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Green Swans: The Coming Boom in Regenerative Capitalism

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*Running Time => 9hrs. and 20mins.*

Even leading capitalists admit that capitalism is broken. 'GREEN SWANS' is a manifesto for system change designed to serve people, planet, and prosperity. In his twentieth book, John Elkington - dubbed the “Godfather of Sustainability” - explores new forms of capitalism fit for the 21st century.

If Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s “Black Swans” are problems that take us exponentially toward breakdown, then “Green Swans” are solutions that take us exponentially toward breakdown. The success - and survival - of humanity now depends on how we rein in the first and accelerate the second.

'GREEN SWANS' draws on Elkington’s first-hand experience in some of the world’s best-known boardrooms and C-suites. Using case studies, real-world examples, and profiles on emergent technologies, Elkington shows how the weirdest “Ugly Ducklings” of today’s world may turn into tomorrow’s world-saving Green Swans. 

This book is a must-listen for business leaders in corporations great and small who want to help their businesses survive the coming shift in global priorities over the next decade and expand their horizons from responsibility, through resilience, and onto regeneration.


©2020 John Elkington (P)2021 Tantor

9 pages, Audible Audio

First published April 7, 2020

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About the author

John Elkington

61 books62 followers
Professor John Elkington is an Executive Director of SustainAbility Ltd. A leading authority on the role of industry in sustainable development, he is a consultant to such organisations as BP, Procter & Gamble, USAID, and the UN Environment Programme.
He sits on advisory panels at the Merlin Ecology Fund and the Nature Conservancy Council. He has authored or co-authored numerous books and has published several hundred reports, papers and articles for a wide variety of journals, magazines and national newspapers.
On World Environment Day in June 1989, John Elkington was named to the United Nations Environment Programme's 'Global 500 Roll of Honour' for his 'outstanding environmental achievements'.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for Stacy.
1,003 reviews90 followers
September 14, 2020
John Elkington, the author, has written 20 books and been called "The Godfather of Sustainability", and in 2004 BusinessWeek described him as "a dean of the corporate responsibility movement for 3 decades". This, his latest book, looks at how Capitalism needs to change in order to survive in the coming years. He indentifies problems or solutions by grouping them into 1 of 3 groups: Black Swans, Grey Swans, or Green Swans. He is expounding upon the theory proposed by Nassim Nicholas Taleb in his book "The Black Swan".
Black Swans, by Elkington's definition, are huge "wicked" or "super wicked problems" (these are true business terms now in the corporate terminology) that usually are usually not foreseen so they could not be prevented. (Think the Spanish Flu Pandemic). Grey Swans are those that were foreseen but not much was done to prevent them. Green Swans are technologies, etc. that are beneficial to society, people or the earth. Once in a while, a Green Swan turns into a Black one and he cites a few of those examples, such as unleaded gasoline. Initially, it was seen as a breakthrough in anti-knock technology and a key contribution to fuel efficiency for vehicles, but it turned out to be a huge Black Swan especially for inner city children due to lead poisoning. Another example of Green Swan turned Black was early Freons, a form of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), "chemicals that had a number of significant advantages, including in terms of safety." Until they started ripping holes in the ozone, that is. (Incidentally, both were developed by Thomas Midgley, Jr., was a "brilliant chemist and engineer, was awarded over a hundred patents, and employed by GM and DuPont", and has been described as "the single organism in Earth's history that has inflicted the most damage on the planet.")
One current Black Swan he indentified was plastics. No matter where one stands on climate change, noone can say that plastics are good for anything. Each bit of plastic made ( and look around, most homes are full of it-- from cell phones and laptops, to toys, to packaging, water bottles-- the list is endless) produces incredible amounts of pollution and recycling it isn't any better (not long ago Frontline had an episode on it and exposed how recycling it was even worse than making it to begin with-- if you can find it, I encourage you to watch it). Beyond the landfill problems, and going into the oceans and being horrible for wildlife, huge amounts that end up in the ocean fragment with the exposure to salt water and ultraviolet light and become "microplastics". So what you say? Besides ending up in the bellies of so many creatures, The World Health Organisation reviewed the potential risks of plastic in drinking water "after a new analysis of some of the world's most popular bottled water brands found that more than 90% contained tiny pieces of plastic (microscopic). A previous study also found high levels of microplastics in tap water." Not to mention last year scientists found microplastics in Arctic ice (see https://www.reuters.com/article/us-en...). I don't care who you are, you can't say that is healthy for anyone or anything, or the health of the planet.

