Editorial by Mira Dalvi Sahni
Sustainability. Climate Change. Net Zero. Decarbonisation. Circular Economy.
We hear these words all the time, in boardrooms, events, advertisements, on product labels, in political speeches and increasingly in everyday conversations. These are important words, however sometimes it seems like the more we hear them, the easier it is to just nod along without really knowing what they mean. What do these terms really mean? Why are they important? And how do they connect to the choices we make in our everyday lives?
If we’re serious about protecting our planet we need to delve deeper. We need to start asking better questions, challenge comfortable narratives, take responsibility for the impact we are creating and move from words to action.
What does sustainability really mean?
Sustainability is one of the most used and misused words today. Sustainability is about living in a way that doesn’t harm the world around us, thinking long-term about our future generations and the planet they will inherit. It must be reflected in the choices we make daily, how we live, build, shop, consume, travel, use energy, discard items no longer of use, etc. It’s about finding a balance between what we need and what nature can handle.
True sustainability is not just environmental, it is social and economic too. It means fair wages, responsible supply chains, inclusive growth, and creating systems that work for people and the planet. In a world of instant deliveries and disposable everything, sustainability asks us to pause and rethink, ‘can we do this differently and can we do it better?
Climate Change is happening - right here, right now!
For a long time, climate change felt like something taking place far away with melting glaciers, rising sea levels, rampant deforestation. Events that didn’t really affect us. But now, it’s knocking at our doors. Hotter summers, longer and unpredictable droughts, unseasonal rains and flash floods, poor air quality, food insecurity, rising energy bills.
Climate change was considered just an environmental issue. But it is a human issue as well. It affects all aspects of our lives and most importantly deepens inequality. We must change how we build our cities, grow food, run businesses and set policies. It’s about decisions made at every level, from governments to families. Science tells us what to do and the solutions do exist. We need the will and the urgency to act.
Net Zero doesn’t mean we’re done
Net Zero sounds like a perfect solution where industries can cut their emissions, offset the rest, and showcase their effort to protect the planet. But here’s where the nuances begin. Net Zero doesn’t always mean zero emissions. It is often used to mean that the emissions produced are balanced out by actions that absorb or reduce carbon elsewhere like planting trees, investing in renewable energy, or buying carbon credits. If this sounds too good to be true, you may be correct – as it comes with the added complexity of verifying the credibility and impact of such offsets.
Some even say that offsetting has also become an excuse. Businesses and even countries use it to avoid making real changes to how they operate. Instead of reducing emissions at the source, they continue with business as usual and pay to cancel it out elsewhere. To be truly effective, Net Zero must start with immediate emissions cuts within operations, supply chains, and energy use. Offsets should always be a last resort.
The real solution is Decarbonisation, that is, changing the system that causes emissions in the first place. Otherwise, we’re just buying time, not solving the problem.
Decarbonisation: The real work
A key concept in today’s sustainability landscape, decarbonisation means reducing and, idealistically, trying to eliminate carbon emissions from the systems that power our daily lives, for example, how we produce electricity, run factories, build homes, transport goods, or travel. It also entails changing how entire industries operate.
Decarbonisation is about innovation and rethinking how we do things. It is complex and requires investment, regulation, and cooperation at all levels. These changes and innovations are necessary to meet global climate goals and avoid the worst effects of climate change. Unlike offsetting, decarbonisation is slower, harder, and less glamorous, but it is impactful, tackles the problem at the source and helps us to truly move forward.
Circular Economy: Rethinking waste from the start
When we think about waste, most of us think about recycling, hoping it ends up somewhere useful. In a traditional linear economy, it is a one-way street of take, make, waste. That system has worked for decades, leading to massive environmental damage, depleting resources, and filling up landfills.
The circular economy flips that idea on its head. It starts at the design stage, and makes one rethink about how we create, use, and reuse everything from packaging, clothing to electronics. Instead of designing for disposal, design for durability, repair, and reuse. It’s about building a system where materials and products stay in use for as long as possible, and waste becomes a resource, not a problem. Think of clothes made to last longer, electronics that can be easily fixed instead of replaced, packaging that’s biodegradable or refillable. The circular economy isn’t just good for the planet, it’s smart business since it reduces costs, creates new jobs in repair and refurbishment, and drives innovation in design and resource utilisation.
But making the shift also means as consumers must buy less, choose better and support brands that value sustainability, we must proactively prepare. Businesses and governments need to focus on redesigning systems, investing in infrastructure, and setting policies that reward circular thinking. Because the goal isn’t just to recycle more, it is to waste less, from the start.
So, why am I sharing this?
Although I’ve always tried to follow sustainable practices—both at home and at work—there came a point in my professional journey when I had to pause and reflect. I realised that the very events I was helping to create, while impactful in many ways, were generating a significant amount of waste. That realisation stayed with me. How do we continue doing meaningful work without harming the planet? How do we avoid adding to landfills, contributing to microplastic pollution, or supporting systems that don’t distribute resources fairly?
During my recent sabbatical from work, I decided to dive deeper. I began studying climate and sustainability, and while businesses and everyday life must go on, it cannot be at the planet’s expense. My goal is to understand how to support such initiatives more effectively and create meaningful impact through my work. I’m still learning. And I’ve come to believe that we all can do better. We don’t need to be perfect. We just need to be aware, to ask questions, and to make more conscious choices. Sustainability is not just the responsibility of big corporations, scientists, or policymakers. It’s for all of us. And it starts with small steps, taken today.