Inaugural lecture Roland Mees: Understanding ourselves in times of climate change

When it comes to fighting climate change, any strategy to be "net zero" in 2050 is only credible if it entails reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG’s) by 50 percent in 2030.Yet, the affluent countries have waited too long with taking sustainable action.

Professor of Practice of Business Ethics Roland Mees: “This is incompatible with how we understand ourselves, while we shape visionary companies by relentlessly improving customer experience, business processes, and stakeholder dialogues. Why are we able to do all this, but have we not been able to take climate action? As a result, we face fundamental questions regarding our moral integrity. We need strong institutions and policies to overcome the motivational weaknesses of people in the affluent countries to take sustainable action. Time is up to achieve the reduction of 50 percent by 2030 and help the developing countries with their climate mitigation and adaptation. Despite the concerns, there are still signs of hope that we could limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. In this regard, I consider directing business ethics towards incorporating the goal of sustainability as one of my key tasks.”

In his inaugural lecture, Professor Mees examines these fundamental questions about our moral integrity and our motivational weaknesses when taking action to mitigate climate change. Apart from the concerns, he also highlights positive developments, signs of hope that we can achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

More information:

Roland Mees’ inaugural lecture will take place on Friday 12 May 2023, 14:15-15:00. Registration no later than 5 May via the registration form.

Livestream on 12 May 2023, see: www.rug.nl/digitale-oratie.

Questions? Please contact Roland Mees.