The Sustainability & You Podcast

Sustainability & You Episode 29 - Mindy Hernandez

In this episode of the Sustainability & You podcast, we interview Mindy Hernandez, discussing the intersection of behavioural science and sustainability. Mindy leads the World Resources Institutes’s Living Lab for Equitable Climate Action (https://www.wri.org/initiatives/living-lab-equitable-climate-action). She is an applied behavioural researcher focusing on pro-social behaviours like energy conservation, voting, and medication adherence. Previously, Mindy advised governments, companies, donors, and NGO’s around the world on applying behavioural science to measurably improve programs and policies, including working as a liaison to the White House’s Social and Behavioural Science Team for the U.S. Agency for International Development.  We talk about the role of behavioural science in the formulation of environmental policy, influencing behavioural change in particular as it relates to demand side responses, the moral aspects of consciously influencing behaviours and the further potential of behavioural science as an instrument to move us towards net zero goals. 

You will be interested to note that The Living Lab and WRI's Sustainability team is working on a very practical “Playbook for Sustainable Businesses”. The aim of this is to provide an actionable toolkit for business leaders on what actions to prioritize within their institutions. This includes help on tracking/quantifying progress, tools and templates on everything from how to devise impactful business travel and catering policies to how to build a green supply chain and procurement systems. If you or your business might be interested in supporting the Playbook or being a Beta tester for this Playbook, please get in touch with Mindy.hernandez@wri.org.

In this episode, we also welcome Katie Davies as a new young ambassador to the S&Y platform. Katie recently joined political communications agency Seahorse Environmental, where she works as a consultant specialising in energy/sustainable finance. Before this, Katie was a journalist at IJGlobal reporting on mergers & acquisitions in the renewable energy sector across Europe. Her work included writing exclusives on large-scale renewables deals, alongside in-depth case studies on a variety of sectors. Katie graduated from the University of Manchester in 2020 with a first-class BA in History, before obtaining a Master's degree from UCL – also in History.

 

Sustainability & You is a not for profit platform designed to bring together experts, influencers and decision makers in the field of sustainability and climate change. Our mission is to bring together leading voices to explore solutions and accelerate change. We bring together both senior and younger voices so that all those impacted by climate change are heard.

Josephine can be contacted at jrbush@sustineristrategy.com

 

Sustainability & You Episode 28 - Morton Rongaard

In this episode of the Sustainability & You podcast we interview Morton Rongaard, CEO and co-founder of Reality +. He is recognised as a pioneer in the fields of Blockchain, Crypto Currencies and Augmented Reality. Morten is a regular speaker around the world on those topics and board member of the Nordic Blockchain Association and holds several advisor positions. We explore the world of blockchain as it relates to sustainability.  The convergence of these two worlds creates many challenges and opportunities, but in realising its potential, we look at how blockchain may be leveraged to advance sustainable objectives, through traceability, disclosures, provenance of carbon credits and other applications.  We also look at the sustainable footprint of blockchain itself, and its own challenges in moving to net zero.

 

We welcome on board as well a new young ambassador, Emily Baigent. Emily is reading for an MSC in Carbon Management at the University of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute, having achieved BSc (Tons) in Building Surveying (First class). She is currently a sustainability consultant with TFT. She was identified as one of EY’s 94 Network for future female C-Suite leaders.

 

Sustainability & You is a not for profit platform designed to bring together experts, influencers and decision makers in the field of sustainability and climate change. Our mission is to bring together leading voices to explore solutions and accelerate change. We bring together both senior and younger voices so that all those impacted by climate change are heard.

Josephine can be contacted at jrbush@sustineristrategy.com

Sustainability & You Episode 27 - Faith Ward

In this episode of Sustainability & You we interview Faith Ward, Chief Responsible Investment Officer at Brunel Pension Partnership Limited, who have £35bn of capital under management. Faith has had a rich and influential career in the world of sustainability and ESG. She is dedicated to integrating and reporting on ESG risks in finance and investment. In her various high profile roles including co-chair of the Transition Pathway Initiative, and Chair of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change amongst others.  We talk about what it means to be a responsible investment officer, creating the right balance between return and impact, the role of alliances and their success to date, and what good stewardship looks like.

Sustainability & You is a not for profit platform designed to bring together experts, influencers and decision makers in the field of sustainability and climate change. Our mission is to bring together leading voices to explore solutions and accelerate change. We bring together both senior and younger voices so that all those impacted by climate change are heard.

