Sustain Talks: Recent Episodes

Sam Cande

These talks focus on sustainability and social responsibility. The 20 - 30 minute interviews introduce a range of topics from sustainable aviation fuel to calculating your carbon, choosing the right charity to understanding ESG, diversity & inclusion and building a CSR strategy.

Join me in this episode as I chat with Mike Seaman, CEO of Racoon Media Group, and their sustainability partner, Charlie Cotton. Mike shares the inspiring journey of the National Running Show, which has grown to 42 staff and 17 exhibitions across the UK and US since its start in 2018.

We discuss the importance of connecting passionate communities, combining work with purpose, and their commitment to responsible growth. Mike and Charlie dive into their sustainability journey, from realising the need to care for the planet to developing a meaningful strategy with transparency and accountability. They break down the challenge of carbon reduction into manageable parts, focusing on changing behaviours before resorting to carbon offsetting.

We explore the hurdles they faced in data collection and measuring environmental impact, the success of initiatives to encourage sustainable travel, and the importance of a continuous improvement mindset.

Mike emphasises the value of hiring experts, staying open to learning, and engaging the community to foster collective responsibility.If you're in the events industry, you'll find inspiration and actionable steps in this discussion.

Tune in to learn more about making impactful changes in your own events!

In this episode with Sarah Fulton Vachon from Citizens of Soil, Sarah delves into the fascinating world of olive oil as we discuss the rising pricing and why that's due to the climate crisis. Sara explains how Citizens of Soil sources directly from small batch producers who practice regenerative agriculture. Sarah's insights into the intricate connection between olive oil production and climate change are profound. She explains how unpredictable weather patterns, such as severe droughts and untimely rains, drastically affect olive yields, leading to skyrocketing prices.We also explore the incredible health benefits of extra virgin olive oil. Sarah sheds light on its rich polyphenol content, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, contributing to heart health, cancer prevention, and overall well-being.This conversation is packed with knowledge about sustainability, the challenges facing small farmers, and the realities of producing high-quality olive oil in a changing climate. Tune in to learn why the humble olive oil on your kitchen shelf is much more than just a cooking ingredient. It's a story of resilience, health, and sustainable farming.

Welcome to Sustain Talks, where we delve into the heart of social impact and sustainability. In this episode, we sit down with Hephzi Pemberton, the visionary founder of Honordex, as she takes us on her remarkable journey from investment banking to entrepreneurship, driven by a passion for positive change.Hephzi shines a light on the transformative power of business in driving social impact, championing transparency and fairness through her ground breaking platform, Honordex. With a mission to rank companies on their social sustainability, she advocates for accountability and measurement as keys to progress.Throughout our conversation, Hephzi underscores the critical importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, sharing both triumphs and challenges in this ongoing journey towards equality. From the imperative of leadership buy-in to the necessity of fostering an inclusive organisational culture, she leaves no stone unturned in her quest for a more just and equitable world.But our dialogue doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of systemic bias. Hephzi's candid accounts of racism and sexism in business underscore the urgent need for action and allyship. It's shocking what still goes on and we're reminded of the collective responsibility to confront and dismantle these barriers.Yet, amidst these challenges, there's hope. Hephzi's upcoming campaign for Pride serves as a beacon of empowerment and advocacy, highlighting the power of storytelling and community support in driving meaningful change. As we discuss strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion, from dedicated capital pools to personal resilience, it's clear that the path forward is paved with courage and compassion.I hope you find this as awakening as I did and take the much needed steps to create change and fight for diversity, equity and inclusion and bring it to the forefront.Sign the open letter - www.notwithmymoney.info - sign the open letterCheck out Honordex - www.honordex.comOrder The Diversity Playbook - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Diversity-Playbook-Transforming-Inclusion-Innovation/dp/173704031X

The Diversity Playbook: Transforming Business with Inclusion and Innovation

This week on Sustain Talks, I'm thrilled to welcome Elly Perets, the visionary CEO of Asterra. My insatiable curiosity led me to Elly, especially after discovering his remarkable skill set, including Earth Observation, Remote Sensing, Space Technology, Sustainability, and Water Resource Management.Asterra's impact is nothing short of astounding, having saved over 368 billion gallons of water, 920,000 megawatt-hours of energy, and over 235,000 metric tons of carbon emissions. Elly takes us on a journey through Asterra's evolution since 2017, underscoring his profound influence on environmental sustainability.Our conversation delves into Elly's background and the driving forces behind his relentless pursuit of leveraging technology to address real-world challenges. He shares the genesis of Asterra and their pioneering use of radar-equipped satellites to detect underground water leaks—an innovation with far-reaching implications for water conservation and broader sustainability goals.Elly demystifies the science behind Asterra's groundbreaking technology, which offers a transformative opportunity for water utility companies, particularly in regions like the UK grappling with aging infrastructure and significant water loss.We explore the pivotal role of Earth observation satellites in comprehending and mitigating environmental threats, with Elly stressing the urgency of harnessing technology to safeguard our planet's resources amid escalating climate crises.Asterra's innovative approach to water conservation captivated me, and Elly's unwavering commitment to marrying technology with sustainability left me deeply inspired. Our dialogue concludes with a glimpse into Asterra's unwavering dedication to sustainability and their vision for a future where technology empowers individuals and organizations to champion environmental stewardship.I firmly believe that innovation and education are the keys to shaping a sustainable future, which is why platforms like Sustain Talks hold immense value in fostering knowledge exchange and driving positive change.

This latest Sustain Talks episode is extremely personal for me as a host as I share the heart-wrenching story of losing my best friend to suicide due to workplace bullying and inadequate support systems, it sets the stage for a raw examination of the urgent need for cultural change and explores workplace mental health. Join me and Lori Haynes, CEO of Shoorah, a revolutionary mental health app aiming to dismantle stigma and foster supportive workplace environments. Join the candid discussion on prevention versus crisis management, drawing from personal experiences and professional insights.In this conversation we pull no punches, delving into the tragic consequences of neglecting employee well-being.Lori's journey, filled with struggles and triumphs, highlights holistic approaches to mental wellness, from therapy options to daily rituals. Learn how Shoorah's innovative features empower individuals to reclaim agency over their mental health journey.Beyond rhetoric, gain actionable strategies to foster resilience and fulfillment, challenging conventional notions of happiness and reframing discipline as a catalyst for purpose.Challenge the status quo with insights on the evolving role of HR departments and the imperative for data-driven, user-centric approaches to support employee well-being, especially in the context of remote work.Don't miss this clarion call for organisations to prioritise mental health, embrace empathy, and advocate for systemic change to create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.For more details about Shoorah go to https://shoorah.io/

Or connect with Lorri here https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorri-haines-8a1336136/

This week's Sustain Talks features Archie Ruggles-Brise, an esteemed independent rural estate manager and environmental professional. With a captivating narrative, Archie will take you on a profound journey from his roots in the water industry to his current impactful role in managing his family estate in North Essex.In this engaging dialogue, Archie unveils the estate's transformative shift from conventional agriculture to the innovative realm of agroforestry, where the harmonious balance between nature and food production takes centre stage. Delving into the intricacies of agroforestry, Archie illuminates its myriad benefits, from promoting sustainability and biodiversity to revolutionising farming practices.But the discussion doesn't stop there. Archie delves into pressing issues like wilding, carbon removal, and biodiversity net gain, underscoring the urgency of managing woodlands and the potential for corporate investment in biodiversity offsets. Moreover, Archie paints a vivid picture of the estate's palpable allure, inviting people to experience first hand the nexus between environmental stewardship and public engagement.Central to the conversation is the critical examination of flood impact in the UK and the pivotal role of agroforestry in mitigating flood risk. Through insightful discourse, Archie elucidates how strategic land use, including vegetation and trees, can effectively slow water flow, offering a lifeline in flood-prone regions.Yet, amidst the challenges faced by farmers in embracing sustainable practices, Archie and and I advocate for comprehensive education and collaboration between stakeholders. Archie champions the prospect of corporate-farmer alliances, heralding a new era of nature conservation and sustainable agriculture.Archie extends an open invitation for collaboration, emphasising the paramount importance of tangible actions in safeguarding biodiversity and environmental sustainability.Don't miss out on this enlightening Sustain Talks episode that promises to inspire, educate, and ignite change.

It's B-Corp month so what better time than to get into a conversation with Ticket Tailor, CEO, Jonny White who shares an extraordinary tale of transformation! Join us as we embark on the captivating journey of Ticket Tailor, an online ticketing platform that started from humble beginnings in 2010 and evolved into a socially conscious B Corporation, serving hundreds of thousands of event organisers.Discover how Ticket Tailor's founder, drawing upon a background in freelance web development, nurtured the seed of an idea into a thriving platform catering to the needs of event organisers, marking the first step in their remarkable journey.Follow the founder's courageous decision to align Ticket Tailor with B Corp principles, challenging conventional growth paradigms in pursuit of a business model that prioritises societal impact alongside financial success.Experience the highs and lows of Ticket Tailor's quest for B Corp certification, from resource constraints to navigating criteria designed for larger corporations, culminating in the adoption of essential policies and practices vital for sustainable growth.Witness the transformative effects of B Corp certification on Ticket Tailor's culture and operations, fostering transparency, accountability, and a sense of community that resonates with like-minded partners and customers alike.Explore Ticket Tailor's innovative sustainability projects, such as "Penny for the Planet" and "Earth Invest," showcasing a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and meaningful action beyond mere rhetoric.and uncover the power of storytelling in conveying Ticket Tailor's values and inspiring employee engagement, complemented by robust metrics and tools used to measure social and environmental performance.Join us on this remarkable journey as Ticket Tailor redefines the narrative of purpose-driven business, offering invaluable insights into blending profit with purpose in today's ever-evolving entrepreneurial landscape. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or an aspiring changemaker, this podcast promises inspiration and actionable wisdom for creating a better world through business.

