Straight Talking Sustainability

Emma Burlow
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Welcome to Straight Talking Sustainability! I'm your host, Emma Burlow. If you're feeling lost in all the sustainability talk or struggling to see real results in your business, this podcast is for you. We’ll clear up the confusion and focus on practical, straightforward actions that actually work. Join me as I talk with experts, share real-world stories, and tackle the common roadblocks that stop businesses from making progress. This is all about making sustainability easier and sharing what truly makes a difference. Let’s keep it simple, effective, and make sustainability stick!

  1. Emma in the Hot Seat: Lessons from 30 Years in Sustainability

    7h ago

    Emma in the Hot Seat: Lessons from 30 Years in Sustainability

    In this special episode, the usual host Emma is interviewed by her colleague and co-founder of Not Sustainable, Rebecca Watson. The tables are turned as Emma shares her journey, expertise, and reflections on her 30-year career in sustainability. The conversation covers her background, the evolution of her work, her approach to training and advisory, and her motivation for supporting individuals and organisations in delivering meaningful sustainability action. Highlights & Key TopicsEmma’s Background & Career Path Started in sustainability in 1997, with a degree in Environmental Science and early experience in conservation and compliance (01:08)Pivoted to work in climate and set up Lighthouse Sustainability, focusing on training and advisory work (01:55) Approach to Training Majority of Lighthouse’s work is carbon literacy training, including workshops, short courses, and "train the trainer" programmes (04:00)Emphasis on building capacity in organisations by embedding skills internally (05:11) Ideal Clients & Advisory Work Works with a variety of organisations, from SMEs to large corporates (e.g., B&Q, BT, Openreach) (07:02)Focused on helping organisations cut through complexity and set meaningful priorities (08:23) Strategic Impact & Board-Level Support Helps organisations integrate sustainability strategically, not just as an add-on (10:24)Experience as a board member and strategic advisor, including roles such as CSO (13:13) Hearts & Minds: The Importance of Motivation Sustainability training is about engaging people’s values and motivations, not just technical knowledge (22:38) Advice for Listeners Don’t get stuck in the weeds: focus on what's material and significant (32:02)Start where you are, leverage your influence, and don’t hesitate to seek external support or coaching (33:01) Additional ResourcesThe Carbon Literacy Project: carbonliteracy.com Book a Power Hour with Emma https://calendly.com/emma-lighthouse/power-hour Connect with Emma Website Email Emma Burlow | LinkedIn

    37 min
  2. Making Sustainability Less Miserable with Lucy Hawthorne, Climate Play

    Jun 7

    Making Sustainability Less Miserable with Lucy Hawthorne, Climate Play

    In this episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, Emma welcomes Lucy Hawthorne, founder of Climate Play, to unpack how play—especially using LEGO—can be a powerful tool in making sustainability engagement more effective and enjoyable. They discuss the neuroscience of play, overcoming cynicism, and practical facilitation techniques to unlock creativity and connection in sustainability journeys. Key TopicsLucy Hawthorne's journey from environmental campaigning to play-based sustainability facilitation 02:11The limitations of traditional moralistic and fear-based sustainability approaches 02:46Introduction to LEGO Serious Play as a facilitation method 06:45How using LEGO unlocks new ways of thinking, connection, and imagination 08:52The science: neuroscience of play and embodied cognition 08:56, 19:51Overcoming organizational resistance to play-based methods 12:34, 14:50A live micro LEGO exercise exploring the "Three Horizons" future-thinking tool 19:24How facilitation via play can level hierarchies and increase inclusive participation 26:36The importance of imagination and creating positive, strengths-based visions of the future in sustainability work 31:03Expanding play-based facilitation across sectors—business, academia, coaching, and more 35:09Playfulness as a mindset: responding to uncertainty and experimenting beyond the status quo 38:21 Standout Quotes"What if sustainability wasn’t so miserable?" — Lucy Hawthorne 13:56"The LEGO is the method, but the mindset is about being willing to experiment and see opportunities." — Lucy Hawthorne 38:21 Connect with Lucy HawthorneWebsite: climateplay.org If you enjoyed this episode, help spread the word by sharing, rating, and subscribing! Book a Power Hour with Emma https://calendly.com/emma-lighthouse/power-hour Connect with Emma Website Email Emma Burlow | LinkedIn

    43 min

  3. May 31

    Why You Must See the People's Emergency Briefing!