Josephine can be contacted at jrbush@sustineristrategy.com

Sustainability & You Episode 26 - Marija Rompani

In this episode of the Sustainability & You podcast we interview Marija Rompani, Director of Sustainability & Ethics at John Lewis Partnership. Marija is passionate about the role of business in creating a sustainable future and help achieve the UN SDGs. Marija has extensive experience in the sustainable agenda across finance, FMCG and retail businesses with a successful track record of gaining C-Suite buy in, and developing and executing initiatives to drive positive change while growing strategic internal and external partnerships. We talk about the John Lewis approach to sustainability and the fundamental tenets of their strategy. We talk about the attributes to lead in this space and to influence those with whom strategic decision making sits. Marija talks about the role of the customer in influencing the shape and direction of the business, particularly as it pertains to sustainable products and services. In addition to sharing her personal journey, Marija shares how the next generation too can migrate into these leadership roles.

Sustainability & You is a not for profit platform designed to bring together experts, influencers and decision makers in the field of sustainability and climate change. Our mission is to bring together leading voices to explore solutions and accelerate change. We bring together both senior and younger voices so that all those impacted by climate change are heard.

Josephine can be contacted at jrbush@sustineristrategy.com

Sustainability & You Episode 25 - Chris Jackson

In this episode of the Sustainability & You podcast, Stephanie Glover and I speak with Christopher Jackson, CEO of Protium Green Solutions Ltd, a UK green hydrogen energy services company. Chris originally began working on hydrogen through the World Bank, where his research helped secure the Bank’s first internal funding for Hydrogen & Fuel research in over a decade. Subsequently Chris became an advisor to colleagues within the World Bank and IFC on hydrogen and fuel cell projects. Chris founded Protium in 2019. They build, own, operate and finance green hydrogen and renewable energy infrastructure assets, and from those provide hydrogen as an energy service (HESCO) to customers. The company’s mission is to power businesses with sun, wind and water. We talk about the role of hydrogen in the race to net zero, its use cases, the economic model for rolling it out more widely and the need to educate on its potential.  Chris explains to us grass roots up how hydrogen has a critical role to play in the energy mix, and articulates some of the challenges in accelerating its progress, requiring convergence of policy, capital, and private enterprise.

 

Sustainability & You is a not for profit platform designed to bring together experts, influencers and decision makers in the field of sustainability and climate change. Our mission is to bring together leading voices to explore solutions and accelerate change. We bring together both senior and younger voices so that all those impacted by climate change are heard.

Josephine can be contacted at jrbush@sustineristrategy.com

Sustainability & You Episode 24 - Ben Goldsmith

In this episode of the Sustainability & You podcast we interview Ben Goldsmith.  Ben is CEO of Menhaden Capital Management LLP which manages London listed investment trust Menhaden Capital plc, which invests in business opportunities arising from the efficient use of energy and resources. Ben has a variety of other roles both as a trustee and non executive director. We focus on Ben’s passion for and commitment to the environment, defining his ‘purpose’ as creating impactful change.  We discuss the state of play in the UK on biodiversity and the multitude of opportunity there are to regenerate the land, rewild, and reforest. Establishing viable business models is critical to the success of this, so Ben shares examples of where he sees this coming to life, whether that is local business paying for ecosystem benefits, regulation or government subsidy driving investment opportunity into biodiversity projects. Ben also eloquently makes the case for further education on the critical role of biodiversity in the race to zero, mirroring Dasgupta’s call to action here.  

 

Sustainability & You is a not for profit platform designed to bring together experts, influencers and decision makers in the field of sustainability and climate change. Our mission is to bring together leading voices to explore solutions and accelerate change. We bring together both senior and younger voices so that all those impacted by climate change are heard.

Josephine can be contacted at jrbush@sustineristrategy.com

Sustainability & You Episode 23 - Edward Vaughan Dixon

In this episode of Sustainability & You Phillip Schauer and I speak to Edward Vaughan Dixon, Head of ESG for Aviva Investors £52bn Real Assets platform, encompassing Real Estate, Infrastructure and Private Debt. He works closely with the senior leadership team and global responsible investment team to lead ESG strategy and integration through investment, development, and asset management.

Edward shares his view on what ESG means for Real Assets, the Aviva approach to ESG, strategy development and integration. We talk about the role of asset owners and managers in the race to zero, and navigating the plethora of frameworks to be adopted within portfolio management that make real world differences.

