John Abubakar, a visionary leader in sustainability, shares his inspiring journey and insights with Team Reblue in our ‘9 Questions With’ series. With a deep commitment to fostering a sustainable future, John has dedicated his career to creating positive change. His impactful work at Villanova University focuses on integrating sustainability principles into education and community engagement, inspiring a new generation to embrace responsible practices.

John Abubakar is a respected figure in the field of sustainability, serving as the Chief Sustainability Officer and Adjunct Professor at Villanova University. With a diverse educational background in theology, business, sustainability, and sustainable architecture, John brings a unique perspective to his leadership role. Drawing inspiration from his experiences growing up in Nigeria and witnessing the challenges faced by his community, John is passionate about making a difference. He believes that sustainability is not just about environmental protection but also about ensuring social and economic justice. At Villanova University, John leads various sustainability initiatives, including promoting the circular and sharing economy, engaging with local communities, and integrating sustainability into the curriculum. His commitment to education and community engagement is evident in his efforts to create a more sustainable and equitable future. Read excerpts from the interview below:

Team Reblue: John, your journey into sustainability leadership at Villanova University is truly inspiring. What experiences or values from your background have shaped your commitment to sustainability, and how do they influence your work today as Chief Sustainability Officer?

John Abubakar: Growing up in Nigeria and witnessing the many challenges people around me faced, directly or indirectly related to the sustainable development goals, ignited my interest in sustainability. I see it as a field where I can make a difference in the lives of others while contributing to a better world. My past experiences undoubtedly influence my current role as Chief Sustainability Officer, providing me with a framework to view sustainability holistically. I focus not only on maximizing benefits but also on ensuring social sustainability, which means ensuring that there is enough for all forever. At Villanova University, we are addressing this by promoting the circular and sharing economy.

“The most significant change we can achieve together is to change minds and hearts... I would love to be remembered as someone who contributed to making the world a better place.”

Team Reblue: Leading the Sustainability Leadership Council, you coordinate various sustainability initiatives across different sectors. Can you share a specific project that has made a significant difference in promoting sustainable practices, and what lessons can be drawn from that experience?

John Abubakar: Rather than highlighting a particular project, I would prefer to share our approach to sustainability, which I believe is our unique selling point. The Villanova community strives to foster an ethos of sustainable living. Here, we understand sustainability as a way of being, not just doing. It's about changing our value system, perspective, and internal motivations. By making changes at this level, we are better equipped to act differently and become better stewards of our common home.

“Sustainability as a scientific field is relatively new... Young professionals can engage in multidisciplinary research... I see great potential in this area.”

Team Reblue: With your diverse educational background in theology, business, sustainability, and a doctorate in sustainable architecture, how do these fields inform your approach to sustainability leadership, and what insights can you share with other professionals looking to make a positive impact in this space?

John Abubakar: Sustainability is a transdisciplinary field that is best approached by multidisciplinary scholars. Education today often operates in silos, where fields like engineering rarely interact with the liberal arts and vice versa. My diverse background enables me to see the big picture and appreciate the value each discipline brings to the table. For example, we may need a psychologist to understand why people are not responding to recycling, a data analyst for waste audits, and sustainable engineers to convert waste into wealth. My advice to other sustainability professionals is to possess a broad knowledge base or, when recruiting, to assemble a multidisciplinary team to set themselves up for success.

“AI... will only enhance our work... We should embrace technological tools that improve our work, from data collection and analysis to lifecycle assessment and waste audits.”

Team Reblue: In your experience, what are some of the biggest challenges organizations face in implementing sustainable practices, and how can they effectively overcome these obstacles? What strategies have you found most effective in driving change?

John Abubakar: Having lived in Africa, Europe, and now the United States, I've observed that challenges vary depending on the region and country. In the United States, where I currently work, the biggest challenge is the politicization of the issue. Not everyone is convinced of its importance. Therefore, it's essential to meet people where they are on their sustainability journey and help them understand that sustainability makes business sense, not just environmental. It's about the future economy as organizations strive to remain resilient and profitable. An effective strategy I've found is understanding and engaging with different stakeholders both within and outside the organization. This may involve tailoring your approach when discussing with activists, advocates, or indigenous groups concerned about the potential impact of a factory on their cultural practices. It's about listening to them first and then responding honestly, emphasizing that sustainability is equally about ensuring that no one is left behind.

