Coming together to support sustainability

Robert Swan is the first person in the world to have walked to both the North and South Poles. This achievement was recognized with an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) and the Polar Medal, awarded by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Since then, Swan has dedicated his life to protecting Antarctica and founded the organization 2041. In 2041, the Antarctic Treaty could potentially be
renegotiated to allow for the drilling of fossil fuels. Swan sees only one solution: by shifting to cleaner energy sources, we can make it financially unfeasible to drill in Antarctica for fossil fuels, thereby protecting its environment for future generations.He explained how his mission to protect Antarctica aligns with efforts by companies like Omnes to advance the use of renewable energy. “Omnes and the team are a massive support,” Swan emphasized.

Swan’s expeditions have illustrated the remarkable progress which has been made in renewable energy

On his first trip to the South Pole, he relied on kerosene and other fossil fuels to survive the harsh conditions. However, Swan and his team returned to the Pole using only renewable energy, marking a significant milestone in both polar travel and the broader renewable energy movement. For Swan, their ability to survive solely using solar power was both a breakthrough for polar exploration and a powerful message: “If renewable energy can work in the most extreme environments on Earth, it can certainly work anywhere.”

When asked why he chose to embark on such challenging endeavors, Swan stressed the importance of taking on challenges for the greater good. His life’s work continues to inspire a new generation of leaders and innovators who are dedicated to protecting the planet for generations to come.

Learn more about Robert Swan’s work here

First published in Scope Fall 2024