38 SDG 13 – Climate Action – Team 38

Team Reflection

The COIL Experience has been key to improving our knowledge about sustainable business innovations and reinforce what we have learned in each of our courses. The stories of the different Aim2Flourish businesses have reinforced our understanding of sustainability principles, triple bottom line thinking, and the importance of corporate social responsibility. They demonstrated how businesses can align their operations with the SDGs and contribute to addressing pressing global challenges. Additionally, the stories challenged some of our assumptions about the role of businesses, particularly in terms of their potential to drive positive social and environmental change, which will be discussed further on.
Reflecting on our exploration of the AIM2Flourish stories, we recognize the potential implications for our future actions and thinking. As aspiring business professionals, we see the importance of integrating sustainability considerations into our future actions. The stories have inspired us to think more critically about the societal and environmental impacts of business decisions and to seek innovative solutions that contribute to positive change.

We have all agreed that we are committed to applying the lessons learned from these stories in our future careers, striving to be agents of positive social and environmental impact in the business world. We have also realized how the content taught in different courses across our universities has been key to make this experience even more enriching, because we all shared some common knowledge which made the work easier.

We want to focus our group reflection in two stories that we read and that we enjoyed the analysis of and that are two stories that we believe as a group that we learnt a lot from: BuildUp and BlackFrog Technologies.

BuildUp:
BuildUp’s innovative off-site construction method and use of sustainable building materials represent a significant step forward in addressing the environmental impact of construction activities. By manufacturing building components off-site in a controlled environment, BuildUp reduces construction waste and minimizes the environmental footprint associated with traditional on-site construction. Additionally, their substitution of sustainable alternatives for cement and bricks demonstrates a commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting eco-friendly building practices.
Upon considering the story of BuildUp, we are reminded of the importance of sustainable infrastructure development in achieving the SDGs. Infrastructure plays a crucial role in supporting economic growth, reducing inequalities, and promoting environmental sustainability. BuildUp’s innovative approach not only addresses the environmental impact of construction but also contributes to broader sustainability objectives by promoting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

BlackFrog Technologies:
BlackFrog Technologies’ Emvólio represents a groundbreaking solution to address healthcare access and climate resilience challenges. By providing a portable cold chain refrigerator for storing vaccines, Emvólio ensures the integrity and efficacy of life-saving vaccines, particularly in remote and resource-constrained areas. Moreover, its solar compatibility and elimination of traditional energy-consuming elements contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.
In examining BlackFrog Technologies’ story, we are reminded of the interconnectedness of health and environmental sustainability. Access to healthcare services is essential for human well-being, but it also relies on a healthy environment. Climate change and environmental degradation can exacerbate health inequalities and impact the effectiveness of healthcare interventions. By addressing both healthcare access and climate resilience, BlackFrog Technologies exemplifies how businesses can contribute to multiple SDGs simultaneously.
Furthermore, as we consider the broader implications of these stories, we are prompted to reflect on how they intersect with our academic knowledge and shape our understanding of sustainability, business ethics, and social responsibility.

Connection to Academic Knowledge:
Concepts that we have learned such as the triple bottom line approach, which considers social, environmental, and economic impacts, are evident in both stories. BuildUp’s focus on reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable building practices aligns with our understanding of sustainable infrastructure development, while BlackFrog Technologies’ emphasis on healthcare access and climate resilience highlights the importance of social impact in business decision-making.

Moreover, these stories reinforce the interconnectedness of sustainability issues and the need for holistic solutions that address social, environmental, and economic challenges simultaneously. Our academic knowledge provides a framework for understanding the complex interplay between business, society, and the environment, and these stories serve as real-world examples of how businesses can leverage innovation to create positive change.

Challenges to Assumptions:
The stories of BuildUp and BlackFrog Technologies also challenge some of our preconceived notions about the role of businesses in society. While traditional perspectives often view businesses solely as profit-driven entities, these stories demonstrate that businesses can have a broader purpose beyond financial gain. By prioritizing social and environmental impact alongside profitability, BuildUp and BlackFrog Technologies exemplify a new paradigm of business leadership that emphasizes sustainability and corporate citizenship.

Additionally, these stories challenge the assumption that sustainability initiatives are solely the responsibility of governments and non-profit organizations. Businesses play a crucial role in driving innovation and implementing sustainable solutions, and these stories highlight the potential for businesses to be proactive agents of change in addressing global challenges.

Implications for Future Action:

As we reflect on the lessons learned from these stories, we want to reiterate we are inspired to integrate sustainability considerations into our future actions and decision-making processes. Whether through advocating for sustainable business practices, developing innovative solutions to sustainability challenges, or promoting corporate social responsibility within organizations, we are committed to leveraging our skills and knowledge to drive meaningful change.

In conclusion, the different Aim2Flourish stories that we studied have been powerful examples of the transformative potential of business for social good. As we continue our academic and professional journeys, we will carry forward the insights gained from these stories and strive to be ethical, responsible, and sustainable leaders in the business world.

Teamwork

When it comes to how we worked as a team, we think that the overall impressions were given in the individual reflections. However, the work in our team was conducted in a very efficient way. We held a weekly meeting where we discussed each week’s task, and we decided how to divide the work so that we could all collaborate. We also have a whatsapp group chat where we constantly share our insights or doubts regarding each task and where we keep close contact between each other. This method worked very well for us, it was a very collaborative group work where we believe we all had a chance to share our thoughts and provide valuable opinions and thoughts that enriched our learning process. We don’t feel there was something that didn’t work for us, maybe just that sometimes it was difficult to agree on the time of the meeting.

Individual Reflection

Alexia

As a group, I believe we managed the different time zones and cultures as best as possible. We often discussed the optimal time to meet according to everyone’s schedules with no issues. If a group member was unable to attend or participate, it did not affect our performance in any way. There was no period during this project where I personally felt a tremendous amount of stress, as one usually does in university. Even with the various schedules each of us had, we worked together to complete the weekly tasks with ease. The questions and articles we were given were very thought-provoking and, luckily, tied into my program very well. I was able to use my knowledge of sustainable development goals from other courses while answering the questions from our meetings.

Overall, this group project was unlike any other project I’ve ever participated in. This was an experience I was glad to be a part of, as not many other students can say they’ve done something like this. I have told many of my friends that I am working on a project with people in Spain and South Africa, and they were shocked. This project provided experience working in a complex situation due to the various time zones. I believe this is very useful considering the use of zoom in our present-day lives. It is a unique experience that I am truly grateful for and will cherish.