In today's episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we explore key themes from the GreenFin 24 conference — including data, disclosures, and advancing the low-carbon transition in emerging markets. We also hear how these topics are prompting an evolution in the role of sustainability professionals and driving a need for greater internal collaboration.   "There's a sense that we can make progress and there are viable solutions out there," says Kristina Wyatt, Deputy General Counsel and Chief...

In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we look at how to unlock financial flows for nature and transform heavy polluting industries into environmentally friendly ones.  We hear how the nature finance landscape is evolving from Dr. Carter Ingram, Managing Director at nature and climate change investment and advisory firm Pollination Group. She says that despite growing interest and investments in nature-based solutions, significant gaps remain.   Part of the solution is...

In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we talk with Paul Bodnar, Director of Sustainable Finance, Industry and Diplomacy at the Bezos Earth Fund, about solving the finance gap for climate and nature.   The Bezos Earth Fund was created in 2020 with a $10 billion commitment from Jeff Bezos, founder of e-commerce giant Amazon. The fund aims to disperse that $10 billion in grants by 2030 to fight climate change and protect nature.   Paul talked to us on the sidelines of the GreenFin...

June brings the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, and in this episode of the ESG Insider podcast we explore why 2024 is expected to be extremely active — "possibly historically" active, says today’s guest, Tim Hall.  Tim is a Senior Climate Scientist at S&P Global Sustainable1, where his team has developed a hurricane forecasting model that projects over 14 hurricanes and eight major hurricanes this season. In the episode, Tim explains his near-term forecast and how climate...

In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we explore the latest developments in international efforts to reach a global treaty on plastic pollution.  In late April, more than 170 countries gathered in Ottawa, Canada, to negotiate a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution with a view to agreeing on a global treaty by the end of 2024. The countries aim to reach a deal in the next gathering slated to take place Nov. 25 through Dec. 1 in Busan, South Korea.   Today we’re...

Today we bring you the latest installment in our ‘Women in Leadership’ series of the ESG Insider podcast, featuring interviews with women CEOs and leaders from around the world.  In this episode, we talk with Bonnie Lee, President and CEO of Hanmi Financial Corporation and Hanmi Bank, a Los Angeles-based community bank established in 1982 to serve the Korean American immigrant community and now serving multi-ethnic communities through its network of branches and loan production...

In this week’s episode of the ESG Insider podcast we sit down with Steve Howard, Vice Chair of Sustainability for Singapore-based Temasek, a global investment firm with a net portfolio value of $287 billion as of March 31, 2023.  Steve was a keynote speaker at the annual S&P Global Sustainable1 Summit in London May 8. In an interview on the sidelines of the event, he explains the green investment opportunities and challenges Temasek sees in emerging markets.   "We've got huge...

In this week's episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we bring you coverage of the annual S&P Global Sustainable1 Summit held in London on May 8.   We sit down with panelists on the sidelines of the event to discuss key conference themes, including data challenges related to climate, nature and the energy transition; the role that technology and innovation can play in addressing these challenges and the potentially transformative role of AI; and the challenge of sustaining economic...

In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we’re taking you to London for the third annual S&P Global Sustainable1 Summit, where we sit down with International Sustainability Standards Board Vice Chair Sue Lloyd. Sue was a keynote speaker at the conference, where sustainability leaders from across industries and the investment community gathered on May 8. In the interview, Sue discusses global uptake of the ISSB’s first two standards, launched in June 2023. She also tells us what to...

With about six months to go before the UN’s COP29 climate change conference in Azerbaijan, we’re talking with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Daniel Yergin about the role that diplomacy will play in facilitating solutions to climate change and the global energy transition.    “Climate diplomacy has been really central to where we are right now in terms of both focusing on the issue and building international consensus and collaboration, and I think inclusivity is part of it, too,” says...

As part of our ongoing ‘Women in Leadership’ series of the ESG Insider podcast, we’re speaking with women CEOs and leaders from across industries and around the world to understand their path to the top.   In today’s episode, we talk with Piyajit Ruckariyapong, CEO of Thailand-based Sappe, a family business producing a range of juice and health drinks sold around the world.  Piyajit describes how her leadership style has changed significantly over a career that started in investment...

Ahead of Earth Day on April 22, we’re continuing our series on plastic with a look at steps some companies are taking to address the growing plastic pollution problem.   The ESG Insider podcast launched the series ahead of international plastic treaty talks taking place in Ottawa, Canada April 23-29. More than 170 countries will gather to negotiate a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, with a view to agreeing on a global treaty by the end of 2024.  In today’s episode, we...

