Impact Day Event: What Stops Us from Acting Sustainably Despite Knowing Better

This event will bring together experts and thought leaders from across industries to explore the barriers preventing us from acting on our sustainability knowledge and to share actionable insights on how we can create a lasting impact.

16:00 – Guest arrival and gathering
16:30 – Opening remarks by representatives of SSE Riga and Impact Day

16:50 – Presentation by Agnese Alksne-Bensone, Chair of the Board at CSR Latvia, on the Baltic Circularity Hotspot
17:10 – Presentation by Diana Paakspuu, ESG Strategic Consultant at Miltton New Nordics, on "Navigating ESG Challenges: How SMEs Can Thrive – A Case Study of Re-Use Centre's Sustainable Success"
17:30 – Introduction to Miltton’s Friction Insights study

17:35 – Panel Discussion: "Friction in Action: What Stops Us from Acting Sustainably Despite Knowing Better?"
Featuring Viktors Toropovs, Sustainability Officer at SEB Latvia, Agnese Alksne-Bensone, Chairwoman of the Board at CSR Latvia, as well as a representative from SSE Riga and Impact Day.

Panel Topics Include:

• Individual vs. Systemic Action: The Scale Error. How do we overcome the "scale error," where individual actions seem insignificant compared to larger systemic challenges? What role can financial institutions and educational institutions play in bridging this gap?
• Keeping the Energy for Change. The concept of "agency batteries" suggests that people are emotionally drained from societal involvement. How can organizations design initiatives to recharge this energy and foster long-term engagement in sustainable practices?
• Why Do People Avoid Taking a Stand? The rise of interpassivity, where individuals avoid taking action due to fear of group polarization, is a growing friction. What strategies can be used to foster collaborative efforts in sustainability while avoiding divisive group dynamics?
• Shaking Structures: Challenging Norms and Building New Systems. As societal norms and traditional structures are challenged, how can organizations like those represented in this panel lead in imagining and building alternative, more sustainable societal models?

18:15 – Closing remarks and networking session

Let’s turn knowledge into action and drive real change together! 

The event is free and open to all who are interested in the discussion.
Please register by September 16th, 2024.