Breaking down silos: Seeking innovative financing solutions to big sustainability challenges

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re relaunching our ‘Women in Leadership’ series of the ESG Insider podcast. Over the coming months, we’ll speak with women CEOs and leaders from across industries and around the world.  

In today’s episode, we talk to Helle Bank Jorgensen, CEO and Founder of Competent Boards, an organization that trains board directors and executives around the world in sustainability best practices. 

Helle discusses hurdles that contribute to a lack of gender parity in leadership roles, her personal path to the CEO role, and why boardroom diversity is essential. 

“If you only have people that think like you, you're not going to get that diversity of thought that will bring you ahead of the game,” Helle says. 

Read the latest research on gender diversity in leadership from S&P Global Sustainable1: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/insights/featured/special-editorial/women-in-leadership-what-s-the-holdup   

Listen to our 2023 Women in Leadership podcast series:  https://www.spglobal.com/esg/insights/featured/special-editorial/women-in-leadership  

This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.     

Copyright ©2024 by S&P Global     

DISCLAIMER     

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.

In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast we’re exploring solutions to sustainability challenges in food systems and agriculture. 

Climate change poses risks to global food supply chains and agricultural production. At the same time, the world's growing population means food needs are increasing. 

We discuss sustainable agriculture trends with Michelle French, Director of Global Sustainability Programs at global commodities agriculture company ADM. Speaking on the sidelines of the GreenBiz conference in Phoenix in February, Michelle describes the challenges of tracking emissions associated with farming, the benefits of regenerative agriculture, and how ADM is working with farmers.  

Also in this episode, we hear from Troy Albright, Founder and CEO of a vertical, climate-controlled aeroponic farm in Phoenix that uses a technology that reduces land and water use while also helping address food insecurity.  

And we talk with Stephen Ritz, founder of the nonprofit organization Green Bronx Machine, which teaches students in hundreds of schools around the world how to grow food. Stephen explains how STEM programs can transform youth academically as well as their relationship to food and sustainability. 

Listen to our episode on how climate change is impacting the US economy, human health and agriculture: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-climate-change-is-impacting-us-economy-human-health-and-agriculture  

Read more about supply chains in the S&P Global Supply Chain 2024 Look Forward report: https://www.spglobal.com/en/research-insights/featured/special-editorial/look-forward/look-forward-volume-2-2024 

Learn about TPM, a conference S&P Global organizes for the trans-Pacific and global container shipping and logistics community: https://events.joc.com/tpm/about/index.html 

The GreenBiz conference is hosted by GreenBiz Group and S&P Global Sustainable1 is a sponsor.  

This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.    

Copyright ©2024 by S&P Global    

DISCLAIMER    

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.

In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we explore how companies are moving from setting sustainability-related targets to figuring out how to reach those goals. A common refrain we heard at the annual GreenBiz conference in Phoenix, Arizona last week was: "What will it take?" 

For example, what will it take for companies to achieve net-zero goals and decarbonize supply chains — including those involved in transporting materials and products? 

We explore this topic with guests from several sectors. To understand the decarbonization challenges the freight and maritime shipping industry faces, we sit down with Sarah Mouriño, Senior Director of Sustainability for the Americas at DP World, one of the world's largest port operators. Sarah, who has more than two decades experience in the industry, tells us decarbonization is the "number one thing on every sustainability agenda for every major company” with a freight or maritime operation. 

Other guests in this episode include:  

- Robyn Luhning, Chief Sustainability Officer at big bank Wells Fargo 

-Abby Davidson, Managing Director at consulting company Engie Impact 

- Brenden McEneaney, Senior Vice President at real estate firm JLL 

- Annabelle Stamm, Senior Director of Sustainability Strategy at Edison Energy, which helps its clients navigate energy management 

- Debbie Lizt, Head of Global Sustainability at software company Intuit 

- Kevin Rabinovitch, Global Vice President of Sustainability and Chief Climate Officer at food company Mars  

Listen to our full interview with Intuit’s Debbie Lizt: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/exploring-intuit-s-approach-to-supplier-engagement-ai-and-just-transition  

Listen to our full interview with Mars’ Kevin Rabinovitch: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-one-of-world-s-largest-food-companies-is-rethinking-supply-chains  

Listen to our interview on the sidelines of Davos on the topic of AI: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-ai-became-the-buzzword-at-davos  

The GreenBiz conference is hosted by GreenBiz Group and S&P Global Sustainable1 is a sponsor. 