    In this episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, Emma discusses the emotional and practical impacts of climate change amidst record-breaking heat in the UK. She dives into the ways misinformation and social media can fuel anxiety and helplessness, and highlights how the People's Emergency Briefing provides both vital information and a sense of community. Emma reflects on her own skepticism about community events, the key lessons from the briefing—including the economics, health, and security implications of climate change—and actionable steps listeners can take to get involved and inspire real change. Key TopicsClimate anxiety, doomscrolling, and the emotional toll of environmental crisesMisinformation on social media and the importance of communityThe People's Emergency Briefing: format, impact, and key speakers (celebrities, scientists, military strategist, NHS doctor, energy economists, and more)The economics of the UK energy transition: why renewables make senseHealth impacts of climate change, with input from NHS professionalsSecurity and global threats posed by the climate crisisThe importance of shifting from just facts to community-led actionPractical ways to get involved: attending and hosting screenings, workplace discussions, and community-building Resources & LinksPeople’s Emergency Briefing: nebriefing.orgMap of screenings (mainly UK, with some international)Information on how to host your own screeningWorkplace version coming soon (about 30 minutes)Write to your MP: Follow the call to action to urge Parliament to debate a National Emergency Briefing, modeled on COVID updatesLighthouse Sustainability: lighthouse-sustainability.co.ukConnect with Emma on LinkedIn Emma Burlow | LinkedIn Actions You Can TakeAttend a Screening: Find a local showing of the People’s Emergency Briefing or watch online.Host Your Own Event: Bring the film to your school, workplace, church, or community group.Spread the Word: Share the film and the podcast with friends, colleagues, and on social media.Engage in Positive Community Building: Use social media as a tool for connection rather than division.Invite Global Perspectives: If you're outside the UK, reach out to Emma to share how climate change is affecting your region. Connect & ShareSend your ideas for future episodes to EmmaShare the episode with anyone who’d benefit from itSubscribe, rate, and review the podcast on your preferred platform Let's keep learning and taking action together! Book a Power Hour with Emma https://calendly.com/emma-lighthouse/power-hour Connect with Emma Website Email Emma Burlow | LinkedIn

    22 min
  4. Why Sustainability isn’t the Sustainability Director’s Problem with Joss Tantram, Terrafiniti

    May 24

    Why Sustainability isn’t the Sustainability Director’s Problem with Joss Tantram, Terrafiniti