I'm joined by Abby Chicken Head of Sustainability at Openreach and Board trustee of Surrey Wildlife Trust. In this conversation Abby delves deep into Openreach's multifaceted sustainability approach, highlighting its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and integrating renewable energy sources. One significant initiative discussed is the ambitious goal of transitioning the entire van fleet to zero emissions by 2031, recognising the substantial impact of diesel emissions in the UK. This mission aligns with broader science-based targets and a comprehensive carbon reduction plan inherited from the BT Group.Moreover, Openreach's sustainability strategy is structured around three main pillars: carbon reduction, circular economy, and nature conservation. This holistic approach underscores their dedication to mitigating environmental impact while ensuring alignment with overarching business objectives, where efficiency and sustainability are recognised as interlinked goals.Noteworthy achievements and milestones include significant progress in transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), with a target set for all vehicles to be zero emissions by 2030. Currently, they are close to reaching 4,000 EVs out of a fleet totalling approximately 28,000 vehicles. Openreach has garnered recognition for these efforts, participating in initiatives such as piloting the TNFD (Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures), joining environmental management organisations, and contributing to climate sustainability working groups.Renewable energy integration emerges as a vital aspect of their sustainability endeavors. Openreach actively sources renewables through power purchase agreements and utilises Renewable Energy Certificates (ROCs) to offset emissions from sources beyond their direct control. Additionally, they explore renewable energy generation possibilities, such as solar installations, wherever feasible.Extending their commitment beyond internal operations, Openreach engages with suppliers to implement carbon clauses in contracts and collaborates with subcontractors to reduce their carbon footprint. They also collaborate with industry groups to disseminate guidelines and support smaller suppliers in embracing sustainable practices.Expanding the conversation, the issue of electronic waste (e-waste) surfaces, prompting discussions on the broader sectoral challenges it poses. While acknowledging that e-waste isn't a significant part of their waste output, participants address interventions such as reusing components, bioleaching circuitry, and incentivising the return of old electronics. Community engagement efforts are also emphasized, including partnerships with organizations like Homestart, UNICEF, and wildlife trusts, aiming to enhance communication and inspire employee involvement in sustainability efforts both at work and in their personal lives.The dialogue concludes with an emphasis on the importance of sharing information to foster greater awareness and involvement in sustainability efforts. We highlight the need for collaboration, innovation, and collective action to address sustainability challenges effectively within the company and the broader industry context.

Join me in welcoming Tash Morgan-Etty, the visionary founder of Write Rabbit, as we delve into the intricate world of sustainability communications. Together, we unravel the veil of deceptive practices and illuminate the paramount significance of authenticity in this landscape.Tash eloquently underscores the pivotal role of internal communication in fostering alignment among employees toward sustainability initiatives. Furthermore, she astutely examines the regulatory framework's crucial role in combatting greenwashing and ensuring the veracity of sustainability claims.Drawing from her wealth of experience, Tash underscores the transformative power of storytelling in sustainability communications. She offers compelling examples from industry trailblazers such as Who Gives a Crap and The Body Shop, demonstrating how effective narratives can drive meaningful change.Moreover, Tash keenly identifies sectors like consulting and finance as areas where sustainability efforts may be lacking, signalling the urgent need for heightened awareness and action.As our dialogue unfolds, Tash offers invaluable insights into future trends, foreseeing a landscape characterised by heightened audience scrutiny and the imperative of positive behaviour change messaging in sustainability communications.Ultimately, our conversation serves as a beacon, illuminating the path to navigating the complexities of sustainability communications. Through a lens of authenticity, storytelling, and alignment of internal and external messaging with sustainable values, we pave the way towards a more conscientious future.

In this enlightening discussion, I am joined by Clare Brook, the inspirational CEO of Blue Marine Foundation, to explore the ambitious goals and vital mission of the organisation. Blue Marine Foundation is dedicated to safeguarding and replenishing life in our oceans, with a bold target of effectively protecting at least 30% of the world's oceans by 2030. Clare underscores the pivotal role of the ocean as a carbon sink and oxygen supplier, emphasising the urgency of their mission.Delving into the roots of Blue Marine Foundation, established in 2010 and inspired by the impactful documentary "The End of the Line," Clare provides insight into the organisation's evolution and notable achievements in sustainable marine conservation over the years. She passionately articulates the critical need to reverse the effects of overfishing and advocates for the sustainable management of the entire ocean.We touch upon the challenges the organisation faces in advocating for marine protection, including issues with policy implementation, governance, and the vital role of community participation. Scientific nuances related to carbon absorption in the ocean and the repercussions of overfishing on marine ecosystems are also thoroughly examined.Clare sheds light on Blue Marine Foundation's innovative use of technology, employing virtual and augmented reality to educate and raise awareness about the ocean. Emphasising the power of individual actions, she stresses the importance of making informed choices, particularly in seafood consumption.The dialogue unfolds to highlight the indispensable role of policy advocacy in Blue Marine Foundation's endeavours. Addressing topics such as marine protected areas, sustainable fishing practices, and equity in the fishing industry, Clare calls upon businesses to actively support marine conservation initiatives through strategic partnerships.As our discussion draws to a close, we glimpse into the future projects of Blue Marine Foundation, with a focus on ecosystem restoration in the Solent and efforts to secure greater protection on the high seas. Clare expresses her excitement about the potential impact of these initiatives on the broader landscape of marine conservation, leaving us inspired by the dedication and innovation propelling Blue Marine Foundation forward.

I am delighted to introduce this week’s Sustain Talks, where we uncover the incredible journey of John Good Group's transformation! In today's episode, we're joined by Adam Walsh, the dynamic CEO leading this sixth-generation company through a significant evolution.Picture this: a legacy company with a 190-year history in travel, shipping, and logistics. A year ago, we had the privilege of getting an insider's view when we delivered their sustainability and social responsibility training. What we discovered was a company with a heart—a passion for purpose, a commitment to a warm family environment, and a genuine concern for every employee and stakeholder.But the story doesn't end there. Today, Adam Walsh is here to share the inside scoop on John Good Group's mission for planet, people, and performance. In the past couple of years, the company has undergone a strategic shift, including the sale of one of its largest trading businesses, Good Logistics, and a change in leadership to the sixth generation of shareholders, spearheaded by the visionary Tim Good.Imagine aligning an entire organisation with values that go beyond profit margins. Adam was brought in to do just that. He'll take you through the challenges and choices faced by the group's diverse businesses—warehousing, corporate travel, shipping, and more. The group acknowledges the environmental impact of its industries but sees an opportunity to be a driving force for positive change.So, if you're eager to discover how a legacy company is not just adapting but thriving in the sustainability game, it's time to tune into Sustain Talks. Adam Walsh will guide us through a journey of making impactful choices, being accountable for their footprint, and navigating the complexities of a purpose-driven business.

Given what is going on in the world right now happiness seems elusive and employee morale could be at an all-time low, so we find ourselves asking the crucial question: How can we truly understand our team's emotional well-being and provide the necessary support?Today, we bring you a compelling episode of Sustain Talks that delves into this very topic, featuring a remarkable guest, Matt Phelan. Matt is not only the co-founder of The Happiness Index, a cutting-edge SaaS platform empowering HR and people professionals to gauge their team's happiness and engagement but also an accomplished author of the recently released book, "The Happiness Index."In this riveting conversation, we explore the significance of employee happiness within the workplace, unravel the mysteries of measuring happiness, and dissect the irrefutable business case for fostering a happier workforce.But that's not all. Matt takes us on a captivating journey through the top four universal needs that drive engagement and happiness in the workplace, unveiling the key factors that often lead people to depart from their companies.Whether you're seeking valuable insights or practical tools to uplift your team's spirits, this episode promises to be an eye-opener. Don't miss out! You can even grab a copy of Matt's enlightening book here https://www.amazon.co.uk/Happiness-Index-Employee-Emotions-Tomorrows-ebook/dp/B0CJ612QWH/ref=sr_1_1 or dive deeper into The Happiness Index at https://thehappinessindex.com/

I am delighted to introduce this week's edition of Sustain Talks featuring none other than James Murray, Editor-in-chief of Business Green. In this engaging conversation, we delve into a multitude of topics surrounding sustainability, climate change, and the formidable challenges and exciting opportunities that businesses and industries are currently facing and includes James thoughts on the trends rapidly changing our world in sustainability. Our discussion commences with a candid exploration of the overwhelming information overload and a plethora of news stories concerning sustainability and climate change. We pinpoint the pressing challenge of discerning credible information amidst the noise, as well as the prevalent issue of "greenwashing," whereby companies project an environmentally conscious image without substantial actions to back it up.The dialogue seamlessly transitions to the meteoric rise of the renewables sector, with a special focus on the burgeoning realms of solar and wind energy. We also delve into the exponential growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and their increasing integration into the mainstream. James shares his insights on the realm of Carbon Removal Technologies.Our conversation then navigates towards the intricacies of businesses prioritising sustainability initiatives, particularly in the midst of economic downturns. We explore the pivotal role that businesses play in driving sustainability and climate action forward.Furthermore, we shine a spotlight on the upcoming Net Zero Festival—a pivotal event designed to inform, connect, and inspire individuals and businesses operating in the sustainability sphere. The festival boasts a diverse lineup of speakers, including luminaries such as Joanna Lumley, Alistair Campbell, Chris Skidmore, and leaders from industry giants like Amazon, John Lewis, Triodos Bank, and OVO, among others.In summation, this conversation underscores the paramount urgency of addressing climate change, showcases the immense potential for businesses to spearhead positive change, and underscores the pivotal role of informed, collaborative efforts in achieving our collective sustainability objectives.You can find out more and register for the upcoming Net Zero Festival here - https://www.netzerofestival.com/

Welcome to Sustain Talks, where we dive deep into the stories of remarkable individuals who are making a real impact on our planet. Today, we have an extraordinary guest, Chris Desai, a true force of change in the world of conservation.

Chris, the global director at UOCEAN and UEARTH since 2015, wears many hats - founder of The Vayyu Foundation, CEO at Vayyu, conservationist, philanthropist, captain, diver, and tireless advocate for a mission to remove one billion kilos of river and ocean plastics. But Chris's journey didn't start in the world of sustainability or conservation.

Born in the heart of rural England, specifically Leicester, which couldn't be farther from the ocean in the UK, Chris's early life was far from privileged. His father was a refugee who had to flee his country at gunpoint, and Chris grew up with a deep appreciation for nature, even though conservation was not on his radar initially.

Chris's career took him into the worlds of music and fashion in central London, where he spent a decade as an art director for a major fashion firm. It was during his travels around the world, witnessing the environmental damage caused by the fashion industry, that Chris's perspective shifted. He realized that while oil and gas were often vilified, fast fashion was equally unsustainable and lacked a meaningful societal impact.

