In a world facing unprecedented environmental and social challenges, the role of businesses in fostering a sustainable future has never been more critical. The need for corporate responsibility to evolve from a profit-driven model to one that prioritises the planet and people alongside profit is central to today’s global discourse. Lise Pretorius, Chief Sustainability Analysis Officer at Matter, brings a wealth of knowledge to this debate, with a background rooted in environmental economics, corporate sustainability, and sustainable finance. Drawing on her experiences growing up in South Africa, working across various sectors, and her time leading sustainability efforts in Southeast Asia, Lise provides invaluable insights into how businesses and investors can play pivotal roles in driving systemic change.

In this enlightening conversation, Lise explores the intersection of corporate responsibility, sustainability, and ethical investment, offering a pragmatic yet optimistic view of how businesses can shift from short-term profit-making to creating long-term value for society and the environment.

A Personal Journey: From South Africa to Global Leadership in Sustainability

Lise’s journey into the field of sustainability was shaped by her upbringing in South Africa, a country deeply affected by resource dependence, inequality, and environmental degradation. Reflecting on her early experiences, she describes how these challenges fuelled her desire to better understand and ultimately change the system. “I grew up in South Africa… a melting pot of a lot of the global issues that we see,” she recalls. “I had this drive to understand how the system works and how can we imagine a different future.”

Her academic path took her to Stellenbosch University and later the University of Cape Town, where she honed her understanding of economics and its relationship to environmental and social systems. But it was her master’s degree in Environmental Economics from the London School of Economics that truly deepened her commitment to addressing sustainability issues. “I was very idealistic when I was younger,” she admits, reflecting on her determination to use her understanding of economics to change the world. Over time, this idealism has evolved into a more grounded pragmatism, recognising that systemic change requires a nuanced understanding of economic and social dynamics.

Corporate Responsibility and the Role of Business in Sustainability

At the heart of Lise’s work is the belief that businesses must move beyond traditional profit-driven models to embrace a broader definition of value—one that includes environmental and social outcomes. This idea is central to her current role at Matter, where she helps investors and corporations align their strategies with long-term sustainability goals.

“Corporate responsibility needs to be redefined,”

Lise argues. “It’s not enough to make a profit and then tick the box with a few CSR initiatives. Businesses need to think about how they can create a net positive impact on the world.” She emphasises that this shift is not just about avoiding harm but actively contributing to environmental regeneration and social progress. “We can’t just keep consuming and growing endlessly… the system isn’t sustainable.”

One of the key concepts Lise explores is the idea of nature-based systems. Rather than treating nature as an external resource to be exploited, businesses need to integrate natural systems into their operations. This includes investing in practices that regenerate ecosystems, reduce waste, and build resilience against climate change. For example, companies can embrace circular economy models that minimise waste and ensure that resources are reused, rather than discarded.

“We have to start thinking about how our economic activities impact natural systems and how we can design them to be regenerative rather than destructive,”

Lise explains.

Sustainable Finance: Aligning Capital with Climate and Social Goals

Another critical aspect of Lise’s work is the role of sustainable finance. She believes that capital flows are one of the most powerful levers for systemic change. By directing investment towards businesses and projects that align with sustainability goals, investors can help drive the transition to a more sustainable economy.

“Behind every business model or technology is the flow of capital – If we’re going to change the system, we have to look at where that capital is going.”

However, Lise also acknowledges the complexity of this transition. While sustainable finance is gaining traction, there is still much work to be done in ensuring that investments truly align with sustainability outcomes. “It’s not enough to say that a fund is sustainable. We need to ensure that it’s actually creating the positive impacts it claims to,” she notes. The issue of greenwashing—where companies or funds make misleading claims about their environmental or social credentials—is a significant challenge. Lise advocates for greater transparency and accountability in the investment space, calling for clearer definitions and metrics to ensure that sustainable finance delivers on its promises.

In her role at Matter, Lise works with investors to assess the sustainability of their portfolios. This involves analysing the environmental and social impacts of the companies they invest in and helping them align their investments with broader sustainability goals, such as the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Investors are increasingly recognising that sustainable investments aren’t just about risk management—they’re also about opportunity,” she explains. “There’s a growing market for sustainable products and services, and companies that align with these trends are likely to thrive in the long term.”

The Elephant in the Room: Overconsumption

While businesses and investors play crucial roles in advancing sustainability, Lise is also keen to address the elephant in the room: overconsumption. “We can’t just switch to ethical consumption and continue growing consumption endlessly,” she argues. The current economic model, which prioritises continuous growth, is fundamentally unsustainable. Lise points out that while ethical consumption and sustainability initiatives are important, they must be accompanied by a broader systemic shift away from the relentless pursuit of growth at all costs.

“We’re using 1.7 Earths to sustain our current economy,”

Lise explains. “That’s not sustainable, especially when much of the world’s population still lives in poverty.” She believes that part of the solution lies in redefining how we measure progress. Rather than relying on GDP as the primary measure of success, Lise advocates for adopting new metrics that account for environmental and social outcomes. “We need to shift our focus from growth to well-being,” she says. “That means thinking about how our economic activities contribute to societal progress, not just financial profit.”

The Power of Nudges and Systemic Change

Lise also discusses the concept of “nudges”—small interventions that can encourage consumers to make more sustainable choices. While nudging consumers towards better habits is a valuable tool, Lise cautions that it is not a panacea. “There’s only so much you can achieve by nudging individuals,” she says. “We also need to address the structural issues in the system.” This includes rethinking business models, government policies, and investment strategies to ensure that sustainability is built into the fabric of the economy, rather than treated as an add-on.

Lise is a firm believer in the power of systemic change, but she is also pragmatic about the challenges ahead. “Sustainability is a wicked problem,” she acknowledges. “There are no easy solutions, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.” Her optimism is grounded in the belief that by working together—across sectors, industries, and borders—we can create a future where businesses, people, and the planet can all thrive.

Conclusion: Towards a New Corporate Mandate

Lise’s insights offer a powerful vision for the future of corporate responsibility. Her approach calls for a fundamental shift in how businesses operate, moving beyond short-term profit to a model that values people and the planet equally. By integrating nature-based systems, embracing sustainable finance, and addressing the root causes of overconsumption, businesses have the potential to be forces for good in the world.

“We need to be honest about the challenges we face,”

Lise says. “But we also need to recognise the incredible opportunities that come with embracing sustainability. The future is uncertain, but the path forward is clear—we have to start thinking differently about how we define success.”

Lise’s pragmatic yet hopeful approach serves as a reminder that while the road to sustainability is complex, it is also full of possibility. By rethinking corporate responsibility and aligning profit with people and the planet, businesses can play a crucial role in shaping a more sustainable and equitable future for all.