Innovation Forum Podcast

Marco Rosso, global head of sustainability and corporate affairs at Syngenta Biologicals and Seed Care, talks with Ian Welsh about the shifting economics of farming. They discuss the psychology putting young people off agricultural careers and why sustainability has to deliver a real return on investment for farmers to adopt it. Plus: lab-grown cocoa as a hedge against cocoa price volatility; US coffee prices double on tariffs and Red Sea disruption; China's largest US soybean purchase since 2025; and, European Commission cuts sustainability reporting requirements by 60%, in the news digest. Host: Ian Welsh

Jimmy Summers, vice president of environment, health and safety, and chief sustainability officer at Elevate Textiles, talks with Innovation Forum's Niamh Campbell about the financial barriers to decarbonising the apparel sector. They discuss why decades of falling clothing prices have made sustainability harder to fund, and what systemic solutions could create a genuine race to the top.

This week: As the long-awaited guidance for the new EU forced labour regulation is published, Ian Welsh speaks with Rachel Rigby, lead, extended supply chains and responsible sourcing, and Quinn Kepes, regional lead, Americas, at Verité. They discuss some of the potential opportunities and impacts for business.  Plus: Seed technology that enhances resilience and yield; business action to drive electrification; environmental activists most targeted group; and, US return to coal drives emissions increases, in the news digest with Babette Pagès.  Host: Ian Welsh 

Tanja Lischka, senior director for government affairs at Siemens Energy, talks with Ian Welsh about the power grid evolution required as electrification continues to be rolled out, and the challenges and opportunities this represents.

Climate change is rapidly reshaping the future of coffee. Rising temperatures, shifting growing regions and increased pressure on yields are creating significant risks for producers, livelihoods, and supply chain stability. As a result, incorporating regenerative agriculture practices into coffee supply chains is no longer a distant sustainability goal, but a core business imperative. From farm-level adaptation and investment to sourcing strategies and supplier partnerships, companies are rethinking how to secure supply while supporting livelihoods and long-term sustainability goals. What we discussed: What regenerative agriculture means in practice for the coffee sector, from farm to commercial strategy How producers and supply chain partners are responding, including the support structures, partnerships and investment models driving impact How brands and retailers are integrating regenerative agriculture into sourcing decisions The role of traceability and certification in driving accountability across the supply chain

This week: Cornelius Wolf, senior director development apparel at Puma, talks with Ian Welsh about the brand's progress on textile-to-textile recycling. They discuss the challenges of sourcing post-consumer waste, why World Cup shirts are putting circularity in the spotlight, and how Puma is managing the cost premium on recycled material. Plus: UK invests £50m in critical minerals to cut import reliance; G7 seeks to halve dependence on China as Beijing strengthens BRICS ties; human rights abuse allegations at critical minerals mines jump 73%; and, experts debate mineral alliances and a just energy transition at London Climate Action Week, in the news digest by Innovation Forum's Babette Pages. Host: Ian Welsh

Paul Bentham, chief product and technology officer at Oritain, talks with Ian Welsh about the findings of the company's first annual supply chain intelligence report, including the surprise rise in prohibited-origin products on shelves. They also discuss the growing gap between brands' traceability claims and the physical reality of their products, and how tariffs and converging regulation are creating new blind spots in global sourcing.

This week: Danai Mangana, LCA consultant and consumer goods sector lead at SimaPro, PRé Sustainability, talks with Ian Welsh about how corporate sustainability reporting has evolved from communications exercise to evidence-based intelligence. They discuss why companies retreating to compliance-only mode risk falling behind. Plus: a new global symbol to identify reusable packaging; German consumers underestimate national recycling rates; refill packaging now well established in personal care; and, food and beverage plastics dominate global shorelines, in the news digest by Babette Pages.

Listen to the unveiling the first global progress report from the Nestlé Dairy Plan — a holistic approach to dairy transformation that brings together climate action, regenerative agriculture, animal welfare, farmer resilience and innovation across the value chain. We heard practical solutions are already delivering results at scale: helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions, supporting productivity and farmer incomes, strengthening nature on and around farms, and building more secure supplies of high-quality dairy ingredients for the future. From digital tools and feed innovation to manure management, biodiversity projects and agri-preneurship programmes, this session will spotlight the partnerships and on-the-ground action making a difference across markets. We explored what's working today, what we're learning, and what it takes to build a more sustainable and resilient dairy system for the long term. We heard from: Antonia Wanner, Chief Sustainability Officer, Nestlé Katja Seidenschnur, Head of Sustainability Nutrition and Health SBU, Nestlé Wilson Bras, Dairy Farmer from Brazil Robert Erhard, Group Dairy Lead, Nestlé Marlies Overbeeke, Director for Sustainability Strategy and Customer Partnerships, FrieslandCampina Damian Oettli, Head of Markets, WWF Andrea Porro, Secretary General, World Farmers' Organisation The session was moderated by Tom Idle, Founder, Narrative Matters.

