Pike Origin’s Climate Transition Model describes six dimensions of the Pike Origin Climate Transition Lifecycle. The graphic above and the brief descriptions below can be used to understand the “business processes” of sustainable development as humans build for the future.
Research and Development – Creating and exploring technologies and their applications.
This dimension is continuously being pursued, but most of the technologies needed to reach net-zero by 2050 already exist. The most comprehensive inventory of these technologies has been developed by Project Drawdown, which maps technologies and approaches to reaching climate goals.
Public Policy – Solving big problems together.
Climate goals are global and since no one country, region, or business can solely tackle the climate crisis by itself, public policy is a key to organizing communities to reach net-zero goals. As described in A Brief History of Sustainability the world has began to come together to set international goals and most recently, the US made the biggest climate investment in history with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
Design – Apply sustainability-oriented design-thinking principles.
Quality sustainable development begins with design. Firms should consider design-thinking to optimize the user experience and enhance livelihoods of employees, customers, and the community it engages in. Using a combination of human-centered design, climate technology, and natural solutions, firms can build spaces and experiences that inspire and satisfy the senses while achieving climate goals.
Plan – Strategy wins.
Effective development will follow traditional growth strategies that begin with strategic planning and forward-looking risk management. Climate solutions should be evaluated and aligned with existing skill sets, and capabilities in the short-term, and team culture and internal development should be incorporated into long-term goals.
Implement – Build real assets.
Due to the scale of the climate transition this dimension can take many forms. This may include transitioning to renewable energy sources, retrofitting buildings to be energy efficient, changing supply chains to reduce emissions, procurement of electric fleet vehicles, updating internal operations, redesigning land use, or sourcing climate positive inputs and materials, and many more. The key here is to identify the greatest return on investment (ROI) for a single or a unique combination of approaches.
Monitor & Learn – Adapt through data.
Throughout the Climate Transition, the world will continue to change environmentally and socially. This could lead to unique challenges and opportunities. Monitoring through data and metrics is key to measuring success, Pike Origin recommends aligning metrics with standard global approaches such as the International Organization for Standards, the United Nations, International Accounting Standards Board, and other governing bodies. Through quality data, analysis, and measurement we can learn about ways to improve, increase efficiency, and achieve better results in the long-run.
Note: This post is designed to provide a baseline description of the business functions throughout the Climate Transition. At Pike Origin, understanding these broad business functions and their relationship to each other is essential information for sustainability-driven professionals as they engage in coalition building within their organizations and communities.
If you are interested in more tactical approaches and resources, consider subscribing to the Origin Report or submitting a request through our contact page.