The flagship event organised by IMS - Inspiring More Sustainability - was held this year on October 6 at LuxExpo, on the opening day of the KlimaExpo, but also in Livestream to be accessible to everyone. Between exceptional guests, an official announcement and a celebration, this eleventh edition of the Luxembourg Sustainability Forum was rich in reflections, emotions and invitation to action.
The ecological challenge we are all facing was at the centre of the exchanges of this 2022 edition. A challenge that animates consciences, as demonstrated by Glenn Albrecht, an Australian philosopher, through his intervention on solastalgia, a term that he coined that puts into words the discomfort caused by negative environmental changes. Another reaction to these challenges is the polarization of opinions, the persistence of denial, and the use of toxic and unfounded conspiracy theories. This fracturing of society has been analyzed by University of Bristol professor Stephan Lewandowsky.
These emotions are, in fact, not a fatality but a fabulous springboard for action, as explained by Christian Clot, explorer-researcher and CEO of the Human Adaptation Institute: "You cannot engage in a transformation that is not preceded by an emotion", as well as John Elkington, founder and chief pollinator of Volans, through his enlightened speech on the new capitalism.
Hopeful speeches and testimonies of local companies confirmed that we are already working more responsibly. The event concluded with warm thanks from Christian Scharff, President of IMS, to his team, speakers, partners and sponsors.
More than 800 people attended the LSF2022, including 300 present on site. To (re)experience the event, replays will be available this week on IMS Luxembourg's YouTube channel and photos on IMS Luxembourg's Flickr account. (Credits: IMS Luxembourg).
IMS becomes the single point of contact for certified and aspiring B Corp companies in the Grand Duchy
Active in 85 countries and 158 industries, the B Corp movement was launched in 2006 by B Lab to promote values of change in the corporate world on an international scale. There are currently 5,800 B Corps worldwide.
IMS - Inspiring More Sustainability becomes the single point of contact for certified and aspiring B Corp companies in the Grand Duchy. Nancy Thomas, Director of IMS, says: "This notion of movement linked to B Corp is fundamental to us; it is a principle of continuous improvement. It's a real plus to be able to bring this model and to be able to try to strengthen it at the Luxembourg level to provide transformation solutions."
Closely linked with B Lab™ BeNeLux and B Lab Europe, IMS brings together members of the B Corp community active in the territory and helps organizations that wish to join the movement to make their company a force for the common good.
Tessa van Soest, Executive Director of B Lab Benelux, adds: "We are very happy to collaborate with a valuable partner like IMS. Luxembourg already has a thriving impact business community. With this collaboration, we can now take this to the next level in helping companies to become a force for good by using our B Corp certification, programs and tools."
IMS Luxembourg celebrates its 15th anniversary
IMS took advantage of its annual event to celebrate its 15 years of existence.
It was an opportunity for Christian Scharff to salute all the work accomplished by his team to inspire and accompany Luxembourgish organisations to act in favour of a more responsible society:
I think we have a real impact in Luxembourg, and we can be very proud. We are active in several areas, including carbon footprint reduction, biodiversity, resilient food, the fight against infobesity, equity, and inclusion with the Lëtzebuerg Diversity Charter and, more recently, the Sustainability Academy