Liz Hirshfield, executive director at COTTON USA™ and US Cotton Trust Protocol, and Sledge Taylor, a cotton farmer in Mississippi, talk with Ian Welsh about regenerative agriculture in the US cotton sector. They discuss from the practices Sledge has been using since the 1970s to how COTTON USA™ is building traceability and economic incentives to help other farmers make the transition.

Launched in 2022, the Nestlé Income Accelerator is a family centred approach designed to help close the living income gap for cocoa farming families and reduce child labour risks. The program encourages change at household and farm level and rewards practices that contribute to improved livelihoods, environmental stewardship and community resilience. During this webinar, Nestlé shared the latest results of the program that is accelerating impact at scale, drawing on an independent impact assessment by the KIT Institute, insights from participating households, and feedback from partners implementing the initiative on the ground. The discussion brought together independent expert, an implementing partner, a cocoa farmer and a community advocate offering an opportunity for open exchange on what is working, what needs improvement, and how lessons learned can inform future approaches across the sector.    

This week: While in New York for this year's Sustainable Apparel and Textiles USA, Innovation Forum's Niamh Campbell spoke with Jimmy Summers, vice-president for EHS and sustainability at Elevate Textiles. They talked about net zero ambitions in the apparel sector and why it's necessary to get away from the race-to-the-bottom approach that has become the norm.   Plus: World Cup emissions set to soar; SBTi's updated corporate net-zero standard; how to transform agricultural waste into carbon-negative products, in the news digest with Babette Pagès.    Host: Ian Welsh

Lauren Woodley, head of nutrition and sensory science at Nomad Foods, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about how Europe's largest frozen food company balances consumer demand for health, taste and affordability. They discuss from tackling persistent myths about frozen food to navigating the trade-offs in reformulation and segmenting products by their role in the diet.

Packaging is gaining increasing boardroom attention, driven by extended producer responsibility fees, legal exposure around environmental claims, and rising material costs from recycled content requirements. This webinar explored how these regulatory pressures interact with consumer demand to influence packaging strategy. We looked at how to build a business case that connects sustainable packaging choices to innovation and commercial returns, not just compliance. We were joined by a panel of experts from across the packaging value chain, to discuss: • Compliance as a starting point, not a destination — How EPR obligations can be a strategic foundation to generate cost savings, long-term resilience, and new market  opportunities  • How to link innovation to commercial returns — From the paperisation of packaging to circular systems, how leading brands are translating sustainability investment into cost savings, consumer trust, and competitive differentiation  • The ingredients for a future-proof packaging strategy — How to anticipate regulatory changes, fees and bans on formats, and shifting consumer expectations before they become business risks This webinar was curated by Innovation Forum in collaboration with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, knowledge partner for the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum 2026 (Chicago, Oct. 27-28).

This week: Tanja Lischka, senior director for government affairs at Siemens Energy, talks with Ian Welsh about the power grid evolution required as electrification continues to be rolled out, and the challenges and opportunities this represents.  And, Ian also speaks with Ginny Maceda senior manager for mission and stability at Danone about regenerative agriculture and climate strategy.  Plus: how green roofs can boost resilience; more inclusive climate action in Latin America; climate change's impact on displacement in Africa; and, a spotlight on soils in the wine sector, in the news digest with Babette Pages Prange.

Daniel Di Benedetto, geo lead for northern Europe at Centric Software, talks with Ian Welsh about how predictive intelligence can help the apparel sector reduce waste and improve margins. They discuss from AI-driven trend forecasting and shorter decision cycles to repurposing surplus materials before they reach landfill.

This week: Oritain's chief product and technology officer Paul Bentham talks with Ian Welsh about some new apparel supply chain intelligence that highlights visibility gaps, and why risk management best practice is evolving from assurance to an evidence-based approach.  Plus: EUDR simplification measures explained, evidence that forests do promote well-being and Indonesia's tighter state control on commodity export, in the news digest with Babette Pagès Prange.  Host: Ian Welsh  Click here for the new report from Oritain.

