What does it take for an impact-first organization to achieve meaningful, large-scale change? In this insightful episode, Kevin Starr, CEO of the Mulago Foundation, shares decades of experience on scaling solutions that address the world’s toughest challenges.   Kevin explains Mulago’s distinctive approach to scaling… their “Doer and Payer at Scale” framework, and their rigorous criteria for assessing ideas with transformative potential. He also delves into the critical importance of a clear,...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

Eye-opening discussion with Guy Standing on the deteriorating conditions in our oceans…  the destruction of fragile ocean ecosystems, marine pollution, habitat destruction and destruction of coastal communities, driven by overfishing, corporate exploitation, lax regulatory enforcement, increasing extraction-- and growing sea commodification. His analysis is a powerful indictment of contemporary oceanic governance—and an impassioned call for new forms of ocean governance centred around the...

Eye-opening discussion with economist Guy Standing on the deteriorating conditions in our oceans…  the destruction of fragile ocean ecosystems, marine pollution, habitat destruction and destruction of coastal communities, driven by overfishing, corporate exploitation, lax regulatory enforcement, increasing extraction-- and growing sea commodification. His analysis is a powerful indictment of contemporary oceanic governance—and an impassioned call for new forms of ocean governance centred...

In this thought-provoking interview, Dale Jamieson, Professor of Environmental Studies and Philosophy at NYY, talks about the importance of environmental justice and discusses his recent thinking on the metaphysical challenges of climate change --the way a rapidly changing world unmoored from the traditional sources of meaning in our lives. He also explores the way that climate change interacts with our political institutions, with their inherent short-termism. At the heart of this...

A fascinating deep dive on impact investment with Sir Ronald Cohen, “the father of social investment.” This is a spirited discussion about Sir Ronald’s book, Impact, exploring his vision of how impact investing is reshaping capitalism to deliver a form of capitalism that can deal with the profound social and environmental challenges we are facing—issues which he is passionate about. Sir Ronald believes financial institutions are changing profoundly -and is hugely optimistic about the work...

In this thought-provoking interview, Xander Dunlap argues that current environmental policies and "green" technologies are perpetuating ecological destruction under the guise of sustainability. He contends that solutions like solar and wind energy are wedded to capitalism and leading to increased mining, extractivism, and social control. Dunlap calls for a fundamental rethinking of how we live, advocating for grassroots movements to create more liberated, self-sufficient communities that work...

In this fascinating interview, conducted with my daughter, Catherine Byrne, we delve into the world of Eoghan Daltun, an Irish farmer and advocate for rewilding. Eoghan's journey is a testament to the power of nature and the importance of ecological balance. He shares his experiences running a farm and rewilding project on the Beara peninsula of Co. Cork, Ireland. His work is not just about farming, but about restoring and preserving the natural environment. His book, 'An Irish Atlantic...

In this compelling interview, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, a revered Bhutanese lama and educator, offers a distinctive Buddhist outlook on the critical environmental crises we are currently facing. Rinpoche stresses the necessity of immediate action and illustrates how a Buddhist viewpoint can foster a deep comprehension of humanity’s interconnectedness with the environment. He delves into essential Buddhist metaphysical concepts—such as interdependence and the illusion of self—demonstrating...

In this episode, we speak to Dr. Anne Poelina an indigenous Australian academic and human and earth rights activist. Dr. Poelina explains her role as a “Yimardoowarra marnin,” which, translated from the Nyikina language, means “a woman who belongs to the Martuwarra River,” in Western Australia. Dr. Poelina discusses what she calls “first law,” the Aboriginal peoples’ customary law covering the rules for living in coexistence with nature, the rules of conduct that hold together and bond a...

In this revealing interview, Steve Trent, the founder of the Environmental Justice Foundation, delves into the Foundation’s pivotal work at the intersection of environmental security and human rights. He underscores the Foundation’s vital role in actively probing and witnessing environmental abuses, and the importance of presenting evidence and information to decision-makers in corporate boardrooms and governments worldwide. Steve highlights the importance of empowering local communities and...

