Podcasts about Sustainable development

President Xi Jinping unveiled five initiatives — covering the areas of artificial intelligence, trade and investment facilitation, digital industry, smart manufacturing, and talent development — to deepen practical cooperation among BRICS countries and bolster the collective strength of the Global South.Addressing the second session of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi as he wrapped up his two-day participation in the gathering on Sunday, Xi stressed that a stronger foundation for cooperation was essential for the expanded grouping to achieve greater progress.He urged BRICS countries to leverage their close ties with emerging markets and Global South countries, pursuing open cooperation for mutual benefit while safeguarding stable and smooth industrial and supply chains.They should foster a larger integrated market, build incubators for innovation, upgrade traditional industries, develop emerging industries and deploy future industries, Xi added.China will be a pioneer in establishing a BRICS AI open source community, and it will support cooperation in developing and applying large language models, hold specialized AI seminars and training courses, and build an open AI ecosystem, Xi said.He proposed a BRICS special economic zone partnership under which countries could set up an intelligent portal, coordinate policies and build a new frontier for open development. China will also host the BRICS Forum on Trade in Services next year to cultivate new drivers of economic and trade cooperation.Furthermore, China will push for the establishment of a BRICS digital ecosystem cloud platform and conduct digital skills training, technological exchanges and industrial alignment to jointly advance the digital economy, Xi said.He expressed the country's readiness to assist fellow BRICS countries in building smart factories and developing standards and norms, jointly promoting manufacturing transformation and upgrading.Xi also proposed a BRICS engineer cultivation alliance for the joint development of engineers and mutual recognition of competency standards. China will launch a BRICS youth exchange program for scientific and technological innovation to cultivate more high-caliber talent.Noting that this year marks the launch of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), Xi said China will continue to pursue high-quality development, expand high-standard opening-up, implement the Global Development Initiative and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to share opportunities and prosper together with other countries.Liu Ying, a researcher at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China, said that as BRICS marks its 20th anniversary and moves toward its next "golden decade", China's five initiatives respond to the shared development needs of BRICS and the wider Global South.China has offered not just directions for cooperation, but also concrete platforms and mechanisms to implement it, she said, helping BRICS countries expand their international voice while strengthening their own development foundations.Openness and inclusiveness in AI especially matter, Liu said, as open-source cooperation, large-model development and talent training can help Global South countries access and apply AI as a foundational resource for national development — an effort that China's strengths in technology, industry and application can help make possible.China is practicing "developmental multilateralism" — combining capacity building with real development outcomes to help the Global South participate more fully in the new wave of technological and industrial change, and ultimately pushing the global system toward a fairer, more inclusive and balanced order, Liu added.As the Global South, with its collective rise, has become a key driver of world multipolarity, Xi said that to bring stability to the world and make it a better place, BRICS countries must seize the historical initiative, rally the Global South, be an active, stabilizing and positive force in international affairs, and advance the well-being of all humanity.He stressed that Global South countries should jointly defend the rule of law in international affairs, safeguarding sovereign equality, noninterference in internal affairs and the peaceful settlement of disputes, to ensure that international law and international rules are applied to all, free from double standards.Xi emphasized the need to uphold multilateralism and the authority and role of the United Nations, and to support multilateral institutions in advancing reform and increasing efficiency. World Trade Organization reform should proceed in the right direction, while the international financial architecture must be reformed and improved to increase developing countries' representation and voice, he added.Global South countries should remain committed to a people-centered development philosophy and strive to deliver on the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, he said.Addressing shared challenges, Xi said that Global South countries should work together to strengthen security governance, tackle traditional and nontraditional threats, and improve global climate governance.BRICS draws its growing influence from an inclusive approach that respects different development paths and promotes shared economic gains, said Lan Qingxin, director of the BRICS Research Center at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.

