Tag: sustainability

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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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Daily Compliance News

March 23, 2023 – The No Chickens 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:

  • Don’t want no chickens. (Reuters)
  • End of Swiss exceptionalism. (Bloomberg)
  • Banks botching risk management. (WSJ)
  • Companies are looking at another year of shareholder sustainability proposals. (WSJ)
Categories
The ESG Report

Why Sustainability is the Business Opportunity with Richard Blundell

*This episode first aired as episode 182 of the ESG Report.*

 

Tom’s guest on this week’s episode of the ESG Report, Richard Blundell, discusses the risks and opportunities associated with growth in the insurance industry. They talk about how to finance a company’s growth by understanding their risks. Business financing is trending towards sustainability, and Tom and Richard explore how companies can access capital by implementing sustainable practices and strategies.

A global environmental services and technology consultant with over 35 years’ experience, Richard Blundell has extensive experience in senior executive management and consulting. Mergers and acquisitions, corporate and market development, and operations management are among his areas of expertise. His experience includes launching new businesses and managing growth-stage businesses around the world. He is also an advisor to the Prince of Wales Accounting for Sustainability charity.

 

Here are some key points Tom and Richard talk about: 

  • Richard talks about his professional background and current role as an advisor on sustainability.
  • Richard believes that sustainability in business leads to lower costs, less waste, more resource efficiency, better quality jobs, better employee engagement, and more access to capital.
  • In addition to improving access to capital, sustainability can also improve performance in public markets, lower capital costs, and lower debt costs.
  • Richard highlights that materiality is a way for companies to determine priorities and goals for sustainability, decarbonization, and ESG by considering what is important for both the corporation and its stakeholders
  • Quoting Paul Wellman, Richard tells Tom that working toward social, environmental, and economic outcomes can invigorate and energize an organization.
  • Sustainability can be a life insurance policy for the planet.
  • Companies without decarbonization plans may not have access to financing from banks and other financial institutions as they do not understand the risks associated with growth, and may not be seen as providing a benefit to society, Richard tells Tom.
  • Richard believes that the circular economy aims to eliminate waste by keeping inputs and outputs at their highest utility throughout their life cycle.
  • Companies like Interface and Nike are committed to sustainability and continue to innovate and stretch their targets as they learn more about driving efficiency and process in the decarbonization journey.

 

KEY QUOTE:

“If I am going to finance a company’s growth, I want to finance a company that’s in the insurance industry as well. I want to finance the company’s growth by understanding the risks associated with that growth.” – Richard Blundell

 

Resources 

Richard Blundell | LinkedIn

Categories
Innovation in Compliance

Why Sustainability is the Business Opportunity with Richard Blundell

Tom’s guest on this week’s episode of Innovation in Compliance, Richard Blundell, discusses the risks and opportunities associated with growth in the insurance industry. They talk about how to finance a company’s growth by understanding its risks. Business financing is trending towards sustainability, and Tom and Richard explore how companies can access capital by implementing sustainable practices and strategies.

A global environmental services and technology consultant with over 35 years of experience, Richard Blundell has extensive experience in senior executive management and consulting. Mergers and acquisitions, corporate and market development, and operations management are among his areas of expertise. His experience includes launching new businesses and managing growth-stage businesses around the world. He is also an advisor to the Prince of Wales Accounting for Sustainability charity.

 

Here are some key points Tom and Richard talk about: 

  • Richard talks about his professional background and current role as an advisor on sustainability.
  • Richard believes that sustainability in business leads to lower costs, less waste, more resource efficiency, better quality jobs, better employee engagement, and more access to capital.
  • In addition to improving access to capital, sustainability can also improve performance in public markets, lower capital costs, and lower debt costs.
  • Richard highlights that materiality is a way for companies to determine priorities and goals for sustainability, decarbonization, and ESG by considering what is important for both the corporation and its stakeholders
  • Quoting Paul Wellman, Richard tells Tom that working toward social, environmental, and economic outcomes can invigorate and energize an organization.
  • Sustainability can be a life insurance policy for the planet.
  • Companies without decarbonization plans may not have access to financing from banks and other financial institutions as they do not understand the risks associated with growth and may not be seen as providing a benefit to society, Richard tells Tom.
  • Richard believes that the circular economy aims to eliminate waste by keeping inputs and outputs at their highest utility throughout their life cycle.
  • Companies like Interface and Nike are committed to sustainability and continue to innovate and stretch their targets as they learn more about driving efficiency and process in the decarbonization journey.

