At the Sustainable Best Practice Exchange two weeks ago, a representative from the Tees Valley stood up and gave a presentation on a vision for low carbon economy for the region. Frankly, it was almost identical to all the presentations I sat through when I worked there 10-15 years ago. “Why hasn’t it happened in the meantime?” was the question I asked. Lack of coherent Government policy was the reply.

This sounded far too familiar (not least in the Tees Valley a decade ago). There is pretty much universal agreement that the UK Government’s leadership on a low carbon economy has been fitful at best. Sudden changes in policy and instruments create uncertainty and hold back investment.

But when is it going to be any different?

Do you really think there’s going to be a day when sustainability is easy?

The true pioneers in Sustainability – Interface, Unilever etc – don’t moan about Government policy, or if they do, they don’t use it as an excuse to do nothing. They set their destination and create their own path to get there – there may be a few stumbles along the way, but that’s how they learn.

So it’s time to pick up a compass and a machete and hack a path through the jungle that is in the way to your destination. Enjoy the adventure!