This awakening led Chris to start the organic and sustainable brand Vayyu, focusing on eco-friendly practices and ethical production. But starting a sustainable fashion brand was no easy task, and Chris faced numerous challenges and setbacks.

However, Vayyu eventually found success, becoming one of the UK's most ethical fashion brands. Despite this achievement, Chris felt that he was still not doing enough to address the urgent environmental issues facing our planet. This realization prompted him to search for a charity dedicated to ocean and river plastics removal but found none that aligned with his vision.

Determined to make a difference, Chris founded The Vayyu Foundation, which would later evolve into UOCEAN. He embarked on a journey to normalize conservation efforts, especially among young people and underrepresented communities. His commitment led to the creation of a massive movement, with thousands of volunteers joining the cause.

UOCEAN is not only cleaning up rivers, beaches, and local areas but also breaking down barriers and stereotypes associated with conservation. The organization has chapters across the UK and internationally, fostering social cohesion among diverse groups and proving that conservation knows no boundaries.

In just a few years, UOCEAN has removed over 350,000 kilos of plastic by hand and is now implementing innovative solutions like Global River Barriers and empowering isolated communities to become conservationists.

Chris's story is a testament to the power of one individual's determination to make a positive impact on the world. Join us as we dive deeper into his inspiring journey and the remarkable work of UOCEAN.

Find out more about UOCEAN here: https://uocean.org/

In this Sustain Talks I'm joined by Gavin Tweedie of Net Zero Nation who is on a mission to mobilise as many SMEs as possible to drive and thrive in the transition to a low carbon economy.

In this Sustain Talks we discuss:

What is net zero? Can anyone really get to net zero? Why do SMEs need to get to net zero? How challenging is it for them to do so? What simple things can they do? What are the benefits of SMEs becoming net zero? How can we engage future generations? Do companies need to completely transition in the race to zero? What happens if SMEs don’t get on board with net zero? What's next for Net Zero Nation?

I'm joined by Santiago Navarro, CEO & Founder of Packamama the climate tech geeks that reinvented the wine bottle to help save the world.

In this interview, we discuss the 100% recycled bottles that Packamama designed and why the shape and weight make them more energy efficient than glass and have a lower carbon footprint.

For an industry that has 25-30 billion units per annum, this is a game changer for the wine industry, an industry that is hugely affected by climate change.

To combat climate change, waste and packaging we need to find new and better solutions and this just makes sense.

We also discussed the issues with plastics in the sea and why those plastics can't be recycled, why the weight and shape of the bottle matters and how that reduces emissions, the longevity of the material and so much more.

This was a truly educational conversation. If you are interested in packaging, plastics, waste, recycled materials and circular economy solutions this interview is for you.

In this weeks Sustain Talks I’m joined by Lorna Cummings-Bruce marketing lead at ActionFunder an organisation that connects businesses and communities and makes it easy to fund community action and celebrate the impact.

In just two years the ActionFunder platform has raised £1.4million to support over 540 charities and community grassroots projects.

In this talk, we discuss why businesses should engage in charity partnerships and why they should be a priority.

Lorna shares her views on how corporate giving has changed over the last 10 years and what makes a good corporate and charity partnership.

We also discuss the benefits from both sides and when a true partnership works really well.

In this weeks Sustain Talks I'm joined by Karen Hutchings. Karen is the Global Head of Travel Meetings and Events at EY.

With 70% of EY’s scope 3 emissions being business travel we talk about how they are planning for a 35% reduction by 2025.

Pre covid sustainability and reduction weren’t a priority for many businesses but times have changed and with EY’s ambitions to get to net zero, Karen shares how her division is transforming the way they think about travel and meetings with sustainability at the forefront.

Whilst travel is still important Covid proved that people could still do business and not have to be in front of everybody all of the time.

Karen shares what policies they have put in place to reduce emissions, she talks about key behaviour changes, the changes in the policy for day trips which has had a significant reduction as well as changes to choose rail over air and no of travellers on each trip.

We also discussed how educating travellers before they have booked their trip on the carbon emissions of that trip encourages their employees to make smarter more responsible trips.

It’s great also to hear more about how EY collaborate with their clients to support their net zero goals by having the conversations early on about how often they meet and what that looks like to reduce emissions.

We also talked about Technology, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Carbon Budgeting, Sustainable Events and so much more.

In this weeks Sustain Talks I’m delighted to be joined by Carina & Chantal from Event Cycle, a company that takes unwanted event waste and gives it a second life by repurposing and redistributing items left over from events. This is the circular economy at its best and a huge benefit to the events industry on its mission to become more sustainable. We discuss how event cycle help organisers and exhibitors manage their waste and make sure it goes to a good home. Any kind of materials can be repurposed, from a sofa to a pallet of wood to stationery, textiles, graphics, art supplies, hard hats the list goes on. They can repurpose anything and ensure it goes to a good home not too far from the venue to reduce emissions from pointless journeys. We also discuss the challenges that the events industry face, what they can do to become more sustainable and where they could start. Event Cycle share who benefits from repurposing materials from the events industry and how an event can be socially responsible. A must-listen for those involved in the events industry in any form.Contact www.eventcycle.org for more information.

In this weeks Sustain Talks I’m joined by Chloe Sweden Founder of Lowr, The world's first engagement platform that informs, inspires and incentivises employees to lower their environmental impact.Lowr helps employees to think about sustainability at every touch point. The things they are consuming, how they travel and commute, what food they are eating.Chloe shares how It all started and about their mission to get 10 million employees to live more healthier more sustainable lives. We talk about how to engage employees to be more sustainable and Chloe busts a myth about what people really think about sustainability. We also discussed what products people love the most and how they support those struggling with the cost of living and how employers can help. Lowr is a company that truly helps companies to engage their employees in sustainability. Have a listen and find out more about what you can do.

I am delighted to be joined by Paul Hendrick also known as The Bee guy. Paul is the founder of The Bee Sanctuary of Ireland and the only native bee sanctuary on the planet and a 55 acre farm that has been developed and rewilded to a dream place for bees to thrive. Paul describes them as an eloquent disruptor who are trying to do the right thing for the planet. Bees are good for the environment and yet they are in serious trouble. Nature is depleting. We talk about why a nature-based solution like this is so valuable, what bees do for the environment and how in some countries they are having to turn to self pollination just to grow apples. We also discuss what rewilding should really look like and how planting the right flowers can really make a difference. At a time when companies are looking to do good and support tangible nature-based solutions I highly recommend giving this a listen and maybe you could find a NBS like The Bee Sanctuary of Ireland and get to visit them and see for yourself what a beautiful place it is and how good it is for the environment.

This was one of the best Sustain Talks I have done to date. Richard Hagan really walks the walk when it comes to sustainability. He has transformed his business into a sustainable one. The lessons he shares are so valuable. To every leader in every company. Take some time and listen to this. Richard shares the true value to companies in becoming more sustainable. His passion is undeniable, and he makes utter sense. This is the reason I started sharing these conversations. If you are a climate denier, if you can’t understand why sustainability matters so much, if you want to do good but you aren’t sure how, if you don’t know where to start, if you want to know about data, about reducing your energy costs, if you want to know more about the B-Corp process, if you think you are too small to make a difference. Listen to this. You will learn something from every single answer to the questions. I cannot stress the importance of this conversation.

Today I'm joined by Gail Grace. Gail is a female empowerment coach helping women to further their careers, have more confidence, greater success and helps with imposter syndrome, stress management and more. In this Sustain Talks I ask Gail How you define women’s empowerment and equality? Are we starting to see a difference in DE&I How can we empower more women at work? Do you think there are barriers to change? Why don't women put themselves forward as much as men? What can men do to support their female colleagues? What can we do to change the gender pay gap? What steps can we take to advance female empowerment? What are the benefits of mentorship? What a coach can do? Who inspires you and why? Contact Gail https://www.linkedin.com/in/gail-grace-550ba371/ www.gailgrace.co.uk

I'm joined by Dan Sherrard-Smith. Dan is the founder of MotherTree an organisation that helps you track your moneys carbon footprint. In this chat we discuss What determines a green bank? How you can find out if your bank is green or not? Who are the worst offenders and why? Who are the best and why? What the footprint of your bank account is? How much of a difference does greening your money make to the environment? What the comparison is to flying, or going vegetarian? Green pensions?

If you want to find out if your bank is green go to https://www.mymothertree.com/?refer=sustaintalks

Connect with Dan here https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-sherrard-smith/

This weeks Sustain Talks I’m joined by Graeme Heyes, Enterprise fellow working with businesses to support their journey to Net Zero at the Centre for Enterprise at Manchester Metropolitan University. Graham has a PHD in sustainable business model design and Innovation, with over 15 years of expertise. When Graeme started this journey he used to talk about climate change as something that was happening in the future. He explains why he thinks we are living in a climate emergency and that we're at the very early stages of it. Graeme shares his predictions but has a positive belief in the opportunity that lies ahead for businesses. We also discussed MMUs Eco-I programme which supports businesses that are trying to work out their place in the world and how they can adopt low carbon business solutions. I also loved hearing what Graeme would do with £10 million towards sustainable innovation. You’ll have to watch to find out. This was one of those Sustain Talks that I could listen to over again, there was so much insight to be gained. I hope you enjoy it.

This week I was joined by Andrew Griffiths Director of Policy and Partnerships from Planet Mark for the Sustain Talks chat. Andrew shares his views on sustainability and net zero and setting targets and how Planet Mark encourages businesses to reduce their carbon footprint. He also shares his thought on COP27 having attended giving a very candid view on what he thought of the event and the outcomes. We also discussed accreditations, what they mean and why they matter and what the future looks like and how he sees it.

Sam speaks with Tobi Elusakin, a sustainability consultant with the international construction and consulting firm Mace, in this week's Sustain Talks. Tobi provides us a wonderful overview of his professional background and offers some excellent advice for those who want to work in sustainability. He talks to us about his values and how his perspective on sustainability has changed over the course of his schooling and career. Sam and Tobi discuss the challenging times we all have ahead of us due to the energy crisis and climate change. Tobi shared this grim yet true assessment: "The only reason most people are focusing on energy consumption right now is that it's really expensive" On a more encouraging note, Tobi explains what Mace are doing to teach its staff about sustainability, including holding weekly masterclasses on subjects like solar, renewable energy, and retrofitting. This Sustain Talks is for you if you're an individual trying to learn more about sustainability or a company looking to teach your staff more about how to be more sustainable. 00:45 - Who is Tobi Elusakin 06:00 - Tobi's view of sustainability 10:32 - What is the answer to the energy crisis? 16:35 - Tobi's view on Net Zero. 23:50 - How is Mace getting employees involved in achieving targets? 27:20 - How to retain staff with education and sustainability goals. 28:54 - What do we all need to stop doing?

