The Drawdown Agenda

Two years on from the book’s publication, the Drawdown team have got their sights on how they can turn their groundbreaking research into action. In this interview, we talk to Drawdown Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Foley to reflect on the research’s impact and discuss plans for Drawdown 2.0, the next iteration of Drawdown that will help implement solutions across sectors and across the globe. As a renowned scientist and science communicator, Jonathan tells us that he initially admired Drawdown from afar before taking over as director from Paul Hawken. According to Jonathan, Drawdown’s core strengths lie in how it combines rigorous scientific research with strong storytelling. Moreover, by setting a clearly defined goal to reverse global warming, it has resonated with both the public and those leadership positions. We also take a broad look at Drawdown’s research and reflect on some of the key takeaways, notably the vital importance of agriculture and land use solutions, something that is now entering the climate mainstream. With regards to progress in each sector, Jonathan reflects that it is a mixed picture, with substantial success in electricity but solutions still lagging in both buildings and transport. Although the steep drops in emissions required to stay under 2°C of warming may seem insurmountable, Jonathan stresses that it is nonetheless possible should one consider exponential roadmaps of emissions reduction. Looking ahead, we discuss in detail plans for Drawdown 2.0. Jonathan tells us that the team are looking to further digitize the research through a platform that is updated in real time. In addition, there are also plans for a directory with a comprehensive list of different organizations and groups that are implementing solutions to help create a network of changemakers. Another strategy is to work with actors on the ground in key jurisdictions, notably cities, business leaders, investors and philanthropists, especially to marshal capital towards climate solutions that typically receive less attention. Finally, the team also intend to carry forward Drawdown’s empowering climate message by seeking to reach prominent influencers to shape the public’s perception of the climate crisis. Finally, we also briefly discuss whether our political and economic paradigm is capable of meeting the challenge, looking specifically at the role of business. Jonathan firmly believes that climate is above all a technical problem and that there is ample opportunity to work with committed and sincere businesses to help nudge the system towards change. Dr. Jonathan Foley is a world-renowned environmental scientist, sustainability expert, author, and public speaker. His work is focused on understanding our changing planet, and finding new solutions to sustain the climate, ecosystems, and natural resources we all depend on. He has published over 130 peer-reviewed scientific articles, including many highly cited works in Science, Nature, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. He is also a trusted advisor to governments, foundations, NGOs, and business leaders around the world. A noted science communicator, Jonathoan’s presentations have featured at hundreds of international venues, including the World Bank, the National Geographic Society, the Commonwealth Club and TED.com. His writing regularly appears in leading publications and he is frequently interviewed by major television networks. Before joining Project Drawdown, Foley led a number of world-leading environmental science and sustainability organizations. He has founded and led climate and environment departments at the University of Wisconsin and University of Minnesota. He also served as the Executive Director of the California Academy of Sciences, one of the greenest and more forward-thinking science museums in the world.

With action groups forming from the United States to Cameroon, the success of Drawdown in galvanizing climate action is something that took even the Drawdown team by surprise. In this episode, we take a step back from the sector-by-sector analysis and talk to Drawdown lead researcher and principal architect of methodology and modelling Chad Frischmann...

In 2008, a major landmark was passed as for the first time in history the majority of humanity lived in urban areas. Rapid urbanisation is a major story of the twenty-first century so that by some estimates two thirds of humanity will live in urban areas by 2060, effectively representing a doubling of the global...

When we think about the magnitude of global emissions and the scale of the decarbonisation challenge, it is easy to feel that our individual actions are inconsequential. In this special episode of the Drawdown Agenda, we talk to the President and CEO of the conservation organisation Rare Brett Jenks, to look at the role of...

One of the special things about Drawdown’s ranked solutions is that they are practically and financially viable. In this interview with Drawdown Senior Fellow in finance modelling Kevin Bayuk we get into the nuts and bolts of the financial modelling underpinning the research. Kevin reminds us that financial viability was a key stipulation for the...

