Innovation Forum Podcast

This week: Innovation Forum’s Ellen Atiyah speaks with Andika Putraditama, director of the Rimba Collective at Lestari Capital, about how nature-based solutions can help deliver corporate sustainability commitments, ahead of a webinar on 17th October. They discuss the partnerships, challenges and opportunities driving nature-based solution models, and how corporates are linking commodity sourcing to ecosystem services and advancing sustainability efforts.   Plus: ahead of the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum USA in Philadelphia on 29th and 30th October, another chance to hear Ian Welsh talking about prospects for a Global Plastics Pact with Llorenç Milà i Canals, head of secretariat of the Life Cycle Initiative at the UN Environment Programme at the 2023 conference in Amsterdam.

In this episode, host Ian Welsh speaks with Nathan Truitt, executive vice president for climate funding at the American Forest Foundation. They explore the vital role of family-owned forests in the U.S., which comprise nearly 40% of all forested land, and how empowering these individual landowners can lead to significant conservation outcomes, including enhanced carbon sequestration and improved biodiversity.

This week: Ian Welsh speaks with Niklas Wallsargård, CEO of agri-sector business Improvin’, about how granular on-farm data can help companies measure and monitor sustainability impacts, and why traceability and farmer engagement are key to scaling positive change. Plus, updates on the potential delay of the EUDR,  criticism of the Common Agricultural Policy, and ASDA’s expanding partnership with Too Good To Go to combat food waste, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah. Host: Ian Welsh Stay up-to-date on our podcasts by following us on PodBean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.

This week: Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh and Emily Heslop talk about what to expect at the sustainable commodities and land use forum coming up in October. They discuss latest confirmed speakers from Mars Wrigley, Danone, Unilever and more to incorporate varying corporate perspectives amid the looming deadline of EUDR. Plus: some reflections from last year’s sustainable commodities forum, CEO of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm oil, Joseph D’Cruz, shares with Ian on the impact of EUDR for the palm oil sector and the persistent importance of certifications to respond to the rigorous regulatory requirements. Host: Ian Welsh There’s still time to join us at the sustainable commodities and land use forum (Amsterdam, 22-23 October). Click here for information on how to get involved.

This week: in the first in story of a startup series, alternative protein business InsectBiotech’s co-founder Ignacio Gavilan talks with Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh about why alternative sources of low-impact protein are necessary, and the potential of what is currently waste as feedstock. Plus: packaging waste expert John Kotlarczyk, formerly of Walgreen Boots Alliance, shares sustainable packaging trends on the rise as business prioritise sustainability. He also shares persistent challenges with material trade-offs such as paperisation and carbon emissions. And, California sues Exxon Mobil for misleading practices on plastic recycling; California bans all plastic shopping bags, closing previous loopholes; and, South America’s forest fires surge, driven by drought and illegal deforestation, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah. Host: Ian Welsh

In this episode of the Innovation Forum podcast, host Ian Welsh speaks with Jonathan Sullivan, vice president of commercial sustainability, and Shai Sela, chief Scientist at Agmatix. They discuss Agmatix's role in digitising solutions for the agricultural sector, highlighting their commitment to using credible science and practical agronomy to drive innovation.

This week: Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh and Hanna Halmari share latest updates on the upcoming sustainable packaging innovation forum (Philadelphia, 29-30 October). They discuss agenda and speaker highlights including industry-focused roundtable and regulation-focused discussions. Plus: some reflections from last year’s packaging conference in Amsterdam, when Daniel Katz from the Overbook Foundation talked with Ian about the reality of deposit return schemes and how to align incentives across stakeholders.

This week: Roel van Poppel and Christopher Stewart from food ingredients supplier ofi talk with Innovation Forum’s Toby Webb about their recent sustainability strategy launch. They explore how it will shape the company’s collaboration with farmer suppliers and customers across diverse sourcing landscapes, as well as the role of stakeholder engagement in gathering positive and constructive feedback during the strategy launch. Plus: delay or no delay tug-of-war continues for EUDR in the EU and beyond; and, over 500 financial institutes calls governments to strengthen climate and nature policies ahead of COP29, in the news digest by Innovation Forum’s Ellen Atiyah. Host: Ian Welsh

In this webinar, we discussed the evolving regulatory environment impacting commodity supply chains. As new regulations like the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) come into play, it’s essential for businesses to understand and adapt to these changes. Our expert panel shared their insights and strategies for compliance: Belinda Borck, global public policy coordinator, Tony’s Open Chain Pallavi Sharma, agricultural commodities sector lead, Global Rights Compliance Felipe Carazao, head of public sector engagement & alliance management, Tropical Forest Alliance This webinar was moderated by Ian Welsh, publishing director at Innovation Forum. This webinar was organised ahead of the Sustainable Commodities and Land Use Forum. To continue the conversation, join us in Amsterdam on 22-23 October. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Krishna Manda, vice president of sustainability at sustainable cellulose textiles manufacturer Lenzing Group, talks with Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh about the complexities in achieving net zero emissions in the textile industry. They discuss the critical role of science-based targets in aligning organisational efforts and the innovative strategies needed to tackle significant challenges, particularly in decarbonising heat demand.

