Curiosity, applied.

The podcast

Dedicated to exploring the scale, shape and velocity of change in the business world as our economic system adapts to sustainability challenges and climate risk. Our podcast brings together leading change-makers for meaningful, in-depth debate.
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Hosted by David Metcalfe CEO, Verdantix, the series is a must listen for sustainability leaders, investors and members of the C-Suite seeking to safely guide their businesses through a changing global landscape.


Each episode debates an aspect of the great transition to a resilient carbon-neutral economy through the lens of topical issues, major market trends and market dynamics.

Playlist

 Episode fifteen

California Burning: Lessons in Combatting Wildfires

Wildfires are raging across the globe, with devastating consequences. In 2023, nearly 400 million hectares were scorched by wildfires worldwide, with this year’s toll already surpassing 167 million hectares. While advances in technology are aiding in the mitigation and response to wildfires, the threat is also growing as the climate becomes more extreme.

In this episode we delve into the critical lessons learned from California, a state on the front line of the battle against wildfire. Our expert guests share their strategies for risk management and explain how to build resilience. Listen now to discover how advanced technologies, such as AI and machine learning, are transforming wildfire management and response, and building a more resilient future.

Key Learnings from this podcast:

  • Explore the role of climate change in fueling these devastating fires.
  • Uncover innovative strategies for wildfire mitigation and prevention.
  • Discover how advanced technologies are being leveraged to enhance risk assessment and response strategies.
  • Learn actionable steps to protect communities and ecosystems from this growing threat.

 Episode fourteen

H2 – Oh No? Navigating Corporate Water Challenges

Water scarcity isn't just an environmental issue, it's a business risk. From droughts in India to delays on the Rhine and disruptions in France's nuclear plants, the requirement for comprehensive water strategies has never been clearer.

In this episode we explore the necessity of aligning sustainability with business continuity planning, the drivers and challenges of water stewardship, and how companies can thrive in a water-stressed world. Our expert guests share their insights on the intricacies of implementing robust corporate water strategies and reveal how these efforts not only bolster economic growth but also enhance social well-being and ecosystem health.

Key Learnings from this podcast:

  • The importance of integrated water risk management and aligning sustainability efforts with business continuity planning.
  • How companies like PepsiCo are working to improve water efficiency, replenish supplies, and increase access for millions.
  • Innovative approaches and future expectations for corporate water stewardship.

 Episode thirteen

Banking on Net Zero: The Finance Sector's Role in Driving Climate Action

The finance sector is at a critical crossroads, facing pressure from regulators and stakeholders to take action on climate change, yet significant challenges hinder its effectiveness. Wielding considerable influence as a catalyst for change, can banks lead the charge on climate action?

In this episode, we delve into the complex world of financed emissions and explore how measuring and managing these emissions is crucial for reaching net-zero goals. Our expert guests shed light on the influence of the financial sector on climate change and reveal the cutting-edge tools and initiatives driving transformative change.

Key Learnings from this podcast:

  • Discover the innovative approaches to measuring financed emissions and the importance of standardized reporting.
  • Explore the challenges faced by smaller clients in sustainability-linked lending and data quality, and how they are being addressed.
  • Learn how banks are leveraging AI, data analytics, and innovative tools to equip clients in their transition to sustainable practices.

 Episode twelve

Transforming Aspirations into Realities: The Evolving Role of the Chief Sustainability Officer

Translating ambitious corporate sustainability goals into tangible results can be a complex challenge that requires transformative leadership.

In this episode we explore the multifaceted and fast-evolving role of Chief Sustainability Officer. Our expert guests share their perspectives on contending with financial pressures, untangling supply chain complexity, forging relationships across organizations and economic eco-systems, and the gargantuan task of aligning corporate ambitions with achievable realities.

Key Learnings from this podcast:

  • Learn how businesses can resiliently adapt to climate change through stress testing and scenario planning.
  • Discover the importance of upskilling your workforce to seamlessly transition towards a carbon-neutral economy.
  • Explore the role of innovation in driving sustainable progress.
  • Get expert views on navigating the regulatory landscape, managing investor expectations, and planning ahead in an era of polarized politics.

 Episode eleven

Sustainability Strategies: Is The Path To Sustainability Circular?

Amidst the challenges posed by climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation, the call for businesses to adopt circular practices resonates louder than ever.

In this episode we navigate the challenges that businesses face in their quest for sustainability and integrating circularity into business operations. Our expert guests discuss how the concept of circularity is increasingly becoming the cornerstone of how products are conceptualized and requires a collaborative journey that demands a holistic approach across business functions and sustainability initiatives.

Key Learnings from this podcast:

  • Understand the integral role circular economy strategies play as a catalyst for industry-wide transformation.
  • Explore how companies are overcoming challenges related to product design and supply chains in the pursuit of circularity.
  • Discover the importance of policy and collaboration in shaping industry-wide adoption of circular practices.

 Episode ten

Unraveling the Complexities of Carbon Pricing

Facing an increasingly complex matrix of fluctuating and escalating carbon prices across global markets, businesses are reassessing their investment strategies and overhauling risk management approaches as they transition towards a more sustainable future.

