Young Bin (YB) Kim

I was born in Korea, but mostly grew up with Brazil and Chile where I’ve been exposed to increasingly looming issues of deforestation in the Amazon, and also the increasing pollution in the city of Santiago. During my military service, I was also stationed in South Sudan for the United Nations Mission, where I was tasked with coordinating the implementation of infrastructure projects, with a strong priority towards sustainability and resilience. I took such lessons back with me when I returned home to Korea, where I ended up starting my career in energy storage, and have since continued to continuously work in the climate and sustainability sector through my projects as a management consultant.   

My vision for a sustainable future: I believe sustainability and business must go in tandem to have the most impact. I’ve seen too many instances in which efforts in green policy or technology are delayed because they are not unable to provide economic value. I see a future in which all steps of the value chain are circular in nature, and we can uncover new business streams that are sustainable and valuable to organizations and consumers alike. We need to start implementing such practices from the bottom-up, and especially propagate them towards developing countries with a greater sense of urgency. 

Favorite Green Tip: Purchase mindfully. Be selective about what you allow into your home. Invest in the best quality you can afford, care for it diligently, and make it last as long as possible. While reducing consumption may not seem as exciting, it’s arguably one of the most powerful steps we can take toward sustainability. Best of luck on your sustainable journey—plus, it’s easier on your wallet too!