrition programme that aims to inspire and motivate homeless, vulnerable and at risk young people. His story is truly inspiring and his energy and passion for the project is infectious. I am not the only one who is impressed by James – he’s already garnered sponsorship from brands like Vivo Barefoot.

Can you recommend a life- or game-changing book for our readers?
I can’t pick just one: In Praise of Slow by Carl Honore, What’s Mine is Yours by Rachel Botsman and Roo Rogers and Cradle to Cradle by Michael Braungart and William McDonough all changed things for me. A book that uncovers some of the fashion industry’s dirtiest secrets is To Die For by Lucy Siegle.

What do you listen to when you're cooking dinner?
If I’m not listening to Radio 6 Music then one of my favourite songs to cook to is Catherine the Waitress by Teitur. I am getting married next year so my fiancé and I spend a lot of time listening to music that we might want to dance to at the wedding - through him I’ve come to love jazz and soul and we often dance around the kitchen to Maceo Parker or James Brown.

What's the best advice you've ever been given?
One of the events I programmed for The Little Big Peace Event was a talk with journalist John-Paul Flintoff. During the workshop he asked each of the participants to write down their answer to the question ‘what would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?’

Can you leave us with who'd be your Eco Hero?
My sister Amy Robinson, a Greenhouse Eco Hero, is someone I often turn to for eco advice. And John-Paul Flintoff – I would add his books Sew Your Own’ and ‘How to Change the World’ to my recommended reading list. But what I admire is that he doesn’t just talk or write about how to make change, he takes action and helps others do the same.

As we close this Eco Hero, we asked Zoe about the reception of the launch. "We have Henrietta Ludgate on camera saying she thinks Sew It Forward is' the best thing ever' which, coming from such a talented desugner, feels like such an amazing endorsement." Praise indeed. Best of luck Zoe!

Gutted you missed out on the fun? This Friday (30th November) Zoe and Sew It Forward will be back for Dress for Life, not just for Christmas, a festive soirée at Atelier Tammam in Hastings Street, London. Visit Eventbrite for more details.

Photography by Susanne Hakuba.http://www.susannehakuba.com/

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Global Entrepreneurship Week and CarbonSoft

HJ Fantaskis | 13.11.12

CarbonSoft provides small-scale clean development projects in developing countries with access to funding, by aggregating emissions savings from similar projects, to generate UN-accredited carbon credits, helping to alleviate energy poverty at the bottom of the Pyramid. They are running solar lamp projects locations around the globe, including Tanzania, Malawi, India and Indonesia.

Earlier in the year, CarbonSoft launched a groundbreaking new solar power, carbon revenue project in southern India, in partnership with Indian household name Eureka Forbes. The teams have come together in an effort to reduce pollution, create a healthier environment and improve the economy in southern India.

More than 1.3 billion people worldwide live without electricity and often burn kerosene fuel for lighting. These lamps are dangerous, expensive and release approximately 190 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the air each year (the equivalent of 30 million cars).

With this new program, Eureka Forbes aims to sell 158,000 of their economical, durable and environmentally-friendly lights to households in southern India. CarbonSoft has calculated that this project will prevent more than 80,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions being released into the atmosphere, generating the same number of carbon credits. This will subsidise the cost of the lights for end-users, making them more affordable to the poorest households.

Earlier today, we spoke to fellow Hub Kings Cross member Sebastian Foot - founder and MD of CarbonSoft, in our Global Entrepreneurship Week series.

Tell us about CarbonSoft - what's your mission?

Through providing access to the international carbon markets, we provide financial incentives to our partners in Africa and Asia to distribute high quality solar lighting systems at the lowest price to families who traditionally using fossil fuel for illumination.

What motivates you?

The belief that we should all be living with clean energy by now. And the only reason we are not is because the solutions haven't yet been delivered correctly... 

What is your greatest achievement to date?

