Tag: sustainability

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The ESG Report

The ESG Report – Shireen Muhiudeen: How Sustainability Impacts Businesses

The ESG Report podcast is hosted by Tom Fox. Looking for innovative solutions to tackle climate change? Look no further than the ESG Report!

In this episode, Tom speaks with Shireen Muhiudeen, a fund manager who believes sustainability is a good business investment.

Shireen Muhiudeen is a well-established fund manager with over 30 years of experience in the equities and private equity domains in Southeast Asia and has been the leader of a firm for two decades.

From her extensive background, Shireen Muhiudeen has formed the perspective that ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors and sustainability are integral considerations for any fund manager. She underscores the significance of companies being both socially responsible and environmentally conscious, advocating for a long-term approach that takes into account the impact on communities and the environment.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, she acknowledges the challenges businesses face when resources are scarce and survival becomes a priority over sustainability. Despite these challenges, she emphasizes the need for awareness, adaptability, and a balanced approach to addressing risk, demonstrating her belief in the importance of sustainable practices for long-term success.

Key Highlights:

  • Cost-Effective ESG Implementation Strategies
  • Fair Treatment of Migrant Labor in Business
  • Future-Focused Investing: ESG Integration and Responsibility
  • Digital Age Stakeholder Engagement Landscape

Resources:

Shireen Muhiudeen on LinkedIn

Corston-Smith Investments

We Are All Stakeholders

 

Tom Fox 

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2 Gurus Talk Compliance

2 Gurus Talk Compliance – Episode 23 — The Sustainability Edition

What happens when two top compliance commentators get together? They talk about compliance, of course. Join Tom Fox and Kristy Grant-Hart in 2 Gurus Talk Compliance as they discuss the latest compliance issues in this week’s episode! In this episode, Tom and Kristy take on a wide variety of compliance related topics.

In the ever-evolving world of regulatory compliance and risk management, challenges are constant, and strategies must be dynamic. Tom highlights the focus on the Tesla Board, celebrates the OECD at 25, bemoans New Zealand’s drop in the TI-CPI, reviews the HP acquisition of Autonomy and looks at the differences in Binance and FTX enforcement.  Kristy highlights the slave labor allegations, EU sustainability law, the ease of whistleblower restrictions, the EU and AI, and checks in on Florida Woman. Join Tom Fox and Kristy Grant-Hart as they delve deeper into these issues in this episode of the 2 Gurus Talk Compliance podcast.

Topics Discussed:

1.     Chinese Slave Labor Allegations Hold Up VW’s Audi, Porsche, and Bentley Vehicles in U.S. Ports (MotorTrend)

2.     EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Law Most Likely Dead, For Now (Forbes)

3.     US Supreme Court’s UBS case makes it easier for whistleblowers to win suits (Reuters)

4.     How EU AI Act May Accelerate Compliance Regime for U.S. Enterprises (WSJ)

5.     The Tesla Board Chair is under scrutiny for oversight of the company.  (NYT)

6.     A tale of 2 corps: Binance and FTX. (Reuters)

7.     OECD at 25.  (The Hill)

8.     No DD, no problem as HP seeks $4bn from Mike Lynch.  (Bloomberg)

9.     New Zealand drops to No. 3 on TI-CPI. (The Conversation)

10.  Woman swipes $1.5 million and splurges on flights, Carnival cruises, Florida cops say (Yahoo)

Resources 

Kristy Grant-Hart on LinkedIn

Spark Consulting

Tom 

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Sustainability

Sustainability: The Business Opportunity of The 21st Century – The Rebuilding of Ukraine

Are you ready to take on the business opportunity of the 21st century? We are at a moment of enormous global change and even greater business opportunity. Climate change is the single biggest commercial opportunity of our time. In this podcast, Tom Fox and sustainability guru Richard Blundell explore the opportunities open to businesses that embrace sustainability from a business perspective. Find out why sustainability is the greatest opportunity of the 21st century and how you can prepare your business to take advantage of this unprecedented global opportunity.

Ukraine’s transition to renewable energy and its focus on cybersecurity is a fascinating topic, as the country is uniquely positioned to rebuild its energy infrastructure in a sustainable way and become a pioneer in green reconstruction. Tom Fox, with his emphasis on the potential of decentralization and distributed energy systems, sees Ukraine’s transition as an opportunity for the country to address its environmental and energy challenges while also positioning itself as a leader in sustainability. Richard Blundell, on the other hand, highlights the importance of learning from past failures and sees Ukraine’s commitment to a 2030 target of 50% renewables and 50% nuclear energy as crucial for national security and climate resilience. Both experts believe that Ukraine’s focus on cybersecurity education can position the country as a leader in providing cyber-related services. Join Tom Fox and Richard Blundell on this episode of Sustainability: The Business Opportunity of the 21st Century as they delve deeper into Ukraine’s transition to renewable energy and its focus on cybersecurity.

Key Highlights:

  • Transitioning to Rooftop Solar Panels for Improved Air Quality
  • Reimagining Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure for Sustainability
  • Building a Green and Prosperous Future
  • Ukraine’s Sustainable Future: Zelensky’s Anti-Corruption Leadership
  • The Evolving Role of Cybersecurity in Future Conflicts

Resources:

Richard Blundell

 

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Sustainability

Sustainability: The Business Opportunity of The 21st Century – Episode 7, COP28

Are you ready to take on the business opportunity of the 21st century? We are at a moment of enormous global change and even greater business opportunity. Climate change is the single, biggest commercial opportunity of our time. In this podcast, Tom Fox and Sustainability guru Richard Blundell explore the opportunities open to businesses that embrace sustainability from the business perspective. Find out why sustainability is the greatest opportunity of the 21st century and you can prepare your business to take advantage of the unprecedented global opportunity.

In this episode, Tom Fox and Richard Blundell discuss the COP28 climate summit and its significance. They explore the goals of COP28, including the targets for reducing carbon emissions and the need for a loss and damage fund. They also discuss the accusations against the conference chair and the energy industry’s role in the transition to a greener future. The conversation highlights the challenges of meeting climate change commitments and the fear of apathy and excuses. Overall, the episode provides insights into the current state of climate action and the potential outcomes of COP28.

Key Highlights

  • COP28 is the 28th conference of parties on the issue of climate change, where countries discuss their performance in meeting emission reduction targets.
  • The loss and damage fund, aimed at supporting the transition to a lower carbon economy and compensating for climate-related damages, is a critical topic of discussion at COP28.
  • The energy industry has the knowledge and resources to play a significant role in the transition to renewable energy, but the leadership’s lack of interest and influence on policy pose challenges.
  • There is a concern that COP28 may result in apathy and excuses rather than meaningful action to address climate change.

Resources:

Richard Blundell

Tom Fox

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Daily Compliance News

Daily Compliance News: November 10, 2023 – The €14BN Question Edition

Welcome to the Daily Compliance News. Each day, Tom Fox, the Voice of Compliance, brings you compliance-related stories to start your day. Sit back, enjoy a cup of morning coffee, and listen to the Daily Compliance News. All from the Compliance Podcast Network. Each day, we consider four stories from the business world: compliance, ethics, risk management, leadership, or general interest for the compliance professional.

Stories we are following in today’s edition:

  • Delta cutting carbon footprint. (WSJ)
  • Will Apple pay $23BN tax in Ireland? (BBC)
  • Altice France is now under investigation. (Bloomberg)
  • Corruption still clouds Ukraine’s rebuild. (WSJ)
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The ESG Report

The ESG Report: Charity Buhrow on Living off the Grid: Revolutionizing Sustainable Living

The ESG Report podcast is hosted by Tom Fox. Looking for innovative solutions to tackle climate change? Look no further than The ESG Report! In this episode, Tom speaks with Charity Buhrow, who, with her husband, constructs tiny homes for sustainable, off-grid living.

The podcast episode “Living Off-Grid: Building Tiny Houses” explores the rising trend of living a more environmentally conscious and simple lifestyle. Charity Buhrow, who builds tiny houses in Wisconsin, shares their goal of promoting self-sufficiency and reducing dependency on the outside world. They have designed systems that allow people to live off-grid and meet their own needs. The conversation emphasizes the impact of the pandemic, which has highlighted the importance of self-sufficiency and creating one’s own life. Twisted Willows Outfitters specializes in constructing environmentally friendly structures, catering to those who want a more traditional or free lifestyle.

Their commitment to sustainable sourcing and construction sets them apart, using materials that have already been knocked down and supporting local suppliers. The conversation also discusses the role of sustainable tiny houses in addressing the affordable housing crisis, highlighting their environmental benefits and cost-saving potential. These houses are built with environmentally friendly practices and can be rented, sold, or offered through land contracts to make them accessible. Independent and energy-efficient homes are also highlighted, offering homeowners the opportunity to save money and feel secure while generating their power. Additionally, the conversation explores the passionate and family-oriented culture of Den Cave and Cabin, a company that prioritizes work-life balance and creating personalized spaces for clients. Overall, the episode showcases the growing movement towards environmentally conscious living and the various ways people are embracing this lifestyle.

Key Highlights:

  • Living Off-Grid: Building Tiny Houses
  • Sustainable Sourcing and Construction
  • Sustainable Tiny Houses for Affordable Housing
  • Benefits of Independent and Energy-Efficient Homes
  • Passionate and Family-Oriented Business Culture

Resources:

Den Cave and Cabin

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Sustainability

Sustainability: The Business Opportunity of the 21st Century: Sustainability as a Constitutional Right – The Held Decision from Montana

Are you ready to take on the business opportunity of the 21st century? We are at a moment of enormous global change and even greater business opportunity. Climate change is the single biggest commercial opportunity of our time. In this podcast, Sustainability guru Richard Blundell and I explore the opportunities open to businesses that embrace sustainability from the business perspective. Find out why sustainability is the greatest opportunity of the 21st century, and you can prepare your business to take advantage of the unprecedented global opportunity.

In this episode of the “Sustainability: The Business Opportunity of the 21st Century” podcast, Richard and I deeply dive into the groundbreaking ruling in the case of Held v. State of Montana. This landmark ruling acknowledges climate change as a result of human activity, particularly CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels, and challenges the constitutionality of fossil fuel provisions that ignore greenhouse gas emissions and climate change in environmental reviews.

My view of this ruling is a significant acknowledgment of climate change and emphasizes the importance of embracing sustainability from a business perspective. Conversely, Richard sees this as a momentous ruling that sets a precedent, affirming the reality of climate change and its connection to human activity. Our extensive experience and knowledge in the field of sustainability shape our perspectives. Join us on this episode of the Sustainability podcast as we delve deeper into this landmark ruling and its implications for the future.

Key Highlights:

  • Climate Change Ruling Sparks Sustainable Business
  • Montana’s Landmark Ruling for Future Environmental Protection
  • Groundbreaking Ruling with Climate Change Roadmap
  • Montana’s Urgent Climate Change Mitigation Efforts
  • The Detrimental Effects of Climate Change on Children

Resources:

Richard Blundell

Held v. Montana

Tom Fox

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The ESG Report

The ESG Report – Yoram Ashery – Unlocking the Power Within: Nostromo’s Clean Energy Storage

The ESG Report podcast is hosted by Tom Fox. Looking for innovative solutions to tackle climate change? Look no further than The ESG Report! In this episode, Tom speaks with Yoram Ashery, CEO at Nostromo Energy and we discuss zero carbon energy storage.
In this episode, we discuss Nostromo Energy’s innovative clean energy storage technology for buildings. By storing cold energy in small cells filled with water, buildings can become giant batteries, reducing dependence on the grid and advancing the energy transition. The use of cloud-based energy storage management allows for remote control and optimization of energy storage systems, creating a virtual power plant that responds to grid demands. This technology offers environmental benefits, and financial advantages, and helps in reducing carbon emissions. The podcast also highlights the challenges and solutions in transitioning to clean energy, emphasizing the need for capital, regulation, consumer participation, and innovative technologies like Nostromo.

Key Highlights

·       Nostromo Energy: Clean Energy Storage

·       Cloud-based energy storage management

·       Clean energy storage and carbon reduction

·       Renewable Energy Revolution

·       Challenges and Solutions in Transitioning to Clean Energy

Resources

Yoram Ashery on LinkedIn

Nostromo Energy

Tom Fox 

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Sustainability

Sustainability: The Business Opportunity of the 21st Century: Sustainability Leadership

Are you ready to take on the business opportunity of the 21st century? We are at a moment of enormous global change and even greater business opportunity. Climate change is the single, biggest commercial opportunity of our time. In this podcast Tom Fox and Sustainability guru Richard Blundell explore the opportunities open to businesses which embrace sustainability from the business perspective. Find out why sustainability is the greatest opportunity of the 21st century and you can prepare your business to take advantage of the unprecedented global opportunity.

This podcast episode dives deep into the concepts of sustainability leadership, transformation, communication, and materiality analysis – all of which are essential to creating a more sustainable future. We explore the importance of viewing sustainability as an opportunity and committing to action to leave the business in better shape than when it arrived. Additionally, we touch on the need for a shift in mindset and the importance of communicating a message about sustainability to an audience. Finally, it delves into materiality analysis, a process that helps companies to prioritize sustainability activities and understand the impact of their decisions. This episode provides valuable insight into the principles of sustainability and how to best approach it in practice.

 Key Highlights

·      Sustainability Leadership

·      Sustainable Transformation

·      Sustainability Communication

·      Materiality Analysis

Listen to the full episode to gain insights and practical tips for incorporating sustainability into business practices. Richard’s enthusiasm and practicality will leave you inspired to explore sustainability as a business opportunity.

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Richard Blundell

Tom Fox

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Blog

Sustainability Leadership

Sustainability leadership is an important concept that has become increasingly relevant in recent years. Companies have realized the importance of sustainability and have embraced it as an opportunity to increase profitability. I recently discussed the success stories of companies like Nike, Interface, and Unilever, who have implemented sustainability leadership strategies and have seen increased profitability as a result, for our podcast series Sustainability: the Business Opportunity of the 21st Century.

Part of successful sustainability leadership is understanding the concept of materiality. Materiality is a measure of the importance of strategic decisions and their impact on the business and its stakeholders. By analyzing materiality, companies can set priorities around sustainability activities. To do this, companies need to get feedback from stakeholders to determine the importance of issues and the impacts on its stakeholders and the communities they serve. This feedback can be collected through reading reports, getting studies, direct interviews, and other methods.

Richard Blundell, in his article for the Rotman School of Management, highlighted the importance of passion, vision, and purpose for successful sustainability leadership. Ray Anderson, the founder of Interface, created a consulting arm called Rays to help other companies transition to a lower carbon world. In a meeting, the executive present was being very disruptive and obstructive. However, he was struck by the passion and message Ray had created and generated for the purpose of their journey, which he called Mount Sustainability. Anderson created an image of a mountain with seven or eight steps to reach the goal. Paul Pullman said that if you work for an organization with a greater purpose, you get more energy out of the organization.

In 2019, the Business Roundtable released the Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation, which stated that corporations should answer to stakeholders, not just shareholders. It is an imperative to move the discussion to the stakeholders identified by the Business Roundtable.

Sustainability is a mindset first and foremost, and great leaders in this space have viewed it as an opportunity. Transitioning to sustainability can lead to increased profitability and outperforming the market. Companies should strive to leave the business in better shape than when they arrived in the morning. Passion, vision, and purpose are essential for successful sustainability leadership. Communication should be simple, clear, and consistent.

Fossil-based energy companies can extend the life of their fuels by diversifying their fuel base. Climate change is a major factor in the need for sustainability, and CO2 is one of the biggest culprits. Dong Ltd. a Danish based company has transitioned from a 90% fossil fuel-based energy generation business to a 90% offshore wind business in a very short period of time. Neste, a Finnish oil company, is now the largest renewable fuels company. Oil and gas companies have the skills to transition to renewable energy sources. The CEO of Dong was proudest of the transition without losing jobs, upskilling the workforce instead.

Incremental change is very predictable and does not deliver competitive advantage over time. Large transitions, large transformations, and bold strategies are necessary for successful change. Leaders must be passionate about their visions, their people, their customers, and their stakeholders. Tone at the top is essential for successful sustainability leadership. Interface is an example of a company that has successfully implemented sustainability leadership.

Sustainability is a journey, not a destination, and companies like Nike, Interface, and Unilever have viewed it that way. Leaders must commit to action in an environment that is constantly changing. Companies should strive to leave the business in better shape than when they arrived in the morning. Passion, vision, and purpose are essential for successful sustainability leadership.

In conclusion, sustainability leadership is an important concept that has become increasingly relevant in recent years. Companies need to go through a process of analyzing materiality to determine how to set priorities around sustainability activities. Passion, vision, and purpose are essential for successful sustainability leadership, as well as the need for bold strategies and communication to ensure success. Companies should strive to leave the business in better shape than when they arrived in the morning. Transitioning to sustainability can lead to increased profitability and outperforming the market. Interface is an example of a company that has successfully implemented sustainability leadership.