The science-business partnership in practice
Created by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the Stockholm Resilience Center (SRC), Action2020 was a partnership that encompassed the academic and commercial sectors to set science-based targets based on the planetary boundaries framework. The WBCSD’s previous strategy, Vision 2050, was too far out and was developed company by company. The new CEO of the WBCSD wanted to set science-based short-term goals for companies to strengthen the legitimacy of their strategy. Challenges faced by member companies during Action2020 included reconciling significant differences in interests between science and certain industries.
The first working methods proved difficult for the partnership. Initially, the plan was that the two partners would jointly design a sustainability strategy and goals for the company. Co-creation (joint development of knowledge) and translation have been attempted as ways of structuring collaboration. However, it soon became clear that this would not be successful, as scientists felt uncomfortable with the role of helping to develop the strategy for companies to adhere to scientific principles, as it came too close to an “advisory” role.
The partners then tried a translation-based approach, in which scientists translated the science for businesses in the form of briefing notes. It didn’t work because companies weren’t comfortable engaging in scientific research that would have broad implications for their industries.
The parties then called on intermediaries to prevent the collaboration from collapsing. However, the inclusion of intermediaries had the effect of diluting some of the companies’ commitments to science, making the project’s outcomes less stringent.
The strategy the partners ultimately settled on involved a shift in direction from the partnership’s objective, focusing on “societal musts” beyond corporate responsibility.
These changes allowed Action2020 to launch its shared sustainable development goals, despite a difficult collaboration process.