Fascinating interview with leading French anthropologist Professor Philippe Descola, first posted in 2021, exploring man's relationship with nature. Professor Descola argues that we can, and must today, learn from other ways of connecting to nature--and move beyond the strict separation between the cultural worlds of human beings and the non-human things of nature.

Matthew is Global Climate Change and Sustainability Services Leader Leader at EY, the professional services company.  He has a background in government climate and energy policy, and science. Matt has more than 20 years' experience supporting organizational transformation toward a more sustainable path. Working across the public and private sectors, Matt leads teams of specialists across environment, health and safety; sustainability strategy and advice; non-financial reporting and assurance;...

Katharina Pistor, Professor of Comparative Law and director of the Center on Global Legal Transformation at Columbia Law School, discusses her most recent book The Code of Capital: How the Law Creates Wealth and Inequality. In this fascinating discussion, she highlights the various ways that debt, complex financial products, and other assets are selectively coded to protect and reproduce private wealth—and the malleability of the legal system, that can be redesigned, and repurposed--by well...

In this revealing interview, journalist Vincent Bevins discussed his newly released book If We Burn: The Mass Protest Decade and the Missing Revolution, based on his research of a wide range of social movements between 2010 and 2020.  Beginning with an analysis of the "Yellow Vest" protests in France, the discussion focusses on the challenges, nuances, and lessons of building broad social movements—with particular lessons for the climate movement. Vincent highlights the transformative power...

In this fascinating, hard hitting interview, Jason Moore talks about the intertwining relations between environmental degradation, capitalism, imperialism, and climate change-stressing the need to recognize the role of imperialis--and counter-insurgency across the past century to advance climate justice. He argues it is  naïve to believe that eco-socialism can be achieved through parliamentary majority alone and underscores the importance of understanding a century of struggles between...

Fascinating discussion with Professor Angel Hsu on the significance and challenges surrounding the Net Zero emissions goals. While companies often tout their commitment to Net Zero, a recent report suggests that many are not taking credible steps towards this target. Angel argues that the Net Zero space is filled with confusion and misinformation,  exacerbated by sophisticated company communications that are often misleading. Angel discusses how the Net Zero Tracker helps to provide...

In this wide-ranging interview, first published in 2021, Jeremy Lent discusses his fascinating new book Web of Meaning which combines findings in cognitive science, systems theory and traditional Chinese and Buddhist thought, to develop a framework that integrates both science and meaning in a coherent whole. Jeremy discusses what he sees as an essential problem at the heart of our current worldview: how man is separated from nature which is seen purely as a resource. He highlights a very...

In this in-depth, and spirited interview, we discuss the pros and cons of a market based approach to  our environmental problems-and climate change in particular. Paula DiPerna discusses her new book, Pricing the Priceless: The Financial Transformation to Value the Planet, Solve the Climate Crisis, and Protect Our Most Precious Assets, arguing for a market-based approach to dealing with our environmental challenges, advocating for the integration of environmental considerations into financial...

In this interview, British novelist, journalist and screenwriter Ned Beauman discusses his latest novel Venomous Lumpsucker-a brilliant, darkly satirical and terrifying  novel  about endlings (the last of a species), the manipulation of extinction credit markets... the elusive Hermit Kingdom: described by The Times Literary Supplement as “a tale of capitalism, penance and species extinction.”  Fascinating, broad ranging discussion on extinction, literary fiction and the climate crisis,...

In this revealing interview, Mike Davis CEO of pioneering campaigning NGO Global Witness provides an in-depth look at the work of the organization which is committed to uncovering and addressing human rights and environmental violations across the globe. Mike highlights the organization's intricate investigative strategies used to reveal the interplay of corruption, misuse of power, and industrial practices in sectors such as oil, gas, and mining. He highlights Global Witnesses commitment to...