ESG Matters @ Ashurst Podcast

Ashurst Perkins Coie
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Business

Sustainability is an issue that affects us all, but how can we take steps to provoke meaningful change and make a lasting impact on environmental, social and governance issues across the globe? We explore the intersection of business value with business values for a more prosperous and sustainable future.

  1. 3d ago

    Game Changers: Financing the energy transition

    Investment in the low carbon economy is growing, but so too are the challenges of allocating capital effectively. In this episode, we explore how investor priorities are evolving, what drives investment decisions, and the economic principles shaping the transition to a lower-carbon future. Ashurst Perkins Coie partner Lorraine Johnston is joined by Sahar Shamsi, Partner and co-head of the Energy and Climate Economics teams at Oxera, to discuss the intersection of economics, finance and climate. Sahar shares how investors are assessing climate-related risks and opportunities, the importance of policy and regulation in unlocking investment, and the practical barriers that continue to slow the pace of decarbonisation. The conversation also considers the role of sustainability reporting, the challenge of balancing risk and return, and why collaboration between policymakers, investors and industry will be critical to financing the energy transition. To listen, search for "Ashurst Perkins Coie Legal Outlook" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred podcast platform. You can also explore the full range of Ashurst Perkins Coie podcasts at ashurstperkinscoie.com/en/podcasts/ The information provided is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in law or practice, or to cover every aspect of the topics discussed. Listeners should obtain legal advice before applying it to specific issues or transactions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. Mar 11

    Game Changers: Season 3 Wrap-up – The Big Themes that Shaped our Conversations

    In this special wrap-up episode, Ben McAlary joins Season 3 hosts Elena Lambros and Lorraine Johnston to reflect on the recurring themes that shaped nine thought-provoking conversations across the last 10 episodes of Game Changes.   Across sectors and geographies, one message came through clearly: ESG challenges are systemic. Whether discussing climate risk with Dariel De Sousa, sustainable investing with Rebecca Ogg, or transition planning with Pauline Martin, guests urged us to look beyond isolated issues and examine the architecture of the systems shaping finance, infrastructure and regulation.   Another powerful thread was impact over optics. Australia’s Anti-Slavery Commissioner Chris Evans reminded us that ESG is not about glossy reporting but about real-world outcomes. Similarly, Nishikant Gupta of Conrad Energy highlighted the importance of curiosity, collaboration and practical action in turning strategy into measurable change.   Collaboration and capital allocation also emerged as decisive levers. From Oliver Kade’s call for cross-sector partnerships to scale waste management solutions, to Claire Reid’s explanation of how innovative financing models can unlock community energy infrastructure, the season explored how funding structures and collective action shape results. Listen to all episodes in the Game Changers mini-series by subscribing to ESG Matters @ Ashurst on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Game Changers: Season 3 Wrap-up – The Big Themes that Shaped our Conversations

  3. Feb 26

    Game Changers: The Case for Community Energy and Smarter Grid Connections

    Ashurst’s Lorraine Johnston  speaks with Claire Reid, Director of Strategic Partnerships at SNRG, about how smarter grid connections and shared renewable infrastructure can reshape the UK’s energy future. Claire explains how SNRG’s microgrid model works in practice, pooling solar generation across entire developments and storing excess power in communal batteries so that energy is shared fairly and efficiently. The result is lower bills for residents, reduced strain on the national grid and new opportunities for stalled housing and commercial projects to move forward. They discuss how this approach aligns with the UK’s clean energy ambitions, from residential garden towns to industrial sites cutting carbon and costs without waiting years for grid reinforcements. The conversation also tackles the persistent myth that renewables are more expensive, and why long-term energy independence and resilience demand a shift in mindset. Listen to more episodes in the Game Changers mini-series – featuring an array of talented guests by subscribing to ESG Matters @ Ashurst on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Game Changers: The Case for Community Energy and Smarter Grid Connections

  4. Feb 3

    Game Changers: Inside Australia’s fight against Modern Slavery

    Ashurst’s Elena Lambros sits down with Australia’s inaugural Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Chris Evans, for a grounded, practical conversation about why modern slavery is no longer just a compliance topic but a core business risk that belongs in every boardroom. Drawing on his work with major corporates, regulators and cross-sector groups, Chris explains why finding modern slavery in a supply chain should be seen as a system working, not failing. He highlights the shift businesses need to make, from producing reports to tackling real risk, and walks through the areas where exploitation most often hides, including labour hire, subcontracting and high-risk global supply chains. Elena and Chris also explore how the ACCC’s recent guidance is clearing the way for companies to collaborate more confidently on remediation and due diligence. Listen to more episodes in the Game Changers mini-series by subscribing to ESG Matters @ Ashurst on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Game Changers: Inside Australia’s fight against Modern Slavery

  5. 12/16/2025

    Game Changers: A conservation conversation with environmentalist Natalie Kyriacou

