Innovation Forum Podcast

Andreas Hansen, senior policy advisor of ocean and conservation finance at The Nature Conservancy, talks with Innovation Forum's Bea Stevenson about the new UN framework to protect marine biodiversity in international waters. They discuss the potential business impacts for seafood supply chains and how the treaty recognises the oceans’ role in climate change mitigation.

In this week’s preview of what’s coming up, Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh and Bea Stevenson talk about why the World Health Organisation, celebrating its 75th anniversary this week, is focusing on climate change in this year’s World Health Day, and business implications. They also discuss the potential implications of impending carbon tax increases in Canada and how this reflects carbon pricing trends more generally. Plus, Innovation Forum’s Natasha Bodnar gives an update on some of the participants and discussion points on the agenda at the future of food conference on 3rd and 4th May in Amsterdam 

This week: During Innovation Forum’s responsible sourcing and ethical trade event in London, some of the expert participants spoke with Ian Welsh, reflecting on conversations from the conference. They discussed the continued need for multi-stakeholder collaboration, conducting deep-dive research on suppliers and ensure due diligence is not just a box-ticking exercise. Hear from Rae Lindsay from Clifford Chance, Bakkavor’s Fiona Wheatley and Phil Bloomer from Business and Human Rights Resource Centre. Plus: Climate groups call on 30 insurance companies to stop underwriting fossil fuels immediately; UN fact-finding mission finds EU complicit in Libya migrant abuses; Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures releases its final draft framework; EU to go ahead on phase-out of internal combustion cars and vans by 2035, after deal with Germany, in the news digest with Innovation Forum’s Bea Stevenson.

Brendan May, sustainable business commentator and chair of Robertsbridge, talks with Ian Welsh about the key sustainable business trends from corporate net-zero models and evolution of how companies tackle climate change and other pressing challenges. They discuss the need for deforestation to be flagged in multilateral trade deals, the unintended consequences of regulatory tightening, why banning palm oil would be a disaster and regenerative agriculture’s potential.

We know that upcycling, recycling, and the use of recycled materials are pillars of a circular apparel industry. However, challenges to scale remain around the downgrading of recycled materials, powerful vested interests in virgin fibre production, and rapid growth in fashion consumption. Apparel brands must play a significant role in tackling these issues to limit the use of virgin fibres, and re-shape the industry. We discussed: • What are the barriers and challenges in using and re-using recycled materials for apparel, and how can brands overcome these? • The role of business in helping to build and scale textile recycling infrastructure • How brands can effectively engage with consumers in circular fashion • The tools and models available for measuring the impact of using recycled fabrics The panel: • Nienke Steen, global lead apparel, textiles and footwear, Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute • Anna-Karin Dahlberg, director of sustainability, Lindex • Steven Bethell, founder, Bank & Vogu

In a preview of what's coming up this week, Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh and Bea Stevenson talk about what to look out for in the UK government's refreshed net-zero strategy, and contrast it with other approaches in in the US and EU. They also discuss the first international zero waste day to be held on 30th March to raise awareness of zero waste initiatives. And, Catie Ball provides further information on some of the discussion points coming up at the sustainable apparel and textiles conference USA on 21st-22nd June in New York City. Plus Emily Heslop talks about what to expect at the responsible sourcing and ethical trade forum in London this week.

This week: Olivier Tichit, director of sustainability at Musim Mas, talks with Ian Welsh about some unintended consequences of EU’s new regulation banning the import of deforestation-linked products into the bloc. They discuss how the development of “verified deforestation-free” programmes, with third party verification, might be a solution that keeps markets open for imports from higher risk growing regions. Plus: the high risk of missing 1.5C or 2C warming pathways, concludes IPCC's new synthesis report; CDP's new research shows insufficient environmental impact reporting and disclosure; oyster mushrooms to consume cigarette butts in Australian trial, in the news digest. And, a preview of what to expect from key panel sessions, and who will be taking part, at the future of climate action virtual conference in June, from Innovation Forum's Natasha Bodnar. Host: Ian Welsh

Bayer’s head of ethics and social impact, Janina Lukas, talks with Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh about how business can adapt and engage in changing legislation on ethics and social impact. They talk about the continued need for companies to go beyond compliance, and how regulation can create a level playing field. However, they also discuss the flaws in a “one size fits all” approach.

In a new preview of what’s coming up, Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh and Bea Stevenson talk about what to look out for in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s latest report summing up its recent conclusions in what should be a crucial policy document. They also discuss the upcoming UN water conference in New York where the Water Action Agenda will be launched. And Hanna Halmari provides insights into some of the panels coming up at the sustainable apparel and textiles conference on 25th and 26th April in Amsterdam.

This week: Senior policy advisor for ocean and conservation finance at The Nature Conservancy, Andreas Hansen, talks with Innovation Forum’s Bea Stevenson about the new UN draft agreement to protect offshore marine biodiversity. They talk about the new framework on environmental impact assessment in the high seas and its business impacts. Plus: CDP investors now request corporate plastics pollution disclosure; why microplastics pollution is even more of a problem than feared; and, bottle and can deposit return scheme controversy in Scotland, in the news digest. And, some details on conference sessions coming up at the future of food USA conference in Minneapolis on 31st May-1st June from Innovation Forum’s Emily Heslop. Host: Ian Welsh

Tom Thackray, director of decarbonisation at the Confederation of British Industry, talks with Ian Welsh about the role of UK business in driving forwards on net zero commitments, and the inevitable challenges the necessary transition will throw up. They discuss the opportunities for greater energy efficiency and affordability from low-carbon technologies, the need for increasing accessibility for all business to such technology, and the importance of action that brings benefits now.

