15. Collaboration to create a thriving low carbon economy - Simon Dawes, Head of Sustainable Business Strategy of UK Environment Agency
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Future Planet Podcast
15. Collaboration to create a thriving low carbon economy - Simon Dawes, Head of Sustainable Business Strategy of UK Environment Agency
Mar 21, 2024 Season 1 Episode 15

In this episode, we welcome Simon Dawes, a driving force behind the Environment Agency's push towards sustainability, with over two decades of experience in the environmental sector. 


Currently, Simon is the Head of Sustainable Business Strategy, where he led the development and integration of a Net Zero delivery plan for a complex £1.3bn organisation. 


He also spearheaded the creation of an expansive Carbon Literacy training program for 11,000 staff, fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability at every level.



Simon is a key player in the UK's journey to Net Zero, representing the Environment Agency on task forces and acting as a Sustainability Ambassador.



Beyond his sustainability role, Simon is driven by a zest for adventure and challenge. A keen snowboarder and supporter of protecting our winters. His passion has led him to conquer the towering summits of Europe's Mt. Blanc and Africa's Kilimanjaro, alongside testing his endurance in triathlons at the Olympic distance. 



Simon's story is one of passion, leadership, and a relentless pursuit of a better future for all. 



We explore:


🌱 Simon’s vision for the future of the UK


🌱 The role of a regulator and how to be inclusive and progressive 


🌱 How to accelerate change through collaboration in the construction sector


🌱 The business reasons to embracing the circular economy


🌱 That the circular economy and net zero are intrinsically interlinked



🌱 Water, rivers, pollution and Climate adaptation 



🌱 …and the projects Simon is working on as part of the UK environment agency



Listen to the end to hear about Simon's campaigning passion with Protect Our Winters and the role sports can play in creating a better world for all. 


You can read the action takeaways from this episode, comment, co-create future episodes and connect with fellow change makers in the FuturePlanet community of action, visit https://www.futureplanet.love to sign in or sign up.


Let's get into it. 



Where shall we go next, what questions shall we ask? To co-create the podcast with us, connect with fellow change makers in the FuturePlanet community of action, visit www.futureplanet.love to sign in or sign up.


Episode Artwork 15. Collaboration to create a thriving low carbon economy - Simon Dawes, Head of Sustainable Business Strategy of UK Environment Agency 1:02:14 Episode Artwork 14. A new story of nature-centred leadership - Andres Roberts, Founder of Bio-Leadership Project 55:02 Episode Artwork 13. Empathy and the quest for environmental and social justice - Vibhati Bhatia, Founder of South Asians for Sustainability 48:24 Episode Artwork 12. Ride the change towards collective sustainable action - Hermione Taylor, Founder & CEO at Do Nation 51:09 Episode Artwork 11. A generational evolution of cheese making - Brad Vanstone, Co-founder of Willicroft 38:34 Episode Artwork 10. No time to waste to get to zero waste - Catherine Conway, Director & Reuse Lead at GoUnpackaged 59:09 Episode Artwork 09. Activism and a lifetime struggle for justice - Kumi Naidoo, Founding Chair at Africans Rising for Justice, Peace and Dignity 59:25 Episode Artwork 08. Transforming the materials, resources sector to be wasteless - Dr. Adam Read MBE, Chief Sustainability & External Affairs Officer at SUEZ UK 1:12:21 Episode Artwork 07. Giving nature a voice at the heart of business - Simeon Rose & Anne Hopkins, Faith in Nature & Co-creators of Nature on the Board 1:17:28 Episode Artwork 06. Co-creating a flowing river of finance - David Carlin, Head of Climate Risk and TCFD at UNEP FI 1:01:03 Episode Artwork 05. A future we can all thrive in - Michelle Holliday, Author of "Age of Thrivability" 1:00:22 Episode Artwork 04. Degrowth: Growing new models of business and wellbeing - Timothée Parrique, Author and Researcher at Lund University 1:18:06 Episode Artwork 03. Policy, soil health and growing regenerative agriculture - Philippe Birker, Co-founder of Climate Farmers 1:02:38 Episode Artwork 02. Campaigning, intergenerational, intersectional climate activism - Jonathon Porritt CBE, Co-founder of Forum for the Future 53:22 Episode Artwork 01. Catalysing transformation in banking and finance - Catherine Howarth OBE, CEO at ShareAction 51:02