30 November 2022 - In her foreword to CISL’s inaugural annual review, CISL Director and CEO Clare Shine reflects on the challenges we face in this critical decade and how CISL aims to create a new sustainability narrative.
As the 21st century advances, we urgently need bold and imaginative transformation. To enable all people to lead healthy, flourishing lives within planetary boundaries. To be fully human in the era of digital and technological revolution. To empower citizens and communities to choose how they live and work.
Easy to say, daunting to deliver. Through collaboration and innovation, society has addressed many basic needs. More people have a better quality of life than ever before. Yet the world faces converging crises of biodiversity collapse, climate change, pandemics, competition for scarce resources, deep structural inequalities, and over-concentration of power and influence – compounded by ongoing wars and unresolved conflicts.
These systemic risks go to the heart of human survival, human security and prospects for economic success and prosperity. Everyone everywhere is impacted - but the poor and most marginalised are by far the hardest hit.
Major progress is underway, but results are far too slow and fragmented. Fear, confusion and anger are logical responses to perceived inaction and injustice. There are significantly differing social and political views on how to achieve change at the scale and pace required.
Writing a new history for our shared future is not just urgent – it’s common sense.
Founded in 1988, the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) develops leadership and solutions for a sustainable economy.
We are known, respected and trusted because of the credibility of our purpose, our independence within a leading research university, our commitment to bridge divides and forge alliances, and the safe space we create for critical discussions and speaking truth to power.
CISL develops leadership infrastructure and core capabilities for individuals, organisations and multistakeholder platforms across the world by:
- leveraging our global foresight, influence and reach
- sharing evidence, tools and cutting-edge research to inspire leadership and accelerate solutions for humanity
- reshaping the policy and operating context to favour systems and organisations designed to deliver a better future for society and the environment
- fostering innovation and sustainable enterprise
- educating people and companies to take leadership and drive systemic change.
Looking forward, we aim to accelerate systems transformation and put humanity at the heart of a new sustainability narrative.
We work with economic actors across society to forge bolder and more diverse leadership and build movements for impact. Movements that connect disruptors and incumbents. Movements that align the levers of business, finance, policy and technology for faster, scalable results.
This calls for a change of culture and language. Leaders across generations and sectors have a duty of hope, realism and accountability. It is time to move beyond short-term thinking to consider the long-term.
Importantly, we must highlight the win-wins of action for people, nature and climate. We need to show that change is possible, urgent – and exciting.
With our new headquarters in Cambridge – now an internationally-recognised exemplar for sustainable retrofit - CISL is poised to catalyse positive impact at ever higher levels.
Our global community for action, with over 30,000 leaders and pioneers, is central to this vision. In CISL’s first impact report, I am proud to share examples of our joint progress.
We are optimistic about our collective ability to regenerate a living and liveable planet. I invite you to join this shared journey to shape a better and fairer future for all.
