The Sustainability & You Podcast

Sustainability & You Episode 9 - Tony Juniper

In this episode for the Sustainability & You podcast we interview Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England. Tony has a rich background as a campaigner, writer, advisor and environmentalist.  He is a recognised authority on parrot conservation.  We discuss the plight of biodiversity and fragility of our natural landscape, and what can be done to accelerate solutions to preserve our critical ecosystems. This includes embedding the concept of net biodiversity gain into decision making, stakeholder engagement, the value of natural capital and the role of finance in attracting capital to the right places.

 

Natural England is the government advisor for the natural environment in England, with a critical role to play in the conservation, enhancement and management of the natural environment.  This includes the monitoring and protection of the country’s most valuable habitats such as sites of special scientific interest and natural nature reserves.  Natural England will advise the government on environmental policy, planning and licensing.

 

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 8 - Jojo Mehta

In today’s podcast I am joined by Jojo Mehta, Co-Founder of Stop Ecocide International, the organisation that has led the charge on the establishment of Ecocide as a crime at the International Criminal Court, designed to prevent the devastation of nature and protect life on Earth. Recently, the definition of “ecocide” was agreed by an international panel of eminent lawyers including within its ambit “unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and widespread or long term damage to the environment being caused by those acts.” We discuss the impact of the potential adoption of the definition by the ICC and member states, the key question of “who” is responsible, and considerations for the finance community and risk management frameworks.

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 7 - Karl Berlin & Carla Hoppe

In this Sustainability & You podcast I am joined by Karl Berlin, Head of Tax at Orsted and Carla Hoppe, founder of ReThink Tax. We explore the role of the tax system in supporting the race to zero. It is viewed through the lens of an active policy instrument to drive behavioural change, penalising polluting activities as well as incentivising the right ones, whether that be through R&D tax credits, or other tax mechanisms that enhance the investment landscape for green investment. Karl shares Orsted’s practical experience in transitioning to the market leading green business it is today and the role of the tax function on that journey. Carla takes a broad view of the role of the tax system more generally in driving through policy aims to fruition. 

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 6 - Sean Kidney

Our guest in this weeks Sustainability & You podcast is Sean Kidney. Sean is the CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative, an international NGO working to mobilise global capital for climate action. Its aim is to reduce friction and improve risk differentiation for green investments. In this episode therefore we look at the rise of the green bond market (and variants), the investment parameters and development of eligibility criteria as well as how to effectively progress usage towards stated aims.  Sean shares his insights, drivers and views on where he sees this market going, bringing his indomitable spirit to the fore in the process.

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 5 - Nigel Topping

In this podcast, we are joined by Nigel Topping, the UK governments high level champion for climate change, COP26.  Nigel takes the time to share with us his views on what it takes to be an effective green leader, the competencies and attributes required in the exercise of that role as well as his views on how we encourage the next generation of leaders. Nigel shares his influences, including those people that helped mould his style of leadership.  We also talk about some of the outstanding examples of leadership that he has witnessed in the run up to taking on his current role, as well as those emerging in 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 4 - James Close

James Close is Head of Climate Change at NatWest Bank.  NatWest is an anchor sponsor for COP26. James talks us through what it means to be a purpose led bank and the various pillars that support the execution of that purpose. He shares his views on the role of banks in the race to net zero - how they lead and influence allocations of capital, and lead on transparency and disclosure.

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 3 - Juliet Davenport

In this episode we talk to the amazing Juliet Davenport, OBE, CEO of Good Energy Group Plc. Juliet talks about her road to CEO and beyond; the experiences, influences and leadership mindset that developed over the course of many years. Juliet shares her views on what we need to do in the race to zero including accelerating solutions, collaboration, and the skills for 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

Sustainability & You Episode 2 - the Rt Hon, the Lord Mayor, City of London, William Russell

Our guest this week is the Rt Hon, the Lord Mayor, City of London, William Russell. William Russell is the 692nd Lord Mayor of the City of London,  acting as a global ambassador for the city leading business delegations overseas to key international markets on behalf of the UK’s financial and professional services industry. He has spearheaded the City of London’s Climate Action Strategy. Covering the period 2020-2027, it sets out some clear, bold and definable actions to move the city to net zero by 2040. In this episode, we look at the broader role of the City in the movement to net zero, the City’s strategy in contributing to that,  and its leadership role in leading the way as a globally recognised ‘City' brand, particularly in green finance.  We also discuss the role of ‘leaders' of today and tomorrow in setting the pathway to 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 1 - Professor Martin Siegert

Our very first podcast guest is Professor Martin Siegert of Imperial College London, and co-chair of the Grantham Institute of Research - Climate Change and environment.  He is a glaciologist having studied geological geophysics at Reading University, and with a PhD in the numerical modelling of large ice sheets from Cambridge University. His current work involves the study of large ice sheets in the past, present and future, using combinations of numerical modelling, satellite observations and glacier geophysical measurements. He is an author, prize winner and artic explorer.

 

We decided to begin our podcast series with an exploration of the science that underpins weather pattern models.  We look at the assumptions that underpin them, how they are constructed, the unknowns, and the interdependencies with other scientific disciplines. We talk about the complexities at arriving at decision useful information, and the risks of too much reliance on such models by the finance community in the light of significant scientific uncertainty. There is a call to action to create greater connectivity between science and the finance community, for further investment in exploration of the artic region and in educating the leaders of tomorrow of the science underpinning leadership decisions. 

 

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