CISL Conversations

CISL: the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership

Driving impact for a sustainable economy


Hear from global professionals tackling real-world sustainability challenges across business, policy and finance. Presented by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, we bring you thought leadership from across industries, sectors, and continents. We explore best practices, systemic risks, strategic insights, and the latest research.

Our goal? To help you unlock transformative change for people, nature and climate and deliver a better future.

About the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership partners with business and governments to develop leadership and solutions for a sustainable economy. We aim to achieve net zero, protect and restore nature, and build inclusive and resilient societies. For over three decades we have built the leadership capacity and capabilities of individuals and organisations, and created industry-leading collaborations, to catalyse change and accelerate the path to a sustainable economy. Our interdisciplinary research engagement builds the evidence base for practical action.

Find out more at cisl.cam.ac.uk

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Episodes

China's Envirotech Landscape: Panel Discussion
09-06-2023
China's Envirotech Landscape: Panel Discussion
In this session, we hear from a diverse panel, including academics, business leaders and environmental experts, to gain an insight into the latest industry innovations, policy settings and business trends that are advancing China towards a sustainable future.Moderators:Jie Zhou, Sino-UK Centre for Sustainability Innovation, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) Professor William Hurst, Deputy Director at the Centre for Geopolitics, Cambridge UniversitySpeakers:David Ferguson, Head of Net Zero Innovation, EDF UKDr Li Guo, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Lau China Institute, King’s College London Dr Sam Geall, CEO, China Dialogue Suwei Jiang, Partner, PwCClare Shine, Director and CEO, Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)Professor Kerry Brown, Director of the Lau China Institute, King’s College, LondonAs the world’s highest carbon emitter and largest producer of renewable energy technology, China carries a significant responsibility to accelerate the global pathway to a decarbonised economy. Home to more than 60 per cent of the global renewable energy supply chain, China’s EnviroTech sector will be key for transitioning China and the world to a carbon neutral future. While still heavily reliant on fossil fuels for its energy needs, there are many exciting innovations emerging from within China that can increase sustainability across a range of sectors. Recorded live at CISL's Cambridge headquarters, in our world-class sustainably retrofit Entopia building, as part of our China Week 2022 events.*****About the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership partners with business and governments to develop leadership and solutions for a sustainable economy. We aim to achieve net zero, protect and restore nature, and build inclusive and resilient societies. For over three decades we have built the leadership capacity and capabilities of individuals and organisations, and created industry-leading collaborations, to catalyse change and accelerate the path to a sustainable economy. Our interdisciplinary research engagement builds the evidence base for practical action.Discover more resources and publications from CISL: https://www.cisl.cam.ac.uk/resources/publications*****The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not represent an official position of CISL or The University of Cambridge.
'Earth for All': why we need urgent economic systems change
17-04-2023
'Earth for All': why we need urgent economic systems change
An interview with Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of the Club of Rome and CISL Senior Associate. Here, Sandrine takes questions on her new book 'Earth for All'.If you haven't already, check out part one: Lecture: from 'The Limits To Growth' to an ‘Earth for All: A survival guide for humanity’ https://youtu.be/V-_G7r1GAQEHosted in collaboration with the Club of Rome, Cambridge Centre for Environment Energy and Natural Resource Governance, and the Anglia Ruskin University Global Sustainability Institute. Recorded live at the Entopia building, Cambridge, February 2023.This is a decisive decade for humanity. The next ten years must see the fastest economic transformation in history. Earth4All is an international initiative to accelerate the systems-change we need for an equitable future on a finite planet, building on the legacies of The Limits to Growth and the Planetary Boundaries frameworks. Earth for All: A Survival Guide for Humanity, was published in September 2022 and presents the results of a remarkable two-year research collaboration.*****About the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership partners with business and governments to develop leadership and solutions for a sustainable economy. We aim to achieve net zero, protect and restore nature, and build inclusive and resilient societies. For over three decades we have built the leadership capacity and capabilities of individuals and organisations, and created industry-leading collaborations, to catalyse change and accelerate the path to a sustainable economy. Our interdisciplinary research engagement builds the evidence base for practical action.Discover more resources and publications from CISL: https://www.cisl.cam.ac.uk/resources/publications*****The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not represent an official position of CISL or The University of Cambridge.