He indentifies several Black Swans, and how something needs to be done about them before irreparable damage is done. He also indentifies some potential Greens Swans, but warns as with any developing technology, if used unwisely, they too could become Black ones. Mr. Elkington shares what companies must do to reinvent themselves going forward-- not only to stay in business, but their focus must be more than the bottom line... that they have a social responsiblity, and an earth responsibility.

I did not agree with everything he said. I don't agree with the whole climate change thing. He several times referred to populist as bad (I had to actually go look it up-- after being bandied about negatively for some time in the media, and then the author's inferences, I started to think that I had the definition of the word wrong. According to Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary: populist: a member of a political party claiming to represent the common people; and a believer in the rights, wisdom, or virtues of the common people. When did that become bad? Well, then, I guess I am a populist.)

So, on the whole, I found his book interesting, and liked reading his perspective on so many things-- his involvement over the span of his career with global corporations, governments and the U.N., as well as his take on the many things that can damage this beautiful world we live in and the technologies that he believes hold promise for the future.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher-- thank you!
Profile Image for Gabriela.
103 reviews1 follower
June 25, 2020
I would give this book 4 stars on the key concepts... But it could have been summarized in 30 pages... And we don’t need an extensive account of the author’s numerous ‘keynote speeches, meetings in Davos, encounters with luminaries’ to see the point he tries to make...
Profile Image for Corina Murafa.
163 reviews36 followers
May 3, 2020
An absolutely fascinating theory of why classical sustainability practices are not enough anymore and why a massive disruption is needed. The need to advance towards regenerative (business) models is imminent, and the examples Elkington gives of both green and gray/ black swans are very compelling. I think the book is stronger in drawing the main elements of the economic transformations we need to undertake and less spot on when it comes to the political ones we must implement.
Profile Image for Christine Miller.
Author 2 books16 followers
May 11, 2020
John Elkington's 'Green Swans' engaged me with its careful and informed studies and reports about the sustainable future that is possible. I have known of John and his work - e.g. the Triple Bottom Line - for 15 years or so, though I hadn't been fully aware of the breadth and depth of his sphere of influence.

In these times of VUCA - volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous - we need steady yet challenging strategies and actions to help us recreate a different world - an economy that is vibrant and enhances rather than depletes, and governance which encourages careful stewarding and radical rethinking towards preservation - and John Elkington's experience and ethos are primed to fulfill these needs. In 2018, he instigated a product recall for the Triple Bottom Line, believing the concept to have been misunderstood and possibly mis-used.

His subsequent research led to the concept of the Green Swans, expanding on and arising partially from Nassim Nicholas Taleb's 'Black Swans', together with Grey Swans and White Swans, which are metaphors for financial and other events, of varying effects, the latter of which I'm not going to explore here.

What is exciting about Elkington's Green Swans is, as he describes them, that they are 'dynamic trajectories to seemingly impossible outcomes and solutions'.

If we are going to 'Build Back Better' after this global COVID-19 crisis, then the last thing we need is a return to normal, or even a 'new' normal. We need to have exponentially different thinking, actions and implementation, through responsibility, resilience and regeneration.

We need to work together to ensure the future in which this happens, and John Elkington's Green Swans flying together with a collaborative team of responsible, committed leaders could well be the way we achieve a regenerative economy on a global scale and a healthier, revived and refreshed populace.
Must read, highly recommended.
279 reviews
June 3, 2020
I have to admit, when I put in for Goodreads giveaway on this book, I was a little fearful of potentially receiving a tomb that would be difficult to read, and even more difficult to digest. The topic, however, intrigued me. I'm so happy I took the chance . . . and even more grateful that I won the giveaway. This book is AMAZING!.

The language is easy to follow, and no matter how complex the subject, the approach Mr Elkington takes allows the reader to fully understand the points and nuances of his call for us to "be grit in the corporate oyster." He masterfully sets up a concept, talks to the current way of thinking, and then identifies the needed way of thinking before following with examples that make the concept and logic easy to understand. For example, Mr Elkington frequently talks to change starting slowly, and then arriving with a bang of super-consequences. One such change is the introduction of plastics. Where plastics were once an answer to a problem, they now represent a problem of far reaching consequences. To make the point, he identifies the environmental impact of plastics polluting our oceans - a super wicked problem which cannot be simply answered and where answers each have further consequences.

I'm particularly drawn to the potential implications for both business and Government in facing our current environment as well as the future. We need to look for the slow shifts and get on board early if we want to stay at the forefront of building a future proactively, vice living in a future not of our making.