In this weeks Sustain Talks Sam is joined by Michelle Furtado, Director of FuturEcoLogic and a climate activist. With so much media attention focused on climate activism, it seemed important to talk to an activist to fully understand the work that they do. Activists do of course talk to MPs and write letters but these are mostly ignored, to get headlines and keep the issues alive more direct action is often taken, we have all seen in the last few weeks activists gluing themselves to floors, splashing soup over paintings, and spraying jewellery shops with paint in an attempt to raise awareness of "Just Stop Oil". The media seem to focus on reacting to the shocking incidents and dismissing the activists rather than understanding some of the good work that is done by them - such as setting up climate emergency centres that help people get grants and educate them through workshops. Michelle reminds us that if we continue as business as normal the picture is bad, fires, floods, mass migration, loss of cities, loss of key farmland...but that Mad Max future isn't inevitable if action is taken. In fact, taking action on climate will produce jobs and make communities healthier in the long run... 00:50 - Who is Michelle Furtado? 02:00 - What activities do activists do behind the scenes that we don't see? 04:00 - Is letter writing better than the direct action activism we are seeing Just Stop Oil doing now? 07:30 - What would Michelle say to people who support what climate activists stand for but don't support activists direct action? 09:30 - Just Stop Oil researched whether the soup would damage the Van Gogh. 12:00 - The media tends to focus on and highlight the activities as being irresponsible, thus the beneficial work that activists accomplish isn't as extensively reported on. 14:40 - There is a lot of good work and innovation going on around climate change. 16:30 - Is the direct action activism that is happening currently working? 19:00 - We need to reduce emissions drastically. What will the world look like if we don't? 23:15 - Are we doing enough? What more should do we need to do? and who should be doing it?

There has been a great deal of uncertainty in British politics recently, and a victim of this has been environmental commitments with fracking, for example being in favour and then out again within days. As three-quarters of British voters are concerned about the effects of climate change we must ask ourselves if the recent poor polling results are at least in some part related to the lack of clarity on the Conservatives climate position. In this week’s Sustain Talks Sam talks to Ed Gemmell the leader of the climate party who wants to "get climate done". They talk about what the Climate Party stands for, and Ed’s views on what can be done both from a business and political standpoint to make a real difference. Also discussed is the significance of 2030 and why this date or preferably one beforehand should be what we are aiming for when setting net zero targets! Sam and Ed also debate COP26 and also COP27, which begins this weekend. Should King Charles, Prince William, and Rishi Sunak attend? 00:20 - Who is Ed Gemmell? 01:50 - A journey from army officer and lawyer to climate. 05:30 - How bad is the climate crisis? 10:25 - What should businesses do now? 13:50 - Change has to happen now. 16:30 - What have we achieved since COP26? 19:20 - Is Rishi Sunak going to deliver on environmental commitments? 22:00 - Is there any reason the Royals shouldn't attend COP27? 23:44 - What is Ed's views on trees in the UK? 26:20 - What are Ed's views on climate activism? 28:24 - What is next for the Climate Party.

At a time where the cost of living is soaring and Charities are struggling to survive I think it's imperative that we look closer to

support those in the communities around us. For this weeks Sustain Talks we invited Mark Shearer co-founder and CEO of ActionFunder to tell us more about how they match corporates who are wanting to deliver on their brand purpose with grass roots projects!

You may remember ActionFunder partnered with us a few weeks ago, for our webinar “The S in ESG - Why Social Value Matters”.

Often the smaller local charities get left behind. ActionFunder has enabled over £1 million of matchmaking corporate funds with over 330 grass roots projects. Mark tells us a bit about why he started ActionFunder, why now is a great time for companies to get involved with charities, the benefits seen and what the best way to do that is. We also discuss community washing and how to avoid falling foul of this!

Louise joined Innocent Drinks when it was a start-up and stayed for 19 years, during which time the company grew to become multi-national. She was instrumental in successfully and sustainably growing the brand. She now shares her knowledge with other consumer brands, assisting them on their own journeys. To Louise sustainability is about creating a better future - making things better than they are today. We will not be able to effect positive change unless we all work together toward the same goal. It is obvious that every business must develop a carbon reduction strategy from now to 2030, breaking it down into manageable chunks. Begin by asking, "If it feels like the right thing to do, how do we do it?" Sustainability can be the golden ticket to saving your company money. Anyone can begin their own companies journey; consider what you want to be proud of. Vision – Plan – Crack-on But, in the end, reducing is by far the best option.

00:30 – How did Louise’s career start? 03:00 – Innocent Drink and sustainability 05:30 – The B-Corp process 07:00 – Louise’s thoughts on Greenwashing 10:17 – What does sustainability mean to Louise 12:12 – Can everyone make a difference? 13:00 – What should a business focus on? 15:20 – Talking about sustainable packaging. 18:54 – Circular economy 21:32 – The deposit return scheme 22:58 – Louise’s views on offsetting 27:24 - Is the vision for net zero too far away? 28:57 – Who are the stand-out companies?

Today I’m joined by Jessie Frahm. Jessie is a sustainability fanatic and founder of Planet One Point Five. Jessie's background in change management and marketing provides her with a unique perspective on business sustainability. Jessie, for example, sees this connection clearly:- Sustainability - Lean Process - Cost Savings. Sustainability is clearly the answer at a time when businesses large and small, with very different structures and inherent challenges, are all struggling to save money. Businesses must be the ones to make sustainability happen. Sustainability must be driven from the top down, and missions and goals must be in sync. The insights that Jessie shares in this Sustain Talks are pragmatic and useful – If you are a business, large or small this is a must-see.

00:34 – Introduction – Who is Jessie Frahm?

01:48 – What does sustainability mean to Jessie?

03:26 – What is the biggest challenge to businesses?

05:25 – How do you transform a business?

07:23 – What’s the first thing a business needs to do?

08:30 - Is it difficult? Can any business, do it?

09:40 – What are Jessie’s views on Net-Zero goals?

12:30 – If you want your business to thrive you need to take sustainability seriously.

14:19 – How do you communicate and get it right?

16:28 – Can we solve the climate crisis?

18:08 – One piece of advice for a business thinking about becoming more sustainability.

Today I'm joined by Katherine Ann Byam MBA, best-selling author, activist, coach, consultant, and fellow podcast founder of “Where Ideas Launch”. Over the last couple of years, there has been a shift in what people want from their lives. More and more people are wanting jobs with meaning. Many people are starting to work for themselves not only giving them work/life flexibility but also ensuring that what they do matches their own moral compass. But it requires courage to take that risk; it's not always easy! Katherine gives us some great tips on how to make that first jump… stay focused, start making changes within your current role, find your voice and start helping organisations local to you! If you are looking for ideas on what to do, we talk about the trends in sustainable businesses such as amazing fashion items being created from recycling – such as hats from old umbrellas! And the growth of service-based sustainable businesses – that are helping other businesses become more sustainable. To continue learning from Katherine take a look at her Facebook group, “Women in Sustainable Business” which is a safe and supportive community for women working with a passion for purpose-driven careers –. She has also written a best-selling book – “Do What Matters”. Katherine believes there are so many ways that you can be more sustainable and do things differently. You can find out more about Katherine and get the book below. https://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Matters-Transition-sustainability-transition/dp/1739644131/ https://www.katherineannbyam.com Instagram @Katherineannbyam Instagram @whereideaslaunch LinkedIn @katherinebyam

Alexis Eyre - Sustainable Marketing Consultant Co-Founder of Sustaineers Consultants and Co-Founder of Sustainable Marketing Compass - joins me in today's Sustain Talks. We've witnessed the power of advertising and its influence on our daily lives, what we buy, and who we aspire to be since the 1960s. Many organisations today are eager to demonstrate their sustainability credentials, fully aware that buyers today consider how ethical and green a company is when making purchases. However, many are greenwashing. Alexis gives us some excellent advice on how businesses and their marketing teams can avoid falling victim to this. On the other end of the spectrum from those who are Greenwashing and overselling their green credentials are the Influencers (although some of these claim to be green as well!) who are glamorising a jet-set, throw-away, mass consumerism lifestyle - and these are the people who have the most influence on our behaviour and aspirations, far more than scientists and politicians. Finally, Alexis and I discuss the impact of green investing and the power it has on climate change - do you know where your pension funds are invested? I hope you enjoy this Sustain Talks, and I hope it gets you thinking about what you allow to influence your behaviour, which of course - may or may not contribute to climate change. 00:43 – Who is Alexis Eyre and what do you do? 01:24 – What is Sustaineers? 02:42 – The value of community. 03:30 - You have had an amazing career in marketing and especially in the marine industry but what made you focus more on sustainability and marketing with purpose? 05:30 – Being part of the CISL community 07:35 - There is a lot of greenwashing going on right now. Everyone is jumping on the sustainable bandwagon where do you see some obvious mistakes? 10:14 - How can companies avoid greenwashing? 15:06 - Can we talk a bit about the oil giants? What are your views on what their renewable marketing messages are? Do you think it's greenwashing? Should they even be allowed to market themselves in this way? 19:53 – Do you think we need legislation? 22:16 - You recently posted about influencers and celebrity carbon emitters. Do you think influencing is more important than emitting? 31:00 = What about your views on offsetting? 36:30 - If you could ask people to make one change what would it be? 39:20 - What’s next for you? What are your plans for the winter?

I am so proud of this week's Sustain Talks with Gustav Martner, Head of Creative at Greenpeace Nordics. I couldn't wait to have this conversation as I am a huge fan of Greenpeace and the work they do. I came across Gustav when I saw in the news that he had returned his award from Cannes Lion - the world's largest event for those working in creative communications and advertising. He had won the award for an advert he had created for Volkswagen promoting their diesel car some years ago. I always think it's brave when activists protest in a way that doesn’t cause any harm and manage to make positive clear statements and that he did. The next day, however, Gustav was given the opportunity to speak on a live panel that was being broadcast on LinkedIn by The Drum. In my view, all the host cared about was finding out about his mode of travel getting there, rather than asking questions about the cause. Why are people interested in how he got there? That isn't going to change the world, but thankfully I was able to give him the opportunity to discuss his campaign to ban fossil fuel advertisements, which can really change the world. Find out why. This was a true honour for me. I highly recommend giving it a listen.