Read more about supply chains in the S&P Global Supply Chain 2024 Look Forward report: https://www.spglobal.com/en/research-insights/featured/special-editorial/look-forward/look-forward-volume-2-2024 

Learn about TPM, a conference S&P Global organizes for the trans-Pacific and global container shipping and logistics community: https://events.joc.com/tpm/about/index.html 

This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.    

Copyright ©2024 by S&P Global    

DISCLAIMER    

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.

In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we sit down with Debbie Lizt on the sidelines of the GreenBiz conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Debbie is Head of Global Sustainability at Intuit, one of the world’s largest software companies.   

She describes how Intuit is engaging with suppliers on decarbonization, its approach to generative AI, and how the company is working to ensure a just low-carbon transition in communities.  

As part of its net-zero strategy, Intuit is working with suppliers to understand the challenges they face. "While we have these goals, we want our suppliers to join us on this journey," says Debbie. "We want to learn from them what would make it challenging for them so that we can identify opportunities to help remove some of those barriers." 

Listen to our interview at the GreenBiz conference with Mars, one of the largest food and confectionary companies in the world: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-one-of-world-s-largest-food-companies-is-rethinking-supply-chains  

Listen to our interview on the sidelines of Davos with another of the world’s largest software companies, SAP: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-one-of-the-world-s-biggest-software-companies-approaches-collaboration 

GreenBiz is hosted by GreenBiz Group and S&P Global Sustainable1 is a sponsor. 

This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.    

Copyright ©2024 by S&P Global    

DISCLAIMER    

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.

In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we sit down with Mars, one of the largest food and confectionary companies in the world, on the sidelines of the GreenBiz conference in Phoenix.   

Kevin Rabinovitch, Global Vice President of Sustainability & Chief Climate Officer at Mars, explains how the company is rethinking its supply chains as part of its decarbonization strategy and to address climate change and nature-related risks. 

"We have supply chains that weren't designed to ... tackle things like greenhouse gas emissions or, frankly, a lot of other sustainability issues," Kevin says. "At first, we thought of it as getting a better understanding of the supply chains we operate. But over time, what we've increasingly realized is that it's probably going to be as much about designing, redesigning supply chains into ways that are easier to manage and understand."

"If we don't change what we're buying, or where we're buying it, or how we're buying it, or who we're buying it from, we're not going to make a lot of progress on our performance," Kevin adds. 

Listen to our episode about how the Rockefeller Foundation partners with stakeholders around the world to finance solutions to issues like climate change and food systems transformation: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/breaking-down-silos-seeking-innovative-financing-solutions-to-big-sustainability-challenges  

GreenBiz is hosted by GreenBiz Group and S&P Global Sustainable1 is a sponsor. 

This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.    

Copyright ©2024 by S&P Global    

DISCLAIMER    

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.

A key theme emerging from interviews for the ESG Insider podcast is that solutions to big sustainability challenges require collaboration across silos. Today in Part III of our 'Breaking down silos' miniseries, we’re talking to a major global philanthropic foundation about how it partners with stakeholders around the world to finance solutions to issues like climate change and food systems transformation. 

We sit down with Elizabeth Yee, Executive Vice President of Programs at the Rockefeller Foundation.

"Philanthropy can't do it alone,” Elizabeth says. “In order to achieve the changes that we want to see across the programmatic work we do — which is clean energy access and transition; which is understanding, pushing forward the field of climate and health; which is ensuring that food is both good for people and planet; and ensuring that we also build a more equitable and green financial system — the only way to achieve any of those systems transformations is to work in partnership with government, the private sector, philanthropies, other civil society actors to deliver on those outcomes.”

Listen to the first episode in our ‘Breaking down silos’ miniseries, about balancing the role of policy and the private sector in the energy transition: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/breaking-down-silos-balancing-the-role-of-policy-and-private-sector-in-the-energy-transition  

Listen to the second episode in our ‘Breaking down silos’ miniseries, where we hear how one of the world’s biggest software companies approaches collaboration: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-one-of-the-world-s-biggest-software-companies-approaches-collaboration  

Listen to our interview with the Green Climate Fund: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/as-cop28-kicks-off-talking-climate-finance-with-the-green-climate-fund     

This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.  

Copyright ©2024 by S&P Global  

DISCLAIMER  

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. 

At the ESG Insider podcast, we’ve been hearing a key theme on repeat: Solutions to climate change and biodiversity loss require collaboration across silos. In this 'Breaking down silos' miniseries of the podcast, we’re bringing you examples of how collaboration across different groups of stakeholders happens in practice. 

