The Week in Sustainability Sustain.Life

The U.S. and E.U. are taking decisive regulatory steps towards decarbonization, emphasizing cleaner energy and tighter pollution controls. In the U.S., the EPA’s new power plant regulations prioritize environmental safeguards, while the E.U.’s Net Zero Industry Act promotes decarbonization technologies and competitiveness. Despite challenges, both regions showcase determination and innovation in driving global climate action.

A recent study predicts a $38 trillion annual loss by 2049 due to climate change, disproportionately affecting poorer nations and regions like the southeastern United States and southern Europe. Meanwhile, legal scholars are proposing to hold oil companies accountable for climate-related deaths, akin to past cases against tobacco companies. These discussions highlight the urgent need for collective action to address economic forecasts and legal accountability in combating climate change.

Today is Earth Day, and with this special episode, we sat down with Ali Cammisa, senior director of sustainability at CRG Restaurant Group. CRG’s commitment to integrating sustainable practices, like composting programs, reflects a broader movement within the restaurant industry. Through storytelling and accessible communication, CRG aims to engage both customers and executives in their journey towards environmental stewardship, exemplifying the evolving significance of Earth Day beyond an annual event.

The Week in Sustainability


April 8–12, 2024






This week:


Our team dived into three crucial sustainability topics:






–The influence of financed emissions on businesses


–The importance of external assurance in emissions reporting


–The grid challenges brought on by a recent solar eclipse


This eclipse resulted in a significant drop in solar energy generation, forcing grid operators to increase their reliance on fossil fuels to maintain energy balance.

In this episode of The Week in Sustainability, we chat with Gehry Oatey, manager of ESG data and analytics at leading plumbing manufacturer Oatey. We cover the often-daunting challenges surrounding scope 3 emissions—indirect emissions that occur across a company’s entire value chain, including its suppliers and customers.


The Oatey’s experience serves as a valuable roadmap, not just for the plumbing industry, but for any organization looking to navigate scope 3 complexities and create a more sustainable supply chain.

As we continue to unpack the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) final Climate Disclosure rule, we look to bring you interesting expert perspectives. This week, we’re joined by special guest Mallory Thomas, a risk advisory partner at Baker Tilly, a leading advisory CPA firm, who brings additional perspective for companies looking to get an overview of what it will take to comply with the SEC rules.