For this week’s sustain talks, I am delighted to welcome back my good friend Shane Herath Founder of Eco-Friendly Web Alliance. Shane’s previous Sustain Talks was the 2nd most popular and this new one will not disappoint. Shane shares his journey into becoming a sustainable innovation tech ecosystem and how far they are willing to go in building an eco-friendly website for organisations. Eco-Friendly Web Alliance's aim is to prevent half a million tonnes of co2 being added to the atmosphere by getting websites across the world to be a bit more energy efficient by reducing carbon emissions. Working with their scientific advisory board, they analysed 1000s of sites. The average website is about two grams of CO2 per page, so they knew if they could reduce that by 50% then that's a good starting point.

Find out more by going to https://ecofriendlyweb.org/

00:10- Introduction

01:15- About Eco-friendly Web Alliance

03:00- What does Web Alliance do?

05:00- How to tell the difference in the emissions of one website to another.

08:40- Understanding data centres and carbon footprint while looking at a company’s digital infrastructure.

10:35- The growth in digital infrastructure and carbon footprint of the internet.

13:03- The journey so far after the launch of Web Alliance.

18:55- What are your plans for eco-friendly web alliances in months to come?

22:00- Your free audit for your website.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Ananth Murthy and his wife. I was were immediately captivated by their tale of how they founded The Timber Maker and their dedication to making it a sustainable and socially responsible company. We also love the furniture they are creating. Many people reevaluated their priorities during lock-down; we examined the decisions we are making regarding our personal and professional life as well as the goods we buy. Many of us no longer feel the need for mass consumerism; instead, we are searching for better-quality products that are long-lasting, made from sustainable resources, and produced by workers who are appreciated and well-treated. We want to support ethical businesses. The story of The Timber Maker is one that many businesses old and new can learn from. Care about how you make your products, the sustainability of your supply chain and how you treat your workforce.

https://timbermaker.com

00:40 – Ananth Murthy’s background and history and how The Timber Maker started.

07:00 – Why did Ananth choose a purpose-driven sustainability career over a corporate one?

09:30 – Where does the wood come from and what makes it sustainable?

12:36 – Tell us about the studio in India

15:10 – What’s Ananth’s vision for the future of The Timber Maker?

sustainability, #sustainabilitymatters, #sustainablefurniture, #sustainablefurnituredesign, #sustainablefurnituremanufacturing, #ethicalbusiness, #ethicalbusinesses, #ethicalbusinessuk, #ethicalbusinesspractices

In this week’s Sustain Talks, we are joined by Lewis Crowe, Head of Membership and Commercial, and Chris Fletcher, Director of Policy both from Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the largest chamber in the UK with over 4200 members.

GMCC is an organisation that creates an avenue for corporations to engage with one another, promote their ideas and goals, and provides possibilities for talented workers.

They are also a business that ensures Diversity and Inclusion are in their workforce and they support and empower their employees by providing them with healthy opportunities and packages and putting into consideration their staff’s passion.

Lewis and Chris both shared thoughts about how as a business sustainability and social responsibility is at the heart of everything they do and how they ensure their supply chain and business partners practice, promote, and believe in their work ethics and morals to be socially responsible and sustainable in businesses.

Chris went further to share GMCC’s Net Zero plans and the work being put in place to achieve this goal. They also spoke about switching to a four-day working week and how much this has benefited the employees and the business.

In this week’s Sustain Talks, I had a wonderful chat with Bhavna Raithatha BSc (Hons) MSc MBACP (Accred) about mental health in the workplace. We spoke about the attrition rates and how employers can do more. Bhavna is a psychotherapist, coach and clinical supervisor in mental health and well-being support. With her experience, Bhavna educates us on how people can be easily influenced mentally at work. Workplace mental health concerns must be analysed in order to determine the amount of risk to employees, once a risk has been identified, efforts must be made to eliminate or limit it as much as possible because whether work is causing or exacerbating a health problem, businesses have a legal obligation to assist their employees. Bhavna also talks passionately and in line with Pride month, about her concerns on the Conversion therapy ban by the UK government and how important it is for governments to be among citizens with real-life experience, so that a clear grasp of what is going on around us may be achieved.

00:07- Introduction. 00:38- Reason for Mental Health Advocacy. 01:10- “Mental health” an essential issue. 01:40- Keen eye on the LGBTQ Community. 02:25- Ban on Conversion Therapy. 03:30- Going into Mental health Pandemic. 06:00- Views of Working from home. 08:25- What Companies needs to do to Value their employees? 11:35- Essence of application feedback from companies to applicants. 13:35- Thoughts on regulations and systems of a company effects to mental health. 16:20- Systems Companies Can put in place to be socially responsible and Value their employees. 18:53- CEO engagement with employees. 20:10- The need for the real Citizen governance. 23:30- Employers doing the bare minimum for their employee. 25:40- Being empathetic as a manager. 26:06- Recommendation for people struggling with mental health. 29:00- Bhavna’s method of therapy. 29:57- Does the incident from the past influence peoples psychologically? 31:50- Human body as a hunter gatherer. 34:18- Seeing your company as an extended family. 36:30- Companies taking advantage of the pride month. 38:45- Transparency in business among employers and employees.

In this episode of Sustain Talks, I am talking to Dominic Offer who started thinking about what was happening in the world at a very young age. He is Director of Engagement & Sustainability at Bristol Global Mobility an international company that helps relocate people. Dominic tells us that when he realised the company he works for was one of the industry's biggest emitters, he brainstormed ways to make them a more sustainable company in the future, he shared his concerns with his co workers and went on to start the "Move the World initiative," which has been at the forefront of Bristol's sustainability journey. Dominic was so passionate about helping his organisation become more sustainable that he started working on it in his own time. His company realised the benefits of being more sustainable business and changed his role to recognise his work. The journey in Sustainability is not an easy one Dominic said, and in this Sustain Talks he walks us through his biggest challenges and life lessons from his journey to become a sustainable business and how making small steps is key to progress.

00:07- Introduction

00:39- Journey into Sustainability and the journey so far

03:20- The creation of a committee with an interest in sustainability

03:35- Partnerships 04:48- What Bristol Mobility do?

05:50- How many people do Bristol Mobility move a year?

06:20- Types of client support provided?

08:25- Questions to consider while transitioning into a Sustainable business

11:58- Advice to big corporations interested in sustainability

13:40- The importance of investing in Sustainability

15:20- Dominic’s Personal view

16:55- Biggest Challenges Involved in becoming a sustainable business

19:39- What has been Dominic’s biggest lesson through sustainability

23:25- 2030 prediction

In this week’s episode of Sustain Talks, I am talking to Megan Eddings whose husband’s stinky running shirts inspired her entrepreneurship journey by using her biochemistry background to produce sustainable apparel and fabrics. She is the Founder and CEO of Accel Unite and Accel Lifestyle and has a huge enthusiasm for life and business. The importance of a sustainable environment cannot be overstated; nonetheless, the growing global population and consumerism generate massive amounts of rubbish in the environment. Megan tells us that some healthcare facilities in the United States use 12-15,000 disposable plastic gowns each day, disposed of in landfills. It’s time for businesses to speed up and become more ecologically friendly. Megan tells us about her business experience with biodegradable packaging and reusable medical gowns, as well as how she diversified her business during the Covid-19 pandemic and how she learned how to be socially responsible.

00:35- Introduction.

01:20- What inspired Accel Unite?

03:59- A creation with Humanity and Environment in Mind.

05:08- What does Accel do differently from others?

06:28- Going above Supply Chain.

08:16- The Change of Business direction due to Covid-19.

11:40- The Impacts of being Socially Responsible due to Covid-19.

12:18- Realization of Cooperate Social responsibility.

12:50- Mindfulness in Business.

14:28- Company's claims and how to make sustainable changes effective.

15:51- Calling out brainwashing companies.

16:40- The Journey into reusable anti-bacteria gown production for Health facilities.

20:40- Reasons for a unique change in gown style.

23:10- Number of disposable gowns used in health facilities.

24:20- Megan’s Inspiration.

In this week’s Sustain Talks, I am talking to Gavin Lendon a Sustainability Consultant and one of the panellists on our recent Does ESG Matter webinar. We covered a lot of ground during the hour webinar, but we left a few questions unanswered.

In this week’s Sustain Talks we aim to answer those.

The links mentioned in this video

Webinar: Does ESG Matter? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31-DsetJcR4&t

Sustain Talks: The Solution to Our E-Waste Problem? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R3Y5CC50H8

Sustain Talks: Regenerative Farming - Thomas Gent - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQo9rchRAY0&t=3s

Frameworks - GRI (https://www.globalreporting.org/), SSAB (https://www.ssab.com/en/company/sustainability/ssab-and-sustainability/sustainability-strategy),

B Corps (https://bcorporation.uk/),

CSR-A (https://csr-accreditation.co.uk),

TCFD (https://www.fsb-tcfd.org/),

CDP (https://www.cdp.net/en) -

If you need any help with any of these please contact sam@candeconsulting.co.uk

01:07 - What is ESG?

01:49 – What’s the difference between sustainability and ESG?

04:45 – What’s the legislation and what does it mean?

09:10 – What sort of things are in the legislation reports?

11:40 – Plans? – what plans?

12:45 – Getting to net-zero without offsetting.

14:25 – Off-setting isn’t just planting trees

14:47 – Regenerative agriculture

16:20 – Deforestation versus replanting

17:00 – Frameworks, SDGs how do these fit into ESG?

18:30 – Other strategies, KPI’s, Metrics…

20:50 - Where should an SME start?

22:30 – What about the circular economy?

26:50 – Should we be scared?

28:36 – Don’t look up – Is the film our reality?

In this week’s Sustain Talks I am talking to Craig Campion. Craig is the Director of Stone Group Ltd.

Craig and his team have gone from selling IT hardware to creating a truly circular economy within their business. They take computers from businesses and universities and repurpose them for schools and children’s gaming machines!

Craig observes that when we buy a new car the old one isn’t just thrown away and sent to a landfill, it’s resold to someone else who will get many good years of service from it and the same should be true of IT equipment – just because it’s a few years old does not mean it is no longer fit for purpose.

E-Waste (electronic waste) is getting worse year on year and the UK is one of the worst contributors.

