Potocnik Launches WRF Resource Revolution Trainer for Business

Berlin, 9 November 2016 Janez Potocnik, Co-Chair of the UN Environment International Resource Panel (IRP), presented the “Resource Revolution Trainer”, an online training resource for business on decoupling. The World Resources Forum developed the new Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) with the support of the IRP and the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) to introduce business managers world-wide to the science of global resource use and productivity. Potocnik, who is a former EC Commissioner for the Environment, spoke in Berlin at the opening of the European Resources Forum, which was organised by the German Federal Environment Agency.

The Resource Revolution Trainer offers a self-training course for business managers that comprises six modules with supporting learning materials. Its content is applicable to any business sector world-wide, offering also case examples from diverse companies and regions. It takes the latest science on resource use trends and scarcities globally and turns it into practical ideas for any business to roll out a pro-active strategy. It provides the business manager with innovative ideas and inspirational examples of steps leading companies are taking towards becoming a “Resource Revolution Enterprise”.

Welcoming the launch of the online resource, Ligia Noronha, Director of the UN Environment Economy Division, commented saying: “We have come a long way since the 1970s Limits to Growth report and the first public-private partnerships created to promote sustainable approaches such as cleaner production, eco-efficiency, sustainable consumption, social responsibility and clean-tech innovation. As illustrated by this online training course, knowledge, action, and technology have evolved and large-scale intervention for sustainable resource management is today a priority along with responsible investment and multi-sector innovation in both developed and developing economies.”

According to WRF Managing Director, Bas de Leeuw, the new online course will help to get the message of the World Resource Forum across. “We envision a world where influential decision-makers in business and industry, civil society organizations, the scientific community and an empowered public interact and engage in taking action for more sustainable use of resources worldwide. We love to see these leading decision-makers at our flagship conferences and engaged in our multi-stakeholder dialogue initiatives. Online tools, such as this new one and the existing E-waste Challenge MOOC, are key tools to reach the business community world-wide.”

Cutting Edge Ideas around Business Model and Technology Innovation

The Resource Revolution Trainer combines latest science from the IRP with cutting edge ideas around business model and technology innovation. Its scientific content is based on findings of reports published by the IRP. It translates the findings of in particular the IRP Decoupling Reports into a language that speaks to the business community. Its exploration of response strategies at enterprise level focuses on the development and delivery of products and services that reflect radical resource productivity improvements.

Its business content builds on a range of related business publications, in particular the books The Resource Revolution (Amazon 2014) by Stafan Heck of Stanford University and Matt Rogers of McKinsey & Company as well as The Zeronauts (Routledge 2012) by triple bottom line author John Elkington.Working with global business leaders on sustainability in initiatives such as The B Team, John Elkington commented: “Whether we think of zero emissions, zero deforestation or net zero resource consumption, the concept of zero remains as challenging as ever. We need more business champions to become Zeronauts.” He added that “I warmly welcome the arrival of the Resource Revolution Trainer platform, which will help managers worldwide to come to grips with the underlying science and translate it into effective action across their businesses.”

Each session of the six course modules contains a video presentation that cover key concepts, reading material with expanded text on the theme of each session, exercises with questions for discussion, case examples and links to diverse resources for additional information. Managers can complete the course at their own pace. The two trainers are Cornis van der Lugt, Stellenbosch University Business School, and Barbara Dubach, Swiss “engageability” consultancy.

Find the new course on: www.resourcerevolutiontrainer.net

Find the existing E-Waste Challenge here: http://learning.climate-kic.org/courses/e-waste-mooc

For information about the Resource Revolution Trainer contact:

World Resources Forum
Lerchenfeldstrasse 5
9014 St.Gallen, Switzerland
Phone +41 71 554 09 00
info@wrforum.org