Frankly Speaking - A Podcast on Responsible Business

Last year, China issued its Corporate Sustainability Disclosure Standards, aligning its corporate sustainability reporting requirements to the ISSB and the EU's CSRD with its double materiality approach. But with the EU's own sustainability legislation in the process of being simplified, has China now become the world leader on sustainability? This week on the Frankly Speaking podcast, Richard Howitt was joined by Nana Li, Head of Sustainability and Stewardship of the Asia-Pacific region at Impax Asset Management. Together they discussed what the recently issued Chinese Corporate Sustainability Disclosure Standards mean for Chinese companies, and why China appears to be moving forward on corporate sustainability precisely when the United States and Europe seem to be moving backwards. You'll also hear more about: China's Stock Exchange ESG Guidelines adopted last year The impact of the US-China tariff war on China's sustainability journey  To what extent data transparency within China has improved over the past decade The latest updates on China adopting a Stewardship Code for investors  Listen in and follow us on LinkedIn! 

The European Commission says that EU sustainability legislation harms European business competitiveness. But does business really agree? This week on the Frankly Speaking podcast, Richard Howitt was joined by Ludovic Flandin, Vice-President and Founding Board Member of WeAreEurope, a new association of European sustainability professionals which was formed earlier this year.  Together they discussed why Ludovic and his colleagues decided to set up WeAreEurope, and the main findings of their recent Europe-wide study on what businesses think about the CSRD and Omnibus proposals. You'll also hear more about: How business associations have reacted to WeAreEurope's survey Ludovic's case for ESG representing a new transformation of capitalism, just like the digital revolution 25 years ago  The link between Europe's sovereignty and power and the CSRD Ludovic's message to those working in business on the value of ESG and sustainability on a personal level Listen in and follow us on LinkedIn! 

Last week, Microsoft signed one of the world's largest carbon removal deals with carbon credit firm Rubicon Carbon, purchasing 18 million tonnes of carbon removal credits. But will investing in carbon markets necessarily reduce the urgency of reaching net zero emissions, and how large of a role should they play in the fight against climate change?In a special edition of the Frankly Speaking podcast, Richard Howitt was joined by Dr Daniel Klier, CEO of the climate consultancy South Pole, which describes itself as the world's leading carbon project expert.Together they discussed the current progress in tackling global carbon emissions, as well as the findings of South Pole's Net Zero survey of 350 financial institutions worldwide. You'll also hear more about:How investors are currently engaging in "financial cakeism" by continuing to invest in fossil fuels alongside green assets The case for why investing in carbon markets is such a vital tool in the toolbox against climate change, and how to do so without relaxing the urgency of delivering net zeroSouth Pole's message to sustainability professionals on what they should be doing at company level to realise the green transition What Article 6 of the Paris Agreement means in practice, and why it was only ratified after nine years at COP29 in Baku last year The consultancy's verdict on how well existing Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS) worldwide are working Listen in and follow us on Linkedin!

Corporate sustainability is currently facing a significant setback due to recent shifts in the geopolitical landscape. But how should businesses best respond, and how can they gather the courage to keep going working towards becoming more sustainable?This week on the FranklySpeaking podcast, Richard Howitt was joined by author and speaker Andrew Winston, who has published multiple books on sustainability and was named as the third most influential management thinker in the world by Thinkers50. Together they dived into the debate on whether or not the acronym ESG should be dropped in favour of another term, and discussed what's the most important thing to watch out for when it comes to AI from a sustainability perspective. You'll also hear more about:Why Andrew believes the business case for sustainability isn't the be all and end all - sometimes sustainability costs more, but so what?How business leaders can come together to fight climate change even in the face of political backlash Andrew's personal struggle with depression and the difficulty of being able to champion sustainability in the midst of a very challenging geopolitical context Listen in and follow us on Linkedin!

Amidst this highly unpredictable global tariff war, there's a new announcement each day on the latest round of tariffs being levied - or lifted - by and against the incumbent Trump administration. But what does this all mean for sustainability, and how will it impact companies on their green transition?This week on the Frankly Speaking podcast, Richard Howitt was joined by Joeri de Wilde, economist at Triodos Bank, which actively works towards creating a just and inclusive society with respect for the planet, and describes itself as a leader in sustainable banking.Together they discussed the link between tariffs and sustainability, and whether the European Union hitting back with retaliatory tariffs was really the right response. You'll also hear more about:Triodos Bank's criticism of the EU's Clean Industrial DealWhy it's so difficult to quantify the tangible impact of the tariffs on sustainability so far Whether there's really the appetite to create new international partnerships to counter the impact of the tariff war on global sustainability commitments The reason behind Triodos Bank's decision to leave the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA)Why sustainable investing is more relevant now than everListen in and follow us on Linkedin!

With the CSRD reports of the first wave of EU companies due this year, what are the lessons practitioners have drawn from the experience? And in light of their experience, what do they think of the Omnibus proposals?This week on the Frankly Speaking podcast, Richard Howitt was joined by Ulrike Sapiro, Chief Sustainability Officer at Henkel, the German-based chemicals and consumer goods company which has already aligned its reporting to the European Sustainability Reporting Standards.Together they discussed the role of Henkel's company values in its focus on sustainability, as well as the company's message to policymakers on what result they want to come out of the European Commission's Omnibus simplification proposals. You'll also hear more about:What Henkel thinks of the new Science Based Targets Initiative standard The German national perspective on the Omnibus The vital role of technological advances in delivering a net zero and low-carbon future Listen in and follow us on Linkedin!

