This week, two of our partners won awards honouring their contribution to the sustainability movement. Reza Nasseri of The Landmark Group of Builders and Barbara Turley-McIntyre of The Co-operators were both recipients of this year’s Clean50 Awards.

The Clean50 Awards celebrate individuals and small teams who have made great contribution to sustainable development or clean capitalism in Canada. Sixteen categories, ranging from advocacy, cities, consultants and retail (to name only a few) are included, and there is an additional award for the Clean16 – those sixteen individuals deemed to have had the most impact in each of the sixteen categories. We are incredibly proud that individuals belonging to two of our long-term partnerships have been recognized for their leadership and sustainability efforts.

The Clean50 is a great addition to the awards landscape in Canada. Not only does it highlight the work of people we admire, but it also does something that is arguably crucial to the success of Canada’s sustainability journey; it provides the impetus to pause, reflect and celebrate our individual and collective contributions to (and progress throughout) society’s sustainability transition.

Sustainability is a journey. We’ve all heard it. Some days we believe it. Other times, it feels like that journey is so long and fraught that we may just as well stay home and pull the covers over our heads. However, it’s the dedication to that audacious vision – a vision that, as Ray Anderson said, ‘takes their breath away’ – that continues to propel individuals, companies and ultimately, society as a whole, toward a sustainable future. On any journey, it is important to find the space to consider not only what is left to do, but what has already been accomplished. Sometimes it’s this exact pause that gives us the time to refill, recharge and move forward yet again. The Clean50 reminds us that sustainability work is important and worthy of acknowledgement.

Consider this: when was the last time you lauded your sustainability team? When was the last time you paused and lauded yourself for your work and contributions to the successes – large or small – that you have been part of? Can you remember back to a time when you worked on something and someone gave you a real, authentic high five, literal or not? Remember how good that felt and maybe even how it spurred you to do more and even better work?

The Clean50 is a great reminder of the necessity of praise and the necessity of pausing. It’s a reminder that no matter how high placed we are in our work or life, we can all use acknowledgement. It reminds us of our intrinsic value and can refuel our commitment to our cause. Sustainability is a journey. Let’s not forget to celebrate our successes as doing so can help us move ahead.

Congratulations to Reza and Barbara, your contributions to the sustainable development are outstanding. Also, congratulations to us all; our work is important. Let’s remember to acknowledge that for each other and ourselves, and keep the sustainability journey moving!

If you are interested in learning more about our Service Path for Sustainable Business and how we can help your business develop a bold sustainability vision, strategy, and action plan, please contact us or join our next FREE Introduction to Strategic Sustainability for Business in Canada webinar.