We’d like to think so! But of course the truth is that no one can save the world on their own. At Switchfoot Accountants, we’re driven by our ethics and beliefs – and in particular by our commitment to do whatever we can to combat climate change. And that includes talking to our clients and the wider business community about what we can do, how we can help, and why we should be taking action now.
What if the business community pulls together?
Businesses wield huge power. And there’s the potential to using that power to effect positive change. If we all start working towards the same goals, having the same conversations and including our people, our suppliers, our customers and our stakeholders in those conversations – we are pretty much talking to the whole community. And the more we talk, and the more people see us taking action, the more powerful our voice becomes.
Being a business activist
In her TEDxGlasgow talk in November 2021, Charmian Love, co-founder at B Lab UK, talks about her belief that businesses can be ‘activists’, helping them to be a force for good. “This is a time for us to be thinking about our power, to be part of the change,” she says. “Because it’s not just possible to be a business activist; right now, it’s needed.”
Charmian’s assertion is not that businesses should stop ‘following the rules’. It’s that the rules need to change. “Despite my best intentions,” she says, “I know I am using products and services that are part of the problem. Unfortunately, the way our systems are set up right now, makes it nearly impossible not to be a hypocrite.”
“That’s because, for the most part, business is run in pursuit of profit, no matter what the cost to people and the planet. It’s not working. It’s killing us. We know we need to do something. So that we can answer our kids when they as us ‘what did we do when we knew?’”
The risk of doing nothing
Being an activist doesn’t have to involve marching, gluing, treehouses or getting arrested. It just means adopting ‘a policy of vigorous action in a cause’. When our planet is struggling to cope, we will be worried about far greater things than our businesses. We will be worried about our family, or friends, our homes and our future.
There is huge power in the collective action of businesses – and it can’t wait. So one accountant can’t save the world. But a group of businesses, taking the right actions now and committing to do better things in the future – including raising their voices, voting with their money and holding others accountable – absolutely can.
We’re inspired by sustainable business change leaders like Charmian Love – and we want to pass that inspiration on. If you know you should be doing something, but you don’t know where to start, why not download our e-book – it gives you advice and suggestions for things you can do right now to start making a change.
Please note: This is not meant to constitute professional advice. It is generic guidance only and things may have changed since it was written –please always seek specific & tailored advice for your circumstances.