The Cost of Inaction

The Astronomical Cost of Inaction – “6 Min. to Understand” with Pierre Léonard. Midoricast: Podcast #240

In this episode, Pierre Léonard tackles a topic many prefer to avoid… not because it is complex, but because it is deeply uncomfortable: the cost of inaction.

Not the theoretical cost, not the abstract cost, but the real cost. The cost that hits hard, fast, and often when we least expect it.

Pierre begins with a true story — close, almost too close… A story showing just how solid an organisation can appear… until the day it discovers it wasn’t as resilient as it thought.

A situation that forces a simple question:
👉 “And if this happened to me tomorrow… would I be ready?”

Throughout the episode, Pierre reveals how companies, both small and large, still underestimate climate risks, treating them as a distant possibility when they are already a measurable reality.

He does not lecture.
He does not try to scare.
He simply shows, clearly and directly, what so many teams still fail to see:
inaction always costs more than action.

And above all, he explains how to begin — concretely, without panic, without turning the whole organisation upside down: a framework, four steps, and a logic that turns prevention into a competitive advantage.

An episode for collective reflection… but above all, to avoid regretting that we waited too long.

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For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or experiencing hearing difficulties, we provide a full transcript at the end of the article.
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Useful links for this episode:

• Pierre Léonard’s Linktree
• The Circular Economy Fresco
• Website of The Podcast Factory Org asbl-vzw
• Join the Kaya coalition

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In addition to the voicemail feature, each episode is sequenced and includes a full transcript, ensuring accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing listeners. With the Google Translate plugin in Chrome, the episode becomes available in every language! We also offer a video format with subtitles.

Why this series?

We support companies that implement real and measurable ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) commitments. Pierre trains and guides them in this transition. Our roles differ, yet they are complementary: we encourage, he accompanies.

This choice also raises a real challenge: where should we draw the line?

Some companies mentioned in this series are not aligned with our current criteria, and we would decline any collaboration with them until they take concrete steps toward change. But that is precisely where Pierre comes in: his role is to initiate that transformation.

This podcast does not aim to judge, but to inspire. The goal? To encourage rather than discourage, to accompany rather than exclude.

Let’s move together toward a circular, sustainable and inclusive economy. Listening, reflection and action… in 6 minutes.

Listen to this podcast on The Astronomical Cost of Inaction via our YouTube channel (please subscribe — thank you!) :

French: The full transcript of this podcast is available as subtitles in five languages: French, Dutch, German, English and Spanish.
Dutch: De volledige transcriptie van deze podcast is beschikbaar als ondertiteling van de video in vijf talen: Frans, Nederlands, Duits, Engels en Spaans.
German: Die vollständige Transkription dieses Podcasts ist als Untertitel des Videos in fünf Sprachen verfügbar: Französisch, Niederländisch, Deutsch, Englisch und Spanisch.
English: The full transcript of this podcast is available as video subtitles in five languages: French, Dutch, German, English and Spanish.
Spanish: La transcripción completa de este pódcast está disponible como subtítulos del vídeo en cinco idiomas: français, neerlandais, allemand, anglais y español.

Podcast sequencing for The Astronomical Cost of Inaction:

• [00:00:02] Introduction by Michel
• [00:00:13] Pierre introduces the topic: the cost of inaction
• [00:00:35] A real example: €14M in losses and 11 months of shutdown
• [00:01:33] Climate risks: a statistical certainty
• [00:02:09] The new normal: extreme events on the rise
• [00:02:35] Preventing costs 10 to 20 times less than repairing
• [00:03:04] Real cost of audits and preventive measures
• [00:03:22] Step 1: diagnose climate vulnerability
• [00:04:11] Step 2: integrate scenarios into strategy
• [00:04:28] Step 3: invest in prevention
• [00:04:53] Step 4: prepare teams and continuity plans
• [00:05:04] Conclusion: inaction is a dangerous luxury
• [00:05:50] Key lesson: profit insurance vs. climate roulette
• [00:06:04] A nod to Galler
• [00:06:22] About their commitment
• [00:06:46] Invitation to the voicemail
• [00:06:58] Mentions & partners

Full transcript

[00:00:00] Jingle Intro: You are listening to “The Podcast Factory Org”.

[00:00:02] Michel: Welcome to another episode of “Midoricast”, your podcast on positive initiatives in favor of the environment and transition. “Midori” for Japanese, “Cast” for Broadcast, and I’m giving the floor for his column to Pierre Leonard, my friend here.

[00:00:13] Pierre Léonard: And yes! Hello Michel, hello everyone! Here’s a new episode of “6 minutes to understand”, the podcast that strips sustainable development under the interested, or not, eyes of decision-makers. Today, we’re going to tackle a subject that’s a little uncomfortable, it has to be said, and that’s the astronomical cost of inaction in the face of environmental risks.

[00:00:35] Pierre Léonard: Let me start by telling you a story that really hurts your wallet. It’s July 2021 in the province of Liège, and the “Galler” chocolate factory, a Belgian flagship with 150 employees, has seen its facilities ravaged by floods triggered by extreme rainfall. I no longer dare say exceptional. Just a balance? Hold on to your hats, 12 to 14 million euros worth of damage, 11 months of production at a standstill, 60 employees out of work and the risk of being simply forgotten by national and international customers. Luckily, there were no casualties, but – if I may use the pun – a retired electrician had to be urgently recalled, as he was the only person who knew how the plant’s electrical system worked. It’s a funny detail, but it says a lot about the fragility of our organizations in the face of unforeseen events, particularly climatic ones.

