The Sustainability Agenda

Fergal Byrne
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The Sustainability Agenda

The Sustainability Agenda is a weekly podcast exploring today’s biggest sustainability questions. Leading sustainability thinkers offer their views on the biggest sustainability challenges, share the latest thinking, identify what’s working --and what needs to change -- and think about the future of sustainability.

  1. From Vision to Scale: Mulago's Kevin Starr shares his blueprint for transformative social impact

    19 NOV

    From Vision to Scale: Mulago's Kevin Starr shares his blueprint for transformative social impact

    What does it take for an impact-first organization to achieve meaningful, large-scale change? In this insightful episode, Kevin Starr, CEO of the Mulago Foundation, shares decades of experience on scaling solutions that address the world’s toughest challenges.   Kevin explains Mulago’s distinctive approach to scaling… their “Doer and Payer at Scale” framework, and their rigorous criteria for assessing ideas with transformative potential. He also delves into the critical importance of a clear, focused mission to avoid the common pitfalls of “mission drift.”   Drawing on real-world examples—such as the transformation of community health workers in Mali—Kevin illustrates how thoughtful partnerships, evidence-based strategies, and a relentless focus on outcomes can enable organizations to turn their vision into sustained impact. He also challenges funders to step up, emphasizing the need for greater accountability and alignment with measurable results.   This episode is essential listening for anyone passionate about social change, offering practical guidance on how to transform promising ideas into global-scale solutions. Kevin has run  the Mulago Foundation since 1993-they fund early stage social entrepreneurs devoted to maximum impact at scale in the place with the poorest people. Kevin set up the Rainer Arnhold Fellows Program in 2003 to apply Mulago’s principles and tools to help social entrepreneurs turn good ideas into lasting change at scale– and in 2016, the Henry Arnhold Fellows Program to add a focus on environmental solutions.

    59 min

  2. 8 OCT

    Episode 197: EcoVadis’ Bettina Grabymayr on the critical role of sustainability assessments in managing supply chain risks

    In this interview,with Bettina Grabymayr, Methodology and Research Director at EcoVadis, we explore the critical role of sustainability assessments in managing supply chain risks, particularly as global regulations like the EU’s CSRD and CS3D come into play. Bettina shares how EcoVadis’ comprehensive rating methodology helps companies gather reliable sustainability data, engage suppliers and improve performance. She also delves into the rigorous data verification process, behind the ratings, which combines AI and human expertise to ensure accuracy and mitigate greenwashing risks. By tailoring assessments to industry-specific sustainability challenges, EcoVadis enables companies to address material issues and drive continuous improvement. Tune in to discover practical strategies for enhancing sustainability performance in today’s complex regulatory landscape.   Bettina also discusses how EcoVadis goes beyond providing ratings by supporting companies on their sustainability journey through tools like corrective action plans and the EcoVadis Academy. These resources offer actionable insights, helping businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to understand and improve their sustainability practices. Bettina highlights the growing importance of network effects within the EcoVadis ecosystem, where companies can reuse their sustainability scorecards across multiple customers, reducing the administrative burden and fostering collaboration. As the regulatory landscape evolves, EcoVadis continues to adapt its methodologies, ensuring alignment with emerging global standards while emphasizing continuous improvement and positive impact for both people and the planet.   Bettina Grabmayr is Methodology and Research Director at EcoVadis, where she oversees the development and implementation of sustainability assessment methodologies.

    32 min
  3. Episode 196: Why Capitalism Won't Save the Planet. with Professor Brett Christophers

    28 SEPT

    Episode 196: Why Capitalism Won't Save the Planet. with Professor Brett Christophers

    In this fascinating interview with Professor Brett Christophers from Uppsala University, we dive deep into the complex relationship between finance, energy markets, and the global climate crisis, as explored in his new book The Price Is Wrong: Why Capitalism Won’t Save the Planet. Brett provides critical insights into why global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise despite falling renewable energy costs. He explains how governments worldwide have effectively outsourced decarbonization to the financial sector, expecting private markets to lead the way in renewable energy investment. This episode sheds light on the structural and profitability constraints that hinder the pace of the renewable energy transition, challenging the widely held belief that the solution lies solely in market-driven mechanisms. Brett critiques the reliance on financial markets to redirect capital away from fossil fuels and highlights the geopolitical and financial intricacies surrounding energy security. Through a detailed examination of energy economics, we explore why big oil and gas companies remain highly profitable and resistant to change—even in a world urgently demanding decarbonization. Brett Christophers  is a political economist and professor at Uppsala University in Sweden. His work focuses on economic geography, with a particular emphasis on the intersections of finance, land and capitalism. Brett's the author of several influential books exploring the dynamics of land ownership, finance and economic power, including The New Enclosure, Rentier Capitalism, and most recently, The Price is Wrong: Why Capitalism Won't Save the Planet.