Today in Part II, we hear the perspective of one of the world’s largest software companies in our interview with Stephen Jamieson, Global Head of Circular Economy Solutions at SAP. Stephen says a behavior shift is required to address big sustainability challenges. 

“The solutions to climate change, the solutions to biodiversity … it's in the behavior of how people are working and collaborating with businesses and how they consume products,” Stephen says.   

And policy is “critical to enabling action,” he tells us. “This then stimulates the rest of the activity — stimulates that need for businesses to innovate, to find solutions, to be able to go and drive the reframing of the value proposition, discovering reuse solutions, how to scale infrastructure,” he says.  

Listen to our episode about how AI became the buzzword at Davos: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-ai-became-the-buzzword-at-davos 

Listen to our episode about why nature was front and center on the Davos agenda: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/nature-was-front-and-center-on-the-davos-agenda-here-s-why 

Listen to the first episode in our ‘Breaking down silos’ miniseries, where we talk to Jason Bordoff, Founding Director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, about balancing the role of policy and the private sector in the energy transition: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/breaking-down-silos-balancing-the-role-of-policy/id1475521006?i=1000644772538    

This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global. 

Copyright ©2024 by S&P Global 

DISCLAIMER 

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. 

At the ESG Insider podcast, we’ve been hearing one key theme on repeat: Solutions to big sustainability challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss require collaboration across silos. This idea is coming across loud and clear at the global events we cover, from Climate Week NYC to COP28 in Dubai to the World Economic Forum’s annual gathering in Davos, Switzerland. 

In this 'Breaking down silos' miniseries of the podcast, we’ll bring you examples of how collaboration across different groups of stakeholders happens in practice.   

Today in Part I, we hear the perspective of an academic with a policy background in an interview with Jason Bordoff. Jason is Founding Director of the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs, where he is a Professor of Professional Practice, and also Co-Founding Dean of the Columbia Climate School. 

Jason talks to us about the role of the private sector in the energy transition, which he says “has to be facilitated by policy.” 

"We can't have a clean energy transition if we don't ensure reliability and security and affordability along the way," Jason says.  

Listen to our episode about how AI became the buzzword at Davos: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-ai-became-the-buzzword-at-davos  

Listen to our episode about why nature was front and center on the Davos agenda: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/nature-was-front-and-center-on-the-davos-agenda-here-s-why  

Listen to our episode about 2024 trends that sustainability leaders are watching: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/2024-trends-that-sustainability-leaders-are-watching  

This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.    

Copyright ©2024 by S&P Global    

DISCLAIMER    

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.

Many companies have crafted climate-related strategies and taken steps to measure and manage their climate-related risks. Many companies are only in the early stages of understanding how nature relates to climate, but this topic has been steadily climbing the sustainability agenda. 

In today’s episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we zoom in on how the insurance industry is managing the joint challenge of climate change and biodiversity loss — and what solutions it is bringing to the table.   

We speak to Rebekah Clement, Corporate Affairs Director at Lloyd’s of London, a global specialist insurance and reinsurance marketplace.  

"The two are inextricably linked, and it is so, so important that we're looking at both of them in the round," Rebekah tells us. "I'd say that we are more advanced with respect to how we're looking at climate versus biodiversity. But ultimately, we need to really focus on how we can advance nature within what we do."

We also talk to Regula Hess, Senior Advisor for Sustainable Finance at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in Switzerland and one of the authors of a 2023 report on how insurers can address climate and biodiversity risks.  

And we speak to Marcel Meyer, Partner and Switzerland Sustainability Lead at audit, consulting and advisory firm Deloitte, which co-wrote the report with the WWF. 

Listen to our episode about how nature showed up on the agenda at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/nature-was-front-and-center-on-the-davos-agenda-here-s-why 

Listen to our episode about the role of nature at the UN’s COP28 biodiversity conference in Dubai: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/what-to-expect-from-nature-and-climate-in-2024 

And listen to our coverage of COP15, the UN’s 2022 conference on biodiversity: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/on-the-ground-at-cop15-how-business-is-getting-to-grips-with-biodiversity  

Read research from S&P Global Sustainable1about how the world’s largest companies depend on nature and biodiversity: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/insights/featured/special-editorial/how-the-world-s-largest-companies-depend-on-nature-and-biodiversity  

This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.    

Copyright ©2024 by S&P Global    

DISCLAIMER    

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.