Share your Field Stories!Laura and Nic interview Ryan Hathaway, Director of Climate and Environmental Justice at Lawyers for Good Government, to discuss his time at the White House, efforts to protect federal grants, and the power of community-driven environmental action. From recovering billions of dollars for communities to lessons inspired by Mr. Rogers, this episode explores how decency, optimism, and meaningful support can drive lasting change.Welcome back to Environmental Professionals Radio, Connecting the Environmental Professionals Community Through Conversation, with your hosts Laura Thorne and Nic Frederick! This episode is sponsored by Lawyers for Good Government. Learn more at https://www.lawyersforgoodgovernment.org/.Please be sure to ✔️subscribe, ⭐rate and ✍review. This podcast is produced by the National Association of Environmental Professions (NAEP). Check out all the NAEP has to offer at NAEP.org.Connect with Ryan Hathaway at ryan@l4gg.org. Guest Bio:Ryan serves as Director of Climate and Environmental Justice at Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG),  and previously served as the Director for Environmental Justice and Director of The White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council at the White House Council on Environmental Quality in the Executive Office of the President. Prior, he served as the U.S. Department of the Interior Environmental Justice Coordinator, and also led the Department's Major Infrastructure, Permitting, NEPA, and FAST-41 Programs.  Ryan has served in several government leadership roles, including as Branch Chief for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Land Use Planning at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).  He has over 15 years of experience in federal civil service from local fieldwork and administration to program management, policy, and leadership of multi-billion dollar national and international permitting and environmental policy programs.  Ryan has his Bachelor's in Wildlife Conservation from the University of Delaware, and his Master's in Natural Resource Management and Master's Certificate in Sustainable Development from Virginia Tech University. Ryan serves on the advisory boards for the youth led non-profits Climate Cardinals and Future Incubators, is on the Harvard Sustainability Program Advisory Board, the board of District Coyote Project, and has served as adjunct faculty at several universities, as a board member on many organizations focused on improving the world we live in, and addresses audiences around the world as a speaker and panelist on leadership, environmental policy, and building a better future.  His most important and enjoyable role is as a dad to his son Charlie, and husband to his wife, Jackie, a tremendously dedicated shelter veterinarian.  If you want him to talk too much, bring up blues guitar, star wars, or smoking barbecue. Music CreditsIntro: Givin Me Eyes by Grace MesaOutro: Never Ending Soul Groove by Mattijs MullerSupport the showThanks for listening! A new episode drops every Friday. Like, share, subscribe, and/or sponsor to help support the continuation of the show. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and all your favorite podcast players. 

