Innovation Forum Podcast

This week: Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh and Natasha Bodnar share updates on the upcoming 2025 responsible sourcing and ethical trade forum, taking place in London on 19th-20th March. They discuss latest speaker confirmations and agenda updates to look forward to, including discussions around how to adapt supply chains without leaving smallholders behind, and give detail of an exclusive podcast listener offer. For more information on how to get involved, click here.   Plus: speaking from COP29, Owen Bethell, global public affairs lead for environment at Nestlé, gives some on-the-ground reflections. In conversation with Ian, he discusses the limited progress in the first week but also highlights key breakthroughs such as carbon market agreements and optimism surrounding the broader economic transition toward decarbonisation.

This week: Jon Copley, professor of ocean exploration and science communication at the University of Southampton, talks with Innovation Forum’s Toby Webb about the critical role of net zero metals in the transition to sustainable energy. They discuss the complexities of deep-sea mining and its ecological impacts, and opportunities in securing the metals needed for a low-carbon future.   Plus: Innovation Forum has just launched the 2025 Future of Food and Beverage USA conference, coming up in May in Minneapolis. At the 2024 event Ian Welsh spoke with Dwane Roth, a fourth generation farmer from western Kansas about the challenges of water stewardship amid climate change.   And, COP29 opens in Baku amid controversial statements; Nestlé highlights "fourth wave" of coffee trends; two-thirds of smaller businesses risk falling behind CSRD, according to EcoOnline; and, delay on the European Union Deforestation Regulation implementation confirmed, in the news digest.   Host: Ian Welsh

Innovation Forum’s Catie Ball, Diana Kim and Emily Heslop talk about the evolving landscape of sustainable commodity regulations and the impact of policies including the European Union Deforestation Regulation, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. They discuss how these regulations are reshaping supply chain expectations, particularly for commodity producers, and highlight the potential risks to smallholder farmers and challenges for companies in meeting these new standards. The discussion covers global compliance trends, strategies for companies to build resilience, and the balance between genuine sustainability efforts and the risk of greenwashing.

This week: Innovation Forum’s Anamya Anurag and Ian Welsh talk about what’s coming up at the just-launched 2025 future of food and beverage USA forum in Minneapolis on May 28th and 29th.   And, speaking at the 2024 conference, KFC’s Nivera Wallanni, chief development officer, and Nira Johri, chief sustainability officer, talk with Ian about how the brand has developed sustainability strategy in lock-step with other business development strategy.

This week: at the recent sustainable commodities and land use forum, CEO of TRACT, Allison Kopf, spoke with Ian Welsh about how companies are updating their compliance and due diligence procedures. They also talk about the impacts of potential European Union deforestation regulation delay.   Plus: quick fire insights from Kresse Wesling, co-founder of Elvis and Kresse, at the 2024 sustainable apparel and textiles conference. She discusses what good sustainability practices look like and how companies can respond to incoming regulation.   And, biodiversity COP16 fails to resolve conservation funding, targets unmet; study suggests natural regeneration outperforms tree planting for biodiversity; and, Swiss consumers favour paying extra for dairy with better animal welfare, in the news digest.   Host: Ian Welsh   Registrations for the 2025 sustainable apparel and textiles conference in Amsterdam is now open. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Andy Griffiths, global head of sustainable procurement at Diageo, talks with Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh about the company’s efforts to integrate regenerative agriculture into its global supply chains. They explore the challenges and opportunities of implementing regenerative agriculture, from sourcing raw materials including barley and agave, to rethinking packaging for environmental impact.

This week: Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh and Niamh Campbell talks about what’s new at the sustainable apparel and textiles conference, taking place in Amsterdam on 29th-30th April 2025. They outline the agenda featuring diverse speakers, interactive sessions and the many ways attendees can engage deeply with critical issues.   Plus: insights from the previous conference with Christine Goulay and Amy Nguyen about latest industry trends and the importance of circularity and transparency in the supply chain.   Host: Ian Welsh

This week: Niamh McCarthy from Orbitas, a Climate Advisers initiative, talks with Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh about new research into climate transitions in the land economy, focusing on agriculture and forestry in particular, and market, reputational and technology trends.    Plus: at the sustainable packaging innovation forum in Philadelphia this week, Ian spoke with David Clark, chief sustainability officer at packaging manufacturer Amcor, about how industry and regulatory actions can transform packaging to reduce waste and foster environmental responsibility.   And, Oxfam urges taxes on wealthy to reduce carbon emissions; WRAP and Primark launch initiative to boost textile circularity and reduce waste; Kering, GSK and Holcim set first-ever science-based targets for freshwater and land conservation; and, Mighty Earth links UK chicken supply chains to South American deforestation concerns, in the news digest.   Host: Ian Welsh   Click here for more information on Orbitas’ climate transitions research.

In the first installment of a new series on sustainability, business expert and Robertsbridge founder Brendan May joins Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh to explore the current turning point for sustainable business practices and the reasons behind some companies’ reduced ambitions. They delve into the political factors influencing sustainability efforts, the burdens of extensive reporting demands, and how the roles of NGOs are evolving.