With the support of our investor, Standard Bank, we recently won a UN award to establish a new loan facility. This will enable local distributors in Africa to access trade finance to purchase solar energy products in volume. Prior to this local distribution businesses would never have had the opportunity to access these simple financial mechanisms: they were too small or operated in countries that lenders tend not to understand. We're very excited about being able to break ground, even in simple ways, into this new market.

What are the challenges you face?

Our primary job is to ensure that our clients receive the highest price for the carbon credits they generate. Our most recent challenge has been how we manage the falling price of carbon credits in Europe. The European Emissions Trading Scheme provides us with the benchmark for carbon prices and enables us to sell issued carbon credits to companies that have legally binding compliance targets (e.g., cement manufacturers and power generators). Prices have fallen for a range of reasons including the current economic headwinds and international politics around climate change: these are things that, sadly, I cannot affect. But what we can do is to look at how we sell carbon credits. As a result we are now expanding into new markets and working with new buyers: which is exciting.

Imagine for a moment if resources weren't a pressing issue - how far could CarbonSoft reach?

I suspect I have a very limited imagination! In simple terms the demand for solar lighting systems extends to more than 1 billion people around the world who still use kerosene or wood as their source of lighting in the family home. And they are paying more for these fuels over a period of 1-2 months, than if they were bought a solar light. However, simply affording a product that pays for itself within such a short period of time is still difficult for someone living on an income of $2 per day. We work with our in-country distribution partners to help find ways to reach more of this demand. So there is a long way to reach before my imagination is required.

Where should we look out for CarbonSoft next?

We should be announcing partnerships with a leading international conservation partner, a national emergency relief agency and one of the largest distributors of solar lighting products in the coming months.

What support would you like to see the UK government give to entrepreneurial projects, like yours?

This may go a little against the grain, but I'm not looking to the government to give anything. We're a young company, so what affects us more is the commercial environment we work in: having tax national insurance holidays for the early years of the business would be helpful; but more so, having a low cost, predictable reporting regime would be better.

What's the coolest project or product you've come across, and inspired you?

We're impressed with a new solar lighting product from a US company called Nokero: to save power it has a sensor that will only turn its LED lights on when it gets dark!

You may pick any individual alive or dead, and language barriers are removed - who would you love to sit down and talk with over lunch? What would you ask them or discuss?

I'd probably ask Bill Clinton about his communication approach. Communication seems to frequently be the solution in the art of getting things done

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

One of the most relevent pieces of advice I read for this business came from '37 Signals.' In more eloquent words it suggested that when looking at your to do list and setting priorities look at it like this: if it doesn't need to be done now don't do it - do it when it matters.

Can you leave us with a life- or game-changing book recommendation for our readers?

I can recommend an idea-inspiring magazine: 'Inc.com' which is available for iPad. It shares the stories of entrepreneurs from a guy building a business while living in his car to the experiences of Richard Branson. They're surprisingly similar. I often find solutions to the problem that's stopping me sleep at night in their pages... 

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Global Entrepreneurship Week and MakeMyHomeGreen

HJ Fantaskis | 12.11.12

Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world's largest campaign to promote entrepreneurship - taking place in 115 countries. Visit their website for more information and events near you. 

During the week, we'll be sharing with you just a few of  the fantastic entrepreneurs that we work alongside, as members of The Hub Kings Cross. 

Today, we spoke to Patrick McCool and Kirstie Forbes from MakeMyHomeGreen - the ‘one stop shop’ for anyone who wants to make money-saving green improvements to their home.

Watch their Hub Story for a personal introduction.

Earlier this year, MakeMyHomeGreen won the contract to work with Haringey Council on their pioneering Low Carbon Loan Scheme, a trial for the Green Deal. Private home owners were offered a free assessment and genuinely low interest loans - 2.49% over (up to) 25 years, to a maximum of £18k per household. 

MakeMyHomeGreen were chosen on the strength of their assessment methodology but, in particular, the user friendliness and easy accessibility of their report - the unique Advanced Home Energy Report. Patrick and Kirstie also helped homeowners who wanted help with contractors to find the right people to do the work and are currently overseeing that work.