This Sustain Talks is for you - If you are considering buying new pieces of equipment for your business, you have a pile of old junk in the corner, or you are looking to be inspired by a company that has truly jumped on board with the circular economy!

00:45 – Introduction to Craig and Stone Group

01:45 – How much e-waste is there every year?

05:50 – Why don’t we resell computers like we do cars?

07:10 – People don’t want their old computers going to landfills…

08:50 – Do you know the Carbon Footprint of the equipment?

10:20 - Did you make a conscious decision to become a more sustainable company?

12:00 - What has your sustainability journey been like?

17:29 – What would your advice be to a company that wants to recycle its IT equipment?

In this week’s Sustain Talks I am talking to Jonathan Bowring. Jonathan is the Director and principal of Riversight Ltd. Jonathan leverages his 25-year career in the technology and language industries to mentor and coach business leaders. We are all pre-conditioned to follow tribal instincts and gravitate to people just like us. But the things that worked for us as cavemen no longer work in the modern world. Our lives are all richer by becoming open to new people and new ideas, relishing in the diversity of thinking from people with different backgrounds, cultures, and ideas. In this sustain talks we look at how we can think differently and how we can get the best from our teams.

00:40 – Introduction

02:05 – How does our thought process work? what are ‘thinking patterns’?

03:47 – Some of these patterns are quite basic and fundamental. What happens when we need to do more complex things?

06:00 – How do they shape our behaviour in practice?

07:25 – Can you train your brain to think differently?

09:36 - Deliberately learn more and gain new experiences…

12:00 – What can people/leaders do to change the way they think?

15:00 – Why you should think about the purpose of your meeting with your teams.

16:40 – How can a leader make employees feel more valued?

18:38 – If you could give one piece of advice to leaders what would it be?

19:55 – How can we help people to be more creative?

Pre warning that this week’s Sustain Talks has references to suicide in our discussion on mental health.

I am delighted to be joined by Luke Tyburski. Luke is an ultra-athlete, an endurance adventurer, he is a mindset coach, a mental health advocate, writer, documentary maker and thought leader.

After the recent suicide of my best friend Jenni, I wanted to make sure I did what I could to keep the conversation going around how we can help others with their mental health. In this interview we talk about spotting the signs of someone suffering with Mental Health and how you can help them. We discuss what depression looks like. It’s a frank and honest discussion with someone who has been in a very dark place but managed to find their way back.

The advice that Luke gives will help anyone that is struggling with their mental health or help those that may be around people that are struggling. I feel so lucky to be able to share this discussion I had with Luke, if it can save someone’s life then it’s worth it. Mental Health is no longer a taboo. We must speak about this at work as well as with our friends & family. Sometimes people find it easier to talk to strangers so be aware of those you come into contact with, you never know what they are going through.

For anyone that is struggling with their mental health please find some links that may help here https://www.meandmymind.nhs.uk/getting-help/mental-health-websites/

You can find out more about Luke below:

Speaking Information https://bit.ly/KeynoteSpeakingPDF

Book http://bit.ly/ChasingExtremeBook

The Ultimate Triathlon Documentary http://bit.ly/UltimateTriathlon

Website www.luketyburski.com

In this week’s Sustain Talks, I talk to Lindsay Healy - Founder Aria Grace Law CIC. I loved this interview. We talk about a new way of doing business. A truly ethical way that anyone can follow.

Lindsay has proven that whilst driving ethical standards of equality, diversity, flexibility, equal pay and giving all of our profits to charity and good causes together with delivering a zero-carbon footprint you can also be profitable excellent and serve its clients to the highest level.

Find out more about how Lindsay went from working in one of London's largest Law Firms to creating a business that gives away all its profits to charity.

Will and I talk about why we all need to move away from “business as usual”, why being authentic and selective with the work you do, and how you do it is the way to succeed in today's marketplace - Patagonia is a great example of this. Will himself changed the way he did business after becoming disillusioned with helping companies that didn’t represent his personal values. He now uses a four-step approach and the social impact brand score to help other businesses. One of the concerns that many companies share with me is that they worry about how to communicate sustainability and ESG, they’ve seen many companies being accused of greenwashing and don’t want to fall foul of this. Listening to this Sustain Talks will give you an overview of why authenticity and good business values are key to getting your messaging right and avoiding this. For more help with making your business more sustainable and socially responsible please get in touch… Take a look at Will’s scorecard to see how well you are doing today https://socialimpact.scoreapp.com

In this week’s Sustain Talks, I'm talking to Lee Dinsdale from Logros Ltd and Unity Radio.

Lee gave up his job in Banking for a more worthy career helping Manchester’s young people and communities.

In this Sustain talks, we talk about what caused Lee to completely change his focus and career, something many of us are considering after the last few years.

Lee talks about NLP and how changing our habits and including exercising and meditation in our lives are powerful tools for controlling worry.

Which will you pick the cake or the 10k run? – listen to this Sustain Talks and let me know!

This weeks Sustain Talks I’m joined by Jonny Sadler, Strategic Decarbonization Manager at Electricity North West. Jonny spent 6 years running Manchester Climate Change Agency and 11 years at Manchester City Council running the Environmental Strategy Team so is well placed to discuss Environmental Climate Change and Sustainability as it now effects every business. Jonny shares his thoughts around how we all need to work in tandem or you may just miss something quite significant. Greener Cities, greener businesses and greener communities are happier, more prosperous, healthier and a good place for biodiversity which contributes to economic development, health and social improvement and job creation. Now Jonny’s focus is helping businesses to decarbonize. Have a listen if you want to hear more on how he thinks you can reduce your carbon emissions, save energy and he also answers a few of my burning questions like is there going to be enough electricity for what we need in the future?

In this week’s Sustain Talks I am talking to Devi Virdi. Devi is the Group Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Centrica plc. She has over 25 years of experience in the hospitality and tech industry across HR, sales, marketing, operations. Devi sits on several UK and Global committees supporting and driving diversity, equity & inclusion. She is a mentor with women both in Fast Forward15 2021 program and The Girls Network 2021.

As a child, Devi felt the pain of not fitting in and suffering the fear of rejection and reality of exclusion but with a strong role model in the shape of her mum! Devi has gone on to achieve amazing things and is now able to support and inspire others.

In this Sustain Talks Sam and Devi explore what Centrica are doing

• to make employees feel included

• to get people to talk about difficult and uncomfortable topics (CEO Chris O’Shea is perfectly happy to talk about menopause!)

• and how with an engineering population of only 2% women they are looking to inspire the next generation of women engineers!

Changes must be made right now! The pace is accelerating, it’s a given for the younger generation who insist on inclusion and diversity. Want to know how you can make a difference?

There are three things… listen to find out what they are!

00:52 - introduction, who is Devi Virdi?

03:00 - What does diversity, equity & inclusion mean to you and Centrica.

07:12 - how do you have an impact in a male-orientated industry? How do you change that?

10:33 - What is your approach to dealing with discussions about potentially difficult topics, such as race, religion, politics, or sexual orientation?

15:58 - CEO Chris O’Shea speaks about menopause, such a great leader, what’s it like working with him?

17:56 - What are your thoughts on equal pay? Do you think that women aren’t being paid as much as men? And if so, why?

21:36 – Inspiring unrepresented groups that engineering can be an option.

23:20 - Have you seen much change in the last 2 years in diversity & inclusion? Is it moving quickly enough?

28:08 – What is Devi’s advice for starting with D&I for businesses?

31:10 - Who inspires you to do what you do?

In this week’s Sustain Talks I am talking to Ben Clifford Associate Director, Global Health, Safety and Sustainability at Fidelity International who has been working in the Health, Safety and Sustainability field for over 15 years.

In a recent poll, most respondents told us they were unsure how to start their sustainability journey.

This insightful Sustain Talks with Ben explains the journey he has taken with Fidelity International.

There is so much to learn from his approach.

We discuss;

✅ Why it’s easiest to start on what you can easily impact – such as energy usage.

✅ How it’s all about choice, there are often alternatives, potentially ways to consolidate your travel, think about how to do things smarter – such as moving all meetings to one day so you only make one trip rather than a few.

✅ Think about being a responsible client, helping your suppliers to help you – we all need to collaborate to succeed.

Ben shows us that being a sustainable business helps you become a better business!

00:32 – Who is Ben Clifford?

01:27 – What do Fidelity do?

02:30 - What does sustainability mean to you in your role?

06:07 – What is your approach to tracking and metrics?

07:10 – What create the biggest emissions at Fidelity?

08:28 - What do you think are the biggest challenges in being a sustainable business?

12:20 - What are Ben’s recommendations for businesses starting to think about how to start measuring emissions?

14:10 - Do you have strict criteria with suppliers with them being sustainable businesses?

17:10 - What are your goals for the next couple of years (2022-2024)?

21:05 - If someone is just starting out in sustainability what is the tip you would share with them?

24:00 - Who in sustainability inspires you?

To hear more from Ben, join us at www.responsiblefuturesconference.com an event that will inspire, guide and help businesses on their sustainable and socially responsible journeys.

I can’t wait for you to listen to this week’s Sustain Talks with Muryel Boulay. I love my conversations with Muryel she is truly one of the most Inspiring, Practical and Knowledgeable people I know in Sustainability & CSR, and this really comes across in this Sustain Talks. Muryel’s motivation and inspiration is so powerful – it really amplifies why we must all stop talking and do more. People and our love for our friends and family has to be the driver for corporate and social change. Muryel is perfectly placed to educate and inspire organisations to become more sustainable, socially responsible and do good. Enjoy this week’s Sustain Talks and start making a change!

Topics 01:20 - What does sustainability mean to you.

03:44 - How to make businesses thrive.

05:42 - Where do you think businesses should focus at the moment?

08:25 - A lot of companies speak about getting to Net Zero what does that mean and what do you think about that?

11:00 - Reduce what you're emitting.

12:12 - What about offsetting? Do you think there is a problem with that terminology?

16:50 - As a B Leader what do you think makes a great B Corp?

20:30 - As a partner to CSR-Accreditation what stands out to you that makes a gold accredited business?

23:05 - Where do you see the biggest mistakes? Have you seen it go wrong?

26:08 - What's the Green-Code?

28:00 - What have been your biggest lessons over the last few years.

30:08 - Who inspires you to do what you do and continue doing it?