This week: Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh and Natasha Bodnar introduces the upcoming responsible sourcing and ethical trade forum (should this be capitalised? have seen other forums capitalised on our website before) in London (19-20 March 2025). They discuss details on latest confirmed speakers and 2025 conference themes. Registrations are now open, click here for more information Plus: Ian Welsh also speaks with Innovation Forum's Hanna Halmari about what to expect at this week's sustainable packaging innovation forum in Philadelphia (29-30 October). Click here for information on how to get involved, registrations are closing soon. Host: Ian Welsh

Nature-based solutions (NBS) play a pivotal role in delivering tangible impact and addressing corporate sustainability commitments. To achieve progress around nature protection, restoration and emissions mitigation at scale, collaboration between industry actors is also key.  In this webinar, we explored the real-life applications of NBS through the eyes of various stakeholders, to understand how companies can deliver large-scale, long-term solutions that fulfil their sustainability objectives, while also benefitting biodiversity and improving people’s livelihoods. Our panel of experts included: Martin Huxtable, global sustainable sourcing director, Unilever. Emily Kunen, senior director, positive agriculture capabilities & forest risk, PepsiCo. Michal Zrust, founder and CEO, Lestari Capital. Andika Putraditama, director, Rimba Collective. The discussion was moderated by Ian Welsh, publishing director, Innovation Forum.

This week: Innovation Forum's associate Catie Ball, talks with Diana Kim and Emily Heslop about the opportunities and risks the European Union Deforestation Regulation, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive pose. In particular, they discuss potential impacts on smallholder farmers and suppliers in less-developed nations, and the unintended consequences from these regulations.   Plus: Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh and Tanya Richard share some reflections from this week’s sustainable commodities and land use forum in Amsterdam. They discuss the challenges and potential benefits from a delay in EUDR’s full implementation, and the importance of aligning value chain sustainability efforts with biodiversity and long-term incentives.   Host: Ian Welsh

How can companies create value by aligning their business models with the well-being of partner communities? USAID and the private sector are collaborating through the initiative HEARTH to implement sustainable development activities that conserve biodiversity and improve the well-being of communities. "People flourish in healthy landscapes; conservation succeeds when local people benefit."  The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) launched the Health, Ecosystems, and Agriculture for Resilient, Thriving Societies (HEARTH) program, a pioneering global public-private partnership initiative. HEARTH aligns with USAID’s strategic priorities in Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Change, Private Sector Engagement, Indigenous Peoples, Resilience, Food Security, and Global Health.  HEARTH activities are currently operating in 12 countries: Angola, Bangladesh, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Peru, and Zambia, leveraging over $

Niklas Wallsargård, CEO of agri-sector business Improvin', talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about how agri-food companies can measure, report and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity impact of their value chain. They discuss how to best engage with value chain players to go beyond pilot projects and ensure sustainability.

This week: Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh and Hannah Oborne look forward to the scope 3 innovation forum, taking place in Washing DC on December 3rd and 4th. They discuss the confirmed agenda and new participants taking part. Click here for information on how to get involved.   Plus: Innovation Forum’s Emily Heslop discusses with Ian what to expect at this week’s sustainable commodities and land use forum in Amsterdam. Registrations is still possible, click here for details.   Host: Ian Welsh

This week: Diageo’s head of sustainable procurement, Andy Griffiths, talks with Ian Welsh about the company's rolling out of regenerative agriculture in various supply chains, and the challenges of making packaging more sustainable.   Plus: Starbucks acquires more innovation farms to develop climate-resistant coffee; glass bottles will be excluded from the England's deposit return scheme; 225 NGOs urge the European parliament to reject the EUDR delay proposal; and, why natural carbon sinks are no longer effective, in the news digest, with Ellen Atiyah.   Host: Ian Welsh

Alternative protein business InsectBiotech’s co-founder Ignacio Gavilan talks with Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh about the company's approach to turning agricultural waste into protein and fertiliser using black soldier fly larvae. They discuss the potential of insect protein to reduce dependency on soy and fish meal in animal feed industries.

This week: Elizabeth Daut, natural resources specialist at USAID, talks with Innovation Forum’s Ellen Atiyah about the HEARTH initiative and how it is driving sustainable development on the ground. To find out more, join the complimentary webinar on 16th October at 2pm CET. And, Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh and Hannah Oborne introduce the future of food and beverage forum, returning to Amsterdam on 13th and 14th May 2025. They discuss some of the new agenda points and confirmed speakers so far. Click here for information about how to get involved. Host: Ian Welsh

This week: The first in a new state-of-sustainability series, Brendan May, business expert and founder of Robertsbridge, talks with Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh about the apparent current crossroads for sustainable business and why some companies are scaling back on their ambitions. They discuss the political dynamics affecting sustainability efforts, the challenges of excessive reporting requirements, and the shifting roles of NGOs.   Plus: supermarkets' recycling schemes fail to deal with soft plastics; UK pledges £21.7bn for carbon capture initiatives; climate change impacts water availability and agriculture globally; and, EUDR enforcement delay remains likely, in the news digest, by Ellen Atiyah.   Host: Ian Welsh

Roel van Poppel and Christopher Stewart from global food ingredients supplier ofi talk with Innovation Forum’s Toby Webb about the company's Choices for Change strategy. They share insights on ofi’s ambitious 2030 targets for farmer prosperity, climate action and regenerative agriculture, emphasising how data-driven decisions and partnerships are key to transforming supply chains and creating positive impact.