In this episode, we dive into the intricate world of carbon pricing. We examine the impact of rising carbon prices on businesses, discuss the increasing need for carbon dioxide removal, and explore the future implications of supply and demand dynamics on the carbon credits market. This podcast is a must-listen for organizations that are intensifying their efforts to achieve their climate goals.

Key Learnings from this podcast:

  • Insights into how companies are employing internal carbon pricing as a tool to guide investment decisions and achieve their climate targets.
  • The future growth of the carbon removal market and the pivotal role it plays driving meaningful and sustainable change.
  • The factors influencing carbon prices and their impact on market stability.

Editor's Note: In this episode, Louis Uzor states that SwissRe is implementing an internal carbon price of 200$/t. This is only partially correct, as SwissRe introduced an internal carbon price of 100$/t in 2021 that will gradually increase towards USD200/t by 2030. Find out more here.

 Episode nine

Enhancing Collaboration Between Risk & Sustainability Teams For Climate Resilience

The convergence of risk and sustainability teams is now of boardroom importance as they unite on their common purpose: building climate resilience within their organizations.

In this episode, our expert guests delve into the critical intersection of sustainability and risk management. They reveal their collaborative strategies, offer an understanding of how processes are coordinated and responsibilities assigned, and explain how complementary skill-sets and toolkits can help organizations deal with a challenge that has gone from emerging to immediate in less than five years.

Key Learnings from this podcast:

  • Explore the benefits of merging sustainability risks into the broader enterprise risk management framework.
  • Understand the importance of adaptability in risk assessments, avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.
  • Learn about the necessity of forward-looking strategies that go beyond traditional risk models.

 Episode eight

Unpacking New York Climate Week: Reflections On Progress

This year's New York Climate Week was bigger than ever, highlighting the corporate world's growing commitment to climate action. With the theme "we can, we will" for 2023, the event emphasized immediate action and innovation in the face of climate risks, resource shortages, and the need for advancements.

In this episode, guest hosted by Verdantix senior analyst Joy Trinquet, our expert team review the highs and lows of New York Climate Week 2023, exploring collaboration but also the gap between words and actions. We'll also explore the pressing questions for the next 12 months leading up to New York Climate Week 2024 and how we can turn promises into real actions.

Join us as we reflect on the lessons from New York Climate Week 2023 and chart a course toward addressing the urgent challenges of climate change.

 Episode seven

Decarbonizing The Future: Exploring The Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Market

Innovative solutions are crucial to making a meaningful impact in the ongoing battle against climate change. In this episode our expert guests explain the complexities of the Carbon Dioxide Removal market, including demand drivers, supply-side constraints and the pace and direction of technological change.

Covering the broader context of voluntary emissions, the economics of Direct Air Capture and the challenges facing corporate buyers, this podcast is a comprehensive guide to the latest developments in a fast-changing landscape.

Key learnings from this podcast:

  • Gain insights into the significance of high-quality CDR credits for achieving net-zero goals and sustainability targets.
  • Discover the pivotal role that businesses play in driving impactful change and the limitations of relying solely on voluntary actions.
  • Equip yourself with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions and lead your organization toward more effective climate action.

 Episode six

Feeling The Heat: Implications Of The 1.5°C Temperature Increase

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently announced that there is a 66% chance of average global land surface temperatures exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius for at least one year between 2023 and 2027. This prediction, arriving at the same time as a series of extreme global climate events, is focusing minds on an accelerated trajectory for global warming. In this podcast, we explore the implications of this prediction for climate scenarios, climate risk and policy, and the need for intensified efforts to design solutions for the immediate future. 

 Episode five

Rethinking The “S” In ESG

The prominence of climate change has tended to skew ESG discussions towards Environmental issues. But in some industries and some countries Social issues are more material. This podcast will provide a fresh look at the “S” in ESG to help experts in the field recalibrate.

 Episode four

The Voluntary Carbon Market: Are We At The Inflection Point?

At the UN COP 26 and COP 27 negotiations, an agreement was finally reached on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement which established market rules for international trading of some carbon credits. However, Article 6 is yet to be implemented. With demand low and a still-evolving marketplace, will an imperfect carbon market have a significant impact on reducing global emissions by 2050? 

 Episode three

Reframing The Executive Mindset On Climate Strategy And Time

As global GHG emissions continue to rise it’s clear that the targets set by the Paris Agreement are now unachievable. Our latest episode discusses how corporate leaders are addressing the inevitable increase in short-term climate risk and the challenges posed by the requirement to accelerate the net zero transition.

 Episode two

Navigating The Tech Bear Market: Is There An ESG & Climate Tech Bubble?

Every week brings a new announcement of a climate or ESG tech firm raising more than $100 million from blue-chip investors whilst achieving unicorn status with fewer than 100 employees. Will these valuations continue, or will the sector be a victim of the broader tech bear market?

 Episode one

ESG Pragmatists vs Sustainability Idealists: What’s The Problem?

We’re joined by Evan Greenfield of S&P Global and Orlan Boston of EY, to discuss the relationship between risk-focused ESG metrics and the broader aims of sustainability practitioners. Are these approaches complementary or fundamentally at odds with each other? Will they converge in the period ahead, and if so, what language will they use to describe their aims?

Catch the next episode as soon as we go live!

Each episode debates an aspect of the great transition to a resilient carbon-neutral economy through the lens of topical issues, major market trends and market dynamics.