I can easily see this book used in education environments as well as board room material. If I didn't know who Mr Elkington was before, I am certainly a follower now!
Profile Image for Stephen Heverin.
221 reviews8 followers
August 2, 2020
If you want to understand how business should be looking forward and changing how they do business in taking into account more than just the bottom line, this is a good place to start. Not only does it outline how and what businesses need to be looking at in order to remain viable businesses into the future it also is filled with references that will allow you to dive deeper into the subject and additional source material.

[Disclaimer, I received this book as part of a GoodReads giveaway.]
Profile Image for Marc Buckley.
105 reviews14 followers
April 22, 2022
What an amazing read and how correct. 2021 will be the beginning of the age of Regeneration. John has been ahead of his time for decades but there is no stopping the Sustainable Development rocket ship now. Reviews from Paul Pollman, UN, and WEF. He is a Great Leader of our time who is taking this type of thinking into the board rooms of the world for a much-needed change and shift in the way we do business. Green Swans are solutions that take us Exponentially toward Breakthrough the Exponential Decade.
Update! In March 2022 I had a great conversation with John on Inside Ideas podcast, where we talk about Green Swans. You can find episode 155 here; https://youtu.be/ETyAh1mxWyw

Or check out any of the links below:
https://www.innovatorsmag.com/is-rege...
https://medium.com/inside-ideas/john-...
Profile Image for Steve.
1,847 reviews39 followers
July 7, 2020
A sustainability consultants look at how to change the way that companies as well as individuals measure successful businesses serving people, planet, and prosperity. Green Swans being disruptive or unexpected events that are turned into more sustainable solutions for the future of our planet (as opposed to black or grey swans that are disruptions with negative or more neutral consequences). Full of examples from current business leaders as well as governments and activists, I found especially interesting the authors view of the changing roll of government and business toward sustainability in the current climate. I receive a free Kindle edition of this book through the Goodreads First Reads giveaways.
Profile Image for Kelly Knapp.
948 reviews21 followers
August 6, 2020
Strong Ideas and Ideals

I usually start by saying that these style books are "pie in the sky." However, many of Elkington's ideas are both idealized but perhaps feasible also. Although I read a number of "green" books - perhaps I hope to find one that will work- few have lifted my spirits that the way forward is possible because "green" is expensive and environmentally devastating in new ways. But the ideas for a "new" style of capitalism is closer our future needs than any other book i have read
Profile Image for Louise Roper.
2 reviews
May 19, 2020
Great book - thoughtful and optimistic about the state of the world today and where we might be headed.
341 reviews
May 23, 2020
Well written book. Interesting perspective
Profile Image for Amanda Yow.
72 reviews
May 21, 2022
John Elkington is clearly one of the greatest sustainability thinkers of our time. He highlights the fundamental changes needed to revamp capitalism as we navigate the Anthropocene. From a corporate standpoint, his argument is that institutions play a pivotal role to redefine value creation for the betterment of humanity. At all levels of society. There are loads of case studies and examples in here, as he draws from decades-worth of experiences and crucial conversations. I think it’s exceptionally important to read as a guide for leaders who are serious about transforming their businesses. By defining the “green swan”, John Elkington paves the way forward for sustainability.
Profile Image for Jenn Raley.
139 reviews
June 30, 2020
While my interest was piqued enough by the title and topic of this book to add it to my Goodreads list when I learned about it, I don't think it would have risen to the top of my priority list if I had not won the giveaway. (Thanks Goodreads and Fast Company Press!)

It is an interesting set of ideas to engage with, but the book overall lacks cohesion. The author notes at least once that the ideas were workshopped over time in blog posts and speeches, and the structure of the book basically reflects that.

I also couldn't help but wonder, over and over again while reading the book, "Who is the audience?" There are sections that describe in elementary detail some aspect of the financial system (e.g., the stock market), and in other places the book seems to assume the reader is engaged with global conversations about these topics.

Finally the end of the book gives the answer: The main audience of the book is 70-year-old John Elkington himself. The book has "...strong elements of a personal change manifesto. A Swanifesto, perhaps, in the spirit of “Doctor heal thyself.”"
Profile Image for Pasang.
36 reviews
June 11, 2023
This book contextualized the current state of our economy and implications of economic incentives that have cultivated a culture of competitiveness without care for people or planet. This book was a consortium of ideas on how to make system change; he highlights some wicked problems such as plastics in the ocean, diabetes, climate change, and development of antibiotics, all with a green swan lens. I was aware of many of these issues, I think most of us are, and it was insightful to read about potential solutions that are in development to solve some of these pressing problems. I appreciated John’s willingness to credit and place a spotlight on system change makers like Mariana Mazzucato and Kate Raworth, new economy economists who are leading the charge to reframing how we think about capitalism. As John mentioned we need to take responsibility, be resilient and regenerate not only through our institutions but as people.
Profile Image for JB.
2,181 reviews8 followers
July 20, 2020
Forthright and trending

I don’t like to give spoilers on the books that I read. I believe the blurb on the back is enough for you to decide if you will read the book or not. If you choose to read, enjoy!
Profile Image for Ipshita.
108 reviews34 followers
March 8, 2021
Building on from Nassim Taleb's Black Swans to the disruptive or should I say regenerative Green Swans. A thoughtful set of original ideas, frameworks and referenced ideas of other global leaders and organisation in this space of Triple R/Triple Bottom line.