Good afternoon, I'm _ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 134-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 45,991 on turnover of 8.9-billion N-T. Record Kaohsiung rainfall causes NT$77 million in agricultural losses Kaohsiung officials say, record rainfall in the city has caused more than 77 million NT in agricultural losses. The city's Agricultural Bureau says that wax apple growers were hardest hit, losing around 80 hectares of crops worth over 18 million. Guava growers were the second worst affected, followed by papaya farmers. Kaohsiung received a cumulative (累計) 1712 milimeters of rainfall in August… surpassing the previous record for August rainfall, set in 1931, and was four times the month average. Tang Prize** exhibition opens in Taipei** The 2026 Tang Prize Exhibition opened yesterday at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. The exhibition features the optical tool used by Sustainable Development laureate Susan Solomon nearly 40 years ago. The tool measured wavelengths of moonlight and scattered sunlight, helping prove that chlorofluorocarbons were the primary cause of the expanding ozone hole. Six 2026 laureates are scheduled to visit Taiwan later this month for the award ceremony, public lectures, and exchanges with students. The exhibition will run for two months with free admission (入場). IRAN CLAIMS FRESH OVERNIGHT STRIKES ON US BASES IN KUWAIT AND UAE AS KUWAIT CONDEMNS 'BLATANT AGGRESSION' Iran's military says it launched fresh overnight attacks on American bases in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, with Kuwaiti authorities condemning what they called blatant (明目張膽的) Iranian aggression. The strikes are the latest in a series of Iranian retaliatory actions against US forces across the region, with the Pentagon's casualty database now listing 767 American troops wounded in the six-month-old war. The White House has been trying to reshape the narrative around the conflict, with Vice President JD Vance telling reporters the initial military operation went exactly as US President Donald Trump had planned. Nick Harper, our reporter in Washington, saysVance pointed to what he described as behind-the-scenes cooperation from Beijing in pressuring Tehran economically. UN: Foreign Networks Fueling Sudan War The United Nations reports foreign networks are fueling Sudan's brutal war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces since 2023. The conflict has killed at least 59,000 people and displaced 13 million. The U.N. found groups from the UAE, Colombia, and Chad have facilitated money and weapon shipments, including drones, into Sudan. Investigators urge the U.N. Security Council to extend (延長) its arms embargo on Sudan. They documented drone attacks on civilians that may be war crimes. The U.S. seeks new sanctions to pressure the warring parties into negotiations. Brazil Approves Bill Regulating Critical Mineral Exploration Brazil's Senate has approved a bill to regulate the exploration of critical minerals, including rare earths, marking a step toward exploiting its vast reserves. The bill approved Thursday now awaits the president's signature. It establishes a legal framework and offers tax incentives for domestic processing. Brazil holds the world's second-largest reserves of rare earth elements, used in products like smartphones and electric vehicles. While China dominates the global supply chain, Brazil aims to position itself as an alternative (替代方案). The bill also creates a fund to support mining projects and encourages mineral processing within the country. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _. －－－－以下為 SoundOn 動態廣告－－－－ 【高雄出發 日本滑雪團限時優惠】 9/30前報名付訂，每人折$5,000 11/30前報名付訂，每人折$3,000 凡參加過滑雪團系列商品，老朋友獨享優惠每人再折$1,000 自備雪具者另享減價優惠 https://sofm.pse.is/9kzlzw -- 【補體素鉻100】鉻一擺 人生尚精彩 ✅糖尿病適用營養品 ✅專利菸鹼酸鉻：6倍利用率、12小時持續利用 官網首購現折100

Are great-power politics back, at the expense of smaller countries? In an age of strongmen, is multilateralism in retreat? Not according to Jozef Sikela. The EU Commissioner in charge of International Partnerships insists that traditional multilateralism is alive and well, especially in the EU's approach to Africa and to the Arctic. We sat down with him for an interview at the European Commission in Brussels.

Following devastating floods in Nepal and Tibet, Access Asia takes a closer look at the fragile state of the Himalayan mountains. Dr Arun Bhakta Shrestha, an expert on the environment and risk management in the Himalayas, explains why it's so difficult to detect glacier movements in advance and says that the tragedy could serve as an opportunity to improve the way nations develop infrastructure in the resource-rich region. 

Episode #598: Rare earth mining has drawn Kachin State into a global struggle over minerals essential to electronics, green technologies, automobiles, and defense, while communities near the mines bear the environmental and social costs of extraction. Produced by Insight Myanmar for the International Development Research Centre's Knowledge for Democracy Myanmar Initiative (K4DM), this episode brings three Kachin researchers into conversation with themes from their August 13 Dialogue on Sustainable Development, including transboundary pollution, community vulnerability, environmental governance, and regional cooperation across the Mekong.First, Brang (a pseudonym being used for safety) sees rare-earth mining as both a local disaster and a geopolitical asset. Heavy rare earths from Kachin feed defense, electronics, automobiles, and green technology, while mining clears forests, contaminates water, destroys crops, and damages health; around the Chipwi River, he points to vanished fish and cattle dying after drinking polluted water. China, he argues, has pushed toxic extraction across its borders while retaining control over processing technology. Western access therefore depends on more than securing ore; in Brang's view it also depends on political change in Myanmar rather than a commercial accommodation with the military.Tu Nan (a pseudonym being used for safety) approaches the industry through environmental and transitional justice, asking not only who carries the damage now but who will be responsible for repair after conflict. His focus stays with communities whose livelihoods, forests, water, and cultural practices are being depleted. Yet he also documents their activity: villagers create protected community forests and defend watersheds against mining pressure. “They have that kind of agency to respond to a threat of oppression.” For Tu Nan, the Kachin Independence Organization's claims to future statehood will be tested by whether resource governance includes public participation and protects community welfare even while extraction finances conflict.Seng Li studies the gap between KIO mining regulations and conditions on the ground. He sees greater institutionalization since 2025, but environmental restoration, labor, and gender protections remain weak. Women seeking mine work can face sexual coercion from Chinese operators, while polluted water and lost agricultural markets reshape village life. Conflict has expanded extraction by increasing desperation and armed groups' need for revenue. Seng Li's final concern reaches the international system: resource-governance frameworks often ignore non-state authorities, even though those actors control mines and communities. Accountability, for him, requires bringing them within the standards applied to state governments.Together, these accounts frame Myanmar's rare-earth industry as a regional concern requiring credible monitoring, community participation, accountable state and non-state governance, supply-chain responsibility, and cooperation that gives affected communities a voice and a fair share of the benefits.