Today, soil rarely appears on a balance sheet, a boardroom agenda, or even a climate strategy. This webinar explored why that needs to change. Drawing on perspectives from leading food companies, we explored how regenerative agriculture is being put into practice, how soil health can become a credible part of climate and brand strategy, and what farmers want from these boardroom discussions. We discussed… From soil carbon to soil health: Understanding soil as a system, and why a holistic approach is critical for resilience and productivity The emerging link between soil health and crop quality, taste, and nutrient density – and what this means for the business case for regenerative practices Scaling action: The role of cross-industry collaboration and value chain engagement in driving impact The urgency, and opportunity, of embedding soil health into strategies for a low-carbon, resilient future 

This week: Ian Welsh speaks with Liz Hershfield, executive director of Cotton USA and the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, and Sledge Taylor, a cotton farmer from Mississippi, about the real-world benefits and challenges of regenerative agriculture in the US cotton sector. And, global carbon pricing revenues top $107 billion; why circular economy interventions could transform the EU's environmental impact; forty major food companies commit to regenerative agriculture; and, why the green transition may be accelerating rainforest destruction, in the news digest by Innovation Forum's Babette Pages-Prange.

Monica Gross, ecosystem engagement manager at Avery Dennison, talks with Ian Welsh about the multiple functions of packaging and why labelling is central to all of them – from brand identity and operational efficiency to recyclability and regulatory compliance under PPWR and EPR frameworks. They also discuss connected packaging and the shift from paper to filmic labels.

This week: Lauren Woodley, head of nutrition and sensory science at Nomad Foods, talks with Ian Welsh about how Europe's largest frozen food company balances consumer demand for health, taste and affordability. They discuss from tackling persistent myths about frozen food to navigating the trade-offs in reformulation and segmenting products by their role in the diet. And, Ian talks with Aidan Davy, co-chief operating officer at ICMM, about what critical minerals actually means and why no mineral is inherently critical. Host: Ian Welsh

Eduardo Alvarez, associate director for packaging EMEA at Dow, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about what packaging circularity really means – from designing for recyclability and developing waste-to-feedstock pathways to the challenge of scaling monomaterial solutions. They discuss why collaboration and a willingness to take risk are as important as regulation in accelerating the transition.

As sustainability conversations increasingly center on regulation, compliance deadlines and investment in new data systems, something risks getting lost: the need to invest in people who drive the change. Todd Corley's perspective emphasizes the importance of inspiring and developing individuals across all levels of an organization. Rooted in a career shaping social, philanthropic, sustainability and belonging initiatives in corporate workplaces, he now holds one of the most distinctive roles in the industry as Chief People and Impact Officer at Carhartt. From that vantage point, he builds strategy bottom-up, and asks a different question: What happens when you treat people and culture not as a support function to your people and impact strategy, but as its foundation?   Integrating this strategic framework within global organizations requires persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to accept that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to building a purpose-driven culture. In this webinar, we explored: - How Todd's journey to Chief People and Impact Officer shapes his approach to sustainability - What it looks like to structure teams and governance for real impact, and why capacity building is a strategic investment - Carhartt's people-first approach in practice: examples of community connection, skilled trade development and accessible circularity - Making the internal business case: navigating pushback and keeping purpose at the core - Reasons for optimism, and what the industry needs to do next to act on them

Daniel Di Benedetto, geo lead for northern Europe at Centric Software, talks with Ian Welsh about how predictive intelligence can help the apparel sector reduce waste and improve margins. And, Ian talks with Innovation Forum's Niamh Campbell about the key themes from the Sustainable Apparel and Textiles Conference in Amsterdam, including the desire for regulatory certainty, the push for inclusive circularity and why heat stress and governance emerged as the standout topics for attendees. Host: Ian Welsh Continue the conversation in New York City for the Sustainable Apparel and Textiles Conference USA on 3-4 June. Registration information can be found here. Tune into our partnered episode on the Supply Chain Revolution podcast with Christine Goulay, focusing on the state of apparel in North America. You can listen as a podcast or as a video interview.

Anupama Joshi, vice president of programs at the Center for Science and the Public Interest, talks with Anamya Anurag about the realities on the ground, in comparison to the Make America Healthy Again programme and its policy actions. They uncover contradictions in guidelines, federal inaction and what business can do amid budget cuts.

This week: Eduardo Alvarez, a plastics and packaging expert at Dow, talks with Ian Welsh about waste-to-value challenges and the need to move at speed now to stay ahead of upcoming regulation. Cost is clearly a significant barrier, but there are potential solutions to the material problems. And, at the 2025 Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum USA Ian spoke about extended producer responsibility regulation with Jason Bergquist from RecycleMe.

Leontien Hasselman-Plugge, CEO of Impact Buying, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about how companies are preparing for the EU's packaging and packaging waste regulation. They discuss how PPWR and EPR are forcing internal collaboration across buying, sustainability and finance teams, and why getting packaging data in order before the August deadline is now a matter of financial urgency.

This week: Joël Meggelaars, head of regulatory and public affairs for Benelux at Ørsted, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about the state of the offshore wind sector in Europe. They discuss from project cancellations and rising capital costs to the role of contracts for difference in restoring the risk-reward balance and enabling offshore wind to scale. Plus: at the previous future of food event, Ian talks with US farmers Jocelyn Schlichting and Carla Schultz about the barriers to adopting regenerative agriculture practices and the importance of farmer voice in corporate sustainability programmes. Host: Ian Welsh

Femke Jonkmans, senior innovation associate at Fashion for Good, talks with Innovation Forum's Niamh Campbell about the Price Parity Toolkit, a financing mechanism designed to break the cycle of high prices and fragmented demands. They discuss how premium decoupling works in practice, supply chain alignment, traceability requirements and how the toolkit is evolving.

This week: Monica Gross, ecosystem engagement manager at Avery Dennison, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about the multiple functions of packaging and why labelling is central to all of them. They also discuss connected packaging and the shift from paper to film-based labels.   And, Ian talks with Innovation Forum's Lia Da Giau about how reuse, material innovation and waste management solutions are beginning to work together for packaging.   Plus: report estimates €25.4tn lost annually through linear economic processes; and, Indian packaging sector reduces dependence on fossil fuel-derived materials, in the news digest.   Host: Ian Welsh

At the recent responsible sourcing and ethical trade forum, Thomas Radal, global worker engagement expert at Ulula, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about what effective worker voice platform looks like. They explore how companies can embed it into human rights due diligence, from risk mapping to farm-level monitoring.

Caroline Elms, director, global packaging procurement at snack brands business Pladis Global, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about how companies can bring business functions together to deliver better packaging, why cost remains a core challenge and how this can best be addressed.

This week: Anupama Joshi, vice president of programs at the Center for Science and the Public Interest, talks with Innovation Forum's Anamya Anurag about the gap between the Make America Healthy Again movement's goals and its policy actions. Plus: Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh and Hannah Oborne talk about emerging themes in the food sector, including how sustainability is being reframed around resilience and long-term value. And, Nike's chemical recycling breakthrough for World Cup kits; chemical recycling versus mechanical methods for elite sportswear; and, debate over whether leather should remain in scope of EUDR, in the news digest. Host: Ian Welsh

Leontien Hasselman-Plugge, CEO of ImpactBuying, talks with Ian Welsh about how companies are preparing for EU plastics waste regulation and why the challenges always seem to be about getting the right data.   And, Ian talks with Innovation Forum's Lia Da Giau about emerging packaging sector trends and best practices more generally.    Plus: why electrical infrastructure shortfalls may impede data centre development and growth of EVs, and cocoa sector price volatility continues, in the news digest.    Host: Ian Welsh 

Regenerative agriculture practices are proving their potential – delivering healthier soils, stronger farming communities, and more resilient supply chains – but regenerative agriculture isn't just about improving sustainability scores; it's about reshaping how supply chains create long-term value. It's a system-level approach that builds resilience from farm to brand and helps future-proof raw material sourcing. This webinar, held in partnership with COTTON USA™, will explore how organisations are building on regenerative standards and frameworks (such as the U.S Cotton Trust Protocol) to embed regenerative sourcing into their core business strategy. Drawing on insights from leaders working across regenerative materials, we'll examine the practical challenges and opportunities of scaling these textiles. From climate resilience and social impact to supply chain stability, we'll discuss how brands can move beyond initial pilot programs, and what must shift in purchasing practices, supplier relationships, and aligning incentives across the value chain. What we discussed… System thinking in action: How regenerative sourcing influences soil health, biodiversity, climate resilience, and farmer livelihoods, while supporting business strategy Evolution of the supply chain: Moving beyond material sourcing to align farming practices, partnerships, and internal operations for long-term impact. Shared incentives & financing: Exploring incentive structures and financing mechanisms that support farmer transitions. We heard from: Filippa Blomander, raw materials lead, Inter IKEA Group Liz Hershfield, executive director of COTTON USA™ and U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol​​​​​​ Katherine O'Hare, vice president, sustainability, J. Crew Group  Larkin Martin, president, Turnrow Farm Services The discussion was moderated by Ian Welsh, co-founder and chair, Innovation Forum

