“Business has got us into this mess, so business can get us out of it”.

It’s not every day that Go Up’s founders get to sit down with the likes of Dale Vince, Forest Green Rovers’ chairman and green energy tycoon. The trio discussed everything from the blinkered orthodoxy of the football industry, where Dale is defying doubts that an eco-friendly agenda and on-field success can coexist, to climate change and what small businesses such as Go Up can do to combat it.

On tackling climate change, Go Up’s Chief Executive Ed shared his frustrations with Dale towards the lack of collective progress in combating the crisis. “The last 10 years, to be totally frank, have been very depressing and frustrating,” said Ed. “Is what you are doing, is what we are doing, completely fruitless?”

Luckily, Dale’s perspective on climate change is surprisingly refreshing.

“The fact that you can’t hide the scale of the problem, that’s a good thing. Because it has been hidden, up until now,” said Vince. “The fact that most governments have got a zero carbon plan or target tells you something. We’ve achieved something. I’m not despondent at all about the fact that more needs to be done. We’ve just got to keep going.”

So, what can businesses such as Go Up do to make a difference — and is tackling climate change impossible? Dale doesn’t think so.

“We can’t make it through despair” said Vince. “It does look difficult, maybe it looks impossible. But perhaps it’s always looked impossible. Maybe it looks more possible now than it’s ever been. It’s got focus, it’s got attention.”

Dale’s mission at Forest Green is to get sports fans around the world to change the way they live to try to tackle the climate crisis. Likewise, Go Up’s mission is to do good work with good people, for good people.

However, Dale’s perspective on what a good client looks like, be it green or socially impactful, has got Tom and Ed dreaming even bigger.

“Don’t shut your door to companies that aren’t at your level,” remarked Vince. “Only shut your door to companies that you don’t think are genuine”.

This was especially pertinent, as green messaging just doesn’t resonate with consumers if it’s not being communicated from the core of a business. Without sincerity, marketing efforts are stifled, and we can’t do our job as an ethical marketing company.

Although the pace of change may feel a little slow at the moment, what Dale has further instilled in all of us here at Go Up is that we’re really at the beginning of something important. The next few years are going to be key for all of us in green business, and of course, for the planet.

Watch the full interview below: