Tag: sustainability

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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.

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Sustainability

Sustainability: The Business Opportunity of the 21st Century – Achieving Net Zero Emissions: Approaches and Opportunities

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.

In this episode, they delve into three methods, including sustainability as a source of innovation to drive circular growth and influencing customer behavior, which is essential to achieve net 0 emissions. They also talk about the role of banks and asset managers in transition towards a net zero outcome and the importance of embedding sustainability in everyone’s performance measurement. Learn about the importance of frontline employees in improving sustainability practices and the shift towards safety culture in the energy industry. Discover how even those in an office setting should be mindful of safety hazards and see sustainability as another aspect of this culture. The episode ends with praise for companies that are implementing net zero journey throughout the supply chain, and the hosts express excitement for future episodes. Tune in and be inspired to take actionable steps towards a sustainable future!

 Key Highlights

·      Approaches to Achieving Net Zero Emissions

·      Asset Managers’ Role in a Net-Zero Future

·      Bringing Sustainability Decisions to Frontline Business

·      Changing Safety Culture and Sustainability Practices

·      Net Zero Companies and Upcoming Episodes

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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SBR - Authors' Podcast

SBR Author’s Podcast – Jim Massey: Trust in Action

Welcome to the Sunday Book Review, the Authors Podcast! Don’t miss out on this episode of SBR-Author’s Podcast, where Tom Fox sits down with Jim Massey to discuss his new book, Trust in Action. Massey brings a unique perspective as a behavioralist with a professional background in compliance and sustainability. The discussion touches on the societal loss of trust in government and education while the business remains the most trusted entity. Massey believes that companies can prioritize profits and still do the right thing for their employees, supply chain, and customers, making them a force for good.

The conversation discusses how leadership and involvement are essential in addressing society’s challenges and how every individual has the potential to be a leader. Listen in as Massey shares the Can Care to Do trust model for sparking action, focusing on three building blocks of trust: can, care, and do. He also discusses their experience of being perceived as an “ugly American” when working abroad and how they focus on building relationships. This podcast episode will teach you that good leaders are not tied to the past and are open to new ideas and solutions. Take advantage of this insightful conversation highlighting the power of trust, collaboration, and adaptability in leadership, especially in times of crisis.

Key Highlights Include:

  • The Importance of Trust in Business
  • The Role of Business in Systemic Change
  • Importance of Trust for Effective Leadership
  • Overcoming Obesity Bias in Global Health Leadership
  • Learning Agility and Humility in Leadership
  • Navigating societal and business risks
  • The Art of Writing with a Busy Schedule
  • Benefits of Mindfulness

Notable Quotes:

“Trust is the basis of any human interaction.”

“We cause the problem; therefore, I believe we can be the solution.”

“Leaders must be able to assess the situation be about 10000 feet above the details to see the whole picture and what’s going on.”

“The model of trust for me, Tom, sits at the self, team, & assist.”

Resources

Jim Massey on LinkedIn

Trust in Action

Tom Fox

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Sustainability

Sustainability: The Business Opportunity of the 21st Century – Canadian Wildfires and CleanTech

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.

Join Sustainability hosts Tom Fox and Richard Blundell as they dive into the importance of achieving net zero and preventing catastrophic environmental disasters. From discussing the effects of climate change on air quality and ecosystems to exploring innovative business opportunities like a robot that plants seagrass and coral to restore natural barriers along the coastline, this podcast is filled with valuable insights and practical solutions. The speakers also tackle the challenges of funding early-stage pilots and the need for market-based incentives like tax breaks and investment frameworks. Take advantage of this informative and thought-provoking discussion about sustainability. Check out their website now!

Key Highlights:

  • Canadian Wildfires and Texas Hurricanes
  • Global impact of climate change
  • Impacts of Human Activities on Ecosystems & Tipping Points
  • Robotic Seagrass planting for Gulf of Mexico stability
  • Thriving in CleanTech with Reduced Barriers
  • Shifting to Market-Based Outcomes and Electrification of Transport
  • Removing Barriers to Sustainability Action

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

Resources:

Richard Blundell

Tom Fox

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Sustainability

Sustainability: The Business Opportunity of the 21st Century – Purpose Driven Business: A Winning Strategy

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.