[00:01:33] Pierre Léonard: This costly misadventure is a perfect illustration of a phenomenon I observe in many companies, including SMEs and VSEs. They continue to treat climate risks as a remote possibility rather than as a statistical certainty to be incorporated into their business forecasts. However, the data speaks for itself, and I’m not the one saying so. The UN and the World Meteorological Organization report that the number of extreme weather events has increased fivefold worldwide since 1980.

[00:02:09] Pierre Léonard: In Belgium, to take the example of the “Galler” chocolate factory, certain geographical areas, such as the one in which it is located, could already be experiencing peaks of 20 or 25% more extreme weather events than 20 years ago. These are no longer accidents, they’re the new normal. And it’s a relentless equation.

[00:02:35] Pierre Léonard: But even more important, and one that should make you pay attention, is that in the case of our chocolate factory, studies carried out by the local authorities showed that prevention would have cost 10 to 20 times less than post-disaster repair. In other words, for “Galler”, this would have meant between €700,000 and €1,400,000 in preventive investment, rather than €14 million in reconstruction.

[00:03:04] Pierre Léonard: A climate vulnerability audit for an SME costs between €5 and €15,000. The resulting preventive measures range from €50 to €200.00 0 depending on the sector. We’re talking here about investments representing 1 to 2% of the annual sales of goods by medium-sized companies.

[00:03:22] Pierre Léonard: So what can you do to better protect yourself? How can we take action in the face of this new environmental vulnerability? The first step is to carry out a climate vulnerability assessment. Identify your weak points in the face of heat waves, floods and storms, as well as soil movement if you’re on clay soil at risk of drying out. Depending on your geographical location, your province, your department, are likely to have studies that already identify these risks. This analysis should cover your facilities, your supply chain and your IT systems. If you’re not sure where to start, resources like the Climate Change Adaptation Workshops are a great place to start.

[00:04:11] Pierre Léonard: The second step is to integrate these scenarios into your business plan and your accounts. Don’t treat them as “ifs”, start treating them as “whens”. Estimate the potential impact on your business and finances – not just short-term profitability, but a longer-term vision.

[00:04:28] Pierre Léonard: The third step is to invest in prevention. Drainage systems, for example, reinforced air-conditioning equipment, geographical diversification of your suppliers, off-site data backups, off-site warehousing, etc. These are concrete measures to protect your business. Don’t forget, too, to reread the fine print of your insurance contracts carefully and adapt them as necessary.

[00:04:53] Pierre Léonard: Fourth and final step Train your teams and draw up business continuity plans. The best infrastructures are useless if nobody knows how to react in a crisis.

[00:05:04] Pierre Léonard: In conclusion, you really need to stop thinking in terms of “we’ll see” when it comes to climate hazards and their prevention, and include them in your figures as genuine profit insurance. Because, at the end of the day, the question is not whether your company will one day be confronted with an extreme weather event, but what it is already vulnerable to, and to what extent? And whether you’ll be prepared for the day the risk materializes. Climatic Russian roulette is a game where the casino wins every time. And, in this case, the casino is global warming and the climatic changes it brings. Not on the other side of the world, not in 2050, but today, and close to home.

[00:05:50] Pierre Léonard: Thank you for joining me in these “6 minutes to understand” why climate inaction is the most expensive luxury a company can afford. We look forward to continuing to support your vision of sustainable business.

[00:06:04] Michel: Pierre, allow me to give a nod to the “Galler” company, because it has been cited as an example, but they are members of “Kaya”. And having spoken with its representative in the Kaya coalition, I know that it’s not greenwashing they’re talking about. They’re really committed to eco-responsibility at the moment, and we salute them for it. And bravo for that!

[00:06:22] Pierre Léonard: Exactly. And it’s true that take the trouble to go to their website, download their documents, their non-financial reporting, and you’ll see that this is indeed a company that is extremely (Michel Godart: Very involved) proactive. I like them for two reasons: first, because well, they’re neighbors, because I come from that region. And what’s more, these efforts really put us at the forefront of companies that really want to make their activities more sustainable.

[00:06:46] Michel: And no less so. Their chocolates are excellent, I know what I’m talking about. See you soon for new adventures Pierre. And if you leave a message for Pierre Léonard, he’ll be delighted. A little comment, a question, some gratitude, all welcome, see you soon.

[00:06:58] Michel: This podcast project is an initiative created and proposed by the ASBL “The Podcast Factory Org”, with the sponsorship of “transforma bxl – Innovation Playground”, a coworking space in Evere. Since January 2025, and for five years, we have also been sponsored by “Plugin Company”, our preferred charging station and card operator. “The Podcast Factory Org” is proud to be a member of “KAYA” – Coalition des Écopreneur et Écopreneures, and to collaborate with the “Love Health Center”. You can find all the episodes of all our podcasts on the “What’s Your Story point be” website. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel @thepodcastfactoryorg, where we offer the podcast in video format with subtitles in several languages.

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