Inaugural lecture Prof R.A.J. (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.'

More information

Inaugural lecture: Prof R.A.J. (Roland) Mees

• Title: Understanding ourselves in times of climate change
• Chair: Practice of Business Ethics

• Faculty: Economics and Business

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