The Sustainability & You Podcast

Sustainability & You Episode 19 - Dr. Francis Wedin

In this episode of the Sustainability & You podcast we speak to Dr. Francis Wedin, Managing Director of Vulcan Energy Resources Limited, an Australian listed entity. Vulcan is a generator electricity from a geothermal source of brine located in the Upper Rhine Valley region of Germany.  The brine is then taken to extract high grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate for the battery EV market. The extraction process for the lithium is in the feasibility stage of development.  This method of lithium extraction will be a first of its kind zero carbon extraction process, providing a critical raw ingredient for the fast growing EV sector.  Francis is a founder and leader of the business having taken it from ideation through to commercialisation of the process and product. He is an example of a much needed dynamic forward thinking leader, who is both passionate about the environment and focused on delivering value to Vulcan’s shareholders. He talks about how he developed the business, what it means to be a zero carbon business, the role of the corporate in delivering net zero, his approach to risk and opportunity development as well as what it means to be an effective green leader of the future. 

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

*Josephine Bush is a non-executive director of Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd

Sustainability & You Episode 18 - Anna-Marie Slot

In this episode of Sustainability & You, we talk with Anna-Marie Slot.  Anna-Marie is a senior partner at the pre-eminent law firm Ashursts. She is head of ESG and sustainability and a partner in their finance practice. She has two decades of experience acting for investment banks and companies in a wide range of corporate finance and securities transactions, including high yield debt offerings, green bonds, liability management and more.  We talk about the rising incidence of climate litigation and how this might inform the role of law, financial and corporate decision making, assessments of risk and the approach to liability and opportunity management around evolving strategies.  These are  especially prevalent thought processes in light of the recent IPCC 6th Assessment report that attributes global warming to anthropogenic causes.  In time, this may mean that large corporates may ultimately be attributed their proportionate share of global warming and responsibility for consequential damages that may follow.The role of legislation and the courts is discussed in tandem with other actors who are expected to generate momentum towards net 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 17 - Professor Robin Attfield

In this episode of Sustainability & You we talk with Professor Robin Attfield, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Cardiff University and also of the Sustainable Places Institute. Robin has taught environmental philosophy for a number of years and written extensively on it. We talk about the foundation stones of philosophical thinking in the field of the environment, including does nature have intrinsic value.  We touch on how this might link to ethical thinking, inform policy decision making and ultimately, drive corporate and financial decision making too.  With the latest IPCC report referencing the “moral” imperative to invest to drive the decarbonisation of our economy, and many politicians including Joe Biden, incorporating that language into his political speech, now seems like a great time to understand what this really means.

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 16 - Professor Martin Siegert

In this episode of the Sustainability & You podcast, we speak again to Professor Martin Siegert. Martin was our very first guest on the podcast, and his interview still proves be popular. All testament to his eloquence in relaying the climate science to us so clearly. A glaciologist and leader of the Grantham Institute - Climate Change and Environment, Martin shares his views on the latest IPCC sixth assessment report, what the science tells and can’t yet predict. We discuss what and how we attribute climate change to mankind. We discuss the need for closer connectivity with the finance community so there can be a more meaningful financial response. Martin invites us to connect as a finance community proactively with the new green finance hub housed by the Grantham Institute and others. He is clear that time is running out but we can, with action, bring about change to a 1.5 degree world.

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 15 - Steve Tidball

In this episode of Sustainability & You we interview Steve Tidball, CEO and co-founder of Vollebak. Vollebak is a sustainable outdoor endurance clothing brand. They breathe new life into what it truly means to be sustainable, incorporating circular economy principles into their product design. And when we say sustainable, they really do mean it with products like the 100 year jacket. Drawing on inspiration from where technology intersects sustainability, Vollebak are designing products for the future, for people who understand and appreciate their design ethos. Steve talks about the routes of the business and his vision for the future, upturning traditional branding concepts, placing sustainability and technology at the heart of everything.

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 14 - Wouter Van Tol

In this episode of Sustainability & You we interview Wouter Van Tol, who is Head of Government, Community Affairs and Sustainability at DS Smith, FTSE 100. Wouter has had various role in sustainability with well known brands including Nestle and Samsung. We talk about DS Smiths approach to the circular economy, of which they are positive and impactful proponents. Additionally, Wouter offers his views on the role of non-state actors in the race to zero, the role of innovation and approaches to, and responsibility for, scope 3 emissions. He expresses his wish for convergence around reporting frameworks and target setting, leading to consistency, better comparability, and more effective, decision useful data. 

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 13 - Alex Milward

In this episode of the Sustainability & You podcast we interview Alex Milward, Director of Carbon Capture Usage and Storage at BEIS. After a very successful career as a senior partner at EY, Alex has taken a leadership role in the development and implementation of the CCUS business model.

Alex talks to us about the fundamental tenets of establishing an economic model that works within a world that is decarbonising at an increasingly accelerated rate, and that consequently, needs to look at a broad spectrum of technologies in the delivery of a lower carbon future. Alex articulately explains the balance of people, planet and profit as we look to fit CCUS into the energy transition landscape.

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 12 - Rhian-Mari Thomas

In this episode of the Sustainability & You podcast we interview Dr. Rhian-Mari Thomas, CEO of the Green Finance Institute. Rhian-Mari spent 20 years in banking and was awarded an OBE for services to green banking. We talk about the role of finance in the race to zero, but specifically more innovative financial models and products. There is a call to think more creatively about how we devise financial solutions that meet the needs nations that require capital inflows to fund green projects. It becomes clear that the catalytic effect of the GFI in creating environments of collaboration and innovation is a much needed resource, with impactful examples shared on where it is making a difference. We also talk about the role of women in this sector, the difference being made and the need to support and elevate women further.

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 11 - Martin Leuw

This episode of Sustainability & You explores the role of entrepreneurship and innovation in the green sector.  Whilst we have much discussion around capital flows into green technologies, the energy transition and mitigation and adaption strategies, there is less focus on the much needed funding for innovation.  The skills required to lead on higher risk/return strategies that also are a “force for good” are also highlighted.  We explore with Martin Leuw his history of investing and leading businesses from small beginnings to impressive exits and returns. Martin leads the Growth4Good investment strategy, which is a business accelerator focused on partnering and investing in high growth social businesses in the digital media and technology sector. Martin has an invaluable combination of skills that enables him to offer focused insight to the marrying of ESG initiatives with return.

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 10 - Adam Matthews

In this episode of the Sustainability & You podcast we are joined by the eminent Adam Matthews, Chief Responsible Investment Officer for the Church of England Pensions Board. We discuss what it means to be a “responsible” investment officer, what drives decision making, active shareholder responsibilities and engagement, and Adam’s recent work with the Transition Pathway Initiative. 
Adam has a very distinguished career and is currently Chair of the Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI), an Asset Owner led initiative supported by funds with over USD $23 trillion in assets under management. The TPI is a partnership between the London School of Economics Grantham Research Institute, FTSE Russell and the Principles of Responsible Investment. It assesses companies on i) management quality and ii) projected carbon performance against 2 degrees. Amongst other roles, Adam also co-lead negotiations for CA100+ with Royal Dutch Shell and is co-Chair of the Investor Mining & Tailings Safety Initiative with the Council of Ethics for the Swedish Public Pension Funds.

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