This week: Innovation Forum's Niamh Campbell speaks with Femke Jonkmans, senior innovation associate at Fashion for Good, about some barriers impacting the development of new materials in the apparel sector.  Niamh also speaks with Ian Welsh about natural fibre use and innovation on water impacts in the apparel sector.  And, Nestlé's 410,000 KitKats heist; why language on climate change and business sustainability is ever more important; and, why environment and ethical choices are becoming mainstream for consumers, in the news digest.  Host: Ian Welsh

Innovation Forum's Niamh Campbell talks with Esme Chiverton and Fiona Bretherton from Untouched World about how collaboration can make zero waste ambitions a reality for the apparel sector.

This week: Thomas Radal, global worker engagement expert at Ulula, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about how worker empowerment programmes can really deliver at scale. Moving beyond traditional audits, they explore how companies can gather direct feedback from workers using accessible technologies. Plus: Innovation Forum's Ellen Atiyah chats with Liz Hershfield, executive director of COTTON USA™ and the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, ahead of an upcoming webinar on regenerative sourcing. And, Innovation Forum's Natasha Bodnar takes a look at how companies are moving from scope 3 commitments to real-world action, and how decarbonisation is increasingly linked to energy security and supply chain resilience.

Dana Mosora, senior consultant at CEFLEX, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about the push to make flexible packaging circular in Europe. They explore the key barriers to scaling recycling, from low collection rates and inconsistent quality to weak market demand, and the critical role of policy, particularly the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

This week: highlights summary from a recent food webinar on how consumer expectations are reshaping the food sector. Moderated by Innovation Forum's Ellen Atiyah, Dorothy Shaver from Unilever, Caroline Reid from Oatly and Griffith Foods' Alex Skidmore explore how health, price and sustainability priorities differ across generations. Plus: at the recent sustainable packaging innovation forum, Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh spoke with Caroline Elms from Pladis Global about how collaboration, innovation and clearer priorities can unlock scalable sustainable packaging solutions. And, Innovation Forum's Hanna Halmari talks with Ian about how sustainability in food and beverage is ever more a core driver of resilience and business value. Host: Ian Welsh

Jan Dieleman, president of Cargill's ocean transport business, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about the challenge of decarbonising global shipping. They discuss the role of alternative fuels and why scaling change depends on solving the "green premium" and clearer regulation from the International Maritime Organisation.

From a growing focus on health and nutrition, to rising demand for lower-impact food, evolving consumer expectations are reshaping how value is created across the food sector. This webinar explored how companies are responding to changing consumer demand and utilising innovation to deliver products that meet both sustainability and nutrition expectations. We looked at how organisations are adapting and reformulating products, developing innovation levers, and balancing food functionality and sustainability – all whilst creating business value. In conversation with: Dorothy Shaver, global food sustainability director, Unilever Caroline Reid, senior sustainability director, Oatly Alex Skidmore, head of market intelligence Europe, Griffith Foods

This week: a highlight from the recent webinar organised in partnership with Cargill. Anne Schwagerl from the Minnesota Farmers Union, University of Minnesota's Mitch Hunger and Cargill's Lyle DePauw and Anna Teeter, talk with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about the promise of winter camelina as a climate-smart crop, and the barriers to delivering it at scale. Plus: In conversion with Ian, Innovation Forum's Hannah Oborne talks about how climate risk, changing consumer expectations and regulation are pushing companies to adapt supply chains and embed sustainability into core strategy. And, EU moves to ban meat names for plant foods; Yangtze river fishing ban revives freshwater life; and, Tesco trials low carbon potatoes in UK stores, in the news digest. Host: Ellen Atiyah

Ian Welsh speaks with Andrew Wallis, co-founder and CEO of Unseen, about the rapid rise of mandatory human rights due diligence and forced labour regulations around the world. They explore how evolving legislation, investor pressure and stronger enforcement are pushing businesses beyond transparency and reporting toward real action to identify and address exploitation in global supply chains.