    1h 32m
  4. Episode 195: Interview with ClientEarth founder, James Thornton, about his latest book Nature, My Teacher: How to Be Alive in a World under Threat.

    27 AUG

    Episode 195: Interview with ClientEarth founder, James Thornton, about his latest book Nature, My Teacher: How to Be Alive in a World under Threat.

    In this fascinating interview, James Thornton, founder and CEO of ClientEarth, discusses his latest book Nature, My Teacher, offering a unique perspective on the intersections of law, nature, and spirituality. Reflecting on his decades-long career as an environmental lawyer, Thornton shares how his work to protect the environment has been shaped by his deep reverence for nature and his experiences as a Zen Buddhist priest. The book delves into his personal philosophy and the lessons he's learned from nature, which continue to inspire his work in environmental advocacy. Thornton reflects on his journey with ClientEarth, an environmental law charity that has made significant strides in using the law to hold corporations and governments accountable for environmental harm. His experiences span across continents, from the United States to Europe and China, where he has helped shape legal systems that protect the planet. One notable highlight in the interview is Thornton’s experience in China, where he has been working to help develop laws that empower citizens to hold polluters, including government-owned entities, accountable. This groundbreaking work aligns with China’s ambition to build an "ecological civilization," an effort enshrined in its constitution and reflected in transformative advancements in green technology. Throughout the conversation, Thornton weaves together the themes of his book with his practical experience in environmental law, illustrating how his spiritual beliefs, legal expertise, and deep connection to nature converge to guide his approach to sustainability. Nature, My Teacher serves as both a reflection on Thornton’s remarkable career and an urgent call to reconnect with the natural world, offering readers a hopeful yet pragmatic roadmap for tackling the climate crisis. James Thornton is the founding CEO of ClientEarth, a path-breaking law firm which uses advocacy, litigation and research to address the greatest challenges of our time – including nature loss and climate change. ClientEearth has an extra-ordinary record of success built on solid law and science – and has brought about fundamental change in the way environmental protections are made and enforced across Europe. The New Statesman has named James as one of 10 people who could change the world. James has twice won Leader of the Year at the Business Green Awards. The Financial Times awarded him its Special Achievement accolade at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards. James is an ordained Zen Buddhist priest; his latest book Nature, My Teacher: How to Be Alive in a World under Threat was published in April.

    1h 1m
  5. E197: John Elkington on five decades of pioneering corporate sustainability and his latest book, 'Tickling Sharks'

    17 JUL

    E197: John Elkington on five decades of pioneering corporate sustainability and his latest book, 'Tickling Sharks'

    In this compelling discussion, John Elkington, delves into his five-decade experience advocating for corporate responsibility and sustainability and discusses his latest book, "Tickling Sharks," which combines his personal memoir with a manifesto for future action. John reflects on the evolution of the sustainability agenda, highlighting significant milestones and challenges along the way. He recounts his early struggles to engage businesses in the environmental movement and the eventual widespread adoption of sustainability practices. Elkington addresses the current state of corporate sustainability, expressing concerns about the politicization of the agenda and the slow pace of change. Looking ahead, Elkington emphasizes the need for systemic change, urging businesses to adopt innovative approaches, underscoring the importance of resilience and regeneration, as well as collaboration with diverse stakeholders to create a sustainable and equitable future Author, advisor and serial entrepreneur, John Elkington is a pioneer in the world of corporate responsibility and sustainable development. John has been at the forefront of sustainability thinking for five decades and is widely recognized as one of the founders of the global sustainability movement, He is credited with coining influential terms such as 'green growth,' 'triple bottom line,' and 'people, planet, and profit.” John is also co-founder of four environmental and sustainability businesses, and has served in over 70 boards and advisory boards. He is founder and chief pollinator of Volans, a future-focused business working at the intersection of sustainability, entrepreneurship and innovation.  John is the author or co-author of some 20 books; his latest, Tickling Sharks, is a memoir of his pioneering work in developing and promoting corporate sustainability.

