Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
11 Leading the sustainability
process
Aims
This chapter aims to develop an understanding of the theory and practice of leadership
in organizations and society, highlighting the need to explore different dimensions
of leadership within sustainable development. An important aspect of this is the
relationship between learning, knowledge management and innovation, and by
examining the views of a number of writers who place leadership within a systems
or ecological perspective, the clear relevance of leadership to sustainable development
practice will be outlined. Finally, by identifying a number of traits and characteristics
frequently associated with leaders and leadership, it may be possible for readers to
discern their own personal and professional development needs and the means to
realize them.
Looking for leaders?
In 2007, the authors of the Human Development Report, Fighting Climate Change:
Human Solidarity in a Divided World (Watkins et al ., 2007), called on developed
nations to immediately take the lead in combating climate change by cutting carbon
emissions by up to 30 per cent by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050. Unless this is
achieved, at least 40 per cent of the global population will suffer immensely. Stephanie
Draper (2006) of Forum for the Future has discussed a business leadership model
based on competitive advantage, that may promote more responsible and sustainable
behaviour by inspiring and motivating others to adopt ecologically sound businesses
practices. However, this may not work in other sectors, cultures or times. Under-
pinning all leadership activity is human agency, sometimes acting independently
but almost always acting collectively in groups or in networks. A town can only
embark on the road to transition if the people within choose to act in certain ways.
The Isle of Wight, just off the southern coast of England, can only become the
world's largest eco-island, as is planned (Vidal, 2007b), if its inhabitants, its politicians,
its business people and others work to make it so, linking the local inevitably to the
global. The world's future eco-cities will have smart and green housing, local organic
farms and perhaps space-saving vertical gardens, eco-friendly transport, renewable
energy, opportunities for social learning and democratic participation. Individual
states and cities can only shift political awareness and the will to act sustainably if
its political leadership makes and implements certain policies offering the possibility
of change that will engage both supporters and sceptics. City governments can do
 
 
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