It was a huge project, and one that they were both immensely proud of their involvement and the outcomes. 

Tell us, in 20 words or fewer, about MakeMyHomeGreen - what's your mission?

Our mission is improve our customer's homes - first and foremost - and to improve as many homes in the UK as possible. Primarily because our customers tends have problems with their homes; they are cold, damp or just not comfortable. Or, sometimes, they are worried about the rising cost of energy and want to protect themselves from that. And we're finding our customers also want to feel like they are doing their bit for the environment, which is great.

We also want to play our part in helping the UK meet its ambitious CO2 reduction targets. Improving the energy performance of UK housing (the oldest and most inefficient in Europe), is a very important part of that. UK housing is responsible for 27% of total UK CO2 emissions.

What motivates you?

We are motivated by helping our customers share in having well insulated homes. To live in one makes such a difference to ones comfort and wellbeing - if you haven't experienced that, we really recommend it! Our work makes our customers happier - definitely worth getting out of bed for everyday! 

We are also committed to tackling the combined threats of climate change, UK energy security and fuel poverty.

What is your greatest achievement to date?

The smiles on our customer's faces - we will have more client case studies going up on the website later this week, so you can see some of those smilers up there. That and successfully staying in business in the face of a double dip recession that could have been avoided - not to mention very mixed messages from our Government on how important the green economy is.

What are the challenges you face?

We face the challenge of convincing people that spending money on insulation and energy efficiency has very real value beyond that of simply saving you money on your bills, it improves your life everyday and is worth every penny.

Oh and by the way, there is no free insulation anymore, despite what everyone seems to think, the Government are not giving it away.

We also face the normal challenges of any growing business - generating and keeping up with demand for our services, investing at the right time to make sure we have adequate resources to meet the ever increasing demand for what we do.

Imagine for a moment if resources weren't a pressing issue - how far could MakeMyHomeGreen reach?

We could improve every one of the 26 million homes in the UK that need work done on them, making every household's lives better.

Then we could move on to all the businesses that need help to use less energy, waste less and spend less on fuel bills.

Where should we look out for MakeMyHomeGreen next?

You can always find out what's happening on our website, www.makemyhomegreen.com/blog or follow us on twitter @makemyhomegreen In addition we are discussing how we can deliver more work with and for two of London's biggest local authorities through the Green Deal which is expected to get into full swing in the new year, (Jan 2013). Next year is looking ever more busy for us - we don't always manage to get everything up on the twittersphere!

What support would you like to see the UK government give to entrepreneurial projects, like yours?

I would like the UK Government to make up its mind about policy, to give really clear signals and direction to the public and to businesses about what we all need to do to tackle the challenges we as a country face.  

Whether you 'believe' in climate change or not, energy prices are going up (three rises in the last 24 months and a further doubling of prices expected before 2020) so at the current rate, a doubling of prices well before 2020.

Energy security is going down - we now have to import gas like everyone else. That gas is dirtier than UK gas and there is lots of competition to buy it, driving prices up.

Weather is also increasingly unpredictable affecting food prices, causing droughts, floods and extremes of heat and cold. Fuel poverty affects more than 24% of the UK population.

I would like the Government to offer a Green Investment Bond, via the Green Investment Bank to raise money directly from the people for the people to pay for energy infrastructure improvements and energy efficiency. This would also offer a secure, ethical investment for savers who want to protect their hard earned money. It would also create jobs and tackle energy security issues.

What's the coolest project or product you've come across, and inspired you?

Hmm.  Well we have a couple of projects up our sleeves at the moment that we are working on quietly. Let's just say that we are perfecting plant-based natural insulation systems that can be used to insulate your home, or even be used to build it.

We will be offering to build our customers a carbon negative home or extension within a year - a building that locks up more CO2 than is used in its construction and then delivers naturally comfortable living with superior energy efficiency and insulation at a price that is at least comparable to standard contemporary brick/block/foam high CO2 construction.

