Anjuli Pandit on Millennials and Sustainability

Sustainability leader Anjuli Pandit believes young people are the key to solving the climate crisis, and they don't need to be activists to do it.
 
“If you want to work on—whether it’s climate or whether it’s hunger or any of these issues in the world that you see that you think we need to fix, it doesn’t mean that you have to go out and get a career in that job,” she explained. “You don’t have to become a climate activist, you don’t have to work in renewable energy. Do what you love.”
 
Pandit helps lead sustainability efforts for BNP, Paribas, one of the top 10 largest banks in the world. She encourages investors to fund sustainable projects in need of capital.
 
“We come in and we look at, what is finance? And what is the purpose of finance? And actually the purpose of finance is to move capital from those who have it towards places where society need it in order to flourish,” she explained. “And I think somewhere along the way that message has gotten a bit lost in the community, in society, and we’re regaining it with stuff like sustainable finance.”
 
46% of millennials surveyed are more focused on making a positive social impact than starting a family, according to a 2019 study of over 13,000 millennials. Climate change was found to be the main concern of those surveyed.
 
“Even if you’re not really sure how to integrate sustainability into your day job or into your passions, then integrate it into how you consume,” Pandit explained. “Because your power as a consumer is as important and powerful as actually your work.”

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