 

KEY QUOTE:

“If I am going to finance a company’s growth, I want to finance a company that’s in the insurance industry as well. I want to finance the company’s growth by understanding the risks associated with that growth.” – Richard Blundell

 

Resources 

Richard Blundell | LinkedIn

Categories
The ESG Report

Jared Connors Looks Into 2023

In this episode of the ESG Report, Tom Fox discusses the regulatory movement towards mandatory climate disclosure requirements. Guest Jared Connors explains why product liability, previously viewed as a negative for sustainability, is now viewed as a positive.

Jared Connors is on the regulatory team at Assent. In his role, he supports and analyzes the market, engages standards and framework makers and regulatory agencies to help understand what companies will face and how they can comply.

 

  • Jared says that product compliance depends on how certain jurisdictions approach sustainability. 
  • Consumers make an impact on upstream corporation supply and demand, and that impact is shown via downstream companies who produce the products.
  • Companies have to do a better job at being proactive about knowing their supply chain and the stance of the suppliers that they work with.
  • Organizations need to be able to show that their suppliers have no connection to modern day slavery. 
  • Jared stresses the point of transparency as opposed to sustainability. When companies, suppliers and stakeholders are transparent, business becomes more ethical. 

 

Resources

Jared Connors on LinkedIn

Assent

Categories
The ESG Report

Assent Webinar on the ESG Regulatory Year in Review & 2023 Forecast

On this special edition of the ESG Report, I repost a recent webinar hosted by Assent. In this webinar, top Assent SMEs looked back at key ESG, supply chain and sustainability topics from 2022 and into 2023. Speakers included Cally Edgren, Director, Regulatory & Sustainability Experts; Dr. Bruce Jarnot, Regulatory & Sustainability Expert, Product Sustainability; Jared Connors, Regulatory & Sustainability Expert, ESG & Responsible Sourcing and Travis Miller, General Counsel.

Topics covered include:

  • Events in 2022 that impacted supply chain sustainability and global product market access;
  • What Assent’s regulatory experts see on the horizon for 2023 and beyond;
  • Steps manufacturers must take to protect their market access in 2023; and
  • Developing programs to address increasingly complex supply chain sustainability requirements.

Resources:

For more on Assent, click here.

For the full webinar click here.

Categories
Innovation in Compliance

The Disability Navigator with DeeJae Durante

Tom Fox’s guest on this week’s show is DeeJae Durante. DeeJae is a livestream strategist and coach, helping individuals with disabilities get their messages out through marketing tools like podcasts and livestreams. She joins Tom to talk about creating accessibility for disabled individuals in the corporate world, and the true meaning of inclusion.  

DeeJae’s Mission

Tom asks DeeJae what started her on the path of disability advocacy. DeeJae gives an anecdote about watching her father navigate life after a traumatic brain injury. It sparked the advocacy within her. She is very passionate about helping businesses realize the importance of providing diversity options for people with disabilities, as well as being open and considerate of everyone. 

 

The True Meaning of Inclusion 

There is no inclusion without accessibility. It is impossible to be inclusive or diverse in an organization if there is no consideration for disabled people. DeeJae talks about helping businesses create systems that accommodate disabled people and building different types of accessibility. “That’s why I really focus on accessibility and understanding what that concept is, because that will lead to inclusion,” she tells Tom. Creating different options for individuals within the organization to access information is another key component of accessibility. “Communication is so fundamental, and accessibility to information is communication.”

 

Accessibility Builds Loyalty 

“By having a policy of accessibility and inclusion for disabled employees, you not only create a very loyal workforce, but you can actually make your business better,” Tom remarks. This holds true for every aspect of business. Accessibility builds up social worth in your employees. Taking the initiative to be observant about the processes in your businesses and making sure that they are accessible to everyone is going to enhance your business. There is no excuse anymore, and there is no other option than to be accessible. “It’s something that we really need to implement into our businesses and our processes as soon as possible. The sooner that we do that, the better off we’re going to be and the more beneficial it will be to our business,” DeeJae stresses. 

 

Resources

DeeJae Durante | LinkedIn | Twitter