Often overlooked in climate agreements, materials are an untapped resource when it comes to reducing emissions. In this rich and varied interview we are joined by Drawdown Advisor David Allaway to look at how we can better use materials through reducing resource use, cleaner production and better management and disposal. Materials are integral to the...

With over half of CO2 recaptured from the atmosphere going into the world’s oceans, they are by far the world’s largest carbon sink. Regenerating the oceans both for the benefit of the climate and the millions of people who rely on them for their livelihoods is therefore essential. In this episode, we are joined by...

In this episode, we are joined by Drawdown Advisor Cyril Kormos and Senior Fellow Mamta Mehra to look at Land Use, a vitally important sector that has been often overlooked in international climate agreements. One of the biggest revelations to come from Drawdown’s research was the vital contribution of land to reversing global warming, through...

In this fascinating interview, we are joined by Drawdown senior fellow and senior data modeller Ryan Allard for a comprehensive examination of the transport sector. Even though it contributes to 15 percent of anthropogenic emissions, surprisingly, transport is not included in Drawdown’s top 25 solutions, illustrating how tricky to decarbonise this sector is. As such,...

Energy is at the heart of everything we do and in this interview with senior Drawdown fellow João Pedro Gouveia, we take a look at the vital role it has to play in mitigating climate change. As João points out, we are in the midst of an energy revolution driven by climate commitments as well...

In this interview, we are joined by Drawdown research fellow Eric Toensmeier to look at how we can improve the world’s food production systems. As established in the food demand interview, sustainably feeding the world’s ten billion inhabitants by 2050 requires significant changes in dietary habits to reduce pressures on land. Nonetheless, even accounting for...

In this interview, we are joined by Drawdown research fellow Alisha Graves to look at how women’s empowerment impacts global warming. Although the status of women is not an issue often linked to climate, both family planning and improving girl’s access to education are two desirable solutions that have a profound impact on population and...

In this interview, we are joined by experts Amanda Hong and Zak Accuardi to examine Drawdown’s two biggest solutions that allow for the greatest agency at the individual level – Reduced Food Waste and Plant Rich Diets. With studies showing that as much as one third of global food production being wasted annually, cutting back...

In this introductory episode of The Drawdown Agenda podcast, Paul Hawken, the co-founder and former executive director of Project Drawdown, discusses the inception and mission of Drawdown– and explains the research, modelling and analysis underpinning the project. He emphasises how this project is the first of its kind, as previously many, even within the science community, had a scant understanding of the wide range of different possible solutions–and their effectiveness. In particular, Paul emphasises the need to move beyond the pervasive “silver bullet” mentality that venerates a single overarching solution towards a broader positive solutions-based approach to systemic change. This is now essential, he argues, as an overtly negative focus in climate communication has largely prompted disempowerment and disengagement. Instead, Drawdown presents a positive action –oriented framework to reverse global warming — and also to create a fairer, more egalitarian, and regenerative world. This is a profoundly inspiring, world-changing vision of the future, highlighting the critical importance of collective action to reverse global warming. Paul Hawken is the co-founder and former executive director of Project Drawdown, a global non-profit that describes when and how global warming can be reversed. Paul is also an author and activist and has written seven books including; The Next Economy, The Ecology of Commerce, Blessed Unrest and Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution, co-authored with Amory Lovins. Paul has also founded successful, ecologically-conscious businesses, and consulted with heads of state and CEOs on economic development, industrial ecology, and environmental policy. He has served on the board of many environmental organizations including Centre for Plant Conservation, Shelburne Farms, Trust for Public Land, Conservation International, and National Audubon Society. a global non-profit that describes when and how global warming can be reversed. Paul is also an author and activist and has written seven books including: The Next Economy, The Ecology of Commerce, Blessed Unrestand Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution, co-authored with Amory Lovins. Paul has also founded successful, ecologically-conscious businesses, and consulted with heads of state and CEOs on economic development, industrial ecology, and environmental policy. He has served on the board of many environmental organizations including Centre for Plant Conservation, Shelburne Farms, Trust for Public Land, Conservation International, and National Audubon Society.