With the departure of nearly a dozen US and Canadian banks from the Net-Zero Banking Alliance in the past few months, is the future of sustainable finance hanging in balance? And what is the verdict on how far and well the green transition is advancing?This week on the Frankly Speaking podcast, Richard Howitt was joined by Antonio Ballabriga, Global Head for Sustainability Intelligence and Advocacy at BBVA, the Spanish multinational bank that has been working on sustainability and sustainable finance for almost 20 years.Together they discussed why BBVA has bucked the trend of banks withdrawing from sustainable finance initiatives, including why it has instead chosen to double down on its sustainability agenda by increasing its sustainable investment twofold to €700 billion over the next five years. You'll also hear more about:Why the Net-Zero Banking Alliance is considering altering its ambition of 1.5C to the minimum ambition of the Paris Agreement (below 2C),  How BBVA's new concept of an ESG data pack will help companies and investors access all the information they need in one single deck Why the bank decided to make a major investment in green hydrogen Its views on the Omnibus and why it believes mid-caps must be kept in scope of mandatory disclosure A call for policymakers to step up their efforts on sustainable finance to secure the green transitionListen in and follow us on Linkedin!

With the Commission's Omnibus package now being examined and debated in the European Parliament and the Council, the stakes are high for European businesses. How is industry reacting to the Omnibus proposals, and what should they do now?This week on the Frankly Speaking podcast, Richard Howitt is joined by Frank Bold's Julia Otten and Maria Tymtsias, co-founder of the Palau Project and senior sustainability consultant.Together they discussed the findings of Palau's recent survey of over 170 businesses on their reaction to the Omnibus proposals, as well as what changes the co-legislators will likely make to the current proposals. You'll also hear more about:What companies think of the Commission's ‘Stop the clock' proposalThe strategic role of the DMA in sustainability reporting Why it's so important for businesses to make their voices heard right nowListen in and follow us on Linkedin!

Despite only being in office for less than 100 days, the Trump 2.0 administration has already passed several measures reversing the work of previous governments to fight climate change and embed ESG into the heart of American business practice.This week on the Frankly Speaking podcast, Richard Howitt is joined by Anne Kelly, Vice President of Government Relations at Ceres, the NGO which has led advocacy for the sustainability transition in the US for more than 30 years.Together they discussed what the second Trump administration means for sustainable business, and how those looking to defend ESG from rightwing backlash should respond.You'll also hear more about:Why the counter-response to Trump 2.0 will look very different to the counter-response to Trump 1.0How the investor community may react to Trump's deregulation pushHow global sustainability standards may help US firms adapt during this anti-ESG environment The reaction of US businesses to last week's EU Omnibus proposals The critical role of business leadership in responding to Trump's anti-climate agendaListen in and follow us on Linkedin!

As the European Commission prepares to unveil its omnibus proposals to "simplify" the EU sustainability framework, we wonder if there are other ways to make green legislation easier for businesses besides dismantling the system. This week on the podcast, Richard Howitt is joined by Donato Calace, SVP Market Leader, Partnerships & Innovation at Datamaran as well as a member of EFRAG's Expert Working Group on EU Sustainability Reporting Standard. Together they discuss ESG data and how to scale up those solutions to help support companies need in their reporting exercise. You'll also hear more about:  The need to evaluate the current sustainability reporting based on evidence and practice before making changes to the #CSRD or #CSDDD Data and data management systems as tools to simplify sustainability requirement implementation How big developments in data will reshape how insights are formed Donato's work on #materiality and the misunderstanding that still exists between finance and sustainability in the businessListen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠!

On the podcast this week, we're back with a full length conversation on the Omnibus proposal, which has been causing uncertainty over Europe's sustainability reporting, due diligence and sustainable finance laws. Richard Howitt and Filip Gregor look back at our “Frankly Speaking on Sustainability and Competitiveness” organised in Brussels at the end of January. Some of the top policy makers, experts and practitioners engaged in a constructive conversation on what simplification should look like.  In this episode, you'll hear about: What came out of the conference and the importance of bringing practitioners from companies into the Omnibus conversation Why Europe's sustainability standards are one of its biggest competitive advantage The latest insights on what's happening in Brussels, why policymakers should not panic and the need for a transparent process What are the serious options for moving forward while remaining true to the fundamentals of the CSRD, CSDDD and Taxonomy As Richard reminds our business listeners in the episode, ensure that you are aligned with what the business association you are a member of is saying on your behalf in Brussels. We also urge companies to join the call upon the EU Commission to NOT dismantle its sustainability framework and ensure the legal certainty that companies need to efficiently plan their transition and implement the new legislations Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠!

** Register to the Conference on Sustainability & Competitiveness! Seats are filling fast for this high-impact discussion! Join us in Brussels or online on January 30th. Reserve your spot now: https://www.eventbrite.be/e/frankly-speaking-on-sustainability-and-competitiveness-tickets-1104355540149?aff=oddtdtcreator In the podcast today, we tackle a very big issue in the sustainability world: data in supply chains.  How can companies get the data which they need from suppliers, when and when not to use estimates? Is data authentic in measuring impact on people and the planet? Is it all about big companies in the Global North or can the data have value to suppliers themselves worldwide? Is legislation asking too much? Richard Howitt addresses those questions (and more!) with two brilliant guests this week: Natalie Grillon, CEO and Executive Director of Open Supply Hub, a supply chain platform committed to the principle of open data in which more than 1500 organizations now share their supply chain data in the world's largest open map of global supply chain. Tara Scally, CSR Specialist at Zeeman, clothing retailer based in the Netherlands and which has 1300 retail stores across seven European countries. Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠!