Listen to Sustain Talks on:

To hear more from Muryel, join us at www.responsiblefuturesconference.com and event that will inspire, guide and help businesses on their sustainable and socially responsible journeys.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RFC2022

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-cande-65920012/

Today I’m talking to Paul Spiers from The New P&L - Principles & Leadership in Business If you haven't yet heard, there is a new way to lead in business that is taking companies to new heights. Paul has interviewed hundreds of leaders in his podcast and talks about how business needs ‘The New P&L’: one that is focused as much on ‘Principles and Leadership’ as it is on ‘Profit and Loss’, because if your Principles are right and aligned with your purpose, and your Leadership has clarity of vision and is strong, focused and empathetic, then your business will be in profit and not in loss in so many ways.

Topics:

00.30 Tell us more about yourself and your background

02.27 What do you think are the principles of leadership?

06.46 What does good leadership look like?

05.08 Why has it changed so much.

08.29 How can you become a great virtual leader?

10.51 Were there any leaders that really stood out for you?

13.36 What disciplines back a good leader

14.43 What are the common mistakes leaders make?

18.07 Why are there not enough female leaders

19.40 Who inspires you?

Listen to The New P&L: https://www.principlesandleadership.com/the-new-pl-deep-discussion

Watch The New P&L : http://b.link/youtube211

Listen to Sustain Talks on:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sustain-talks/id1599137096

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6BwIJq3Dm7vCShKIj846Yy?si=d929fe12b62a46f5

Join us for www.responsiblefuturesconference.com and event that will inspire, guide and help businesses on their sustainable and socially responsible journeys.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RFC2022

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-cande-65920012/

Welcome to Sustain Talks where I discuss the world of Sustainability and CSR with an array of interesting people I come across on my journey. Today I’m talking to Alistair Laing who is the Capital Partnership Fundraiser at St Ann's Hospice. It’s a sad fact that most of us will need the support provided by a hospice at some time in our lives, whether for ourselves or our loved ones. In this Sustain Talks, I discuss with Alistair what hospices do, and how the pandemic has made life more challenging for them. Alistair also shares how much it costs to run a hospice - you will be shocked! and how businesses can best support them, whether that’s climbing a mountain or helping with gardening. We also discuss the best way to select a charity that your business can support and the benefits of a long-term relationship.

To learn more from other inspirational individuals look at www.responsiblefuturesconference.com

And, if you’d like to see more Sustain Talks please don’t forget to subscribe to my channel. Thank you.

Topics:

00:30 – Who is Alastair Laing? And what is Alastair’s role at St Ann’s Hospice?

02:00 – Tell us more about the hospice?

04:36 - How much does it cost to run a charity like this?

05:45 - How does the charity get money?

07:30 - What do the charity partnerships with businesses look like?

09:50 – Why is it hard to ask businesses for support?

12:10 – What should I consider when thinking about a charity to support?

13:24 – What support does the hospice need from businesses?

15:30 - How has the pandemic been for your charity?

18:05 - If there was one thing as a charity you could ask for what would it be?

Alastair Laing - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-laing-1013871ba

St. Ann’s Hospice - https://www.sah.org.uk

Welcome to Sustain Talks where I discuss the world of Sustainability and CSR with an array of interesting people I come across on my journey.

Today I’m talking to Ben Kellard, Director of Business Strategy at Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).

We are talking about what is a sustainable purpose-led business? How do businesses understand where they're starting from and how they can transform to that in the future. With research from the likes of Ikea, Unilever, DSM and Interface, Ben talks about how those big brands integrated sustainability and evidence-based goals into their core purpose and strategy.

Topics

00.45 Tell us a bit more about you and your experience in Sustainability and about CISL?

01.37 What does leading with a sustainable purpose mean?

05.32 Tell us about your latest report transforming business.

08.11 What are your thoughts on Climate Change?

10.32 What differences should people be making now?

14.12 What are the biggest challenges to transforming businesses?

17.50 What does getting to Net Zero mean?

20.15 Can you explain what Nature Based Solutions means?

22.54 What are your thoughts on offsetting?

27.07 What are the important lessons you learnt over the last year?

29.59 What are your goals for 2022?

If you want to hear Ben speak and find out more about becoming a sustainable and socially responsible business, join us at our conference www.responsiblefuturesconference.com

Welcome to Sustain Talks where I discuss the world of Sustainability and CSR with an array of interesting people I come across on my journey. Today I’m talking to Andrew Adeniyi who is the author of The Circle of Leadership.

When Andrew found out that two-thirds of people hated their jobs he felt compelled to understand why, this journey led him to write his book the Circle of Leadership.

In this Sustain Talks Andrew explores with us what good leadership looks like, what to do with staff who don’t align with your company principles and how to better recruit.

Andrew also explains why he thinks CEO's should be at the bottom of organisation charts. So, if you are a CEO, or aspire to be a great leader, this Sustain Talks is just for you!

To learn more from other inspirational individuals look at www.responsiblefuturesconference.com

And, if you’d like to see more Sustain Talks please don’t forget to subscribe to my channel.

Topics:

00:43 Tell us more about you.

01:55 Tell us a bit more about The Circle of Leadership.

03:46 What inspired you to write the book?

05:57 What does good leadership look like?

07:48 What does good culture look like?

09:13 What is the no one thing that leaders should be doing to create a good culture?

11:26 What are the common mistakes you see in businesses when trying to create culture?

13:16 How do you change bad company culture?

15:30 How do you influence cultural change?

16:53 What do companies need to think about with regard to diversity and inclusion?

19:01 Who inspires you? Have you seen any great examples of how a business has created a great culture?

Today I’m talking to Jo Hand who is the co-founder of Giki an organisation that helps people to live more sustainably by understanding and measuring your carbon footprint.

Jo feels that the power of change is in all our hands and her great tools enable you to calculate your impact, covering everything we have control over – Home, Travel, Diet, what we buy and the services we use.

Changes that we all need to make must be easy and fair and they will be different for all of us.

To learn more about what you can do as an individual sit back and watch today’s #SustainTalks!

Watch here: https://lnkd.in/emPwMJeG

To learn more from other inspirational companies and individuals check out Responsible Futures Conference at https://lnkd.in/g8TMwMGG

And, if you’d like to see more Sustain Talks please don’t forget to subscribe to my channel.

Or if you prefer to listen you can find #SustainTalks podcast on the following links:

Apple podcast – https://lnkd.in/eX8DccMQ

Spotify – https://lnkd.in/gk6bxDdG

carbonfootprint #sustainableliving #carbonemissions

Today I’m talking to Gihan Hyde who is the CEO and founder of Communique an organisation that helps you communicate your company’s purpose, environmental, social, and business strategies. Is ESG just CSR on steroids and do we confuse ourselves with Sustainabubble and Sustainababble? Want to find out more then this Sustain Talks is for you!

In this weeks Sustain Talks we decided to do something a little bit different to celebrate the end of the year. We turned the cameras around and asked Sam Cande some of the questions she has been asking our experts throughout the year.

Yesterday Karen and I were in central London and the buzz of Christmas was all around, there are of course only 17 days left until Christmas Day! If you celebrate Christmas, I’m sure you are busy buying gifts and food for family and friends... STOP!

Before you buy anything else watch this Sustain Talks! I’m talking to Callum Miller who is the Co-founder of Ethy. Callum and I talk about Ethical shopping, sustainable brands and how to buy better. I’m feeling quite differently about shopping this year, are you? I’m really interested to know if you’ve changed your buying habits this year? If you’d like to learn more from Ethy and other inspirational companies and individuals take a look at www.responsiblefuturesconference.com And, If you’d like to see more Sustain Talks please don’t forget to Subscribe to my channel. Thank you.

00:34 – Who is Callum and what is Ethy?

03:00 – What are Callum’s views on consumerisation?

05:00 – How can we buy more ethically, what should we look out for?

06:00 – How can I tell which brands are trustworthy?

07:10 – What brands should we look at?

08:21 – Is buying ethically still more expensive?

10:01 - What are Cullum’s top tips for buying more ethically?

13:23 – Who inspires Callum?

Welcome to Sustain Talks where I discuss the world of Sustainability and CSR with an array of interesting people I come across on my journey. Today I’m talking to Martin Rich who is the Co-founder & Executive Director of Future-Fit Foundation. Martin feels if we are all going to succeed at making the world a better and more sustainable one, we are all going to have to work together. The egocentric world we live in is broken, shuffling forward isn’t enough. We can’t leave it to governments post COP26. It’s time for a societal shift! If you’d like to learn more from Future-Fit Foundation and other inspirational companies and individuals take a look at www.responsiblefuturesconference.com We are thrilled that Martin will be talking at the conference in June 2022. And, If you’d like to see more Sustain Talks please don’t forget to Subscribe to my channel. Thank you.

00:28 – Who is Martin? What is Future-Fit Foundation?

02:36 - What do you think the future looks like in terms of societal change & climate change?

05:30 - What do you think we need to do urgently to change?

07:00 – What are your thoughts on Cop26? Do you think it was a success or not and what are your reasons?

10:50 – What are your views of Net-Zero?

15:28 – Societal change has to happen as well as sustainable change.

Welcome to Sustain Talks where I discuss the world of Sustainability and CSR with an array of interesting people I come across on my journey. Today I’m talking to Sarah Allen who is the Head of Culture and CSR for Vaultex UK. Sarah tells us about what sustainability and being a responsible business means to Vaultex. I first heard of Vaultex when reading their ESG report and Sarah tells us a bit about what going through that process meant for them. As businesses we’ve all had to endure lots of challenges over the last few years and Sarah explains how their CSR strategy has helped them support their staff. The approach at Vaultex really is inspirational as they work hand in hand with their staff to shape the way forward – something I think we all in the business world can learn from, If you’d like to learn more from Vaultex and other inspirational companies and individuals take a look at www.responsiblefuturesconference.com We are thrilled that Sarah will be talking at the conference in June 2022. And, If you’d like to see more Sustain Talks please don’t forget to Subscribe to my channel. Thank you.

00:53 – Who is Sarah and who are Vaultex?

03:22 – What does sustainability and being a responsible company mean to Vaultex?

04:35 – What stood out for Sarah when creating the ESG report?

06:51 – What does equality and diversity mean for Vaultex?

11:42 – How do you break your CSR strategy down?

14:52 – The “waste reduction” story…

18:30 – What are Sarah’s health and well-being tips for other companies?

23:58 – What have been the challenges so far?