    56 min
  6. Episode 193: Deep dive with economist Guy Standing on the the destruction of fragile ocean ecosystems

    3 JUL

    Episode 193: Deep dive with economist Guy Standing on the the destruction of fragile ocean ecosystems

    Eye-opening discussion with Guy Standing on the deteriorating conditions in our oceans…  the destruction of fragile ocean ecosystems, marine pollution, habitat destruction and destruction of coastal communities, driven by overfishing, corporate exploitation, lax regulatory enforcement, increasing extraction-- and growing sea commodification. His analysis is a powerful indictment of contemporary oceanic governance—and an impassioned call for new forms of ocean governance centred around the commons. First aired in August 2022.   Guy Standing is a Professorial Research Associate at SOAS University of London and a founding member and honorary co-president of the Basic Income Earth Network (BIEN), a non-governmental organisation that promotes a basic income for all. He was a programme director in the UN's International Labour Organisation and has advised many international bodies and governments on social and economic policies.

    1h 12m
  7. Episode 192: Dale Jamieson, Professor of Environmental Studies and Philosophy at NYU, talks about the importance of environmental justice and discusses the metaphysical challenges of climate change

    22 MAY

    Episode 192: Dale Jamieson, Professor of Environmental Studies and Philosophy at NYU, talks about the importance of environmental justice and discusses the metaphysical challenges of climate change

    In this thought-provoking interview, Dale Jamieson, Professor of Environmental Studies and Philosophy at NYY, talks about the importance of environmental justice and discusses his recent thinking on the metaphysical challenges of climate change --the way a rapidly changing world unmoored from the traditional sources of meaning in our lives. He also explores the way that climate change interacts with our political institutions, with their inherent short-termism. At the heart of this discussion, Dale highlights the fundamental challenges that any person faces in life today, wherever they live, are: how should I live? How do I how do I go forward? This interview was first aired in March 2021.   Dale Jamieson is Professor of Environmental Studies and Philosophy at NYU, he also serves as a faculty affiliate for the NYU School of Law and as director of NYU's Animal Studies Initiative. Dale is a scholar of environmental ethics and animal rights, and an analyst of climate change discourse-he is an author and editor of various books including Reason in a Dark Time: Why the Struggle Against Climate Change Failed -- and What It Means for Our Future

    1h 2m
  8. Episode 191: Sir Ronald Cohen, "the father of social investment," discusses how to reshape capitalism to drive real change.

    28 APR

    Episode 191: Sir Ronald Cohen, "the father of social investment," discusses how to reshape capitalism to drive real change.

    A fascinating deep dive on impact investment with Sir Ronald Cohen, “the father of social investment.” This is a spirited discussion about Sir Ronald’s book, Impact, exploring his vision of how impact investing is reshaping capitalism to deliver a form of capitalism that can deal with the profound social and environmental challenges we are facing—issues which he is passionate about. Sir Ronald believes financial institutions are changing profoundly -and is hugely optimistic about the work being done today on measuring impact, notably the Harvard Business School IWA impact weighted accounts project—making the connection between market value and pollution explicit. This in turn brings Ronnie’s vision closer:  a world where investors can measure companies impact and “help change the behaviour of companies so that they bring solutions rather than creating or aggravating environmental and social problems.” This interview was first aired at the end of 2021.   Sir Ronald Cohen is Chairman of The Portland Trust and Bridges Ventures, amongst other roles, as a philanthropist, venture capitalist, private equity investor and social innovator over many decades. Sir Ronald was a founder of Apax Ventures, has been described as “the father of British venture capital” and “the father of social investment,” his latest book, Impact, Reshaping capitalism to drive real change, explores his vision of how impact investing is reshaping capitalism.

    45 min
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About

The Sustainability Agenda is a weekly podcast exploring today’s biggest sustainability questions. Leading sustainability thinkers offer their views on the biggest sustainability challenges, share the latest thinking, identify what’s working --and what needs to change -- and think about the future of sustainability.

Information

  • Creator
    Fergal Byrne
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2024
  • Episodes
    198
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Fergal Byrne
  • Show Website
    The Sustainability Agenda

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