“Education is key... Constant messaging and programs are necessary to effectively convey the message. The message should be hopeful and positive.”

Team Reblue: You emphasize the importance of community in sustainability efforts. Can you provide an example of how collaboration with local communities has enhanced sustainability initiatives, and what other organizations can learn from this approach?

John Abubakar: As an African, community is central to everything I do. That's why we say it takes a village to raise a child. Villanova is actively engaged in community outreach. We view our neighbors as collaborators. Our office for sustainability conducts sustainability workshops for high school students to prepare the next generation for a sustainable future. We also have an annual day of service program where the entire Villanova community participates in cleaning and providing goods and services to the local community. Our faculty and students conduct research on improving the well-being of surrounding communities. At Villanova, our approach to sustainability is threefold: to impact the Villanova community, our surrounding community, and the global community. We achieve this by viewing Villanova University as a living lab, our surrounding community as outreach points, and the global community through research and scholarship. An example is our international sustainability conference taking place from October 1-3, 2024, at Villanova University, with the theme: Our common home, our common hope; community engagement for a safe and just future. The choice of this theme reflects our commitment to community. We believe that focusing solely on making our university the most sustainable campus is not enough. We must look beyond ourselves. Redistribution of resources anchored in sustainable consumption and production is often an overlooked solution to the sustainability challenge.

“As an African, community is central to everything I do... Our approach to sustainability is threefold: to impact the Villanova community, our surrounding community, and the global community.”

Team Reblue: As a leader in sustainability, what message would you like to share with other leaders in this space? What do you think are the key qualities or actions that can truly make a difference in advancing sustainability initiatives within their organizations?

John Abubakar: Education is key. While sustainability principles have existed for centuries, as a scientific discipline it is relatively new. Consequently, there may be a lack of language to explain certain concepts and a scarcity of instructional materials. Constant messaging and programs are necessary to effectively convey the message. The message should be hopeful and positive, targeting people where they are on their sustainability journey. I encourage incorporating play and humor into some of these initiatives as people often respond better to these elements than to dry scientific data and apocalyptic warnings.

“The biggest challenge is the politicization of the issue... It's essential to meet people where they are on their sustainability journey and help them understand that sustainability makes business sense.”

Team Reblue: With the rapid advancement of technology and AI, how do you envision these tools being leveraged to boost sustainability efforts? Can you share examples of how organizations are successfully integrating these technologies to create positive social and environmental impacts, and what lessons can others learn from these examples?

John Abubakar: I often tell my students that we live in exciting times largely due to technology. AI, in my view, will only enhance our work as a computing device. We should embrace technological tools that improve our work, from data collection and analysis to lifecycle assessment and waste audits. Villanova utilizes technological devices for data collection and analysis. We can now sift through data in ways that were unimaginable a few years ago. Students are also better able to monitor their carbon footprint using technology. The benefits are immense. My advice is to find the right fit, as there are many options available in the market.

“Sustainability is a way of being, not just doing... By making changes at this level, we are better equipped to act differently and become better stewards of our common home.”

Team Reblue: John, your work emphasizes integrating sustainability principles in educational institutions, and I know you're working on books about implementing sustainability in schools and the Bible and sustainability. What advice would you offer young professionals eager to make a positive impact as they navigate the challenges and opportunities in this ever-evolving landscape of sustainability?

John Abubakar: As I mentioned, sustainability as a scientific field is relatively new, which presents limitless opportunities to shape the field. Young professionals can engage in multidisciplinary research in areas they find exciting that are related to sustainability and develop instructional materials. My new book titled The Bible and Sustainability is an example of this. I see great potential in this area, and I hope others do too.

Team Reblue: Looking ahead, what legacy do you hope to leave in the field of sustainability, and what do you envision as the most significant change we can achieve together in the coming years?

John Abubakar: The most significant change we can achieve together is to change minds and hearts. That's where we truly need ecological conversion. In terms of legacy, I would love to be remembered as someone who contributed to making the world a better place.