In this special edition of the podcast, Richard Howitt sits down with Filip Gregor, head of Responsible Companies at Frank Bold to invite you to our upcoming conference on Sustainability & Competitiveness that will highlight why the Omnibus, portrayed by some as a tidying up exercise to get rid of duplication, should be seen as something more serious than that. Omnibus regulation preparation is in the hot stage. The Commission is set to unveil its proposals in February, yet the negotiations remain secretive and shrouded in speculation. Germany is aggressively lobbying to unravel the CSRD, which is challenging the entire EU ESG agenda. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of EU companies have already invested in implementation and do not know what to expect. Sustainability leaders are warning against the loss of trust and pointing out the critical role that these legislation have for sustainability, capital markets and EU businesses success. Is the EU ESG framework a scapegoat or the culprit of the EU and German economic slowdown? What has the sudden 180˚ turn on sustainability, and the economic problems, have to do with betting on cheap Russian gas and Chinese market in the past decades? And why do the BRICS call EU ESG laws ‘discriminatory protectionist measures under pretext of environmental concerns' that distort competition? At our January 30th conference, we'll tackle the above pressing questions with leading experts and businesses, and: What to expect from the Omnibus and its impact on CSRD, Taxonomy, and CSDDD implementation. How to sensibly streamline EU ESG reporting legislation to support European businesses without adding perceived burden. The critical role of the EU sustainability framework in fostering resilience, sovereignty, and a level playing field. Seats are filling fast for this high-impact discussion! Join us in Brussels or online on January 30th. Reserve your spot now: https://www.eventbrite.be/e/frankly-speaking-on-sustainability-and-competitiveness-tickets-1104355540149?aff=oddtdtcreator

2025 starts the same way 2024 ended: with a shifting political landscape. While Trump was re-elected in the US, the new European Commission announced an Omnibus proposal that would serve its simplification agenda. These events raise concerns about the backlash against the environmental and sustainability policies adopted in the last 5 years to ensure the green transition of the economy. But what is really going on? How much do we have to worry and how should those committed to the sustainability transition in business respond to this threat? This week on the podcast, Richard Howitt is joined by Alberto Alemanno, academic and founder of The Good Lobby and Patrizia Heidegger, deputy secretary general and Director for European Governance, Sustainability and Global Policies at the European Environment Bureau. Together they offer insights on the implementation of the EU Green Deal and on what environmentalists should be prepared to do to push forward the just transition. You will hear more about: What's causing the rise of a de-greening pattern How NGOs should deal with the backlash against sustainability legislation The newly created uncertainty around the implementation of the EU Green Deal The new Trump administration and its effects on the ESG backlash The international dimension of the EU Green Deal Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠!

Is China making its green stride forward? As the world faces the dual challenges of addressing climate change and navigating geopolitical tensions, cooperation on climate goals is under threat. China's role in green technology has made it a vital player, but it is also increasingly seen as a rival, or even a threat, by other global powers. Electric vehicles (EVs) have become the latest flashpoint, with the United States and European Union imposing punitive tariffs on Chinese EV imports, intensifying trade disputes. This week on the podcast, Richard Howitt speaks with Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis and Bruegel Senior Fellow, joining from Hong Kong. Drawing on her extensive expertise, Alicia discusses how the EU can navigate its growing reliance on Chinese green tech and craft a competitive industrial strategy. You will hear more about: China's green tech dominance and contradictions in its decarbonization goals. The implications of global dependence on Chinese renewable energy technologies. The impact of trade wars and tariffs on China's green tech monopoly. Strategies for the EU to counterbalance China's influence while advancing its sustainability goals.

As the UN Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights wraps up today, we're diving into a pressing question: What are companies really doing to respect human rights? More importantly, is this less about policies and performance metrics and more about company culture, shaping not just what a business does, but how it operates at its core? This week in Frankly Speaking, Richard Howitt receives Anna Triponel, a human rights expert with experience of working with hundreds of companies worldwide. Anna is the founder and CEO of Human Level, which works to “bring business back to the human level”. You'll hear more about:  Exploring how respecting human rights goes beyond processes: it's about embedding them into the company culture Why a strong culture of human rights means being open to uncomfortable truths The pivotal role of a business leader's personality in fostering human rights respect Breaking down Article 7 of the CSDDD and its implications for integrating human rights into corporate practices Addressing human rights violations: how the OECD guidelines and national contact points can mediate solutions that work for businesses Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠!

40% of plastic produced is for one-time use packaging. Only 9% of all plastic ever made is recycled. A large portion of the rest, ends up littering our land and oceans, harming wildlife and human health through microplastics. Next week, the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee will be held in Busan, South Korea, to develop an internationally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. This treaty presents a crucial opportunity to radically reduce plastic usage and waste, while encouraging businesses and individuals to embrace the circular economy. To shed light on the treaty and its implications, Richard Howitt is joined by Justine Maillot, European Coordinator, and Emma Priestland, Global Corporate Campaigns Coordinator for Break Free from Plastic, a global coalition of 13,000 organizations committed to ending plastic pollution. In this episode you'll hear more about: Why is plastic such a dramatic issue for the environment: Its effects on climate, biodiversity, pollution, and the human impact of all these factors What is the context leading up to the discussions in Busan, South Korea next week How businesses are positioning themselves in relation to the treaty Why reducing plastic production is essential for the treaty's success and how the zero-waste hierarchy is a critical element of achieving this goal A call for every company to act now to eliminate plastic use and the opportunities available for immediate action. Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠!

