20 best books on sustainability
Dive into our top 20 must-read books on sustainability. From eye-opening autobiographies to practical guides from industry experts, these reads can help you no matter where you are on your sustainability or B Corp journey.
"Doughnut Economics" offers more than just economic insights; it presents a compelling vision of what a sustainable global economy might look like. Raworth challenges traditional economic norms, inviting you to shape a more inclusive and balanced economic future.
Paul Hargreaves shares inspiring stories in "Forces for Good," showcasing businesses who are successfully blending profit with purpose. A collection of stories that go beyond a standard business narrative; Hargreaves offers a testament to the synergy between doing good and achieving tangible success.
Is It Really Green?: Everyday Eco Dilemmas Answered
Looking to live a bit more green, but don’t know where to start? Wilson-Powell’s eco-friendly guide "Is It Really Green?" navigates everyday eco dilemmas that we all encounter, and offers practical and relatable advice for making more sustainable choices.
How Bad are Bananas? The Carbon Footprint of Everything
How Bad are Bananas is a practical guide that informs how we can make savvy decisions for a greener lifestyle. It also helps put decisions into perspective - ranging from the impact of the big things (the World Cup, volcanic eruptions, and the Iraq war) through to the every day small (quantifying the impact of an email, ironing a shirt, or even your pint of beer).
The Solutionists: How Businesses can Fix the Future
"The Solutionists." is a guide to becoming part of the new wave of entrepreneurs and leaders dedicated to making our world more sustainable. Through inspiring stories, see how others are making a difference, from innovative food sources to net-zero technologies.
Less is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World
The modern world can seem like a pursuit of endless growth, but Jason Hickel strives to challenge this common goal in "Less is More." This isn't just a critique; it's a compelling vision for a balanced and sustainable world.
Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman
Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard shares the famous brand’s unconventional story in "Let My People Go Surfing." A lesson in conscious entrepreneurship, this book is sure to inspire you to lead with passion and responsibility, while being a great story and autobiography too.
It’s Not That Radical: Climate Action to Transform our World
Mikaela Loach makes climate action accessible in "It’s not that radical". Loach’s narrative transforms climate action into everyday activism, turning small steps into significant change and highlighting the need to remember the nuanced socio-political imbalance of the climate crisis.
Green Swans
John Elkington, also known as the "Godfather of Sustainability," explores new forms of capitalism fit for the modern era. He contrasts "Black Swans," problems leading to breakdown, with "Green Swans," solutions leading to breakthroughs, drawing on his extensive experience to demonstrate how unconventional ideas and emerging technologies can drive positive change.
How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need
Microsoft founder Bill Gates’ bestseller presents an urgent yet practical plan to achieve net zero and prevent climate disaster. Drawing on a decade of research and collaboration with experts across various fields, Gates outlines why net-zero emissions are crucial and how we can attain this goal, providing both governmental policies and individual actions to drive progress.
In partnership with over 100 climate experts, Greta Thunberg's "The Climate Book" is a rallying cry reflecting the latest research on the climate crisis. Join the movement inspired by her journey and realise that with knowledge, comes hope.
Cradle to Cradle - Remaking the Way We Make Things
You’re invited to reimagine the way we make things in "Cradle to Cradle." Exploring how products can benefit both people and the planet, this call for regeneration also acts as a personal guide to sustainable living.
Safia Minney MBE becomes your stylist for sustainable living in "Regenerative Fashion." This book explores how fashion can be a force for positive change, and gives examples and insights that inspire conscious choices so that your fashion can align with your values.
Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take
Ex-Unilever CEO Paul Polman - who increased his shareholders' returns by 300% while ensuring the company ranked #1 in the world for sustainability for eleven years running - has revealed how to do it. Teaming up with Andrew Winston, one of the most authoritative voices on corporate sustainability, Polman shows business leaders how to take on humanity's greatest and most urgent challenges—climate change and inequality—and build a thriving business as a result.
Rebuilding Earth: Designing Eco-Conscious Habitats for Humans
Teresa Coady invites you to dream of eco-conscious living spaces in "Rebuilding Earth" in this revolutionary guide to designing humane, eco-conscious homes, buildings, and cities for the future.
MissionLit: Lighting the Way to Better Business
Richard Johnson's "MissionLit'' unveils the strategies of a new wave of business leaders who are transforming companies into customer, investor, and employee favourites. Equivalent to 25 hours of face-to-face time with industry leaders, MissionLit explores case studies from brands like Monzo, Finisterre, and Beryl, providing insights on how to use purpose to outshine profit-focused rivals.
Peter Wohlleben inspires a deeper appreciation for trees and their vital role in sustaining our planet, revealing how ancient forests adapt to climate change by passing their wisdom through generations, and why our future lies in protecting them.
The Sustainability Scorecard: How to Implement and Profit from Unexpected Solutions
Using a straightforward scorecard system Bhatnagar and Anastas, offer dozens of examples of how sustainable operations can yield benefits such as expanding market share, creating new service lines, and transforming supply-chain and sourcing models to drive the most consistent and highest long-term value.
Regenerative Leadership: The DNA of Life Affirming 21st Century Organisations
Giles Hutchins and Laura Storm, offer a framework for creating regenerative and life-affirming businesses in the 21st century. Drawing on diverse fields such as the circular economy, psychology, and sociology, the book advocates that regenerative organisations, focused on enhancing our society and environment, are poised to be tomorrow's success stories.
Manifesto for a Moral Revolution
This classic explores the journey of Jacqueline Novogratz - who founded Acumen, a global business community dedicated to changing the way the world tackles poverty. But in 2001 few had heard of impact investing—Acumen’s practice of “doing well by doing good.” Now, there’s been a seismic shift in how corporate boards and wider stakeholders evaluate businesses: with impact investment not only economically advantageous, but necessary.