    Ashurst’s Elena Lambros welcomes special guest Natalie Kyriacou OAM for a wide-ranging chat that encompasses financial innovation, supply chains, and crucially, how Australia’s legal system can be a powerful force for climate action. Having worked with corporates, government and charities, Natalie has seen what drives change from inside and outside the business world. In our podcast, she argues that governments and companies should be subject to a legal duty of care for young people and nature (similar to directors’ fiduciary duties). She also questions the logic of established economic frameworks and explains how these could be rewired to benefit people, planet and profit. Natalie shares her pragmatic take on how corporates can regain trust in the wake of greenwashing scandals. She and Elena also discuss why supply chains are a two-way street when it comes to environmental accountability. And they shine a spotlight on overseas examples of nations taking bold steps to prioritise nature, economic progress, and social good. Listen to more episodes in the Game Changers mini-series – featuring an array of talented guests – by subscribing to ESG Matters @ Ashurst on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Game Changers: A conservation conversation with environmentalist Natalie Kyriacou

  6. 12/10/2025

    Let's Yarn: Building bridges between Japan and First Nations peoples in Australia

    In this episode, Ashurst Head of First Nations Strategy Trent Wallace is joined by colleagues Natsuko Ogawa and Lea Constantine to reflect on their recent visit to Japan. As well as several productive meetings with clients in Tokyo, the trio also attended World Expo 2025 in Osaka where Trent spoke about engagement with First Nations people in Australia. Natsuko reflects on her work over the past three decades, which has helped strengthen relationships between Ashurst’s Japanese clients and Australian businesses in the mining, resources, real estate and energy sectors. Lea explains why businesses seeking to invest in Australia are increasingly focusing on First Nations engagement. And Trent recalls the respectful, polite – and very frank – conversations he enjoyed with clients in Japan. Natsuko describes the “revelation” that there are so many “clear links between First Nations and Japanese culture” and explains how progressive Japanese businesses are seeking more opportunities to connect with and employ First Nations people in Australia. Lea reflects, “One thing that dawned on me in Japan was that Australia is well known for safety, security and stability. And Japan really values those things as well.” While Trent adds: “It was a joy to recognise our similarities and find synergies.” Packed with optimism, inspiration and insight, this episode provides plenty of food for thought for business leaders in Australia and Japan alike. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. 10/21/2025

    Game Changers: Rewiring Australian regulation for long-term climate resilience

    Ashurst’s Elena Lambros welcomes special guest Dr Dariel De Sousa, a former Director of Compliance and Enforcement at the Australian Energy Regulator, who is now a leading voice in climate risk, regulation and governance. Dariel draws on her deep professional and academic expertise to reveal the urgent need for regulatory reform in the face of systemic risks caused by climate change. The discussion traverses from the fragmented regulatory frameworks that have been inadequate to effectively respond to past natural disasters (e.g. Queensland’s 2011 floods and Victoria’s 2009 Black Saturday bushfires), to more promising regulatory progress in the US and in Victoria that reflect a system-wide approach to managing climate risks. Dariel argues that we cannot afford to wait for natural disasters to occur before we reform regulatory frameworks.  Instead, regulation should embed a proactive risk governance approach so that climate risks can be pre-empted and managed in a similar way to how large corporations manage the spectrum of risks they face across their diverse operations through their enterprise risk management frameworks. This episode is a powerful call to action for governments to codify climate resilience into law, to adapt society’s critical systems to the shocks stemming from our warming world. Listen to more episodes in the Game Changers mini-series – featuring an array of thought-provoking guests – by subscribing to ESG Matters @ Ashurst on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Game Changers: Rewiring Australian regulation for long-term climate resilience

  8. 09/24/2025

    Game Changers: Turning waste into data, action, and economic empowerment

    Oliver Kade, Chief Technology Officer and UK Country Manager at Seven Clean Seas, joins Ashurst’s Lorraine Johnston to share how the organisation is addressing plastic pollution through a powerful mix of innovation, systems change, and strategic partnerships.  Oliver breaks down the core pillars of Seven Clean Seas’ work, from removing plastic waste from rivers and coastlines across Southeast Asia, to advancing national-level policy, to improving lives in vulnerable communities. Together, Lorraine and Oliver explore how corporate sponsorships (such as with Howden), technological tools (including AI tracking and chemical recycling), and Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks are helping to bridge the funding gap that has long undermined waste management.  Essential to the discussion is understanding why local socioeconomic dynamics is essential for effective sustainability solutions, and how Seven Clean Seas’ “lives improved” methodology guides their community empowerment work spanning education, health, infrastructure, and income generation.  Listen to more episodes in the Game Changers mini-series – featuring an array of thought-provoking guests – by subscribing to ESG Matters @ Ashurst on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Game Changers: Turning waste into data, action, and economic empowerment
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Sustainability is an issue that affects us all, but how can we take steps to provoke meaningful change and make a lasting impact on environmental, social and governance issues across the globe? We explore the intersection of business value with business values for a more prosperous and sustainable future.

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