Are companies saying one thing about sustainability, but doing something in their political lobbying that is very different? A new report has just been published today by the sustainable finance pioneer, the Eiris Foundation, as part of a project called Social LobbyMap. It provides detailed and independent research on business lobbying on Europe's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). The report is helping to provide the inside story of what was really going on in what was one of the most high profile political pressures on any piece of EU legislation.  To discuss this topic, Richard Howitt welcomes Peter Webster, Chief Executive of the foundation. In this episode, you'll hear more about:  Corporate lobbying and its contribution to watering down the CSDDD The companies that do the right thing and how can companies contribute to being positive voices in sustainability  If trade associations are doing the “dirty work” on behalf of companies How this research provides the data and the evidence that investors, civil society and companies themselves can actually use to align on these issues. ... and more! Listen in and follow us on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠!

Is the role of the corporate chief sustainability officer at a crossroads?  According to the renowned Business for Social Responsibility's latest report, it is. The report is based on detailed interviews with chief sustainability officers in 31 companies worldwide and represents 30 years of combined experience in responsible business from the report's authors. To discuss the future of companies' Chief Sustainability Officer, Richard Howitt welcomes Laura Gitman, one of the report's co-authors and Chief Impact Officer at Business for Social Responsibility. BSR is the world's oldest sustainability consultancy, and is currently working with a network of 300 businesses. In today's Frankly Speaking episode, you will hear more about: How has the profession evolved in the last 15 years The turbulences that companies and Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) have been facing If CSOs are really burnt-out? The potential of CSOs to drive the business beyond compliance The future of sustainability leadership within companies ... and more! Listen in and follow us on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠!

How can and should you address entity-specific reporting? What does a company do when something it thinks is important for its sustainability doesn't fit into a standardised reporting framework in the language of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS)?  Today in Frankly Speaking, Richard Howitt is joined by Piotr Biernacki who has been involved in the ESRS right from the beginning in 2020, first as a member of the Project Task Force and now as a member of EFRAG's Technical Expert Group. Piotr is also ESG Reporting Fellow at Materiality, working with listed companies on sustainability reporting in Poland. You'll hear more about: What are entity-specific disclosures and why extra information may be necessary for some companies Piotr's advice when conducting ones materiality assessment and how to know that an issue is to be reported as an entity-specific information How there's still room for companies to tell their sustainability stories in their reports without compromising quality data How challenges companies face now regarding the ESRS will diminish over time The state of sustainability reporting and sustainability performance of companies in Poland ... and more! Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠.

Will there be a just transition? How far does the climate crisis affect workers and businesses and what needs to be done about it?  Today in Frankly Speaking, Richard Howitt welcomes Jason Judd, executive director of Cornell's Global Labor Institute.  They recently produced a set of 25 social indicators which it believes are measurable and impactful, and which can give certainty to social issues and corporate sustainability reporting. The Institute has also produced research on the impact of extreme weather events on the apparel or fashion industry to understand the real scale of change which is confronting us. You'll hear more about: What are the impacts of extreme heat or flooding on workers in the apparel sector What does it mean in practice and what are the needed investments in climate adaption The path for due diligence in the US and in the rest of the world How to measure supply chain due diligence and labour metrics What would happen for sustainability if Kamala Harris wins? Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠!

Do our ideas about what makes companies competitive actually hinder the shift toward sustainability? What role do share or stock buybacks have in this? And has the move towards sustainable finance actually succeeded in providing incentives for companies to change? As former ECB President Mario Draghi made his own proposals for returning Europe to competitiveness and President von der Leyen reveals her new proposed team, we ask if there is enough money for sustainability and competitiveness. If yes, where is it? To discuss these related issues, Frankly Speaking welcomes Myriam Vander Stichele, senior researcher at SOMO, the center for research on multinational corporations. You'll hear more about: Competitiveness for long term resilience of the company is still the strongest argument What are share buybacks, what is happening and what are the implications for business How reality is catching up and how it's time to go back to an evidence-based debate to end polarisation Myriam shares how Europe must be a leader and champion the role of cooperation rather than simple economic competitiveness Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠!

Welcome to the third season of Frankly Speaking! We're kicking it off strong with a crucial topic: trust and what can drive improving it in business? To discuss this, Richard Howitt welcomes Alison Taylor, author of Higher Ground: How Business Can Do the Right Thing in a Turbulent World. Alison is a clinical associate professor at NYU Stern School of Business, Executive Director of the organization Ethical Systems, and has been involved with some major consulting organizations, including Control Risks, Preventable Surprises and Business for Social Responsibility. In this episode, you'll hear more about:  Why Alison advocates for companies to say less and do more - and whether there's a danger in that The challenge of balancing meaningful action with broader accountability The crucial distinction between trust and reputation management Why it's high time companies start treating people like human beings Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠!

