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The Speed paradox

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By Renat Heuberger, Steve Zwick

· 1 min read


In this series, illuminem and carbonparadox share 24 carbon paradoxes that demand our attention and discussion. Each one highlights a tension we must address to improve the way we value and protect our planet.

This paradox is short, as we talk about speed. When it comes to funding a forestry project – in fact, any impactful project – timing is everything.

Here is the paradox: If you move too fast, you might cut short essential steps in your due diligence, risking the quality and impact of the project. 

But if you move too slowly, trying to check every box and avoid every risk, the forest you’re trying to save might be gone by the time your full assessment is complete.

The numbers are staggering:  While you’ve been reading this short text, about twenty football fields of forest were cut down.

Have you experienced the speed paradox? If so, how can you address it? How can you speed up project implementation without running outsized risks?

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This article is also published on carbonparadox.org. illuminem Voices is a democratic space presenting the thoughts and opinions of leading Sustainability & Energy writers, their opinions do not necessarily represent those of illuminem.

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About the authors

Renat Heuberger is the co-founder and Senior Adviser of South Pole, a carbon finance consultancy. He has been engaged as a social entrepreneur in the fields of sustainability, climate change and renewable energies since 1999. Before founding South Pole, Heuberger co-founded and acted as the CEO of the myclimate foundation.

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Steve Zwick is the co-founder of carbonparadox, a global platform addressing paradoxes in climate finance discourse, and the owner and host of Bionic Planet, a top-ranking podcast on economy and ecology

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