    In this episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, Emma welcomes longtime friend and experienced sustainability strategist Joss Tantram, Partner at Terrafiniti. Together, they dive into the evolution of corporate sustainability, the practical realities facing professionals in the field, and the challenges of driving real change within organizations. Joss Tantram, Partner, Terrafiniti Joss is a lifelong environmentalist and sustainability practitioner and is founding partner of Terrafiniti, a pioneering sustainability consultancy. Joss has held senior roles in both WWF-UK and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and worked to develop the theory and practice of corporate sustainability in organisations across the world. At WWF-UK in 2001, he was one of the first to propose the idea of sustainability as a strategic value creation concept and conceived and authored publications considered as source books on the business case for sustainability and sustainability and corporate strategy. From 2019 to 2022, Joss was a Director in WBCSD’s Redefining Value team, where he was lead author of WBCSD's "Future Proof Business" guide, co-author of WBCSD's "An architecture for sustainable value transition within social and planetary boundaries" and since leaving WBCSD Joss lead and co-wrote their 2025 publication “Managing uncertainty in sustainability disclosure”. He is passionate about sustainable change and retains hope in the capacity of humanity to become true stewards of this precious planet. Joss is the author of the Towards 9 Billion book series – presenting big, playful, hopeful ideas for a sustainable, equitable future. Joss consistently aspires to be a failed musician, and to that end has been writing and recording songs which very few people hear. When not trying to foment global change he enjoys family life, walking, cycling and has an eternal fascination with springtime in bluebell woods. Key Discussion PointsCareer Journey & Early Sustainability WorkEmma and Joss Tantram reminisce about their long history together, starting in the late 90s in sustainability roles (01:03).Joss Tantram shares insights from his time at WWF UK, building the Business Education Unit and pioneering work on the business case for sustainability (02:43).The seminal work "To Whose Profit? Building a Business Case for Sustainability" and its follow-up are highlighted (06:46). The Business Case & Organizational ChallengesDiscussion around how sustainability is often counter to traditional business narratives (07:40).Reflection on why embedding sustainability in strategy is still a challenge, despite years of effort (08:19).Joss Tantram talks about the tension between operational and strategic approaches in companies, and the persistence of sustainability as a "lone ranger" role (15:11). Current Trends in SustainabilityJoss Tantram explains Terrafiniti's current work: strategy, double materiality, skills development, and advising on avoiding greenwashing (10:24, 12:18).Growing customer and regulatory pressures are driving more companies to act and request sustainability information (12:34).A focus on building a “coherent narrative” to unite scattered or siloed sustainability initiatives (14:02). ESG Headwinds & MaturityThe cyclical nature of ESG focus; things go in waves, but progress is evident over the decades (21:03).Lip service to sustainability is declining—more companies appreciate the strategic importance of the function (24:42).The critical listening skills needed for sustainability professionals, and the importance of adapting to the organization's stage of maturity (26:36). Change Management, Moti vation & PeopleSustainability roles require a complex set of skills: technical knowledge, people skills, and change management (29:56).Facts alone don't drive change—motivation, narrative, and personality types matter (39:01).The significance of recognizing subcultures within organizations, and how to adapt language and approach for different teams (41:01). Practical TakeawaysFind leverage points: Identify nodal points in the organization (e.g., procurement, marketing) that can drive outsized positive impact (37:05).Coherent narrative: Develop an integrated sustainability story to avoid siloed or disjointed efforts (14:02).People & change skills: Cultivate adaptability, understand motivations, and tailor engagement to different audiences (29:56).Testing the path: Roadmaps are valuable, but stay open to opportunities for action as they arise (32:34). Resources Mentioned"To Whose Profit" reports—findable on the Terrafiniti website or by searching "Whose Profit WWF" (07:02).Terrafiniti articles, resources, and the "Towards 9 Billion" book series (43:10).The Sustainability Insights Group networking community (23:06).Learn more about Joss Tantram and Terrafiniti: terrafiniti.com Book a Power Hour with Emma https://calendly.com/emma-lighthouse/power-hour Connect with Emma Website Email Emma Burlow | LinkedIn

    45 min

  5. May 17

    Everything, Everywhere, All at Once

    This podcast tackles the often overwhelming world of sustainable practices with straightforward advice and relatable insight. Key Topics CoveredOverwhelm and where to start with sustainability at work or at homeThe importance of mindset: "putting your green glasses on"Visible actions vs. invisible actions for sustainabilityHow small changes shift social norms and influence othersThe underestimated impact of talking about and sharing your choicesTangible & easy sustainability actions you can take right now Actionable TakeawaysBegin with Visible Changes Use a reusable coffee cup and water bottle.Choose walking, cycling, or public transport over driving.Reduce food waste and try more plant-based meals.Visible changes subtly shift social norms (05:49). Tackle the Invisible (But High Impact) Actions Switch your bank to one with ethical investment policies.Review and update your pension to an ethical or low-carbon fund.Change your energy provider to a green tariff.These background actions move far more carbon and money than daily visible actions (08:03). Share What You’re Doing Talk about your green choices with friends, family, and colleagues.Don’t hide or apologize for sustainable choices; sharing normalizes these behaviors and builds momentum (12:19).Community connections, whether local or at work, create a warm glow and reinforce positive changes. Mindset Shift Don’t see “everything, everywhere, all at once” as pressure—it means there’s endless possibility.You can’t get it wrong if you try, learn, and keep going (18:45).Change happens through people, not just policies (19:49). Show Links £50 credit for Octopus Energy Bank Green Tool 52 Simple Sustainability Hacks E-Book Book a Power Hour with Emma https://calendly.com/emma-lighthouse/power-hour Connect with Emma Website Email Emma Burlow | LinkedIn

    21 min
  6. Shifting Mindsets with Charly Cox

    May 10

    Shifting Mindsets with Charly Cox

    In this episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, Emma welcomes Charly Cox, Executive Director of Climate Change Coaches and a pioneer in the field of climate coaching. Together, they explore the psychological aspects of driving sustainable change in organizations, the unique challenges faced by sustainability professionals, and practical strategies for overcoming barriers to effective climate action. Charlie Cox's journey from coaching in West Africa to leading a team of climate coaches 01:01The psychological barriers to action in climate and sustainability work 02:00Why being a good leader is often more important than having large budgets in sustainability projects 03:21The "stuck" feeling experienced by many sustainability professionals, and the overwhelming scope of their roles 06:37The technical vs. people/communications skills required for effectiveness in sustainability roles 07:04The organizational challenges: lack of executive sponsorship and belief leadership 07:54The importance of coaching skills for sustainability professionals—especially introverts 10:12How climate change coaching differs from general business coaching 11:25Dealing with existential dread, burnout, and organizational contempt 12:27The power of using strengths-based and asset-based coaching approaches 17:31Shifting the identity from “knowledge holder” to “thought partner” 19:48Why self-regulation and deep listening are key for influencing others 18:06Strategies for maintaining belief and hope in the face of setbacks 14:20Insights into the Green Transition Coach course and its modules (building ecosystems, challenging mindsets, working with barriers, emotional regulation, and building ownership) 25:00The risks of becoming subservient or stuck in "servant mode" 27:43Mindset shifts, overcoming imposter syndrome, and changing organizational perspectives 31:05Practical communication tactics for influencing stakeholders and navigating difficult conversations 32:24Tips for making change appealing: make it familiar, reversible, and easy 47:41 Key TakeawaysSustainability is a people-centered job: Technical skills are important, but communication, influence, and psychological insight are critical for success.Belief leadership matters: Executive sponsorship must translate to active participation, not merely delegating responsibility to underpowered teams.Coaching skills enable action: Learning to ask powerful questions and adopting a strengths-based approach helps "stuck" professionals and organizations move forward.You don't need to be the font of all knowledge: Focusing on being a “thought partner” and building organizational belief in change is more effective than relying solely on technical expertise.Make change accessible: Breaking actions into small, reversible, and familiar steps can help overcome overwhelm—both for sustainability professionals and organizational decision makers. Find out more about Charlie and Climate Change CoachesLighthouse Sustainability and the Beacon newsletter If you enjoyed this episode, please share it, rate, and review to help others find the podcast. For more straight-talking sustainability advice, subscribe to the show and join us next week! Book a Power Hour with Emma https://calendly.com/emma-lighthouse/power-hour Connect with Emma Website Email Emma Burlow | LinkedIn

