Millennial On a Mission – Sophia Championing Climate Change Action

Our very own Technical Advisor Carbon and Sustainability, Sophia White, was a finalist for the Sustainable Business Network’s Millennial on a Mission Award at their Annual Awards ceremony on 28^th November. Congratulations Sophia!

The Award celebrates a young person who is driving sustainability change within their organisation or in the wider community.

Sophia helps Toitū Envirocare’s client family to work on difficult-to-solve carbon challenges and integrate the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. But she also champions the environment outside of her work-life through participating in many groups and seeking upskilling wherever she can. She helps to organise regular “Green Drinks” the sustainability networking meet-ups in Christchurch, swap shops to reduce consumption like “Nothing New November Swap Shop”, and is a key champion of the concept of Christchurch as a Sharing City which helps people access spaces, experiences, advice and opportunities to participate in a more active community. That’s just the start!

Sophia says, “When you care deeply about something, you don’t wait for someone else to make a difference, you go out there and do something about it. That’s how change happens and that’s why it’s important to be that person on a mission”

“There are so many organisations in Christchurch that are doing wonderful things for the environment, I feel really grateful to have the opportunity to support them through the Christchurch Envirohub.”

On why she went for the award, and how the process went, she says, “The award was for those under 27, I turn 27 in a few weeks so I figured now is my last chance! Going through the award process was actually really useful to reflect on my work, my social purpose and how the two align. I didn’t expect to be selected for a finalist, so it was wonderful to be recognised!”

The Spinoff is the sponsor of the NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards. On the award website they say, “We chose to support the ‘Millennial on a Mission’ category because a majority of our staff and audience are millennials, and we see every day the energy, creativity and sense of purpose this generation brings to solving some of the biggest problems around. The Spinoff is itself a young business – just five years old – and dedicated to providing an independent, values-driven media which helps organisations working hard on sustainability to tell their stories with sophistication and passion. We wish all the finalists good luck in the awards and beyond – it’s people like them who are providing the kind of leadership this world desperately needs right now.”

Congratulations to Sophia, the other finalists and the winner Fraser McConnell (Squawk Squad) of the NZI Sustainable Business Network Award – Millennial on a Mission.