The Wicked Problems of Corporate Sustainability and How We Can Crack the Code

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The Wicked Problems of Corporate Sustainability and How We Can Crack the Code | Future Business

Action, not Dissatisfaction

For a start, corporates can look at quick wins on climate change. They should be installing LED lighting across their business estates.

These are fast, cheap, reliable and proven solutions. They aren’t complex to use and will instantly reduce energy usage, hence emissions plus exposure to rising energy prices. A perfect example of a way to work with a wicked problem.

Incidentally, this language is important. You work with a wicked problem, you don’t solve it.

Remember, wicked problems teach us that most problems are connected to other problems. Therefore, once you’ve installed LEDs, why not rationalise retrofits on more energy efficient windows and roofing or boilers to save further energy? They’re all part of the same money saving, emissions-reducing ballgame.

And all these actions will play into your reporting on carbon and reputational business advantage too. What’s key to understand is that the first and most important shift is of the goal of action on significant problems from ‘solution’ to ‘intervention.’

Instead of seeking the answer that totally eliminates a problem, one should recognise that actions occur in an ongoing process, and further actions will always be needed.

The World Bank view

Some years ago, Michael Toman, a research manager in the World Bank’s research department, discussed the challenge of controlling climate change, weaving together what was at the time the latest scientific and economic evidence on the topic.

Toman described the task of mitigating global climate change as a wicked problem; “Climate change is an issue that presents great scientific and economic complexity, some very deep uncertainties, profound ethical issues, and even lack of agreement on what the problem is,” he said.

“Economists will generally think about the trade-offs involved. Ecologists will talk about the idea that we’re driving towards the edge of a cliff. I think both views are right. The question is, how do you reconcile these two – if you can?”   

Today, corporates and indeed governments are still tasked with answering this question. Debate over the best solution to climate change rages on and billions are spent on both consultancy and internal sustainability managers desperately seeking how to mitigate damage in many senses; economic, environmental, capital, profit and human.

Your correspondent believes this is where wicked problem theory can really help. It doesn’t lessen the urgency of action, but it does lessen the blame, the panic and the quest for an unreachable endgame.

After all, no business ever launched on a single business model and then remained operational under an identical model successfully down the years. Change and adaptation are not a choice, they are an unchosen essential.

Similarly, changing approaches and adapting as climate intelligence and economic necessity evolve is what really matters for corporates. Embedding a mindset that doesn’t seek perfect answers on the climate conundrum but rather takes a best value, best action now approach is likely to yield far faster and more meaningful results.

A Wicked Conclusion

A final thought, a quick Google on how to solve climate change throws up the following stories.

1. How can geospatial data help tackle climate change?

2. Why the solution to climate change will be human powered.
3. The climate change solution governments don’t want to talk about.
4. Nuclear energy not feasible way to solve climate change.
5. How Biden can use the ocean to fight climate change.

The point is this; all of these stories are written as if each were a panacea to climate change, or as if shooting down poor solutions instantly is equally key. Neither is the truth. A balance of solutions and evolving answers will lead us towards a more benign corporate and climate-friendly world, but there is no binary here, no polarised yes or no.

There is only evolution and best corporate effort on climate adaptation. That’s it. Time to stop shooting the messenger and concentrate on the best actions we can in the knowledge they remain imperfect. Such is the requirement on corporates wielding their knowledge against this most wicked of challenges.

What do you think about wicked problems of corporate sustainability, climate change and the corporate space, and what other themes would you like our authors to discuss in these pages? Let us know at Future Business.

SEE ALSO: Wake Smith on the Hopes and Hazards of Climate Intervention

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