Today, Frankly Speaking welcomes Professor Michael H. Posner, director of the Centre for Business and Human Rights at NYU Stern School of Business. He also served in the Obama administration as assistant secretary of State. Throughout his career, Mike has played a key role in establishing some of the major global initiatives on responsible business, including the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, the Fair Labor Association, and the Global Network Initiative, and he continues to be one of the leading voices on business and human rights in the United States. You'll hear more about: How too much about business and human rights is still process, not outcome or performance. Why companies must not abrogate responsibility A strong call for standards on due diligence for genuine accountability for businesses on their conduct The difficult political situation in the United States at the moment and how to respond to the ESG backlash Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠!

This week, Richard Howitt welcomes Robert McCorquodale, professor of international law and human rights and current chair of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, to discuss their report presented last month to the 56th Human Rights Council on investor responsibility to respect human rights. You can read a summary of the report here. In this episode, you'll hear about:  ESG is not the same as human rights: there must be a systematic integration or the consideration of human rights in relation to ESG How investors should and can prevent 'rightswashing' A call for the EU to look again in two years at including investment in the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) While soft law holds significant importance, it is the amendment of hard law that ultimately brings about substantial and concrete change Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠!

Germany's NewClimate Institute has produced the Corporate Climate Responsibility Monitor, evaluating the transparency and integrity of climate pledges of 51 major companies across different sectors and geographies.  Richard Howitt welcomes Frederic Hans and Thomas Day, co-authors of the report to discuss their findings and key recommendations to companies in their journey to net-zero. In this episode, you'll find more about: Good business practices and what makes a business leader in climate action efforts Checklist of things to avoid if companies want to try and do this better If the ESRS and ISSB Standards are improving things and if companies can feel confident in following them? The need for science-based targets and what SBTi should do next  What is green hushing and to what extent it can be dangerous Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠!

In this week's episode, Richard Howitt asks: can we believe the numbers on environment, social and governance (ESG)? To address this, we welcome Richard Hardyment, author of Measuring Good Business: Making Sense of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Data. In it, he states that there is little or no evidence that ESG has and has had any positive outcomes for people and the planet in the real world. And yet he calls himself emphatically pro-sustainability. After directing research at the World Benchmarking Alliance, he is now Head of Business Engagement at the Institute of Business Ethics. In this episode, you'll hear more about: The secret about sustainability reporting numbers The different ways in measuring social and environmental disclosures What makes a good proxy? How to pick up context in sustainability reporting? Can we measure the goodwill of the business? Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠! ***Participate in our anonymous survey: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

We are a few days away from the European elections, and there is a frenzied atmosphere in Brussels for what the results might mean for the future of sustainability in the EU, Europe's Green Deal and for its implications for business.  In this week's episode, Richard Howitt welcomes Antonia Zimmermann, trade reporter for Politico Europe, which reports on European politics and policy, and Anna Brunetti, experienced financial journalist and economy editor at Euractiv. This conversation is going to guide you through what's happening and what might happen in the future. Together they discuss: What caused the backlash against the Green Deal and the green agenda in Europe? If Europe needs to play catch-up when it comes to financing the green transition What is the tone of this EU Elections campaign? Their predictions on the outcome of the 2024 EU elections Despite the risks, the challenges, the fears and the dangers, will climate stay on the agenda in the upcoming mandate? Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠! ***Participate in our anonymous survey: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

In this Frankly Speaking episode, Richard Howitt welcomes MEP Heidi Hautala (Greens/ EFA), vice president of the European Parliament, founder of the EP's working group for Responsible Business Conduct and former development minister of Finland. This year, Heidi has declared that she will step down at the forthcoming European elections. As one of the foremost advocates of business and human rights in Europe and a lead campaigner for Europe's new corporate sustainability due diligence law (#CSDDD), who better and what better time to ask Heidi about what has been achieved and what still needs to happen. A warm thank you to Heidi Hautala not only for coming on the podcast but most importantly for all the work done on the business and human rights agenda in the past 30 years. Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠! ***Participate in our anonymous survey: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

** Note to the listeners: due to technical difficulties, we recommend listening to this episode on Spotify while the audio is being updated on all platforms. Thank you for your patience and for bearing with us while we fix this technical issue. This week in the podcast, Richard Howitt welcomes one of the leading business voices on supply chain management in the world, Linda Kromjong, president of amfori, Global Business Association and a key advocate of open and sustainable trade in Europe and in the world. Together they discuss: Why is due diligence important for companies? Why is the CSDDD a pro-business directive? Why is this good for business? An insider view on what happened in the last moments before new and unexpected deals had to be done by Member States. How environmental due diligence and human rights due diligence go hand in hand Linda's message to businesses about implementing the CSDDD Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠! ***Participate in our anonymous survey: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

This week in Frankly Speaking, we put the spotlight on a new report produced by the OECD and analysing the state of corporate sustainability reporting in the world.  To discuss it, we welcome Caio de Oliveira, policy analyst at the OECD, who's had major responsibility in producing the report and who leads the sustainability work streams at the OECD on behalf of the Corporate Governance Committee and the Financial Markets Committee at the organisation. Caio has previously worked for the Brazilian government's Economic Ministry and for the country's Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM). Richard and Caio address:  The findings of the OECD's Global Corporate Sustainability 2024 report How much and to what degree is sustainability reporting going on by companies The high levels of reporting of scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions compared to low levels of scope 3 indirect emissions reporting Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠! ***Participate in our anonymous survey: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

