Hosted by Silke v. Brockhausen • RE:Generation Collective Podcast
Why this conversation matters now
As the United Nations approaches its 80th year, intensifying conflicts, widening inequalities, and ecological breakdown demand governance that restores the conditions for life to thrive. This episode explores what a regenerative UN could look like in practice—grounded in inner work, systemic change, and nature‑conscious decision‑making.
Guest
Alexandra Pimor is an Earth lawyer, legal scholar, and social entrepreneur. She serves as Director of Nature Governance at the Earth Law Center and co‑led the pioneering Nature on the Board initiative with the UK company Faith in Nature—bringing an official “voice of nature” into corporate governance. Pimor also mentors a global network of nature proxies through the Dandelion Fellowship and contributes to scholarship on the Rights of Nature, including the landmark volume Le droit de la nature.
Regeneration: back to the roots
Pimor frames regeneration through its etymology—re (again), generare (to bring forth), and -tion (action)—as intentional renewal of people and planetary systems. It is cyclical, relational, and restorative: attending to what must be repaired, reciprocated, recycled, or released so that flourishing can re‑emerge. Regeneration begins with inner work and extends outward to the cultures and institutions we steward.
Nature on the Board: a practical governance innovation
Rather than waiting for legal reform, the Faith in Nature case used existing company law to seat a human “nature proxy” as a non‑executive director with the mandate to represent nature’s interests. This creative lawyering shows that institutions can:
-
Entrench nature’s interests in charters, bylaws, and decision protocols;
-
Require ecological considerations in material risk, strategy, and oversight; and
-
Normalize nature consciousness as a capability of boards, parliaments—and potentially UN bodies.
Relevance for the UN: If a private company can onboard nature without changing the law, multilateral bodies can also create formal roles—advisory, observer, or proxy—tasked to uphold life‑supporting conditions across mandates and programs.
From separation to kinship
Pimor argues that modern institutions often reflect a paradigm of separation—from nature, ancestors, and community. A regenerative paradigm is rooted in kinship, reciprocity, and relationality. In practice, this means:
-
Recognizing that humans are nature, not apart from it;
-
Valuing Indigenous, ancestral, and place‑based wisdom as living repositories of governance intelligence; and
-
Building cultures that cultivate peace as a practice—not only an outcome.
What this means for UN colleagues
-
Center inner development. Well‑being, reflection, and self‑regulation are not luxuries; they are governance competencies. Inner Development Goals (IDGs) complement SDGs by enabling wiser action under pressure.
-
Adopt nature‑conscious protocols. Embed questions such as: How does this decision affect planetary life‑support systems, and what alternatives enhance reciprocity? Make ecological materiality explicit in risk registers and management results.
-
Create a Nature Advisor role. Pilot an internal “voice of nature” in key governance forums (e.g., Programme Reviews, CPDs/UNSDCF design, risk committees), with clear terms of reference and escalation pathways.
-
Institutionalize Indigenous wisdom. Establish a permanent Wisdom Council linked to Executive and inter‑agency decision cycles to bring place‑based knowledge into policy and operations.
-
Reframe measurement. Balance short‑term output tracking with “root health” indicators—culture, trust, staff well‑being, ecological integrity—recognizing that good fruits depend on healthy roots.
If the next UN Secretary‑General governed as a voice of nature…
In a thought experiment on the first 100 days, Pimor suggests the Secretary‑General can:
-
Set the tone by publicly adopting a nature‑conscious governance charter for the UN system;
-
Mandate nature‑inclusive decision gates for major policies, budgets, and operations (a “life‑support test”);
-
Convene a standing Wisdom Council of Indigenous elders and knowledge holders to advise on peace, development, and climate deliberations;
-
Integrate IDGs with SDGs in staff learning, leadership frameworks, and performance dialogues;
-
Pilot nature proxies as observers/advisors in selected UN bodies and country platforms;
-
Update risk and accountability frameworks to reflect reciprocity with living systems, not only financial or political exposures.
Practical next steps for teams
-
Start meetings with a one‑minute centering to build presence and reduce reactivity.
-
Add a “nature paragraph” to concept notes and decision memos: impacts on ecosystems, reciprocity steps, and nature‑positive alternatives.
-
Invite local Indigenous or place‑based practitioners into design and review moments.
-
In CPD/UNSDCF processes, incorporate a Nature & Culture lens alongside gender, HDN, and localization.
-
Nominate a rotating Nature Steward role in section meetings to surface ecological considerations.
Listen to the full episode
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy8PhK_UUm3Ix9cThYdgXsEk8idRSEEFc
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leading-as-nature-practical-pathways-for-the/id1841851629?i=1000729832757
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/50MQFEA4jPFufDAyWVXMh9
Learn more / engage
-
Connect with Alexandra on Linkedin
-
Earth Law Center's Nature Governance Agency: a program for onboarding Nature (including Nature as inspiration, advisor, director and shareholder), and cultivating Nature-conscious governance and leadership praxis.
-
Dandelion Fellowship: capacity‑building for individuals to practice and speak as a voice of nature.