More than 170 countries will gather in Ottawa, Canada between April 23 and April 29 to negotiate a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution with a view to agreeing on a global treaty by the end of 2024. In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we’ll hear from stakeholders who will be present at the negotiations about key issues being debated and the potential implications.  Willemijn Peeters discusses policies and actions to increase recycling and reuse of plastics and reduce...

Ahead of Earth Day on April 22, we’re launching a miniseries of the ESG Insider podcast looking at plastic. We’ll explore how plastic impacts human health and the environment, how companies and investors are approaching the topic, and what to expect from international plastic treaty negotiations starting April 23. In today's episode, we hear about the health and environmental impacts of plastics from Dr. Philip Landrigan, Director of the Program for Global Public Health and the Common...

This week the ESG Insider podcast is covering key themes from one of the world’s largest energy conferences — the annual CERAWeek gathering hosted by S&P Global in Houston, Texas.   The event convenes stakeholders from across sectors to discuss solutions to the biggest challenges facing the future of energy, the environment and climate — and the messaging from many speakers differed from what we hear about the pace of the energy transition at the climate or sustainability-focused...

In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we’re looking at the role that technological innovation will play in finding solutions for the low-carbon energy transition.   This was a big topic at S&P Global’s annual CERAWeek conference in Houston, Texas, and we sat down on the sidelines of the event with two CEOs running emerging technology companies that seek to facilitate the transition.   We talk with Dr. Jennifer Holmgren about the outlook for innovation. Jennifer is CEO of...

To celebrate Women’s History Month, we’ve relaunched our ‘Women in Leadership’ series of the ESG Insider podcast. Over the coming months, we’ll speak with women CEOs and leaders from across industries and around the world.    In today’s episode, we talk with Martine Ferland, CEO of global consulting firm Mercer, which is a business of professional services firm Marsh McLennan.   Martine retires from her role at the end of March 2024, and in the episode she discusses her decision to...

Today is World Water Day, and we’re talking with Gary White in the latest episode of the ESG Insider podcast. Gary is CEO of the nonprofit Water.org, which he co-founded with actor Matt Damon. Gary is also CEO and Co-Founder of impact investment manager WaterEquity.   In the interview, he talks about the intersection of water challenges and climate change; the role of infrastructure in addressing water needs; and how finance can offer solutions to the water problems facing many...

In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we sit down on the sidelines of CERAWeek with Ana Carolina Oliveira, Head of Sustainable Finance in the Americas for ING, a global banking and financial services corporation headquartered in Amsterdam.  Ana explains how ING is working with companies across sectors to facilitate the low-carbon transition — including by financing emerging low-carbon technologies.   “If you think about the $5 trillion that needs to be put every year to...

In this special episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we sit down on the sidelines of CERAWeek with Sinead Kaufman, Chief Executive of Minerals at Rio Tinto, one of the world’s largest mining companies.  Rio Tinto was founded more than 150 years ago, and Sinead says the company is taking a long-term view in its approach to the energy transition, its engagement with local communities and its rising focus on nature.   "When we look forward, we want to be part of the solution for the...

In this special episode of the ESG Insider podcast we sit down on the sidelines of CERAWeek with Phil Nevels, Director of Corporate Strategy for AES Corporation, a Fortune 500 energy company with operations in multiple regions including the US, Latin America and Asia.   S&P Global's CERAWeek conference is one of the biggest events in the energy industry, convening global leaders to talk about energy and transition strategies. In the interview, Phil outlines steps AES is taking to...

The US Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6 finalized a long-awaited rule requiring thousands of publicly traded companies to disclose certain climate-related information. The final rule takes a narrower approach than what the SEC proposed in 2022; it also marks a significant change in the level of climate-related information that publicly listed companies must disclose in the US. In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we explore key components of the SEC rule and its...

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re relaunching our ‘Women in Leadership’ series of the ESG Insider podcast. Over the coming months, we’ll speak with women CEOs and leaders from across industries and around the world.   In today’s episode, we talk to Helle Bank Jorgensen, CEO and Founder of Competent Boards, an organization that trains board directors and executives around the world in sustainability best practices.  Helle discusses hurdles that contribute to a lack of...

In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast we’re exploring solutions to sustainability challenges in food systems and agriculture.  Climate change poses risks to global food supply chains and agricultural production. At the same time, the world's growing population means food needs are increasing.  We discuss sustainable agriculture trends with Michelle French, Director of Global Sustainability Programs at global commodities agriculture company ADM. Speaking on the sidelines of the...

In this episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we explore how companies are moving from setting sustainability-related targets to figuring out how to reach those goals. A common refrain we heard at the annual GreenBiz conference in Phoenix, Arizona last week was: "What will it take?"  For example, what will it take for companies to achieve net-zero goals and decarbonize supply chains — including those involved in transporting materials and products?  We explore this topic with guests...