You may pick any individual alive or dead, and language barriers are removed - who would you love to sit down and talk with over lunch? What would you ask them or discuss?

The revolutionary architect Mike Reynolds who invented the concept of the Earthship - a modern day hero. I'd ask him about renaming it and the best way to introduce some sharp contemporary styling to what is a fantastic concept but can sound and look a bit, well, erm.... hippyish. (Not so good for convincing slick city folk!)

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

My Dad told me to always wear a vest - in heat or cold - it will protect you either way. He was just talking about clothes, but exactly the same things applies to insulation, it looks after you in heat and cold.

Can you leave us with a life- or game-changing book recommendation for our readers?

The Great Disruption by Paul Gilding and as a useful companion to this: Island by Aldous Huxley. Read them and get ready! 

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Eco Hero: Penny Shepherd, Chief Executive of UKSIF

HJ Fantaskis | 19.10.12

As NEIW draws to a close after an eventful week, our Eco Hero is Penny Shepherd, Chief Executive of UK Sustainable Investment and Finance (UKSIF). It has been during Penny's tenure at UKSIF that NEIW was established and is now in its 5th year! 

Her leadership in socially responsible investment was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June 2000 with an MBE for “services to sustainable economic development and socially responsible investment”. Penny is also a member of the Advisory Board of Ethical Corporation, a media company that provides business intelligence on sustainability.

Tell us, in 20 words or fewer, about UKSIF - what's your mission?

Advancing sustainable development through supporting and promoting sustainable and responsible investment and finance. For example, UKSIF co-ordinates National Ethical Investment Week.

What motivates you?

Helping people and organisations to use their savings and investments both to make money and make a difference in the world at the same time.

What is your greatest achievement to date?

Sustainable and responsible investment has moved from the margins to the mainstream, with explicit consideration of social and environmental factors now applied to over £900 billion of investments managed in the UK. I am proud to have been part of this growing world-wide movement and to have contributed to the UK being seen internationally as a leader in the field. Of course, there is still a long way to go.

What are the challenges you face?

Investment and finance can seem very complicated and remote compared with other ways to live a greener life, and there’s a real challenge to make it more accessible for everyone. There are also still lots of myths about green and ethical investing that are very out-of-date, and our aim is to bust these myths and help people to consider modern and practical options. We also support ways to encourage the investment system to take a longer term approach. This includes supporting the recommendations from the recent Kay Review of UK stock markets and the new UK Green Investment Bank.

What are you working on that's getting you fired up and excited?

This is the fifth year of National Ethical Investment Week and it is really taking off. It is exciting to see the range of activities now going on, particularly the way that churches are getting actively involved. I want National Ethical Investment Week to be as successful as Fairtrade Fortnight and the churches were a major driver of its early development.

Where do you want to take UKSIF next?

I hope we do more to support both the growing range of ways to invest in delivering social value to local communities and also the reform of global capital markets so they focus on the long-term investments needed to allow everyone to live well within environmental limits.

What can we, as individuals, do to make a difference?

Take action on how your savings and investments are used.

If you were Prime Minister for a day, what would be the first thing you'd do?

Can I be Chancellor of the Exchequer instead? I think a green Chancellor is actually more important that a green Prime Minister today.

Request granted! If you were Chancellor of the Exchequer for a day, what would be the first thing you'd do?

Oh, if we can change the rules, how about at least a year? Short-termism in government is one of the biggest barriers to developing a greener economy, you know. But if it is only one day then I'd start by appointing climate risk campaigner Dr Jeremy Leggett to the Bank of England's Financial Stability Committee. Then move on to the question of who should be the next Governor of the Bank of England while the civil servants dust off past reports on green taxation and gross national happiness...!

What's the coolest project or product you've come across, and inspired you?

Lots from UKSIF members – but I am particularly enthusiastic about Abundance Generation at present. They have just started enabling people to invest small amounts online in community renewable energy projects – but that’s not an investment recommendation, of course!

Can you recommend a life- or game-changing book for our readers?