Welcome to Sustain Talks where I discuss the world of Sustainability and CSR with an array of interesting people I come across on my journey. Today I’m talking to Phil Williams the environmentalist, sustainability trainer and colourful raconteur. Phil shares with us his intimate stories of life with his friends the Amazonians and the adventures he has had in the rain forest. He also shares how we can all make small changes at home, in the way we shop, eat and the electricity we use, which will all have a lasting impact on our children’s futures. After COP26 I think we all realise we all need to do our bit. Phil thinks it’s time to stop talking and start taking action, so watch Phil and I take some notes and start making a change! If you’d like to learn more about what you and your company can do to be more responsible and sustainable please take a look at www.responsiblefuturesconference.com If you’d like to hear more from people like Phil please don’t forget to Subscribe to my channel. Thank you.

00:48 – Who is Phil Williams?

04:39 – What is happening in the Amazon? How has it changed over the years? What are the consequences?

13:26 – What are Phil’s views on planting trees to offset carbon?

16:00 – We are very powerful with our shopping . . .

18:20 – Is it too late to make a difference?

20:36 – We went looking for a scarlet Macaw. . .

24:54 – What is the one change Phil advises people to make?

Welcome to Sustain Talks where I discuss the world of Sustainability and CSR with an array of interesting people I come across on my journey. In a week where we launched the Responsible Futures Conference ( www.responsiblefuturesconference.com ) I couldn’t think of a more fitting guest than Lauren Costello from Business in the Community. Business in the Community helps companies of all shapes and sizes shape their purpose enabling them to make a difference. A company’s purpose should be its guiding light. Enabling it to keep its values close and support employees in challenging times. Over the last few years, we’ve seen Covid, Black Lives Matter, Climate Action all very important, all needing companies to step up and support their employees. Having a clear purpose guides a company through the good and the bad. A clear purpose is fundamental to business today, people want to work for companies with a good purpose. This is one to watch, we all need a purpose!

0:34 – What is Business in the Community and what does Laurens’s job involve?

1:40 – What does a purposeful responsible culture look like?

3:15 - What is it important for companies to act now?

4:33 - What are the benefits to a business?

7:28 – How is purpose connected to sustainability?

9:18 – What’s Lauren’s advice to a company that is thinking of starting to be more responsible?

12:10 – What challenges are they likely to face?

13:15 – Three things that you need to remember…

14:36 – Have you seen an increase in activity?

17:06 – What has Lauren learnt over the last couple of years?

20:09 – Who Inspires Lauren?

Welcome to Sustain Talks where I discuss the world of Sustainability and CSR with an array of interesting people I come across on my journey. In this week’s Sustain Talks I’m delighted to speak to Becky Gordon, Regional Sustainability Manager at Interface, one of the world’s most sustainable conscious companies. Interface won a UN award for their work on carbon and have delivered their mission zero commitment in part becoming the first global flooring manufacturer to sell all products as carbon neutral across their full life cycle. Becky tells us more about the history of the company and how she ensures that sustainability remains a core part of everybody’s role within their business. If you are looking to drive sustainability throughout your business, then this interview has some really valuable lessons.

00:54 – Who is Becky Gordon?

01:23 – How can you ensure sustainability is core to your business?

03:52 – How does your social impact fit in with your sustainability?

06:15 – What is your mission to zero?

06:28 – Tell us about Ray Anderson and how it started?

08:12 – How do you measure your impact?

10:54 – How do you create a carbon negative product?

13:38 – How urgent do you think the climate crisis is right now?

16:58 – What kind of simple changes can businesses make?

21:00 - What important lessons have you learnt in the last year and a half?

23:50 – Who inspires you in sustainability and social responsibility?

Welcome to Sustain Talks where I discuss the world of Sustainability and CSR with an array of interesting people I come across on my journey. This week I’m excited to bring you Richard Betts from EY. In this video Richard and I discuss EYs ambitious targets as well as Richards personal achievements with The Rainforest Trust, the big life changes he made after lock-down and why what we all do as individuals is as important as the activities of large corporates and countries! Forests, Peat-land and the Ocean are absorbing half the carbon pollution we are producing... Richard thinks it's time we started looking after these, as they are looking after us... Do you?

00:21 – Who is Richard Betts?

01:08 – What does Sustainability and CSR mean to Richard?

03:00 – What changes has Richard made?

05:44 – Can we plant enough trees to tackle the crisis?

07:22 - What are EYs sustainability goals?

08:40 – Is hitting the targets enough to make a change?

13:30 – Everyone including small businesses need to play a part.

17:43 – What are the biggest challenges in sustainability?

20:43 – What is the biggest threat to the UK?

23:42 - What important lessons have you learnt in the last year and a half?

31:00 – Why bio-diversity?

35:28 – Who inspires Richard?

Welcome to Sustain Talks where I discuss the world of Sustainability and CSR with an array of interesting people I come across on my journey. Today I’m bringing you an extra special talk to celebrate World Menopause Day (18th October). I’m joined by Hannah Lindsell and Meredith Brown from Caring Collaborative Coaching who join me, talking about what the menopause is and why it’s so important now. We talk about some practical steps you can take to manage symptoms and what work can do to support you. And MEN! You might think that this one isn’t for you… but understanding what is happening to your colleagues will better help you and them and so don’t think about switching off!

0:00 – Introduction to Hannah Lindsell and Meredith Brown

4:17 - What are the symptoms? And at what age will it happen?

7:03 – Can you slow down the menopause? How do you manage it?

9:21 -Why is there so much momentum and media attention now?

11:58 – How can people talk about the menopause at work?

16:54 – What advise do you have for companies supporting their staff?

18:07 – How do I recognise that imperi-menopausal?

Welcome to Sustain Talks where I discuss the world of Sustainability and CSR with an array of interesting people I come across on my journey. Today I’m talking to Matt Holman Owner of Simpila Mental Health, an organisation that helps businesses on their internal wellbeing programmes along with awareness, education and training in mental health. In today’s world it’s rare to come across someone who hasn’t faced an issue with their own mental health, and whilst its less of a taboo subject, people still find it challenging to have open conversations, especially in work. Since the pandemic the way we work has completely changed, many employees are still working remotely, there is more of a strain on staff. Some employees have been on long term furlough or working in an environment with limited staff amongst many other tough situations. We need to help society address Mental Health in a positive way and doing this at work can really help your staff and teams thrive.

I'm talking to Ed Packshaw, Director of Sustainability and Governance at Rivel. Ed has over 10 years’ experience in Conservation and Sustainability both in the UK and abroad. Today he is going to help us understand what ESG is, the implications of EU Taxonomy, regulation and the framework that needs to be completed in the next few years by all companies large and small... And why good business values are still key to everything you should be doing. It’s time to start measuring your carbon footprint, waste etc

Thomas talks to us about regenerative farming and why it this could be a better option to planting trees. Regenerative farming can do in 1 year what it takes 30 years of growing a tree to do. It’s important for biodiversity, produces better nutrients in the food that is grown and can improve soil quality which can mitigate extreme weather conditions in farming. I really enjoyed learning more about regenerative farming and I hope you do to.

Did you know that 4% of global carbon emissions are due to the internet? And the figures are growing. Have you thought about building an eco friendly website? Or would you like to measure your websites carbon footprint? Shane shares some great tips on how you can reduce your carbon emissions with the technology you are using.

Do you have concerns about where to start with CSR or want to understand why its so important to look at your social and environmental impact?

In this talk Richard challenges the C in CSR and shows that by being socially responsible it allows you to enrich the quality of life for all by investing in social value as an essential part of an organisation's culture.

Glenn explains that although carbon calculations can be complicated the tools and API’s that Thrust Carbon provide can enable companies to offer green products and operate sustainably at the touch of a button! He also offers reassurance to smaller companies that are struggling with how to start – you can still make a difference.

Today I'm talking to Tiia Sammallahti, Tiia’s company What Impact brings together charities and companies – think LinkedIn for CSR! Tiia explains what to consider when selecting charities to work with and why some of the less glamorous ones could bring the biggest benefits! We also discuss common mistakes that are made when donating time or money. And why it's actually good that not all of your money goes to the final cause.

Alice is helping companies improve by working with them on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key to this for Alice is prosperity for all – in fact, this is the reason Prosperah is called Prosperah! If you are finding the 17 SDGs a little overwhelming this Sustain Talks will be of interest to you. Alice talks about Prosperah’s strategy and framework which enables companies to quickly become better businesses by not trying to do all the goals at once. Alice also explains why now is the time to start looking at them and that you are probably already doing better than you think you are!

Ben is working on some fascinating projects looking at natural capital, rewilding and increasing carbon sequestration in the earth. If you’re interested in understanding why ecosystems are collapsing and increasing biodiversity in your garden… Or perhaps you’re struggling to understand the difference between conservation and rewilding… Maybe you just want to stop the insect apocalypse! Then this talk is just for you!

Gwyn has been working around sustainability for more years than he can remember however, he is still so enthusiastic and surprisingly optimistic about the future as long as we act now!

With a year of increased wildfires and flooding it is more imperitive than ever for urgent climate action.

Gwyn is hopeful this might be an eye opener for politicians, will it be for you too? Are you loving or exploiting the planet? What are you actively doing for your children’s future? Plastic throwaway toys or a planet they can thrive on?

Have you ever wondered how to make a country sustainable? Thats just one of the tasks Asif tackled in his brilliant career. With over 20 years experience in sustainability Asif shares his thoughts on net zero, shortermism, hybrid working & adaptability. Such great insight and delighted to share this talk with you all.

I talk to Carol about her experience as a professional black woman who was stopped by the police just for driving a nice car, and cannot go for a jog with a hood on as she is worried about being stopped by the police. It is happening.

How do you have a conversation about Diversity & Inclusion? We all need to have these conversations and put D&I into the forefront of peoples minds. Its not an easy conversation but we shouldn't shy away.

Listen to Carol's personal story and her advice on how to have these conversations in the workplace. Carol is part of a number of organisations Diversity & Inclusion working groups.

Jess talks about the say-do gap and about brand positioning as well as the blending of environment and social impact. Find out what top tips Jess has for keeping ahead of sustainability.

Fly Green Alliance (FGA) work to increase the supply, production and use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) working closely with the business travel sector, sports sector and corporate travellers on sustainable travel solutions. Sarah talks about how SAF is made, where it comes from and what the challenges are in getting it into production.