The dynamic system drivers (DSD) framework can help stakeholders incorporate systems thinking into strategy and decision-making around decarbonisation. This webinar introduces the DSD framework and discusses its application in various sectors to help characterise, anticipate and influence low carbon market disruption.
Date and time: 11:00 – 12:00, Thursday, 29 June 2023
CISL’s report, “Navigating low carbon disruption: Systems thinking and dynamic system drivers in power, road transport and agriculture”, describes the need to incorporate systems thinking into strategic decision-making surrounding low carbon market disruption. It presents the dynamic system drivers (DSD) framework as a tool for doing so and demonstrates how to operationalise the framework to characterise, anticipate and influence low carbon disruption in key economic sectors.
We show that disruption is already underway or appears inevitable due to both science (planetary constraints on human activity) and economics (technological progress and evolving preferences and expectations from finance and consumers). Analysing the five dynamic system drivers - planet, technology, government, finance and citizens - can illuminate leverage points for navigating disruption and accelerating decarbonisation.
Ari Ball-Burack, the report’s lead author, will briefly present the key contributions and findings, including the DSD framework. We will follow with a panel discussion including Dr Pablo Salas.
Speakers
Ari Ball-Burack: Research Assistant, CISL
Ari is a Research Assistant focused on the role of the public, private, and financial sectors in the low-carbon transition, with a particular focus on innovation and technological change in the energy system. He currently leads work on the Prince of Wales Global Sustainability Fellowship in Radical Innovation and Disruption, supported by Paul and Michelle Gilding.
Ari holds MPhils in Environmental Policy and Advanced Computer Science from the University of Cambridge. His interdisciplinary research extensively uses macro-econometrics, system dynamics, and integrated assessment modelling to analyse complex and interconnected systems. At CISL, he has explored the risks and opportunities embedded in just transition pathways for emerging economies, sector-specific policies to promote decarbonisation, and the incorporation of long-termism into net zero targets and strategies. Ari previously researched bias and fairness in artificial intelligence. In the fall, he will begin a PhD in Energy and Resources at UC Berkeley.
Dr Pablo Salas: Senior Climate Economist, IFC
Dr Pablo Salas is a Senior Economist at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group. Pablo’s work includes supporting the development of Country Climate and Development Reports, focusing on climate change-related risks and opportunities for the private sector in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and Europe (EUR). Before joining IFC, Pablo was the Deputy Director of the Cambridge Centre for Environment, Energy and Natural Resource Governance (C-EENRG) and held the Prince of Wales Global Sustainability Fellowship in Radical Innovation and Disruption at the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). Pablo took leading positions in several international research projects, working in close collaboration with multi-stakeholder networks in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Over the last decade, his research has focused on low-carbon transition pathways and climate-related transition risks and opportunities.
Pablo has a multidisciplinary background that combines undergraduate studies in electrical engineering (at the University of Chile), with extensive training in physics, mathematics, computing sciences and dynamic systems, postgraduate studies in economics (at the University of Hamburg) and a PhD in land economy (at the University of Cambridge).
Paul Gilding: Sustainability writer, advisor and advocate
Paul is one of the world’s most forward thinking and respected authorities on the implications of sustainability and climate change for business strategy and the economy.
His career has seen him serve in the Australian military, be global head of Greenpeace, teach and research at the University of Cambridge, be a successful entrepreneur, the author a seminal book on economics and sustainability and a top advisor to global executives and corporations.
Described as “one of the most effectual influencers of market transformation today” and with over 40 years’ experience, Paul provides deep insights into the risks and opportunities that environmental and social trends present for society, companies and investors.
Dr Linnea Petersson: Manager for Sustainable Material Strategy, Volvo Cars
She is responsible for material strategy from the perspective of the company’s three sustainability pillars: Climate Action, Circular Economy and Ethical & Responsible Business. Linnea joined Volvo Cars in 2019 as a Technical Leader for Sustainable Materials in R&D. Previously, she worked for 12 years as a Research Scientist at ABB Corporate Research, where she was an expert in material development and sustainable development within R&D. She has a Diploma in Sustainable Business (University of St. Gallen, Business School Lausanne), PhD in biopolymer-based nanocomposites (Norwegian University of Science and Technology), as well as a Master of Science in Material Science (Royal Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
Tom Williamson: Head of Innovation, ScottishPower
Wesley Yland: Co-Founder, FoodSquared
