In this episode of A Little Bit Radical, host Rob Fawkes talks with Bruce Taylor, the Founder and President of Enviro Stewards, an engineering consultancy focused on sustainable development. Bruce shares his journey from a traditional engineering career to founding a company that not only improves business efficiency but also significantly contributes to global sustainability efforts. The conversation explores the challenges and triumphs of leading decarbonisation projects for major companies like Unilever and Maple Leaf Foods, as well as Bruce's deep commitment to international development work in countries like South Sudan and Uganda.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Bruce’s Early Life and Career Path: How feeling like an outsider as a teenager and a “pre-life crisis” in his mid-20s shaped his approach to life and work.
- Founding Enviro Stewards: The motivations behind starting his own company, integrating volunteer work into the business model, and encouraging his employees to do the same.
- Decarbonization Strategy with Unilever: Insights into spearheading Unilever’s ambitious goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2027, and how deep conservation measures can drive significant savings and sustainability.
- Success Stories and Challenges: The strategic approach Bruce uses to help companies like Maple Leaf Foods and others achieve carbon neutrality while saving millions.
- International Development Work: The impact of Enviro Stewards' projects in South Sudan and Uganda, focusing on long-term sustainability and capacity building rather than traditional charity models.
- Leadership in Sustainability: The critical role of leadership and overcoming inertia in achieving sustainability goals, and the importance of empathy and understanding company culture.
- Global Responsibility: Why it’s crucial to think beyond local investments and consider the broader global impact, especially in developing countries disproportionately affected by climate change.
Memorable Quotes:
- “Sustainability isn’t just about reducing harm—it’s about creating a positive impact that benefits both the environment and society.”
- “Deep conservation first is the best way to go because that’s what generates the savings to pay for the rest of the journey.”
- “The problem with Africa is in our head—the way we think about helping can actually create damage if we’re not careful.”
Resources Mentioned:
- Bruce Taylor’s TEDx Talk: Watch here (Include link to the TEDx talk)
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