Conference warns societies must be prepared for ‘future shocks’

The Covid-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of societies “being prepared” for future shocks.

However, if societies want to avoid a more profound and predictable climate crisis then the time for talking is over and a more sustainable path must be taken.

That is the view of experts in business, sustainability and green investment who met at a virtual Climate Emergency Summit organised by the Perth-based Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

The “Coronavirus and A Green Recovery” event aimed to generate ideas and solutions to feed into the Scottish Government Advisory Group on Economic Recovery which will provide advice on rebuilding society once the pandemic has subsided.

There was a clear call for urgent action, for longer term thinking and for the strategic application of funding – ensuring that the money being spent now to solve coronavirus does not exacerbate the climate crisis, and helps make businesses, society and the environment more robust.

In bringing about these necessary changes, a universal understanding of climate solutions was seen to be of paramount importance, as was the need to require future spending proposals to pass a sustainability test.

The experts agreed that to achieve the best future, action must also be consistent by pursuing complementary solutions across all sectors, helping instil investor confidence over the coming transition.