Could emotional intelligence be losing you sales? Plus, climate news and fundraising 🌎
California battles deadly storm. New EU 'right to repair' and live discussions with Top Creators in marketing and fundraising.
Here’s our five-minute roundup of the latest sustainability news, including how emotional intelligence can transform your SME, the Eurizon fossil fuel controversy and free retail resources. As always, you are welcome to join the conversation on our WONDR platform.
💸 Top story: ‘Millions’ awarded to fossil fuel companies
An investigation by Voxeurop has revealed that millions of euros have been awarded to major carbon emitters like BP, Shell and Total Energies in ‘climate-friendly’ investments.
These green funds have been promoted by Eurizon Capital SGR, which manages client assets worth €381 billion. There are now concerns that large corporations could be using deceptive phrasing and loopholes in the EU regulatory framework to finance ‘green’ products that actually exacerbate pollution and carbon emissions.
According to Voxeurop, by establishing its own ‘green’ index, Eurizon has effectively freed itself from ESMA requirements, meaning it does not have to justify to investors how its benchmark indices guarantee compliance with Article 8 of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (promotion of investments or products with positive environmental or social qualities).
🌎 World news
➡️ Spain will ship water to Catalonia as the country battles a drought that has seen reserves drop to 15.8% of normal levels. Emergency measures have included limiting each person to 200 litres (the equivalent of a 10-minute shower) per day, as well as a ban on washing cars and topping up swimming pools. In 2023, Spain suffered a series of heatwaves, with temperatures reaching almost 50C in some areas.
➡️ Across the Atlantic Ocean, California has suffered severe flooding after a ‘1 in 1000 year’ storm left four people dead and 70,000 households without power. Over 4000 mudslides cascaded throughout Los Angeles, with wind gusts reaching up to 92pmh (148kph). The catastrophe was caused by an atmospheric river, which scientists predict will get more intense as the temperature of the planet increases.
➡️ The European Commission has recommended a 90% net greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2040 to reach the goal of making the European Union climate neutral by 2050. Its focus on fairness, solidarity and social policies will include close involvement with the agricultural sector and setting up a dedicated taskforce to develop a global approach to carbon pricing and carbon markets.
➡️ Over 75% of British people do not understand key climate terminology like ‘locally grown’ and environmentally friendly’, according to a new study. Many respondents indicated that they do not clearly understand waste-reducing government policies, with just 4.4% being able to define the term ‘circular economy’.
➡️ The EU has agreed a new law that grants consumers a ‘right to repair’ household products such as washing machines and mobile phones. Alexia Bertrand, the Belgian consumer protection state secretary, says the agreement “makes a clear choice for repair instead of disposal”. Under the terms, EU countries must introduce at least one measure to encourage consumers to opt for repair services, such as VAT reduction or repair vouchers.
🗣️ Emotional intelligence: does your company have it?
Introducing our Impact Creator, Suzanne Mayumi
As part of our network of Impact Creators, Suzanne Mayumi is highly skilled in coaching, leadership and mentoring. Fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Japanese, she is currently the Managing Director and Head of Social Impact Strategy at Instituto Awakening, a transdisciplinary institute for human and social development.
A particular area of expertise is emotional intelligence, which Elite Business Magazine recently dubbed ‘the hidden driver of SME success’. A linchpin of effective leadership, emotional intelligence is the ability to influence your own emotions and those of others. Key skills like self-awareness and relationship management not only have a huge impact on team performance and workplace culture, but can transform your customers’ perception of your company.
Suzanne explains: “Understanding and connecting with others on an emotional level fosters trust, collaboration, and innovation, leading to stronger relationships and ultimately business success.
“Empathy and emotional intelligence are vital for engaging with customers and understanding their specific problems in order to solve them effectively. Without empathy, we cannot empathise with the customer's perspective, and without emotional intelligence, we lack the stability to effectively engage and convey trust, thereby generating profitable business.”
Keep an eye out for Suzanne’s upcoming live discussions and blog posts.
⭐ New online resources
We’ve teamed up with sustainable fashion consultant Natalie Binns for a series of exclusive WONDR content.
Read now:
Building the right product or service for your customer and market
Why you need to understand your customer to improve your sales
🎟️ Upcoming events
Can’t make these dates? Register anyway, and we’ll send you the recording.
February
Wednesday 13th - AMA: Investor outreach - The investment landscape
5pm GMT / 12pm, ET / 9am PST
Let’s discuss what investors are looking for, the dos and don'ts, the type of investment available and how to go about managing investor relations.
Wednesday 13th - Ask Me Anything: Business Development. Sales & Marketing
5:30pm GMT / 12:30pm ET / 9:30am PST
Get tailored advice on your sustainable business from Fractional CMO Richard Hopper
Wednesday 14th - Workshop: Production and logistics: product and packaging
5pm GMT / 12pm ET / 9am PST
Sampling, how to avoid overspending, setting realistic expectations, key launch deadlines
Tuesday 20th - AMA: Find your Perfect Impact Investor
5pm GMT / 12pm ET / 9am PST
Whether it’s your first time reaching out or you’re experienced - in this session we'll break down the best way to find and assess investors
Wednesday 21st - Speed networking for impact-driven professionals
4.30pm GMT / 11.30am ET / 8.30am PST
Meet other mid to senior-level professionals to share ideas and build new connections
Tuesday 27th - AMA: Prepare your Outreach for investors
5pm GMT / 12pm ET / 9am PST
Ben Kimura-Gross will be taking us through the art and science of cultivating relationships with financiers and investors.