Bhutan is a Himalayan kingdom sandwiched between China and India. Forty percent of its 800,000 citizens work in the agriculture sector. The mountainous country is famous for its breathtaking landscapes and its unique policy of "Gross National Happiness," instituted in 1972 by Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth king of Bhutan. My guests on the Newscast this week say this philosophy is the backbone of the nation's food system, and its plan for full food self-sufficiency by 2029. "Our food system isn't just about producing food. It's about sustaining our landscapes, our communities, and our culture," says renowned chef and restaurateur Bleu Tshering Dorji. She owns two restaurants in the nation's capital, Thimpu. She explains the unique challenges farmers she works with face due to climate change and steep mountain terrain. "We are a mountainous landlocked country, and only a small percentage of our land is, I think, actually suitable for agriculture. We don't have the luxury of just expanding farmland. We have to make better use of the land that we sort of already have," she says. "Labor is becoming extremely scarce as young people sort of move away from agriculture, and farmers still have to deal with issues like wildlife conflict, unpredictable weather, and also getting their produce to the market," Bleu says. Sonam Wangchuk is an executive specialist at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock for the government of Bhutan. He also joins the conversation to explain how the government plans to address these challenges through the 13th five-year plan, "Transforming the Agrifood Sector for Economic Growth and Sustainable Development." The plan calls for spending the equivalent of about $180 million through 2029. Much of these funds appear to be directly supporting smallholder farmers, the majority of whom in Bhutan are women. "We have been working to strengthen the capacity of the smallholder farmers, especially through training on climate-smart agriculture, improve production technologies, farm mechanization, post-harvest management, value addition and agribusiness and business development for women and youth," Wangchuk says. "The skills are imparted to improve access to finance, technology and markets and creating an environment of entrepreneurship and to support the farmer groups and cooperatives." Some government measures have received criticism, such as the implementation of a 3,400-kilometer (2,100-mile) fence to deter human-wildlife conflict. A previous study from 2023 on agricultural practices in the nation suggested that, "Bhutan should emphasise women-centred initiatives by enhancing access to assets, raising awareness of climate change mitigation strategies, and developing training programs to promote CSA," or climate-smart agriculture. This appears to be what the plan aims to do. However, not all challenges are easily solved with funding. Previous Mongabay fellow Choki Wangmo highlighted some of these challenges through the story of Pen Zam, a medicinal mushroom gatherer who struggles with a shrinking habitat at extremely high altitudes to attain a fraction of what her family used to gather decades ago, before the current climate impacts of today. Later this month, the inaugural Global Conscious Food Systems Summit will take place in Bhutan. Please take a minute to let us know what you think of our podcast here. Mike DiGirolamo is the host & producer for the Mongabay Newscast based in Sydney. Find him on LinkedIn and Bluesky. Cover Image: A chorten, or Buddhist stupa, at a rice field in Bhutan. Image by thaths via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0). —- Time codes (00:00) Bhutan is transforming its food system (06:45) A challenge ahead (12:53) How 'Gross National Happiness' guides the way (19:04) Supporting farmers amidst climate change (29:36) Moving the global conversation forward

