We help sustainability directors, managers and pioneers accelerate their organisation’s journey towards sustainability
We’re Realise Earth. If you have any questions or want to talk about how we can support you, get in touch.
We live in a crazy world
A world where it’s often difficult to do the right thing for climate, nature and people – because of entrenched cultures and beliefs, outdated regulations and perverse subsidies.
A world where most people know human activity is taking us towards environmental tipping points, where they want to take action, but are uncertain what to do or whether anything they do will make a meaningful difference.
But it’s also a world where there is a real groundswell of change, action by innovators and early adopters, working to transform organisations, economies and society – so that everyone can lead a good life, where nature can flourish, and where business success at the very least doesn’t harm people and destroy nature, and at best, delivers real benefit for people and planet.
This is the context for Leadership for Sustainability today.
Hi, I’m Osbert Lancaster
co-founder & director
I’ve been helping people to be more effective sustainability leaders for over twenty years. I have consulted to numerous organisation, large and small, supporting them to design and deliver sustainability strategies and climate action plans. I’ve taught sustainability at masters level and developed the University of Edinburgh’s first online MSc for professionals tackling the global challenges of environment, development and health. I met Morag when she engaged me as a consultant to help with a WWF-UK sustainability leadership project she was developing.
Hello, I’m Morag Watson
co-founder & Non-Executive director
I’ve been a climate change, sustainability and leadership policy expert for nearly twenty years, and I am a former UNESCO expert adviser. I’m Director of Onshore for the trade body Scottish Renewables, advising the Scottish and UK Governments on transitioning to a net zero, renewables-powered energy system. Before moving to Scottish Renewables, I worked for WWF-UK for almost 10 years. Osbert and I created one of WWF-UK’s first sustainability leadership programmes. This programme was recognised as an Outstanding Flagship Project by UNESCO for its contribution to UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.
And I’m Richard Profit
co-founder & Non-Executive director
I’m the CEO of the Cool Farm Alliance and former Global Operations Sustainability Senior Manager, PepsiCo, where I led the company’s climate strategy. I work with organisations around the globe, supporting their sustainability journeys as they decarbonise their supply chains. I’m also a Professor of Practice at Nottingham University Business School. I met Morag and Osbert through sustainability leadership work catalysed by WWF-UK, which I subsequently adapted for use in the corporate sector.
At times like this we need different mindsets and different skills
That’s why we work with the Inner Development Goals (IDGs). The IDGs provide an essential framework of the skills and qualities that are especially crucial for leaders working towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Inner Development Goals have been developed by over a thousand researchers, experts and practitioners in leadership development and sustainability, including Peter Senge, Otto Scharmer and Renée Lertzman, and are supported by companies such as Google, Spotify, Stena, IKEA and OX2.
1 Being
Relationship to self
Inner Compass
Integrity &
Authenticity
Openness &
Learning Mindset
Self-awareness
Presence
2 Thinking
Cognitive Skills
Critical Thinking
Complexity
Awareness
Perspective Skills
Sense-making
Long-term
Orientation &
Visioning
3 Relating
Caring for Others and the World
Appreciation
Connectedness
Humility
Empathy &
Compassion
4 Collaborating
Social Skills
Communication Skills
Co-Creation Skills
Inclusive Mindset
& Intercultural
Competence
Trust
Mobilization Skills
5 Acting
Enabling Change
Courage
Creativity
Optimism
Perseverance
These skills and qualities are at the heart of all our work. We also offer bespoke professional development focused on the IDGs for individuals, teams and collaborative networks.
Working together to create a better world
Realise Earth is delighted to join the ever growing movement of businesses led by people who care about what our society is doing to the world and are committed to tackling the climate and biodiversity crises.
We look forward to working with Business Declares and fellow members to create a world where people and the rest of the living world can flourish.
We’re a member of the global Wellbeing Economy Alliance as well as an ally of the WEAll Scotland hub. WEAll is a collaboration of organisations, alliances, movements and individuals working towards a wellbeing economy, delivering human and ecological wellbeing.
When we take our clients into the hills as part of our workshops and programmes we keep them safe. We all hold a Hill & Moorland Leadership qualification from national awarding bodies recognised by the UK Mountain Training Association.