ESG Insider: A podcast from S&P Global

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.

This week the ESG Insider podcast is bringing you on-the-ground coverage from Davos, Switzerland, where the annual World Economic Forum meeting just ended.  

This gathering convenes leaders from business, government and civil society to discuss solutions to some of the biggest challenges facing the world. And there is growing overlap between the Davos agenda and sustainability topics.  

In today's episode, we’re focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), which became the buzzword at Davos this year. With the explosion of interest around AI, there was also a heavy focus on governance of the technology.  

We sit down with Rebeca Minguela, Founder and CEO of sustainability technology company Clarity AI. She talks about the importance of balancing the risks and opportunities AI presents as the technology reaches an inflection point. 

"There are a lot of concerns around the use of AI and more and more calls for regulation and slowing down the development," Rebeca says. "I believe that we can definitely mitigate our risk, and we should move as fast as we can — of course, with the necessary controls." 

We'll be back next week with coverage of more highlights from Davos on key topics like nature and the energy transition. 

Read research from S&P Global about the 2024 sustainability trends to watch: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/insights/featured/special-editorial/key-2024-sustainability-trends-driving-the-year-ahead  

Read more from S&P Global on the topic of AI: https://www.spglobal.com/en/research-insights/featured/artificial-intelligence-insights  

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.

We’re kicking off the New Year at the ESG Insider podcast with a look forward to the big trends driving the sustainability space for 2024. In the episode we speak to two sustainability leaders about the topics they’re watching in the year ahead.  

Marina Severinovsky, Head of Sustainability North America at UK-based asset management firm Schroders, explains how investors are moving from climate transition commitments to solutions and implementation.  

"You've made the commitment, but now the hard work begins, and it's really the people who are responsible for the portfolios that have to think about how you put decarbonization into practice across multiple asset classes ... and do so in a way that doesn't impose on the integrity of the portfolio," Marina says. 

We also speak to Aniket Shah, Managing Director and Global Head of the Sustainability and Transition Strategy Team at financial services company Jefferies Group. Aniket shares his view on how investment approaches to sustainability are evolving.  

“ESG as a standalone part of the financial and business community may go away, and it may go away in the next year or two — and that's going to happen at the very same time as the underlying environmental, social and governance issues have never been as important as they are today for investors and for corporates,” Aniket says. "We see this in the fund flow data — that flows into ESG-labeled funds, especially here in the United States, continue to decrease. And again, at the same time, there has never been more investment in solar, in wind, in electric vehicles, in battery storage, in climate resilience and climate adaptation.” 

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. 

10. Unpacking the EU’s Green Deal Industrial Plan: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/unpacking-the-eu-s-green-deal-industrial-plan  

Happy New Year! 

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

Copyright ©2023 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. 

The topic of nature played a more prominent role at COP28, the UN’s annual climate change conference, as understanding grows about the links between climate change and biodiversity loss.  

In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we dive into the intersection of climate and nature in an interview with Business for Nature CEO Eva Zabey.  

Business for Nature is a global coalition working to drive credible business action and policy ambition to achieve a nature-positive economy for all by 2030. Eva talks to us from the sidelines of COP28 about the steps companies can take to develop strategies for nature; the importance of measuring both impacts and dependencies on nature; and what to expect in the year ahead as the world prepares for COP16, the biodiversity-focused Conference of the Parties scheduled for late 2024. 

“Nature is a must-have in any credible climate action,” Eva says. “Finally, it feels like nature is much more central to the discussions.” 

Read our key takeaways from COP28 here: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/insights/featured/special-editorial/incremental-progress-adaptation-finance-and-nature-what-we-heard-at-cop28  

Listen to our podcast episode recapping key COP28 outcomes here: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/climate-adaptation-finance-data-and-nature-what-we-learned-at-cop28  

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

Copyright ©2023 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 recent episodes of the ESG Insider podcast, we’ve been on the ground in Dubai covering COP28, the UN’s 2023 climate change conference. As the conference wrapped up Dec. 13 with an agreement on the first global stocktake, we’re covering some of the big themes from the gathering — including how the transport sector is approaching decarbonization challenges.  

Passenger vehicles, a key part of the transport sector, contribute a substantial 16% to global greenhouse gas emissions. To learn more about how this sector is approaching sustainability, we sat down on the sidelines of COP28 with Kristen Siemen, the Chief Sustainability Officer of one of the world’s largest automakers, General Motors. 

Kristen talks about the importance of partnerships; the role of innovation in addressing the climate crisis; and the importance of concrete solutions to drive progress.  

“We’re past the point where we’re all making these big bold goals and announcements,” she says. “Now it’s about: what are the building blocks and the steps that we can take toward making progress?”   

Read the research from S&P Global Mobility here: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/insights/featured/special-editorial/how-automaker-decarbonization-efforts-can-reach-paris-agreement-targets  

Listen to our interview with UPS Executive Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer Laura Lane here: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/women-in-leadership-why-ups-head-of-sustainability-says-you-don-t-need-a-title-to-lead  

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

Copyright ©2023 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 on the sidelines of COP28 in Dubai with the Chief Sustainability Officer of the largest bank in the United Arab Emirates — First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).  

