James Allston

In a world where consumerism at any cost has become a mainstay of human society, we need thousands of leaders to prove there's a better, more sustainable way.

What was the most valuable thing you got out of CSL?

I built an amazing network of people who continue to motivate, energize and inspire me

Why are you passionate about sustainability?

I definitely consider myself in the cultured-into (rather than born-again) sustainability tribe. I grew up in Tasmania on an organic hobby farm and spent my weekends roaming the countryside with my best friend like the characters of a Mark Twain novel. I have always been concerned about the future of the world and how human's are going to live more sustainably on it. But I think the moment I realised that I needed to help solve the world's energy crisis was as a teenager while watching an episode of Foreign Correspondent about Texaco pillaging Ecuador's rainforest communities for its oil. I couldn't believe that companies could get away with such terrible things. Since then I've been interested in just about every alternative fuel source available (for a brief moment in University I thought but studying fusion power in Germany). Now I'm committed helping energy companies make money from sustainable energy so they don't have to really on unsustainable sources of energy to keep their shareholders happy.

How did CSL play a role in directing your current path or project?

CSL gave me several invaluable things. First, a network of amazing people who I still consider some of my closest friends. Second, clarity of purpose and my role in the sustainability matrix. Third, the IDEA model (!) - it's become a backbone to a lot of my thinking and projects.

Why is sustainability leadership important?

What do you plan to do next on your sustainability journey?

I've just started New Energy Ventures, a business specifically targeting energy utilities to support them to establish businesses in new energy. My business partner and I are particularly interested in the how to sell sustainable technology at scale without ever mentioning the word "sustainability". It's a super exciting and liberating journey.

What are three words you would use to describe the Fellowship Program?

Totally life changing.