As AI inference costs have dropped by over 90%, enterprises are embedding data and intelligence at the core of their operating and business models, enabling always-on, global execution beyond human limits. How are these AI-first enterprises reorganizing around AI in practice, and under what conditions does this actually translate into long-term value for society? This is the full audio from a session at the Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026 in Dalian, China on 23-25 June, 2026. Watch it here: https://www.weforum.org/meetings/annual-meeting-of-the-new-champions-2026/sessions/whats-the-intelligence-limit-for-ai-first-enterprises/ Speakers: Yuxiang Zhou, Chief Executive Officer, Black Lake Technologies, Michael Römer, Senior Partner and Global Co-Lead, Activate: Digital and Analytics, Kearney Joey Wat, Chief Executive Officer, Yum China Holdings, Inc. Sudip Roy, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Adaption Yang Yanqing, Director of Center for Education, Innovation and Sustainable Development, ShanghaiTech University Mehdi Ghissassi, Chief Product and Technology Officer, AI 71 Catch up on all the action from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2026 at wef.ch/amnc26 and across social media using the hashtag #AMNC26. Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts:  YouTube: - https://www.youtube.com/@wef/podcasts Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164 Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560 Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552

What happens when unwanted laptops and phones become more than just an e-waste problem?In this episode of HappyPorch Radio, Barry O'Kane speaks with Elaine Brown, Chief Executive of The Edinburgh Remakery, a social enterprise and charity working at the intersection of technology reuse, repair and community support.The Remakery takes unwanted technology from businesses, securely wipes and refurbishes it, and gives it a second life wherever possible. But its mission goes beyond keeping electronics out of landfill. The organisation uses circularity to create social value too, supporting people experiencing digital exclusion, creating opportunities to learn repair skills, and providing a space where communities can come together. Earlier this year, The Remakery won a King's Award for Enterprise, the only social enterprise in Scotland to be recognised.Elaine is candid about the challenges too, including what happens when funding falls away and a growing organisation has to find new ways to sustain itself.✨ In this episode:Elaine explains how The Edinburgh Remakery combines IT reuse, repair and social impact under one roofWhy repair cafes tackle loneliness as much as landfill, with people opening up over a broken laptop or a sewing machine in ways a forced conversation never achievesWhy Elaine insists on being on the high street rather than hidden in a warehouse, and what that visibility means for behaviour changeThe challenge of building a financially sustainable model when funding falls off a cliff and turnover doesn't mean profitHow COVID gave unexpected space to test ideas that became the core of the trading modelWhat the next chapter looks like for The Remakery as the organisation finds new ways to growWhy she doesn't care how people come to The Remakery, because whatever brings them in, they leave having been part of a circular economy story

In this session, attendees will be equipped to navigate the discernment process of identifying the best-fit sending agency for them.

Is palm oil biodiesel a genuine climate solution or simply global greenwashing? The rise of biofuel exposes the deep fault lines of Sustainability Nationalism, where powerful global players benefit at the expense of the Global South. Trying to solve a climate crisis driven by infinite economic growth within strict ecological limits creates a low-carbon transition that ultimately fails to address systemic inequality. A transition that sacrifices vulnerable regions for green metrics elsewhere is no solution at all. Where do we go from here, and what better alternatives exist for our shared future? In this episode, Gabriel Jovan Adidharma from the Institute of International Studies (IIS), International Relations, UGM, invites you to scrutinize the politics of sustainable development in Indonesia with Prof. Paul Gellert from the University of Tennessee. Tune in now to Podcast Hubungan Internasional, Episode 112.==========

The code provides stronger legal support for sustainable development, as China pursues modernization and the protection of its natural resources.

In this episode, David and Chris speak with Dr. Guo Peiyuan, the Chairman of SynTao Green Finance, and one of the leading experts on sustainability in China. The discussion focuses on the evolution of the sustainability agenda in China over the past 20 years and the dynamics that are driving sustainability in one of the world's most important countries. 