Many of us know that dependence of developing countries on raw commodities leaves them vulnerable to price volatility and sees profit made in countries where the commodity is imported and then processed, rather than where it is produced. It's often farmers in those developing countries who are at the end of the line. That problem has been specifically highlighted in the cocoa sector this year. Today in the podcast we look at where cocoa prices have gone parabolic, rising from just over 2,000 USD a tonne in 2022 to over $10,000 a tonne in 2024. It's seen not just companies and farmers in producer companies suffer, but major chocolate companies in the global North, which have seen costs multiply and their share prices plummet by up to a third. To discuss what's happening here, our guest is Antonie Fountain, managing director of the Voice Network, watchdog and catalyst for a reformed cocoa sector. Antonie is also the co-author of the Cocoa Barometer, the biennial review of sustainability in Cocoa. Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠! ***Participate in our anonymous survey: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

In this new Frankly Speaking episode, we explore the question of human rights due diligence by companies by asking what should go in the contract. Due diligence approaches have been criticized as simply using contractual clauses to pass off risk and responsibility down the supply chain. To address how this can be avoided and to discuss what should and shouldn't be in the contract, Richard Howitt welcomes Professor Sarah Dadush, writer and teacher in business and human rights at Rutgers Law School in the United States. She is the founding director of the Responsible Contracting Project, the mission of which is to improve human rights in global supply chains through innovative contracting practices. Check out Responsible Contracting Project's website to access all their tools. Together, they discuss the concept of "shared responsibility" and: For companies committed to responsible business conduct, how should they contract with suppliers? What should and should not be written down in contracts? How to avoid a culture of excessive litigation in corporate responsibility The importance of transparency in supporting responsible contracting How this all fits into human rights due diligence legislation such as the upcoming CSDDD. Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠! ***Participate in our anonymous survey: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

In this Frankly Speaking episode, we explore how companies should undertake a materiality assessment when they tackle their sustainability report. The concept of materiality is derived from financial accounting in business and human rights, and very simply asks the question: does this information matter? To guide us, we welcome back ⁠Filip Gregor⁠, head of ⁠Frank Bold's Responsible Companies section⁠ and member of EFRAG's Sustainability Reporting Board, which draws up and recommends the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Richard and Filip discuss: How materiality is done in the ESRS and what does double materiality mean How companies should start to think about assessing and measuring impact materiality The logic behind the "traffic light" system for risk assessment in ⁠EFRAG's draft guidance on Materiality Assessment⁠ Filip's advice to companies that want to better understand financial materiality What is the role of the stakeholder in relation to the materiality question Listen in and follow us on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠! ***Participate in our ⁠anonymous survey⁠: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

In this episode, Frankly Speaking explores the new climate disclosure rules just agreed by the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States and asks what are the implications both in the US and worldwide. To answer those questions, Richard Howitt welcomes Tracey Rembert, Associate Director, Climate Change and Environmental Justice at the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), and Alexandra Wright-Gladstein, founder and CEO of the climate-friendly investment fund Sphere. Together they discuss: If the SEC's rules are a major advance in business sustainability or too big compromise What are the positives of the new rules and potential challenges ahead Whether companies are going to get on and start preparing to do this now? If the ESG backlash is going to carry on unabated or does this decision change it in some way Their advice to investors and companies to start preparing for these new rules Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠! ***Participate in our anonymous survey: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

In this new Frankly Speaking episode, Richard Howitt and his guests ask what is really happening in Europe's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), the proposed law on how companies identify, prevent and remedy human rights and environmental abuses in their global supply chains. Given political agreement by EU governments and members of the European Parliament before Christmas 2023, some governments undertook a volte face and indicated they would not support the law at the final administrative stage, when it would normally be nodded through without even discussion.  To guide us on why this is happening and what will happen now, Richard is joined by Andreas Rasche, professor of Business in Society at Copenhagen Business School and author of the book Corporate Sustainability, and Julia Otten, Senior Policy Officer at Frank Bold and lead on the Responsible Companies' work on Corporate Due Diligence. Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠! ***Participate in our anonymous survey: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

Today, Frankly Speaking welcomes Veronica Poole, Global International Financial Reporting Standards and Corporate Reporting Leader at big four accountancy company Deloitte. In that role, Veronica has been at the forefront of moves to set sustainability reporting standards for business to the creation of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). She is both one of the leaders in the world with knowledge about the ISSB but also with responsibilities to help companies implement its recommendations. In this episode you'll hear Veronica's views on: Her historic role in the formation of the ISSB The importance of enterprise value creation The connection between broader sustainability issues and the material financial impact on the company What is significant about new IFRS standards and which priorities should come next for the ISSB Evolution of the assurance sector and if it's ready for mandatory sustainability reporting Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠! ***Participate in our anonymous survey: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

On the podcast this week, we are joined by Belinda Christine Borck, Global Public Policy Coordinator at the Dutch-based chocolate producer Tony's Chocolonely.  Tony's mission is to make 100% slave free the norm in all chocolate worldwide, and founder Teun van de Keuken picks the name “Chocolonely” to encapsulate his “lonely fight against inequality in the chocolate industry”.  The company has changed the standard square piece format of the chocolate bar to an unequally divided piece to symbolize the unequally divided cocoa supply chain. In this episode, Richard and Belinda discuss: How chocolate companies can combat systemic poverty by ensuring that farmers and producers in their supply chain receive a living income The importance of traceability as a base for companies to take responsibility for their potential negative impacts The role of legislations such as the EU Deforestation Regulation, the EU Forced Labour Regulation or the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive to enhance corporate transparency and address human rights and environmental violations Tony's Open Chain: how collaborating on cocoa does not impede competition on chocolate … and more! Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠! ***Participate in our anonymous survey: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