Good books about modern sustainable and responsible investment include “Sustainable Investing: The Art of Long Term Performance” (2008) by Cary Krosinsky and Nick Robins and “The New Capitalists: How Citizen Investors Are Reshaping the Corporate Agenda” (2006) by Stephen Davis, Jon Lukomnik and David Pitt-Watson. 

I’m also looking forward to reading Adam Kahane’s latest book “Transformative Scenario Planning: Working Together to Change the Future” (2012) as he and his colleagues have produced some influential books in the past about how to change complex systems.

What do you listen to when you're cooking dinner?

Blissful silence. I’m militant about unnecessary noise.

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

Work out what you really want and then let go of demanding exactly how it will be achieved.

Can you leave us with who'd be your Eco Hero?

I’ve a soft spot for John Gummer (now Lord Deben). He is widely regarded as the best Environment Secretary that the UK has ever had and he’s just become chair of the government’s Committee on Climate Change. He will play a critical role in ensuring that the UK meets its legal commitments to carbon targets - so the future of the British summer is, in many ways, in his hands.

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Eco Hero: John Ditchfield, Director of Barchester Green Investments

HJ Fantaskis | 11.10.12

As National Ethical Investment Week launches this Sunday, we catch up with our Eco Hero John Ditchfield, Managing Director of Barchester Green Investment. 

With more than 25 years experience in ethical investment, Barchester Green Investment is a partnership, offering fantastic insight into the responsible investment industry and the range of funds available.

Did you know that you can invest money, make a good financial return and make a positive difference at the same time? Imagine if individuals, charities and NGOs, invested their ISAs or pensions according to their values... the potential is enormous...

Anna Guyer, Director of Greenhouse PR says, "As a customer myself, I can vouch that Barchester offers a fantastic, personalised service. It has been tailored to offer support and advice to allow people, like me, to invest ethically and in alignment with our personal values. They help us to make a positive difference - I have been inspired by Barchester and John Ditchfield."

Tell us about Barchester Green Investment - what's your mission? 

Our mission is to help people to ‘Make An Informed Choice’. We actively promote the value of investing in companies that make a positive contribution to society and the environment. We also try to live our values in the way we run our own business. We actively campaign to promote best practice within ethical investment. We challenge funds labeled ’ethical‘ that we believe fall short of good practice in their screening approach. We help Barchester to raise awareness of the opportunity to invest ethically by sharing best practice in the media.

What motivates you? 

I really enjoy what I do, the vast majority of people struggle to manage their finances efficiently and in line with their ethical values. And that’s exactly what we do - helping people to organise their money and invest responsibly. In practice, this means assisting with retirement planning, investment planning and working with trustees.  

What is your greatest achievement to date? 

Barchester is now a leading ethical specialist IFA and we are the largest in the UK with over £120M in assets under management. On a personal level I have two beautiful children, Emmeline and Harold.

What are the challenges you face?

Managing a growing business. Our market is changing a lot and we need to attract skilled people into the business.

What are you working on that's getting you fired up and excited?

I am working with two charities on Impact Investing, this is a relatively new type of investment style focused on a social return over financial returns. 

Where do you want to take Barchester Green Investment next? 

We want to grow in size to around £200M in asset under management within the next ten years.

What can we, as individuals, do to make a difference?

Understand where you are investing and take control of your money.

If you were Prime Minister for a day, what would be the first thing you'd do? 

I think we need a more entrepreneurial culture and this should be supported by the tax system, so I would expand Enterprise Investment Scheme and VCT rules to include responsible investments.

What's the coolest project or product you've come across, and inspired you?

I find Triodos inspiring as an organisation because of their very high level of integrity as an organisation, they are really 100% a responsible investment bank.

Can you recommend a life- or game-changing book for our readers? 

Graham Greene’s “The Power and the Glory”.  

What do you listen to when you're cooking dinner?

Radio 4 comedy or my son playing recorder.

Can you leave us with who'd be your Eco Hero? 

James Vaccaro of Triodos springs to mind as an Eco Hero.

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