    50 min

  7. May 3

    How to scale sustainability and the Prisoner’s Dilemma

    In this episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, Emma explores the limitations of competitive mindsets in tackling systemic challenges like climate change. Drawing on the concept of the Prisoner’s Dilemma, Emma illustrates how organizations acting in self-interest by hoarding knowledge or refusing to collaborate actually end up moving slower and increasing costs for themselves and the sector as a whole. She emphasizes that issues such as secrecy and siloed efforts lead to fragmented results, ultimately weakening both individual organizations and collective impact. Instead, Emma challenges listeners to reconsider the dominant business paradigms rooted in scarcity and competition, arguing that these are outdated and fragile when it comes to solving urgent, complex problems. Key TopicsLeadership and the Race Against Climate ChangeEmma discusses the urgency around climate action but questions whether the competitive, race-like mentality is actually hindering meaningful progress 00:30.Prisoner’s Dilemma in SustainabilityThe classic dilemma is used as a metaphor for what happens when organizations protect their own interests at the expense of collective progress 02:40.Downsides of CompetitionEmma illustrates how competing in silos leads to duplication of effort, wasted resources, and slower progress—commercially and environmentally 03:31.Real-World Collaboration ExampleEmma shares a partnership story with Vicki Mistry, showing the benefits and challenges of genuine cooperation instead of competition 06:09.Scarcity vs. Abundance MindsetThe problems of business models based on scarcity of knowledge are unpacked, with a strong call to switch towards sharing, open training, and empowerment 08:47.The Train the Trainer ModelEmma introduces a pyramid, scale-through-empowerment approach: embedding expertise in client organizations, rather than trying to own all the knowledge 12:45.Getting Beyond EgoFocusing on the mission—climate impact—over egotistical or short-term wins; sharing knowledge leads to more robust businesses and greater long-term success 09:00. If this episode challenged your thinking, please share it with a colleague or partner. Subscribe, rate, and review to help more people discover Straight Talking Sustainability. Next week: Another guest and more hard-hitting insights into sustainable business. Until then: keep challenging and stay curious! prisoners-dilemma Book a Power Hour with Emma https://calendly.com/emma-lighthouse/power-hour Connect with Emma Website Email Emma Burlow | LinkedIn

    21 min
  8. Speak Up Woman! Uncomfortable conversations with Annie Beavis

    Apr 26

    Speak Up Woman! Uncomfortable conversations with Annie Beavis

    In this episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma welcomes Annie Beavis to discuss navigating difficult conversations in sustainability, building resilience during economic turbulence, and supporting each other within the industry. The episode highlights the work of Not Sustainable, a collective focused on impact, and dives into the realities of driving change, especially in medium-sized enterprises. Key TopicsThe origins and mission of Not Sustainable (01:39)Economic pressures and resilience in sustainability roles (03:25)Changing industry attitudes—showcasing sustainability less and its consequences (04:26)Marketing, messaging, and sales as fundamental skills for sustainability professionals (07:53)Strategies for having difficult conversations and pushing back constructively (07:25)The value of leveraging previous experience (finance, procurement, social housing) in sustainability roles (16:00)Importance of trust-building and self-awareness for gaining traction (34:09)Insights on imperfection, authenticity, and working with boards (25:50)Advice for new entrants in sustainability: take your time, build trust, and don’t carry all the weight yourself (40:09) Quotes"It’s not about perfection, but about building trust and staying resilient—business is always hard, sustainability shouldn’t be treated as an optional extra." — Emma (18:36)"Ground yourself in business reality first, because if you carry an expectation of perfection, leaders are less likely to be honest." — Annie Beavis (27:46)TakeawaysBuild trust before pushing difficult conversationsResilience and adaptability are crucial as the sustainability agenda fluctuatesUse your background and diverse skills to open doors in sustainability rolesDon’t strive for perfection—progress is about small, authentic stepsSupport networks like Not Sustainable can help practitioners maintain perspective and avoid burnout Next StepsIf you enjoyed the insights from Emma and Annie Beavis, please: Subscribe and leave a reviewShare this episode with colleagues or friends working in sustainabilityJoin the conversation on LinkedIn and check out the Beacon newsletter for more straight talking sustainability content Resources & LinksConnect with Annie Beavis on LinkedInVisit Not Sustainable: Learn more about the collective, their projects and join the communityLighthouse Sustainability: Subscribe to the Beacon newsletter Book a Power Hour with Emma https://calendly.com/emma-lighthouse/power-hour Connect with Emma Website Email Emma Burlow | LinkedIn

    42 min
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Welcome to Straight Talking Sustainability! I'm your host, Emma Burlow. If you're feeling lost in all the sustainability talk or struggling to see real results in your business, this podcast is for you. We’ll clear up the confusion and focus on practical, straightforward actions that actually work. Join me as I talk with experts, share real-world stories, and tackle the common roadblocks that stop businesses from making progress. This is all about making sustainability easier and sharing what truly makes a difference. Let’s keep it simple, effective, and make sustainability stick!

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