"We don't just need to change companies, but to change the system." How often have we heard this statement? In this Frankly Speaking episode, Richard Howitt is joined by Dr. Anneloes Smitsman. They address what systems change means and how companies can contribute to achieving it. We also discuss if there is a social tipping point where people's acceptance of the need to act on climate change will make a decisive difference in how consumers, employees and investors support the necessary changes in companies. Dr. Anneloes Smitsman has a PhD in systems science, a pioneer in human development and in systems change, futurist, and entrepreneur. Annaloes is also the founder and CEO of EARTHwise Centre. Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠! ***Participate in our anonymous survey: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

Happy New Year to all Frankly Speaking listeners! Today's guest is Nele Meyer, appointed last year as director of the European Coalition for Corporate Justice, a European network of NGOs which undertake advocacy on issues of corporate accountability. In this first episode of 2024, Richard and Nele look back on a key achievement of the past year: the new EU rules on mandatory due diligence, given political agreement late in December. In the second part of the episode, they look forward to what will be important in corporate sustainability, business and human rights in 2024. Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠! ***Participate in our anonymous survey: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

For the last Frankly Speaking episode of 2023, Richard Howitt welcomes Maria Mendiluce, CEO of the We Mean Business Coalition and named last month by Time Magazine as one of the world's top 100 Climate leaders. Their mission brings together a group of nonprofit organizations collaborating to accelerate an inclusive transition to a net zero economy. With their ‘Fossil to Clean' campaign, they called all Parties at COP28 "to transform the global energy system towards a full phase-out of unabated fossil fuels and halve emissions this decade."  Although the outcome of this year's COP was not what was hoped for, “for the first time we have a global agreement to transition away from all fossil fuels in line with science.” But what does this mean for business? In this conversation you'll hear more about:  Maria's overall feeling about what happened in Dubai,  Whether or not international pledges are still relevant and authentic If Carbon Capture and Storage is the solution for a net-zero economy How business can play a role in shifting narratives towards progress and sustainability Maria's advice to companies on climate and sustainability reporting Enjoy your listen in, subscribe and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠. We wish you a good holiday season and best wishes for 2024, will be back on the 10th of January with a brand new episode! ***Participate in our anonymous survey: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

How can companies and investors be agents of change for human and social rights? Today on Frankly Speaking is Caroline Rees, President and co-Founder of Shift, the leading center of expertise on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and #HumanRights. After a tribute to Professor John Ruggie's work (author of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights), you'll hear Richard and Caroline discuss: The role of business in society and if the “business of business is business” theory has proven to provide social equality Corporate Reporting as a critical driver of sustainability The confusion between social rights and human rights in reporting How can companies move towards a sustainable business model Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠! ***Participate in our anonymous survey: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

In what ways does business interact with nature? What can businesses do about the biodiversity crisis, the loss of wildlife populations or species facing extinction? In September, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) came up with at least some of the answers, with its recommendations providing the tools and methodologies needed by companies and investors to develop a sustainable relationship with nature.  To discuss it on the podcast this week, Richard Howitt receives TNFD's Executive Director and Technical Director, Tony Goldner and Emily McKenzie. You'll hear more about: - How can nature present a risk to business - Where do the TNFD Recommendations fit with the rest of reporting frameworks such as the ESRS or the ISSB Standards.  - The relationship between TNFD and TCFD - The guidance available to businesses to implement the recommendations, including the LEAP approach Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠! ***Participate in our anonymous survey: Help us understand what you enjoy in the show, what you want us to do better, and who you want to listen to next! https://forms.gle/xCkhhWrwf6qCiyJHA

We often hear discussions about corporate accountability being too dominated by developed countries and that we need to hear more voices from the Global South. What does the global value chain look like from the other end? How do concepts in international documents like the UN Guiding Principles apply on the ground? Is it really possible for victims to get a fair hearing? To answer these questions this week, Richard Howitt receives Maxwell Atuhura, a farmer and fisherman from Uganda, who for the past six years has been relentlessly defending the rights of people affected by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) linking Uganda with Tanzania. They are joined by Nicholas Omonuk, student and part of End Fossil Occupy Uganda, Rise Up Movement and Fridays For Future MAPA. You'll hear more about: The negative impacts on human rights and on the climate of oil pipeline projects in Uganda and its region The disparities between the green pledges taken by companies and the reality on the ground How strong and effective EU sustainability laws, such as the CSDDD, can make a difference across the globe, in particular in Global South countries Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠!

Since 2018, Europe has been a leader in sustainable finance efforts, establishing its taxonomy on  what can be classified as a sustainable investment and requiring investors to disclose how far their investments are sustainable. More recently, the European Commission opened a consultation on the entire future of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (#SFDR). To discuss these crucial issues in the podcast today with Richard Howitt: Marie Baumgarts, sustainability partner at KPMG and member of the EU Platform on Sustainable Finance. In this conversation, we cover: The challenges and opportunities surrounding the regulation The necessity of aligning the SFDR with other regulations such as the CSRD and CS3D What's happened to the social taxonomy? The current state of health of sustainable finance … and more!  Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠!