Edward shares his journey to the top and what it means to him to lead a team. Inspiring words from a passionate and committed individual to the race to zero.

 

Sustainability & You is a not for profit platform designed to bring together experts, influencers and decision makers in the field of sustainability and climate change. Our mission is to bring together leading voices to explore solutions and accelerate change. We bring together both senior and younger voices so that all those impacted by climate change are heard.

Josephine can be contacted at jrbush@sustineristrategy.com

Sustainability & You Episode 22 - Georgia Stewart

In this episode of Sustainability & You we have an interview with a difference.  Three of our Young Ambassadors interview a young entrepreneur, Founder and CEO of Tumelo, Georgia Stewart. You will know that we are passionate about giving voice to the next generation of leaders so what better way to do that than hand over the reigns to our Young Ambassadors. The ever impressive Georgia Stewart founded Tumelo in January 2018 to help every investor have positive impact. Tumelo’s solution gives retail investors and pension members visibility over their underlying fund holdings and a shareholder voice on issues they care about at companies they own, such as gender equality or climate change. Their white label software plugs into existing investment platforms and pension portals, driving positive engagement between investment providers and their clients and, ultimately, influencing better stewardship across the asset management industry. Georgia shares her journey and  leadership challenges, engaging with a roundtable discussion with our Young Ambassadors.

 

Sustainability & You is a not for profit platform designed to bring together experts, influencers and decision makers in the field of sustainability and climate change. Our mission is to bring together leading voices to explore solutions and accelerate change. We bring together both senior and younger voices so that all those impacted by climate change are heard.

Josephine can be contacted at jrbush@sustineristrategy.com

Sustainability & You Episode 21 - Emma Howard Boyd CBE

This episode of Sustainability & You was recorded before the  outbreak of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Emma and I were very keen to extend our thoughts to all those suffering as a result of the conflict. The episode was also recorded before Storm Eunice and Franklin.

 

In this episode of the Sustainability & You podcast, we interview Emma Howard Boyd CBE.  Emma has been the Chair of the Environment Agency since 2016. She’s also an Ex officio board member of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and an Advisor to the Board of Trade. Emma, with a background in finance, is a board member or advisor to many organisations which include The Prince’s Accounting for Sustainability Project, the Green Finance Institute, the Coalition for Climate Resilient Investment, the Centre for Greening Finance and Investment, the Council for Sustainable Business, the European Climate Foundation, and Menhaden PLC. Emma was the UK Commissioner to the Global Commission on Adaptation from 2018 until its sunset in January 2021.

 

Emma, Tilly and I talk about the role of adaptation finance and the need for more focus, learning, and allocation of capital to adaption initiatives. Against the backdrop of climate change and real life events that bring to life the realities of the science, we talk about what is actually happening in the world and the real stories that evidence real world impacts. Emma shares the challenges and opportunities that we face as governments, organisations, communities and individuals as we look to adapt to this new reality.  As a passionate advocate of the central place of and for adaption finance, Emma makes the case eloquently for further focus and data that enables effective policy and decisions.  Emma also shares her experience of influential role models and women who have helped to guide and mould her views and behaviours,  acting herself then as the role model for the next generation. 

 

Sustainability & You is a not for profit platform designed to bring together experts, influencers and decision makers in the field of sustainability and climate change. Our mission is to bring together leading voices to explore solutions and accelerate change. We bring together both senior and younger voices so that all those impacted by climate change are heard.

Josephine can be contacted at jrbush@sustineristrategy.com

Sustainability & You Episode 20 - Eric Usher

In this Sustainability & You podcast, Stephanie Glover and I interview Eric Usher, Head of the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative. The UNEP FI is a global partnership bringing together the UN with a global group of banks, insurers and investors working to develop the sustainable finance and responsible investment agendas. Eric oversees governance, strategy and the day to day management of UNEP FI’s work programme and global network development. Eric talks to us about the role of the finance sector in the race to zero, the many alliances the UN has initiated, the challenges and opportunities in deploying capital at pace,  public/private initiatives and the role of regulation.  Eric also shares the background to his career and the role of individuals in bringing about the change we want to see.  

Sustainability & You is a not for profit platform designed to bring together experts, influencers and decision makers in the field of sustainability and climate change. Our mission is to bring together leading voices to explore solutions and accelerate change. We bring together both senior and younger voices so that all those impacted by climate change are heard.

Josephine can be contacted at jrbush@sustineristrategy.com