Whilst very readable and inspiring, I felt the author could have tried to come across to be a bit more humble and restrain from repeatedly mentioning the number of boards and celebrity events they had been invited to- to keep the narrative focussed on systems change agenda for the upcoming decade.
17 reviews
February 27, 2022
Definitely an interesting read. Elkington dubbed as the godfather of sustainability, did a good job explaining the difference in green, grey and black swans. As we faced a climate emergency, the book describes the problems we faced in terms of their wickedness from wicked to super wicked problem.

He furthers explains how capitalism needs to adapt to facilitate more green swans and address the climate emergency we all currently faced.
Profile Image for Sal Mavic.
7 reviews
November 25, 2020
I'll admit to being nervous about reading this book thinking the language would be hard to understand and concepts out of my grasp or beyond application in my field of waste and recycling management. How wrong I was to assume. The concepts are far easier to grasp than I thought. I think everyone will be able to take something from it. I'll be passing Green Swans onto members of my team.
262 reviews
October 5, 2020
Thought provoking book asking us to look at regenerative capitalism. Although I do not agree with the principle that capitalism can save us from the climate crisis I do find the ideas in this book interesting and a source of hope
Profile Image for L E.
273 reviews14 followers
July 13, 2020
Thankyou to goodreads, the author, publisher for the free copy of "Green Swans." Interesting read about our corporate future socially, environmentally, and financially. Equally scary and hopeful.
18 reviews
April 4, 2021
A highly informative read

A highly informative and inspirational read which opens ones eyes to the immense challenges we face but also the immense opportunities. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Desislava.
24 reviews2 followers
July 25, 2021
Well written book on the needed transformation change we need on business, political and societal level, represented by using Black vs Green Swan methaphor.
Profile Image for Don Parriott.
22 reviews
May 28, 2021
This book was a major disappointment. I read it based on the recommendation of a coworker, thinking it was going to focus on sustainability and ways to improve. Instead, this book is a diatribe condemning capitalism and promoting leftwing socialism. He likes to discuss how technology is going to benefit the world, but fails to realize these techno-marvels come from the work of those capitalists. He also discusses his interviews with like-minded CEOs of large companies, without realizing the hypocrisy of meeting them on their palatial homes. I am sorry I helped the authors own capitalism by buying his book. I hope he donates the royalties from my purchase to charity.
Profile Image for Ruben Dhondt.
41 reviews
September 26, 2022
3.5 stars. A good book with quality content. But the way Elkington changed Nassim Talebs Black Swan defenitions to better fit the metafors of his own narrative bothered me. In this book all Black Swans are negative and a positive Black Swan that impacts our environment becomes a Green Swan. Throughout the book I felt like Elkington didn't actually understand what Taleb meant with his Black Swan theories. But seen apart from Talebs book this Green Swan was good.
Profile Image for Louise.
7 reviews
March 2, 2024
I had high hopes after learning and applying Elkington's concepts to my studies/work. I initally liked the swan concept but by the end my interest had waned... At times the swan concept felt like yet another label which I don't really think will stick. I enjoyed learning about the space junk issue (as I hadn't come across this before) but I don't think so many pages were needed to illustrate the points.
Profile Image for Anne Hopkins.
15 reviews3 followers
December 16, 2020
Overall I found this book to be just ok. Some parts were very interesting, but it took a long time to get through the boring parts. I feel like the investment wasn't worth the information (just my time, I rec'd a free copy through a goodreads giveaway). A shorter treatment would have been better.
Profile Image for Josh N. .
16 reviews6 followers
June 2, 2023
good essay on sustainable bussiness practices, approaches, tbl, and generally just bussiness within capitalism towards a less awful approach to life. Recommended for a sustainable enterprise course at uni, I must confess this wasnt as bad as i expected.
Profile Image for Daniel Kleinman.
1 review
January 12, 2025
Puts great context and perspective around shifts in innovation, economics, and society to take on the exponentially growing challenges of our time. Highly recommend to any systems thinker and/or wanna-be economist out there!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews

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