Join us for a thought-provoking episode as we delve into the world of critical raw materials. We've all heard about the global dilemmas surrounding resources like cobalt, essential for the technology in our mobile phones, but often sourced from regions with questionable human rights records. The energy transition, the production of batteries, electric vehicles, and the transmission of renewable energy all rely heavily on raw materials, including cobalt, nickel, lithium, and rare earth elements. These minerals are concentrated in a few countries, making them susceptible to geopolitical supply disruptions. International institutions, including the United States and the European Union, have been working on critical minerals strategies, with Europe's proposed Critical Raw Materials Act currently at a pivotal stage. In this episode, host Richard Howitt engages in a captivating conversation with ⁠Michael Reckordt⁠, Resource Policy expert from the German organization ⁠Powershift⁠. PowerShift conducts research and develops policies related to international trade, raw materials, and climate policy, all in support of a more ecological and fair global economy. You'll hear more about: What are Critical Raw Materials, why we need them and what the EU is doing about it Sufficiency, circularity and due diligence as key elements to improve the proposal The importance of bringing these issues outside of the industry, regulatory and political debate The lifestyle we want to have and what we can afford within the planetary boundaries Listen in and follow us on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠!

The Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment database now records more than 2000 cases of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, a tripling of the number since just 2019. To discuss the rising tide of such legal cases and what's behind them, we welcome Sandra Cossart, Executive Director of Sherpa and strategic litigation expert. Some of Sherpa's cases include current action seeking to get TotalEnergies to comply with the Paris Climate Agreement, a case seeking judicial investigation against fashion companies for alleged concealment of human trafficking and crimes against humanity in their supply chains and the prosecution of construction company Lafarge for crimes against humanity in Syria. Find out more about: why strategic litigation is important and what are the obstacles why we are seeing more and more cases on environmental, social and governance issues the importance of civil liability in the CSDDD how to get a better balance of power for victims and hold companies accountable Listen in and follow us on LinkedIn and ⁠Twitter⁠!

To celebrate the first anniversary of the podcast, Richard Howitt welcomes back three of our special guests to bring you up to date on some of those issues and also to look forward to what's going to happen next: Rachel Davis, vice-president and co-founder of Shift, Lene Serpa, director and head of corporate sustainability at A.P. Moller-Maersk, and Filip Gregor, head of Frank Bold's Responsible Companies Section. In this episode, you'll hear more of the debate between our guests: 02:44 Latest state of progress Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) 06:00 Do the debates on the CS3D and CSRD get lost in the details? 08:44 What is “risk” all about in the corporate sustainability field? 16:54 What's new in terms of technology and the R&D in the transport sector? 22:11 Companies' technological journey and sustainability reporting 26:33 Is the debate around ESG shifting? What is the state of play in the US? 30:53 Geopolitical situation with China and impact on business and human rights  37:10 Looking ahead: insights in current priorities for corporate sustainability 43:13 Rachel D. on the upsides of sports and human rights (Women's World Cup) 45:26 Filip G. positive's perspective on addressing global crises related to climate change, biodiversity, and human rights abuses 48:30 Lene S. on the need to contribute to a better world for the next generations Listen in and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn!

After a short summer break, the Frankly Speaking podcast is excited to be back. Over this summer, we've reached a significant milestone as the European Commission officially released the long-awaited European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) through a delegated act. In this episode, we welcome Filip Gregor, member of EFRAG's Sustainability Reporting Board, researcher, advisor and advocate for corporate sustainability reporting and head of Frank Bold's Responsible Companies section. We take a closer look at what has changed after last July's public consultation on the ESRS, what businesses need to know and what to do next. You'll hear more about: The game changing aspects of the ESRSs The loopholes that the text still presents How the ESRSs differ from the ISSB standards EFRAG's upcoming guidance for businesses  Advice on how companies can prepare to implement the new EU reporting standards Listen in and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn!

Frankly Speaking discusses this week the recent update of the OECD Guidelines on multinational enterprises with Allan Jorgensen, Head of the OECD Centre for Responsible Business Conduct since 2021. He was previously Head of Sustainable Trade for Danish logistics company A.P. Moller-Maersk. Prior to that, Allan served in the public sector as Director of Human Rights and Business at the Danish Institute for Human Rights. The guidelines are the world's principal soft law instrument on responsible business. The OECD describes them as the "most comprehensive international standard on responsible business conduct". They are the only one which is multilaterally negotiated, endorsed by governments and having the unique system to hear complaints known as specific instances, The National Contact Points or NCPs. You will hear more about:  What differentiates the OECD Guidelines from other global tools and instruments. The major changes on environment and climate change introduced in the guidelines since their last review in 2011. How the guidelines are a comprehensive tool for businesses to take ownership of their value chain and potential and actual adverse impacts. How responsible business conduct policy transitions from pioneer to mainstream. Listen in and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn!

This week on Frankly Speaking, we welcome David Vermijs and discuss the final draft of the first set of European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The draft Delegated Act from the European Commission is currently subject to a feedback period until the 7th of July. David is the Director of Business Engagement at one of the leading organizations on business and human rights in the world, Shift. He is also a member of EFRAG's Sustainability Reporting Board, the body which undertakes the technical work to recommend the new sustainability reporting standards. You will hear more about:  the draft proposed by the European Commission and how it differs from EFRAG's recommendations how the first set of ESRS needs to look like to be effective the opinion coming from the business and investement community the role of the EU in the development of robust sustainability reporting standards worldwide Listen in and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn!