Voices of Regen Regeneration Projects

What does it look like when we put wellbeing at the centre of National economies?

Recorded with the backdrop of the COP15 UN Biodiversity Convention, Matt sits down with two pioneers shaping the way Nations approach economic development. Michael Weatherhead, Development Lead at the Wellbeing Economy Alliance, and Gary Gillespie, Director and Chief Economic Adviser of the Scottish Government, share their experiences of navigating more inclusive policy and finance structures. From a Future Generations Bill to Natural Capital Accounts and Quality of Life Frameworks, we look at the innovative levers for positive change in national governance.


A few links for further enquiry:

https://www.weallscotland.org/

https://www.gov.scot/about/how-government-is-run/directorates/chief-economist-directorate/chief-economist/

https://weall.org/wego

https://www.ted.com/speakers/nicola_sturgeon

Danish design culture meets multi-sector collaboration in Uruguay - How do Regions position themselves for new competitive and collaborative advantages Post-2020?

In a conversation that connects Global South and Global North, Claire and Matt explore how Cities and Regions can share their impact superpowers for the sake of our Planet’s future. They’re joined by two very special guests: Julie Hjort, Program Director of Sustainable & Circular Transition at the Danish Design Centre (Copenhagen), and Mercedes Viola, Co-Founder & Director, 4D Lab (Montevideo). From childhood memories of Nature to everyday working life rituals and big bold ideas, this episode is an audio journey not to be missed.

Links:
4D lab - https://4dlab.uy/en/
Inclusive Economy Festival - https://economiainclusiva.net/
Danish Design Centre - https://ddc.dk/projects/the-mission/

Research calls for decision-makers to embrace young peoples’ perspectives in shaping Victoria’s tourism future


Building upon over three years of successful advocacy, the Young Tourism Network (YTN) has released its 2022 Workplaces Report. Designed to inform strategic decision-makers in Victorian tourism, events and hospitality, the research results are based on engagement with 141 people in Victoria’s visitor economy through an online survey, focus sessions, 1:1 meetings and desktop research.


Supported by the Victorian Government’s Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions, the work seeks to further the insights from the 2021 Young Voices in Tourism report which like this research, was delivered in partnership with B Corp-certified consultancy Regeneration Projects. Hope is growing, with 56% of young people indicating that they would recommend their peers start careers in the Victorian tourism, events & hospitality industry, but there is long way to go.


“This is a call to decision-makers to hear what young people see as important for the future of the tourism industry. To unlock industry innovation, today’s leaders need to be genuine about empowering the leaders of tomorrow. What’s clear in the Workplaces report is that young people demand purpose beyond profit, meaningful career opportunities and to feel secure and represented throughout the industry – this report gives us practical steps on how.” Madeleine Sawyer, 2022 Chair of Young Tourism Network


Listen in!

What business dependencies and impacts really are worth accounting and budgeting for post-2020?

Can accountants even measure things like Natural Capital? It turns out that it’s not only possible, but the tools needed have been around for decades. Their recent use in both public and private settings is changing the game of how organisations see the value they bring into the world. In the fifth episode of the Market Conditions for Impact series, we’re joined by three amazing leaders from around the Planet - Rosimeiry Portela (Conservation International), Ian Dickie (Economics For The Environment Consultancy) and John Finisdore (Point Advisory, an ERM Company). This dynamic trio are like family and carefully guide us through a labyrinth of definitions and standards, as well as practical examples of governments and corporates leading the way. You might also be surprised to hear how their childhood experiences of Nature have informed where they are now. 

Here are a few of the resources discussed on today’s podcast:
“Pitch for Nature”, a 2:23 video on why nature matters to business
Natural Capital Protocol, an introductory guide to help corporations can generate value from natural capital, that Rosimeiry and Ian helped write  
Time to Take Stock,  a technical guide to corporate natural capital accounting which Rosimeriy, Ian and John all helped produce
BIS 8632: Natural Capital Accounting for Organisations, the British Standard for corporate natural capital accounting that Ian helped write  
Biological Diversity Protocol, a corporate natural capital accounting standard which John was a co-author of
United Nations System of Environmental-Economic Accounting Ecosystem Accounting, the global standard for public sector accounting of nature, Rosimeiry sits on the SEEA EA Technical Committee

As the business community becomes increasingly aware of its relationship with people and the planet, we're seeing a big trend towards communication. Impact-led businesses want to tell their stakeholders what they are doing, and why it matters. This episode welcomes Grace O’Hara (Small Fires) and Erin Morris (Young Folks) to explore the role of storytelling and reporting in impact-led business. Erin and Grace share practical tips, tools and frameworks for quality communication that combines robust evidence with emotional connection.


Learn more about Young Folks on LinkedIn or Instagram.
Explore the stories Small Fires are helping bring to life over on their website or Instagram

Check out the guidance and tools shared by Grace and Erin:
Climate Active: https://www.climateactive.org.au/what-climate-active/how-it-works
Storytelling canvas: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Storytelling-Canvas%3A-A-Visual-Framework-for-and-Kernbach/8fdf3013e394d5749f090dddc843cbfb774fd4dc
Program logic: https://aifs.gov.au/resources/practice-guides/how-develop-program-logic-planning-and-evaluation

Recent years have seen a significant shift in the investment sector. Society is paying far more attention to where investors - like superannuation funds and banks - are putting their money, and we're seeing words like 'sustainable', 'ethical' 'responsible' and 'impact' being tacked onto investment terms. As a result, more and more investors are taking accountability for their positive and negative impacts on communities, cultures and our Earth. But will this create the step change we need for a regenerative economy, or are we just tinkering around the edges?

Matt and Claire welcome two guests who are breaking new ground in the investment landscape. Alex Hannant (The Yunus Centre, Griffith University) and Jackson Rowland (Obama Scholars programme) join us for an unapologetically bold conversation that throws our pre-conceived ideas about investment right out the window.


Links:
More about Alex – here
More about Jackson - here
McKinsey report ‘The net-zero transiton’ - here
Griffith University Yunus Centre ‘Design Foundations for Systems Capital’ - here