closing conference report [PDF] - SPREAD Sustainable Lifestyles ...

SPREAD Sustainable Lifestyles 20509) ECONOMICS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING - New value creation (business) models, complementarycurrency systems, jobs and skillsModerator: Oksana Mont, Lund UniversitySpeakers:Victoria Thoresen (PERL)Andrea Brown (WBCSD)Eduardo Escobedo (Sustainable Luxury)Victoria Thoresen (PERL)Mrs. Thoresen asks the audience: “who will pave the way to new business models? Who will work inthese new business models?” She stressed that we need more focus on values (virtues, qualities) forachieving this. The “core life skills” with the goal to build self-esteem and compassion were lounged by WHO in1994– these skills were meant to help solve problems in different cultural contexts. Such skills are also thefoundation of new business models. These skills can be reached by giving more importance to and awarenessvia family, community, but also via media, toys and digital games.Andrea Brown (WBCSD)Ms Brown highlighted the WBCSD’s Vision 2050: 9 billion people living well within the limits of one planet. Forthe economy, the vision foresees: True value, true cost, true profit – economic growth is decoupled frommaterial and environmental consumption. Until today many problems remain: Poverty has not gone away,environmental damage remains severe, carbon emissions keep increasing, weather patterns are changing, andthe population of the world is increasing. What is needed is an integrated management: Inclusion of social andnatural capital into business management (on top of financial capital). “Some positive include Puma, wherethey introduced an environmental profit and loss account and Unilever that got rid of 3-monthlyforecasting, but is moving their business model to the longer term.Eduardo Escobedo (Sustainable Luxury)“What is luxury actually? Exclusivity, expensive, something you probably don’t need…” Mr.Escobedo continued talking about the drivers for luxury. For many luxury goods, there is a whole story behind.How can we change values in an a way that they have high quality long lasting products, value what youpurchase. He proposed that offers like buy 2, get 3 should be stopped.Final Conference Report 35