Sustainable Views

FT Specialist

Confused about sustainability? You’re not alone. Environmental, social and governance factors, or ESG, are increasingly a headache for business, finance and world leaders alike. Now even policymakers are creating rules to govern this space. It’s hard to keep up and make sense of it all. So let us help you by sharing some of the most interesting views shaping this space. Join us as we talk to the people living and breathing sustainability – and a few critics too. (We can’t promise this will be a completely jargon-free space, but we shall try!) Want to talk to us directly? Email sustainable.views@ft.com. Sustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 3d ago

    Are banks doing enough to protect the climate and nature?

    As world leaders gather for COP17 in Armenia and prepare for COP31 in Turkey, the pressure is mounting on banks to redirect financing towards climate action and nature protection. But despite ambitious commitments, financial institutions continue to fund fossil fuels and environmentally damaging activities, while investment in clean energy and biodiversity restoration remains far below what is needed. In this episode of the Sustainable Views podcast, editor Philippa is joined by Anita Hawser, Europe editor of The Banker, and Sustainable Views reporter Ben Steel, to explore why banks are struggling to align their lending with global climate and biodiversity goals. They discuss the impact of Donald Trump's climate policy rollback, the collapse of the Net Zero Banking Alliance and the challenges banks face in assessing physical climate risks. They also examine why nature-related risks remain poorly understood, whether banks can make biodiversity projects financially viable, and how the rapid expansion of AI data centres is complicating the transition to net zero. With governments under pressure to deliver clearer policies and financial guarantees, can banks become drivers of the green transition, or will commercial pressures continue to hold back progress? Sustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Are banks doing enough to protect the climate and nature?
  2. Oct 19

    What to expect from the biodiversity COP in Yerevan

    In this episode of the Sustainable Views podcast, deputy editor Elizabeth Meager speaks to editor, Philippa Nuttall about the challenges facing COP17, following her recent reporting trip to Armenia and conversations with the summit's president. With the world falling behind on its biodiversity commitments, they discuss whether the targets agreed under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework are achievable, why nature finance is struggling to attract investment, and what businesses and governments need to do differently. They also examine the striking imbalance in global spending on nature, with $30 spent on activities that degrade the environment for every $1 invested in protecting it, and why the success of COP17 may depend on bringing finance ministers and businesses into the negotiations. Timestamps00:00 – What is biodiversity COP17? 01:06 – Armenia's priorities as host of COP17 02:24 – The world's ambitious 2030 biodiversity targets 03:49 – Why countries are falling behind on their commitments 05:54 – What can COP17 realistically achieve? 06:13 – The Cali Fund and the challenge of raising private finance 08:05 – Why the nature finance gap is so large 09:33 – Why protecting nature also means stopping harmful investment 11:47 – Can countries be held accountable for missed targets? 13:36 – How biodiversity and climate COPs are connected 14:39 – Why finance ministers and businesses need to be involved 18:23 – Is there still hope for international cooperation? 20:08 – Why biodiversity loss threatens businesses and the global economy Read more: https://www.sustainableviews.com Sustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What to expect from the biodiversity COP in Yerevan
  3. Sep 22

    What to expect from New York Climate Week with Helen Clarkson

    As Climate Week NYC prepares for its biggest edition yet, what does corporate climate action look like in a world where businesses are increasingly reluctant to even use the word “climate”? In this episode of the Sustainable Views podcast, deputy editor Elizabeth Meager speaks to Helen Clarkson OBE, chief executive of Climate Group, the organisation behind Climate Week NYC. They discuss whether sustainability is genuinely becoming embedded in businesses or simply disappearing from public view, and why Clarkson believes staying silent on climate creates space for misinformation. The conversation explores the growing links between climate action, energy security and affordability; how US climate policy is affecting businesses; and why China and other parts of Asia are increasingly important to the global clean-energy transition. Clarkson also discusses the huge energy demands of AI, whether technology companies can maintain their climate ambitions as data-centre investment accelerates, and why she believes the economics of renewable energy still provide reasons for optimism. With businesses moving from climate commitments towards implementation, what will determine whether the transition happens quickly enough—and can Climate Week help turn conversations into action? Sustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    What to expect from New York Climate Week with Helen Clarkson

About

Confused about sustainability? You’re not alone. Environmental, social and governance factors, or ESG, are increasingly a headache for business, finance and world leaders alike. Now even policymakers are creating rules to govern this space. It’s hard to keep up and make sense of it all. So let us help you by sharing some of the most interesting views shaping this space. Join us as we talk to the people living and breathing sustainability – and a few critics too. (We can’t promise this will be a completely jargon-free space, but we shall try!) Want to talk to us directly? Email sustainable.views@ft.com. Sustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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