The UAE holds the COP28 presidency, and Shargiil Bashir talks to us about his hopes for the UN’s climate change conference, FAB’s sustainability strategy, and the evolving approach to climate change in the Middle East.   

"Nobody will get hurt more than the Middle East if we don't address those challenges because this country is going to get most impacted by climate change," Shargiil says. "There's so much more to do, so many more actions to take — but I definitely recognize the big steps that have been taken already."    

Listen to more episodes covering COP28:

COP28 highlights need for innovative climate finance solutions: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/cop28-highlights-need-for-innovative-climate-finance-solutions  

Optimism, hope for progress palpable at COP28: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/tetris-pioneer-turned-environmentalist-talks-climate-optimism-at-cop28

At COP28, solving for water challenges through public-private collaboration: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/at-cop28-solving-for-water-challenges-through-public-private-collaboration

As COP28 kicks off, talking climate finance with the Green Climate Fund: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/as-cop28-kicks-off-talking-climate-finance-with-the-green-climate-fund

For more information on COP28 developments, see news from S&P Global Commodity Insights here: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/topics/cop28-un-climate-change-conference

Read the COP28 Special Edition of the S&P Global Sustainability Quarterly for research and insights on key themes that in focus in Dubai here: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/insights/featured/sustainability-journal/cop28-sustainability-quarterly-page

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

Copyright ©2023 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 on the ground at the UN’s COP28 climate conference in Dubai covering the role the financial sector plays in addressing climate change.  

Finance is a cross-cutting theme on the COP28 agenda, and the week kicked off with a day dedicated to the topic. In today’s episode, we sit down on the sidelines of the conference with Dame Susan Rice to talk about what needs to happen to close the climate finance gap. 

Dame Susan chairs the Global Steering Group of the Global Ethical Finance Initiative (GEFI), a nonprofit focused on working with the financial sector to deliver finance for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Dame Susan is former Chief Executive and Chair of Lloyds TSB Scotland and former Managing Director of Lloyds Banking Group, as well as a former Non-Executive Director of the Bank of England.  

In the interview, Dame Susan talks about her hopes for COP28 outcomes and what needs to happen to get finance flowing to climate solutions.  

"I hear all the time there’s a lot of money out there, but it can't actually get to the other side," she tells us.  

She says creative, hybrid solutions have a role to play.  

"A lot of this change is at the frontier — it’s companies, organizations, governments doing changes which haven’t been done before," Dame Susan says. "So if you’re an investor, if you're a banker, you don't understand the risk, you can't monetize the risk, and you become cautious and don’t put the money in. So what I would love to see is really creative but sound, prudent finance." 

Listen to more episodes covering COP28: 

Optimism, hope for progress palpable at COP28: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/tetris-pioneer-turned-environmentalist-talks-climate-optimism-at-cop28  

At COP28, solving for water challenges through public-private collaboration: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/at-cop28-solving-for-water-challenges-through-public-private-collaboration 

As COP28 kicks off, talking climate finance with the Green Climate Fund: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/as-cop28-kicks-off-talking-climate-finance-with-the-green-climate-fund   

For more information on COP28 developments, see news from S&P Global Commodity Insights here: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/topics/cop28-un-climate-change-conference 

Read the COP28 Special Edition of the S&P Global Sustainability Quarterly for research and insights on key themes that in focus in Dubai here: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/insights/featured/sustainability-journal/cop28-sustainability-quarterly-page 

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

Copyright ©2023 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. 

This week we’re bringing you a special series of episodes from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where the ESG Insider podcast is on the ground covering the UN climate change conference known as COP28.  

The first few days of this global gathering brought a flurry of announcements, such as hundreds of millions of dollars for a new “loss and damage” fund to assist countries particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, and many people are heralding this as an early success for COP28 negotiations. We’ve also heard skepticism from some attendees, who demand meaningful action to back up lofty climate pledges.  

In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we sit down on the sidelines of COP28 with a guest with an optimistic outlook on the world’s ability to combat climate change — Henk Rogers.  

Henk is the founder of the nonprofit Blue Planet Alliance. (You may also know him as the man who helped make the 1980s puzzle video game Tetris into a household name.)  

Blue Planet Alliance has a goal of getting islands and countries around the world to legislatively mandate a commitment to 100% renewable energy by 2045. In the interview, Henk talks about how the organization is working to meet that goal at COP28; the importance of changing public mindsets to change energy strategies; and the role that younger generations will play in that process.   

“It’s not like we don’t have the technology — we do. It’s not like we don’t have the money — we do. All we’re missing is the willpower,” Henk says. “We have to switch from hoping that it’s going to happen to determination.” 

For more information on COP28 developments, see news from S&P Global Commodity Insights here: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/topics/cop28-un-climate-change-conference  

Read the COP28 Special Edition of the S&P Global Sustainability Quarterly for research and insights on key themes that in focus in Dubai here: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/insights/featured/sustainability-journal/cop28-sustainability-quarterly-page     

 *The title of this episode was updated on Dec. 5, 2023.

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

Copyright ©2023 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.