The Sustainability Agenda

In this interview,with Bettina Grabymayr, Methodology and Research Director at EcoVadis, we explore the critical role of sustainability assessments in managing supply chain risks, particularly as global regulations like the EU’s CSRD and CS3D come into play. Bettina shares how EcoVadis’ comprehensive rating methodology helps companies gather reliable sustainability data, engage suppliers and improve performance. She also delves into the rigorous data verification process, behind the ratings, which combines AI and human expertise to ensure accuracy and mitigate greenwashing risks. By tailoring assessments to industry-specific sustainability challenges, EcoVadis enables companies to address material issues and drive continuous improvement. Tune in to discover practical strategies for enhancing sustainability performance in today’s complex regulatory landscape. Bettina also discusses how EcoVadis goes beyond providing ratings by supporting companies on their sustainability journey through tools like corrective action plans and the EcoVadis Academy. These resources offer actionable insights, helping businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to understand and improve their sustainability practices. Bettina highlights the growing importance of network effects within the EcoVadis ecosystem, where companies can reuse their sustainability scorecards across multiple customers, reducing the administrative burden and fostering collaboration. As the regulatory landscape evolves, EcoVadis continues to adapt its methodologies, ensuring alignment with emerging global standards while emphasizing continuous improvement and positive impact for both people and the planet. Bettina Grabmayr is Methodology and Research Director at EcoVadis, where she oversees the development and implementation of sustainability assessment methodologies.

In this fascinating interview with Professor Brett Christophers from Uppsala University, we dive deep into the complex relationship between finance, energy markets, and the global climate crisis, as explored in his new book The Price Is Wrong: Why Capitalism Won’t Save the Planet. Brett provides critical insights into why global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise despite falling renewable energy costs. He explains how governments worldwide have effectively outsourced decarbonization to the financial sector, expecting private markets to lead the way in renewable energy investment.This episode sheds light on the structural and profitability constraints that hinder the pace of the renewable energy transition, challenging the widely held belief that the solution lies solely in market-driven mechanisms. Brett critiques the reliance on financial markets to redirect capital away from fossil fuels and highlights the geopolitical and financial intricacies surrounding energy security. Through a detailed examination of energy economics, we explore why big oil and gas companies remain highly profitable and resistant to change—even in a world urgently demanding decarbonization.Brett Christophers  is a political economist and professor at Uppsala University in Sweden. His work focuses on economic geography, with a particular emphasis on the intersections of finance, land and capitalism. Brett's the author of several influential books exploring the dynamics of land ownership, finance and economic power, including The New Enclosure, Rentier Capitalism, and most recently, The Price is Wrong: Why Capitalism Won't Save the Planet. 

In this fascinating interview, James Thornton, founder and CEO of ClientEarth, discusses his latest book Nature, My Teacher, offering a unique perspective on the intersections of law, nature, and spirituality. Reflecting on his decades-long career as an environmental lawyer, Thornton shares how his work to protect the environment has been shaped by his deep reverence for nature and his experiences as a Zen Buddhist priest. The book delves into his personal philosophy and the lessons he's learned from nature, which continue to inspire his work in environmental advocacy.Thornton reflects on his journey with ClientEarth, an environmental law charity that has made significant strides in using the law to hold corporations and governments accountable for environmental harm. His experiences span across continents, from the United States to Europe and China, where he has helped shape legal systems that protect the planet. One notable highlight in the interview is Thornton’s experience in China, where he has been working to help develop laws that empower citizens to hold polluters, including government-owned entities, accountable. This groundbreaking work aligns with China’s ambition to build an "ecological civilization," an effort enshrined in its constitution and reflected in transformative advancements in green technology.Throughout the conversation, Thornton weaves together the themes of his book with his practical experience in environmental law, illustrating how his spiritual beliefs, legal expertise, and deep connection to nature converge to guide his approach to sustainability. Nature, My Teacher serves as both a reflection on Thornton’s remarkable career and an urgent call to reconnect with the natural world, offering readers a hopeful yet pragmatic roadmap for tackling the climate crisis.James Thornton is the founding CEO of ClientEarth, a path-breaking law firm which uses advocacy, litigation and research to address the greatest challenges of our time – including nature loss and climate change. ClientEearth has an extra-ordinary record of success built on solid law and science – and has brought about fundamental change in the way environmental protections are made and enforced across Europe. The New Statesman has named James as one of 10 people who could change the world. James has twice won Leader of the Year at the Business Green Awards. The Financial Times awarded him its Special Achievement accolade at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards. James is an ordained Zen Buddhist priest; his latest book Nature, My Teacher: How to Be Alive in a World under Threat was published in April.

In this compelling discussion, John Elkington, delves into his five-decade experience advocating for corporate responsibility and sustainability and discusses his latest book, "Tickling Sharks," which combines his personal memoir with a manifesto for future action. John reflects on the evolution of the sustainability agenda, highlighting significant milestones and challenges along the way. He recounts his early struggles to engage businesses in the environmental movement and the eventual widespread adoption of sustainability practices. Elkington addresses the current state of corporate sustainability, expressing concerns about the politicization of the agenda and the slow pace of change. Looking ahead, Elkington emphasizes the need for systemic change, urging businesses to adopt innovative approaches, underscoring the importance of resilience and regeneration, as well as collaboration with diverse stakeholders to create a sustainable and equitable futureAuthor, advisor and serial entrepreneur, John Elkington is a pioneer in the world of corporate responsibility and sustainable development. John has been at the forefront of sustainability thinking for five decades and is widely recognized as one of the founders of the global sustainability movement, He is credited with coining influential terms such as 'green growth,' 'triple bottom line,' and 'people, planet, and profit.” John is also co-founder of four environmental and sustainability businesses, and has served in over 70 boards and advisory boards. He is founder and chief pollinator of Volans, a future-focused business working at the intersection of sustainability, entrepreneurship and innovation.  John is the author or co-author of some 20 books; his latest, Tickling Sharks, is a memoir of his pioneering work in developing and promoting corporate sustainability.