Regenerative
thrivability ATM columnist Terry Muir introduces a new concept to reframe the discussion around the sports turf industry’s
H
istorically, businesses have operated in service solely to improve their financial bottom line. Some businesses did begin to realise the connection among environmental health, social wellbeing and the organisation’s financial success. Then in 1994, author and entrepreneur John Elkington built upon the concept of the triple bottom line in hopes to transform what was the current financial-focused business system to take on a more comprehensive approach. Rather than just reflect on their profit and loss statements, he wanted businesses to also account for their relationships with the environment, their people, and the community. He then transformed the triple bottom line to ‘people, planet and profit’, proposing that business success metrics must include contributions to environmental health, social wellbeing and a just economy. As Elkington reported in his Harvard Business Review article, “The triple bottom line wasn’t designed to be just an accounting tool. It was supposed to provoke deeper thinking about capitalism and its future.” He went on further to state that “while there have been successes, our climate, water resources, oceans, forests, soils and biodiversity are all 62
drive for improved sustainability. increasingly threatened. It is time to either step up – or get out of the way.” Now, despite its increasing popularity, Elkington ‘recalled’ his triple bottom line in what he called a ‘concept recall’. On its 25th anniversary the three P’s needed tweaking. To truly shift the needle, and respond to the climate crisis, the three P’s and the term sustainability were in need of change. Why? Well, on 29 July this year we busted Earth’s budget! They call it Earth Overshoot Day and it marks the date when humanity has exhausted nature’s budget for the year. For the rest of the year, we are maintaining our ecological deficit by drawing down local resource stocks and accumulating CO2 in the atmosphere. In Australia’s case, it was way back on 22 March 2021 that we exhausted nature’s budget for the year. For the remaining nine months of 2021, we are operating in ecological deficit and Australia is one of the worst performers.
A NEW APPROACH It is thanks to the introduction of the concept of sustainability and the three P’s that all now understand the need for solutions. The climate crisis requires that we build on their strengths and look at bold new approaches to the challenges we face today. I believe
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that ‘thrivability’ best reframes the term sustainability. Throw in the term ‘regenerative’, which is very apt in agronomy, and the next stage in the evolution of the term sustainability – ‘regenerative thrivability’ – is born. Regenerative thrivability represents a necessary paradigm shift for sustainability in our sector. If you are preparing your strategy to protect and enhance the environment, and increase health and wellbeing, take a step into a new way of thinking. And, as you prepare for the climate crisis, don’t overlook the three P’s. I support the three P’s that Elkington has amended to now read as ‘people, planet and prosperity’. But I suggest some minor dimensional changes. I call it the three P’s for sports turf management that; l Prevents harm to people and the environment; l Prepares for the climate crisis; and l Positions the business to thrive in a highly regulated and low carbon future. This decade is golf’s moment to think big, embrace the new three P’s, to go beyond sustainability and embrace regenerative thrivability. Acting on climate change and embracing the new concepts of sustainability is golf’s next greatest opportunity to thrive.
PHOTO: ANDREAS BERHEIDE/STOCK.ADOBE.COM
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