This week: Brendan May, sustainable business commentator and chair of Robertsbridge, reflects with Ian Welsh on the key sustainable business global trends and challenges, and how companies should engage on them. They discuss the dangers of complacency when tackling climate change and biodiversity loss, and how greenwashing-derived sensitivity has led to greater corporate transparency. Plus: deforestation inflicting local rainfall loss for farmers, according to Nature; Brazilian wine sector’s modern slavery challenges; UK's first fully recyclable savoury snacks flexible packaging from PepsiCo; and EU set to tighten ESG rules for pension funds, in the news digest. And, insights on what’s coming up at some of the panel discussion sessions at the responsible sourcing and ethical trade forum in London on 29th-30th March from Innovation Forum's Emily Heslop. Host: Ian Welsh

Recently, corporate use of voluntary carbon markets and verified emissions credits has come under intense scrutiny and debate. On one side, reporting in the Guardian and elsewhere has claimed that most certified credits do not represent genuine carbon reductions. On the other side, certifying bodies and others supporting the use of voluntary carbon markets and projects tackling deforestation have stoutly defended verified emissions reduction credits and the science behind the certification. Certainly, the voluntary carbon markets are imperfect; challenges include establishing baselines and accounting methodology. Nevertheless, carbon projects, including REDD+ projects, are perhaps the best method we currently have of getting finance to indigenous communities so that they can value their forests with the trees standing. In this special webinar, we had a frank and transparent debate about the challenges and solutions. We asked experts how we can move forward to ensure that finance from voluntary carbon market

Peter McAllister, executive director of the Ethical Trading Initiative, talks with Ian Welsh about the complexities of ethical trade and emerging corporate engagement to untangling the risks within these systemic issues. They discuss what good regulation looks like and some of the unintended consequences of corporate human rights due diligence.

This week: Janina Lukas, head of ethics and social impact at Bayer, talks about the impacts of ethics and social policy on business. Talking with Ian Welsh, she discusses the challenges of corporate due diligence and the importance of peer collaboration and putting people at the core of risk management. Plus: US measures to crack down on child labour; final talks for UN High Seas Treaty; Golden Agri-Resources and IOI Group part company with the High Carbon Stock Approach initiative; and, Lufthansa ad banned in UK for greenwashing, in the news digest from Bea Stevenson. And, Natasha Bodnar gives an update on the upcoming future of food conference in Amsterdam on 3rd-4th May. Host: Ian Welsh

The WEF has identified biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse as one of the fastest deteriorating global risks over the next decade. With close ties to biodiversity loss throughout their value chains, many apparel brands are seeking to measure, monitor, and reduce their impacts on nature. Several approaches to measuring corporate biodiversity performance have emerged, forming a complex landscape for businesses to navigate. Before they can act to transform supply chains and the ecosystems they touch, brands must understand how to measure their impacts. In this webinar, we discussed: • The tools and frameworks available for measurement, including mapping tools and natural capital accounting • What is the outlook for alignment on biodiversity measurement and valuation for businesses? • How brands can use the TNFD Framework to report and verify their biodiversity impacts • Best practice from brands building nature-positive strategies today The panel: • Liesl Truscott, director – industry accountability &

CEO and co-founder of WNWN Food Labs Ahrum Pak talks with Innovation Forum's Bea Stevenson about a sustainable alternative to chocolate created from cereal and legumes. They discuss how cocoa-free products have the potential to positively disrupt the cocoa sector, and the need for addressing the sensitivities of existing supply chains to ensure no unintended negative impacts on traditional cocoa suppliers.

This week: Tom Thackray, director of the decarbonisation programme at the Confederation of British Industry, talks with Ian Welsh about ways for business and government to collaborate in the race to net zero. They discuss the impact of government in steering business innovations and progress in green technologies and renewable energy deployment. Plus: not enough progress on corporate deforestation commitments says Global Canopy's Forest 500 report; International Energy Agency's global methane tracker calling oil, gas and energy sector to cutting methane emissions; and, students vote for all vegan menus at the University of Cambridge, in the news digest. And, Innovation Forum's Hanna Halmari shares further updates on the sustainable apparel and textiles conference in Amsterdam on 25th-26th June. Host: Ian Welsh Click here to register for the carbon debate webinar with Verra, UK Climate Change Committee and Sylvera on 1st March, 2pm GMT/9am EST.

Andrew Wallis, CEO of anti-slavery NGO Unseen, talks with Ian Welsh about the importance of scrutiny and collaboration to protect migrant workers. They discuss the absence of a UK independent anti-slavery commissioner, the need for better legislation enforcement, and how to create an environment where “good” business can thrive.

This week: Peter McAllister, executive director of the Ethical Trading Initiative, explores the complexities of human rights and ethical trade for business in a challenging global environment. He talks about changing costs pressures and evolving regulatory landscapes – including EU human rights due diligence legislation – and the patterns of stakeholder engagement that are emerging. Plus: PVH pays Haiti garment workers $1m after supplier factory closure; US senators question SHEIN CEO about forced labour ties; Indonesia and Malaysia in talks with EU over new deforestation regulation; and, “forever chemicals” found in Arctic ice posing new risk to wildlife, in the news digest with Bea Stevenson. And, an update on the upcoming future of climate action and how to tackle scope 3 GHGs virtual conference on 12th-14th June from Innovation Forum's Natasha Bodnar. Host: Ian Welsh