From 'The Limits To Growth' to an 'Earth for All' with Sandrine Dixson-Declève (Guest Lecture)
30-03-2023
From 'The Limits To Growth' to an 'Earth for All' with Sandrine Dixson-Declève (Guest Lecture)
Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of the Club of Rome and CISL Senior Associate, shares insights from her latest book, ‘Earth for All: A survival guide for humanity’.Hosted in collaboration with the Club of Rome, Cambridge Centre for Environment Energy and Natural Resource Governance, and the Anglia Ruskin University Global Sustainability Institute. Recorded live at the Entopia building, Cambridge, February 2023.This is a decisive decade for humanity. The next ten years must see the fastest economic transformation in history. Earth4All is an international initiative to accelerate the systems-change we need for an equitable future on a finite planet, building on the legacies of The Limits to Growth and the Planetary Boundaries frameworks. Earth for All: A Survival Guide for Humanity, was published in September 2022 and presents the results of a remarkable two-year research collaboration.During her talk, Sandrine Dixson-Decléve provides an overview of the findings from the book including:Results of new global modeling that indicates falling well-being and rising social tensions heighten risk of regional societal collapsesTwo alternative scenarios – Too-Little-Too-Late vs The Giant Leap – and what they mean for our collective futureFive system-shifting steps that can upend poverty and inequality, lift up marginalized people, and transform our food and energy systems by 2050A clear pathway to reboot our global economic system so it works for all people and the planet.*****About the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership partners with business and governments to develop leadership and solutions for a sustainable economy. We aim to achieve net zero, protect and restore nature, and build inclusive and resilient societies. For over three decades we have built the leadership capacity and capabilities of individuals and organisations, and created industry-leading collaborations, to catalyse change and accelerate the path to a sustainable economy. Our interdisciplinary research engagement builds the evidence base for practical action.Discover more resources and publications from CISL: https://www.cisl.cam.ac.uk/resources/publications*****The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not represent an official position of CISL or The University of Cambridge.
China's EnviroTech Landscape: Meet the Innovators
17-03-2023
China's EnviroTech Landscape: Meet the Innovators
As the world’s highest carbon emitter and largest producer of renewable energy technology, China carries a significant responsibility to accelerate the global pathway to a decarbonised economy. Home to more than 60 per cent of the global renewable energy supply chain, China’s EnviroTech sector will be key for transitioning China and the world to a carbon neutral future.While still heavily reliant on fossil fuels for its energy needs, there are many exciting innovations emerging from within China that can increase sustainability across a range of sectors.In this session, we hear from a diverse panel, including academics, business leaders and environmental experts, to gain an insight into the latest industry innovations, policy settings and business trends that are advancing China towards a sustainable future.*****About the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership partners with business and governments to develop leadership and solutions for a sustainable economy. We aim to achieve net zero, protect and restore nature, and build inclusive and resilient societies. For over three decades we have built the leadership capacity and capabilities of individuals and organisations, and created industry-leading collaborations, to catalyse change and accelerate the path to a sustainable economy. Our interdisciplinary research engagement builds the evidence base for practical action.Discover our work with SMEs and startups:https://www.cisl.cam.ac.uk/work-with-us/canopy-incubator-and-accelerator*****The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not represent an official position of CISL or The University of Cambridge.
The future of boards: Commercial resilience in a time of crisis
18-01-2023
The future of boards: Commercial resilience in a time of crisis
The future of boards is a mini-series from CISL Conversations: shaping the future for people, nature and climate.In this episode, Professor Richard Calland speaks with board professional Maria Hjorth, who sits on the boards of six investment and asset management companies in Denmark. She has clear views on the changing role of boards at this moment of global crisis, sharing our view that it is vital for the future commercial resilience of companies that their boards step up and provide strong leadership on how to resolve the acute dilemmas that the CEO and executive management face.About the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership partners with business and governments to develop leadership and solutions for a sustainable economy. We aim to achieve net zero, protect and restore nature, and build inclusive and resilient societies. For over three decades we have built the leadership capacity and capabilities of individuals and organisations, and created industry-leading collaborations, to catalyse change and accelerate the path to a sustainable economy. Our interdisciplinary research engagement builds the evidence base for practical action.Discover our work with boards at www.cisl.cam.ac.uk/boards*****The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not represent an official position of CISL or The University of Cambridge.