This week: Innovation Forum’s Emily Heslop and Ian Welsh share the latest updates on the upcoming sustainable commodities and land use forum in Amsterdam, 22nd-23rd October. They talk about agenda and speaker highlights coming up, specifically focusing on discussions around regenerating nature and biodiversity. Click here for information on how to get involved. And do listen out for a special podcast listeners discount.    Plus: insights from Golden Agri-Resources’ chief sustainability and communications officer Anita Neville, speaking with Ian at last year’s forum. She discusses what the implementation of EU deforestation regulation could look like at the end of 2024 and consequences business should be looking out and prepare for. 

This week: Nathan Truitt, executive vice president for climate and funding at the American Forest Foundation, talks with Ian Welsh to discuss the crucial role of family-owned forests in North America's carbon sequestration efforts. They explore how effective forest management can significantly increase carbon absorption, the complexities faced by small landowners, and the potential of voluntary carbon markets in financing sustainable forest practices.   Plus: most companies fall short on climate targets, according to the Transition Pathway Initiative; two in five UK companies now prioritising net zero transition; investors urged to protect biodiversity-rich areas; and, Verra reinstates Cambodian REDD+ project after human rights review, in the news digest.   Host: Ian Welsh

Laura Satkowski, senior product manager at CIBO Technologies, talks with Ian Welsh about how innovative financing models can support farmers to adopt more sustainable agricultural practices. They discuss challenges and opportunities in blending public and private sector programmes to provide long-term financial support and technical expertise for growers. They also highlight the importance of creating streamlined processes and leveraging data to enhance programme accessibility and impact.

This week: Ian Welsh talks with Innovation Forum’s Hannah Oborne about this year’s scope 3 innovation forum USA (in Washington DC, 3rd-4th December), which will focus on how business transformation, supply chain innovation and low-carbon solutions can deliver scope 3 reduction on the road to net zero. Click here for information on how to get involved.   Plus: insights from Henkel’s chief procurement officer, Bertrand Conqueret at the scope 3 innovation forum in Amsterdam earlier in 2024. He discusses how procurement's leadership in sustainability requires collaboration, data transparency, and an integrated all-systems approach.   Join the adaptation to regulation webinar on Thursday 12th September with Tony's Open Chain, Global Rights Compliance and Tropical Forest Alliance.

This week: Shai Sela and Jonathan Sullivan from agriculture sector data solutions business Agmatix talk with Ian Welsh about the future of regenerative agriculture, the challenges and opportunities it presents. They discuss the new data-driven RegenIQ framework for promoting sustainable farming practices. Plus: NGOs challenge EU climate targets in court; Capri Sun criticised for opposing plastic straw ban; push for consensus as plastics treaty deadline nears; Nestlé unveils recyclable packaging for Nescafé and Vital Proteins; and, eBay hosts runway show for pre-loved fashion, in the news digest. Host: Ian Welsh

Matthew Spencer, global director of landscapes at IDH, talks with Innovation Forum’s Toby Webb about implementing landscape and jurisdictional approaches for sustainable land management. They share practical insights on stakeholder engagement, overcoming political challenges and scaling successful landscape models, using real-world examples from Kenya, Brazil and more.

This week: Krishna Manda, vice president of a sustainable cellulose manufacturer Lenzing, talks with Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh about challenges in meeting corporate climate targets and strategies for decarbonisation in the apparel sector. They discuss progress so far, the importance of risk sharing between brands and suppliers, and context-specific roadmaps for sector-wide decarbonisation. Plus: Ikea trials second-hand online marketplace; India's sugar industry faces scrutiny; major Japanese bank under fire for loans linked to deforestation; and, World Water Week draws to a close, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah. Host: Ian Welsh

Innovation Forum’s Tanya Richard and Ian Welsh talk about best practices to engage with stakeholders. They discuss the growing need for transparency and authenticity to build trust among stakeholders, and to bring in critical voices to co-create solutions that incorporate various perspectives and geographies across their supply chain.

This week: Laura Satkowski, senior product manager at CIBO Technologies, talks with Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh about some of the challenges for growers accessing finance — from public and private sectors — to enable more sustainable and regenerative agriculture practices. Plus: US shifts to support plastic production limits in global treaty; UK supermarket Tesco's F&F clothing introduces digital passports for supply chain transparency; AI causing a surge in water use in Virginia; and, UK sets base fees for extended producer responsibility for packaging, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah. Host: Ian Welsh

Indigo Ag’s senior director of remote sensing and data inference, Nick Malizia, talks with Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh about the evolving role of remote sensing in agriculture. They discuss the transformative potential of remote sensing for precision agriculture, and of AI in unlocking even greater insights in the future.