This week: Esme Chiverton and Fiona Bretherton, from Untouched World, talk with Innovation Forum's Niamh Campbell about the brand's drive to achieve zero textile waste to landfill. They discuss how they're tackling the technical and economic challenge of the final 1% and how local collaboration and transparency are helping. Plus: Talking with Ian Welsh, Niamh shares some of the key trends in the apparel and textiles sector, such as regulatory pressure on waste and growing recognition of worker heat stress as an occupational health risk. And, M&S launches solar support for cotton farmers; EU scales back corporate sustainability reporting rules; and, investors urge overhaul of GHG electricity rules, in the news digest. Host: Ellen Atiyah

Karla MaGruder, founder and board chair of Accelerating Circularity, talks with Ian Welsh about scaling textile-to-textile recycling. They explore the system-level changes needed to connect collectors, sorters and recyclers, and the complementary roles of mechanical and chemical recycling. They discuss why collaboration, standardisation and commercial-scale infrastructure are critical to building a circular textile economy.

As the agriculture sector accelerates toward more resilient systems, the search for climate-smart crops continues to gather pace. Innovation in crop systems is key to unlocking solutions that deliver resilience, productivity, and lower carbon outcomes.  This webinar explores the potential of winter camelina, an oilseed crop advancing through research, innovation, and on-farm trial, as part of a broader push for crop diversification and low-carbon fuel feedstocks. Planted in the fall and harvested in early summer, camelina provides living cover through the off-season while also being harvested and sold as a cash crop – an uncommon combination that creates a new incentive for farmers to keep soil covered longer. What we discussed… How crop innovation and R&D are supporting more resilient and profitable farming systems The role of winter camelina in crop diversification, soil health, and lower-carbon outcomes The importance of farmer engagement, partnerships, and on–farm trials in driving adoption What lessons from camelina can be applied to broader climate–smart agriculture strategies

This week: Andrew Wallis, CEO of Unseen talks with Ian Welsh about the evolving landscape of mandatory human rights due diligence and forced labour legislation. They cover global regulatory developments and discuss the economic, operational and investor-driven benefits of enforcing human rights standards in supply chains.   Plus: Innovation Forum's Emilia Colman shares emerging trends in responsible sourcing and ethical trade, including the rise of worker voice initiatives and overlap between climate and human rights risks.   And, Boohoo faces investor trial over labour abuses; just transition guidance targets net zero investors; EU deforestation rules may expand as details shift; Uzbek cotton reforms leave farmers vulnerable; and, Etsy sells Depop to eBay for $1.2bn, in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.   Host: Ian Welsh

Kara Fulcher, director of sustainability strategy for Michelin in North America, talks with Ian Welsh about corporate engagement on scope 3 emissions. They discuss the pace of supply chain decarbonisation and Michelin's approach across energy, materials and nature. They also highlight the challenges of making the business case for scope 3 action and how companies can communicate credible progress.

Few leaders in the apparel and textiles industry bring as much hands-on experience across buying, production and CSR as Helena Helmersson did during her time at H&M Group. Her unique position as the only fashion industry executive to move from CSO to CEO gives her a rare, end-to-end view of how sustainability and commercial strategy intersect at scale. Helmersson's long-term vision at H&M was clear: sustainability had to be embedded at the heart of the business. Building on work initiated in the 1990s, she helped advance a strategy that increased supply chain transparency, while also expanding textile collection and recycling programmes. Under her leadership, initiatives such as the H&M Conscious range were debuted, reinforcing the belief that sustainable fashion must remain accessible while serving as co-chair of The Fashion Pact. A consistent theme throughout Helmersson's leadership has been the need for structural transformation. Sustainability, she argues, should be a mindset that is woven into every part of the organisation. In times of external turbulence, however, delivering on that ambition becomes harder. Helmersson is clear that progress cannot be achieved through brand commitments alone; new systems need to be built, and deep, cross-industry collaboration is essential. Since stepping down as CEO of H&M in January 2024, Helmersson has continued to shape the industry. She has joined the boards of MANGO, Quizrr and On, and serves as Chair of Circulose. In this webinar with built in Q&A time, Helena Helmersson shared reflections on: What leadership looks like when driving structural change within large organisations What enables, and inhibits, CEO action on sustainability, including navigating the tension between profitability and sustainability Collaboration in practice: how deep coalitions can work for business Where the industry goes next, and the role each stakeholder must play in delivering change

Kendra Tolly, chief product officer at Athian talks with Ian Welsh about how to ensure scope 3 agriculture projects are credible, scalable and defensible. They discuss methodology validation, third-party verification, liability, co-claiming, benefit sharing and the systems needed to prevent double counting while delivering real impact at farm level.