Join co-hosts Tom Fox and Richard Blundell as they explore the business opportunity of the 21st century in their podcast, sustainability. In this episode, the hosts dive into net zero emissions and how businesses can utilize nature as a carbon sink to combat global warming. They discuss the importance of regenerating natural ecosystems and the role of Environmental, Social, and Governance frameworks in measuring and improving companies’ environmental footprint.

Tom and Richard also highlight the impressive accomplishments of a company that achieved net zero emissions by mimicking nature, reducing costs, improving competitiveness, and increasing customer goodwill. The episode concludes with a discussion on attracting and retaining the best talent by focusing on delivering improved societal and environmental outcomes alongside economic outcomes. Tune in for more intriguing insights on how sustainability can drive business success!

Key Highlights:

  • Net 0 and removing carbon dioxide
  • Sustainability practices for business efficiency and benefits
  • Creating a Net Zero Company
  • Importance of Sustainability in Talent Acquisition
  • The Importance of Purpose for Business Success

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

Resources

Richard Blundell

Tom Fox

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Sustainability

Sustainability: The Business Opportunity of the 21st Century – Episode 1, Introduction

We are at a defining moment in human history, a moment for change, in which climate 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 inaugural episode of the Sustainability podcast, Tom Fox and Richard Blundell, a Sustainability guru and maven, discuss how his unwavering passion for sustainability led him to see it as a business opportunity. Richard shares his journey from being counseled against pursuing geology to starting a business with little industry knowledge. His company morphed into an environmental services provider and expanded into cleaning sewers and recycling oil.

Richard’s passion for sustainability is evident, as he sees it not only as an environmental issue but also as a financial opportunity. His vision is for businesses to shift towards sustainable practices to reduce costs while contributing to environmental preservation. “I think the big opportunity we’ve got here is by working sustainably, and we can create a better world than we have today. But we can do that in a way where the business case makes sense,” says Richard.

For businesses looking to implement sustainability practices, here are three tips from the podcast episode:

1. Identify areas where sustainability can reduce costs and enhance efficiency

2. Approach sustainability as a long-term investment instead of a short-term expense

3. Collaborate with stakeholders to create a sustainable ecosystem.

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

Resources

Richard Blundell

Tom Fox

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Daily Compliance News

April 11, 2023 – The 10,000 Companies 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 of Daily Compliance News:

  • EU sustainability rules to hit 10K companies. (WSJ)
  • The Travel Act and state corruption. (Valley Central)
  • What’s next for banks? (NYT)
  • Do you use all of your vacation days? (Bloomberg)
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Compliance Into the Weeds

COSO Framework for Sustainability Controls and Reporting

The award winning, Compliance into the Weeds is the only weekly podcast which takes a deep dive into a compliance related topic, literally going into the weeds to more fully explore a subject. In this episode, join Tom and Matt as they discuss a new sustainability framework that companies can use to improve their sustainability efforts. The document emphasizes the importance of data governance and using a recognized control framework for effective financial reporting, similar to COSO. The hosts explore the challenges of collecting and managing sustainability data, while highlighting the need for organizations to have a Chief Data Governance Officer and an in-house data committee. They discuss the importance of competent leadership, effective communication, and the role of vendors offering sustainability supporting solutions. Tune in to discover how the right oversight mechanisms can save organizations money by streamlining IT vendors and why sustainability data reporting is the new challenge of achieving Sarbanes Oxley compliance in the 2000s.

 Key Highlights

·      COSO Internal Control Framework for Sustainability Disclosures

·      Comparing Sustainability and Ethics/Compliance Frameworks

·      Challenges in Sustainability Data Collection

·      Importance of Data Governance in Large Enterprises

 Notable Quotes

1.     “ESG and sustainable business information, on the other hand, tends to be longer term and more qualitative.”

2.     Revenue numbers are in dollar returns and carbon emissions are not.

3.    Radically different sorts of disclosures and data there, but you have to think through.

4.    You’re going to have to make sure that the data governance mechanisms you have? Do you have a Chief Data Governance Officer? Some organizations do. Do you have an in house data committee to think about are we collecting all of this data?

 Resources

Matt  on LinkedIn

Matt on Radical Compliance

Tom

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