The Power of Individual and Systemic Action in Driving Sustainability

In the quest for a sustainable future, a pressing question often arises: “Is it the individual or the system (institutions, organizations, and governments) that should drive the change?” 

Try to answer this question for yourself  as an individual,  and separately for your organisation, to get awareness of where you stand. 

This seemingly simple question is, in reality, quite complex. Addressing it simplistically risks underestimating the multifaceted nature of the problem and makes it easy to pass the blame.

The Interconnected Roles We Play

We live in an interconnected world, playing different roles: as individuals, we consume goods and services; as employees, we design and implement organizational policies; and as citizens, we install or remove governments. Each group, whether individual, organization, or government, is a unique piece of the puzzle of acceptance and adoption of sustainable practices. The right approach is that the combination of individual and system is required to make sustainability a way of life on the planet.

The Importance of Individual Action

Our choices about our consumption are central to our responsibility as sustainable individuals. Being informed about what we are consuming, the frequency of our consumption, and its impact on our social and environmental ecosystems is the bare minimum for us to alter the severe negative impacts of our actions on our societies and the environment. For example, overproduction and overconsumption of clothing significantly contribute to climate change. The global fashion industry is responsible for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions. More clothing is available than ever before while price and quality reduce, increasing the production of low-value clothing and overconsumption of the same. If we do not exercise our ability and responsibility to make mindful sustainable choices, our ecosystems collapse under the pressure of unsustainable production and consumption.

The thought process of weighing the financial and ecological costs and benefits is at the heart of an individual’s responsibility towards sustainability. This does not mean we have to deprive ourselves of the basics or give up the good things in life. We need to use the shower, turn on the air-conditioning, and drive to the theatre. But even as we do this, can we be mindful of the resources we use and act conscientiously to minimize wastage? Can we avoid a life of excess and set examples that influence others? Can we educate ourselves to know what is sustainable and what is not, and evaluate our decisions accordingly?

Individual Action Leading to System-Level Change

Critics argue that a focus on individual responsibility is only a drop in the bucket and a distraction from the more urgent need to pressurize government and institutions to carry out systemic change. However, individual change and collective system-level change are deeply interconnected. A change in individual mindset drives individual action, and individual action is the foundation of the social learning required for collective action. Social learning is a process where behavior is learned by observing the actions of others. It impacts our values and our understanding of how the world works. In other words, we learn best by doing, so individual stories can lead to transformative system-level change.

System-level change does not happen without individual-level change. Individuals are the foundation of the system (organizations, institutions, and government), which makes individuals the lifeblood of driving change within the system. If individuals see a problem but don’t act on it, there’s no motivation for the system to act. Individuals, therefore, have a dual role - to act on individual-level change while simultaneously influencing system-level change. For example, if you see litter on your local beach, you can pick it up while continuing to push the local municipal council to address the issue at a system level for long-term impact.

The Importance of Systemic Action

While individual responsibility is crucial, without collective systems, there are limits to what individual action can achieve. Sustainable living means the development of systems that enable us to live comfortably with minimal damage to the planet. For example, institutions are needed to dispose of garbage, provide clean drinking water, and develop reliable energy sources. Government policies are needed to ensure the conservation of biodiversity, forests, and oceans in order to reverse climate change. Private and public organizations are needed to ensure services like health, education, and employment. All of them require collective action.

Individuals may be eager to contribute to sustainability, but not everyone may be adequately informed or have the resources to drive change. Therefore, it is the responsibility of institutions to empower individuals to make impactful change. Organizations can facilitate change by encouraging employees to pursue new ideas that impact sustainability. Once an idea is implemented, they can make it easy for more people to adopt new practices. This includes thinking through and providing resources to spread new practices. For example, getting people to correctly follow recycling instructions.

Organizations can also make it as easy as possible for consumers to contribute to sustainability. For example, clothing manufacturers can provide options like repairing clothes instead of buying new ones, or offering discounts for turning in unwanted garments, thereby supporting the second-hand clothing market. Organizations can also monitor their contractors, set human rights and environmental standards for them, and create long-lasting, repairable, non-toxic products designed for the circular economy.

Conclusion

The journey to a sustainable future requires both individual and systemic action. By making conscious choices and advocating for change, we can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world. Remember, every small step counts in the grand scheme of global sustainability.

At AIMS International Gulf, our team is equipped to support you navigate the necessary changes and mobilize your organization towards the future. 

Written by: Nicole Mantzikopoulou, Associate Partner AIMS International Gulf