32 episodes

We all want a healthier planet and fairer future to look forward to. Building Better Business explores how business has a huge impact - and how, as informed customers, we can become part of a positive movement for change through our consumer choice.

The podcast features straight talking conversations with global thought leaders and professionals, asking: ‘What are businesses doing to protect our future and what more can be done?’

Hosted by John Steel, CEO of popular British ethical pioneer coffee brand Cafédirect.

Building Better Business Cafédirect

    • Business

We all want a healthier planet and fairer future to look forward to. Building Better Business explores how business has a huge impact - and how, as informed customers, we can become part of a positive movement for change through our consumer choice.

The podcast features straight talking conversations with global thought leaders and professionals, asking: ‘What are businesses doing to protect our future and what more can be done?’

Hosted by John Steel, CEO of popular British ethical pioneer coffee brand Cafédirect.

    The role of government and law for better business

    The role of government and law for better business

    Sahil Kher, Good Law Project; Zack Polanski, Deputy Leader of the Green Party; Becky Annison, Chancery Lane Project; Mhairi Littlewood, Better Business Act

    Our panel of expert guests reveal the how the Government and the law can tackle the climate crisis with business. Sahil gives his insights on why Good Law Project won a landmark victory against the Government’s unlawfully inadequate Net Zero strategy. Becky and Mhairi explain how changes to business law and contracts would provide a level playing field for companies to operate in a greener way. Zack explains the fundamental role Government needs to play in society to facilitate our climate goals.


    For more information head to: www.cafedirect.co.uk/podcast

    • 45 min
    Save our food

    Save our food

    Martin Ndegwa, Mutira Coffee Farmers Association; Emily Pearce, Co-op & Hans Perk, Okiocredit

    “Everyone needs to come onboard, and we fight this giant that is called climate change.”

    We risk losing our food supply if we don't take global collective action together with farmers, says Martin from Fairtrade Kenyan coffee cooperative, Mutira Coffee Farmers Association.

    This Fairtrade Fortnight special podcast features Martin's first-hand experience of climate change, and the Co-op supermarket's initiatives to combat it. We hear from Oikocredit who explain why food can only be secured if farmers receive stable, high prices and agriculture is invested in.


    For more information head to: www.cafedirect.co.uk/podcast

    • 48 min
    Action on plastic

    Action on plastic

    Helen Bird, Business Lead Head, WRAP; Lucy Reynolds, CSR Communications VP, Boots; Lee Man, Head of Community Fairtrade and Regenerative Sourcing, The Body Shop.

    How can we move towards a sustainable use of plastic? Plastic plays a big part in our daily lives, but its detrimental effect on the environment regularly makes the headlines. Our guests share how this is being tackled by business alongside NGOs such as WRAP, and what we can do to help.


    For more information head to: www.cafedirect.co.uk/podcast

    • 33 min
    A driver for change: good business governance

    A driver for change: good business governance

    Alex Maitland, Oxfam International; James Ghaffari, B Lab & Lebi Hudson, General Manager of RSTGA cooperative in Tanzania + Cafédirect Director

    Good business governance means its stakeholders - like staff, the environment and farmers - are considered in company decisions. In this episode we talk about why this leads to real positive change – and how this had led to the criticism of Nespresso becoming a B Corp.


    For more information head to: www.cafedirect.co.uk/podcast

    • 38 min
    Who grows our food?

    Who grows our food?

    Dorothy Shaver, Global Food Sustainability Director Unilever; Nick Hoskyns, Peanut & sesame farmer & ETICO Director; + Beatrix Richards Senior Corporate Engagement Manager, Solidaridad

    Despite small-scale farmers contributing a third of the global food supply, their work is often undervalued and under paid. Our three guests explain the failings of a commodity market which leaves farmers very often living in poverty. They discuss the tactics needed to improve livelihoods on the ground but also the system change required for a fair and equitable trade transformation.


    For more information head to: www.cafedirect.co.uk/podcast

    • 32 min
    Let’s fight for our forests

    Let’s fight for our forests

    Sarah Wakefield, Head of Food Transformation, WWF-UK & Steven Ripley, Group Responsible Sourcing Manager (Forests), Tesco

    Did you know the food we eat is the main driver of deforestation? We hear from WWF and Tesco about why preserving our precious forests is vital to our existence. Find out what’s being done to preserve them, and how we can all help.


    For more information head to: www.cafedirect.co.uk/podcast

    • 40 min

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