The Department of Sustainable Development is working with civil society organizations to support the implementation of Saint Lucia's Nationally Determined Contributions, particularly NDC 3.0. The initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of local organizations to develop community-based climate projects, improve access to climate financing, and build partnerships that advance emissions reduction and climate resilience.

Send us Fan MailToday we're releasing a new episode from a brand new series called the Boundless Body Radio Heritage Series! I wanted to do something extra special to celebrate 1,000 podcast episodes recorded here at Boundless Body Radio, a milestone that we hit on June 24, 2026!These episodes are actually not new, although they might be new to you! When we first got started back in October, 2020, I was so fortunate that so many incredible people said "YES" to being hosted on the show, however, we didn't have very many listeners at the time!Today, we get thousands of downloads every single month, and are usually included in the top 150 Fitness and Nutrition Podcasts on the Apple Podcast charts!To honor our amazing guests, I will be selecting one of those original episodes and posting them here on for this special series!As I was going through these episodes again, I remembered how valuable these conversations actually were. it was really striking how much the information these experts have shared has born out to be even more accurate several years later.The audio quality of a show was not as good back then as it is now, but I still really hope you enjoy these episodes, and find them relevant and helpful to you today!Cheers, thanks as always for listening, and I really hope you enjoy this episode of the Boundless Body Radio Heritage Series!Nina Teicholz, PhD, is a returning guest on our show! Be sure to check out her first three appearances on Boundless Body Radio, on episode 50,  episode 258, and episode 347 of our show!Nina Teicholz, PhD, is a science journalist and author of the New York Times bestselling The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat, and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet, which upended the conventional wisdom on dietary fat–especially saturated fat—and spurred a new conversation about whether these fats in fact cause heart disease.Named a *Best Book* of the year by the Economist, Wall Street Journal and Mother Jones, among others, it continues to be called a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the amazing story of how we came to believe fat is bad for health—and what a better diet might look like.Nina is also the founder of the Nutrition Coalition, a non-profit working to ensure that nutrition policy reflects a transparent process and is evidence-based. Teicholz is a graduate of Stanford and Oxford Universities and previously served as associate director of the Center for Globalization and Sustainable Development at Columbia University.Find Nina at-The Nutrition Coalitionhttps://unsettledscience.substack.com/ninateicholz.comTW- @bigfatsurpriseFind Boundless Body at-myboundlessbody.comBook a session with us here! 

Comments/ideas: ACFpod@outlook.comChan Yau Chong, leading thought-leader and co-founder of Climate Finance Asia, reveals why Hong Kong's solar revolution hasn't scaled and exposes the uncomfortable truth about Asian investors' grip on coal. We unpack the real barriers to Asia's energy transition: from fiduciary duty rhetoric masking climate inaction to the policy gaps holding back coal phase-out across Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Discover how climate finance can accelerate the shift from coal to renewables when institutions finally align investment with genuine impact.REF.: Climate Finance Asia insights and reports. ABOUT CHAN YAU: Chan Yau co-founded the CarbonCare Innolab (CCIL) in 2014 and is now the Board Advisor. Prior to overseeing CCIL, he served in the Hong Kong Government. He became an Executive Director of Oxfam Hong Kong and a member of the Board of Directors of Oxfam International. Thereafter, he joined the University of Hong Kong as the Director of Student Development for its Centre for Development and Resources for Students. He is the ex-President of the Hong Kong Blind Union and was a member of the Education and Publicity Subcommittee of the Council for Sustainable Development, an advisory committee to the Hong Kong SAR Government on sustainability issues. He was appointed Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1995 for his outstanding service to the Hong Kong civil society and received the Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award in 1991. He was also named one of the “Leaders of 2011” by Sing Tao Publishing and an Honorary Fellow by the University of Hong Kong.Recomendations:[Policy Brief May 2026] Accelerating Coal-Fired Power Plant Retirement in Indonesia: From Policy Commitment to Executable Pathways:  A Climate Finance Asia policy brief examining Indonesia's pathway to retiring coal-fired power plants, bridging the gap between government commitments and practical, financially feasible transition strategies. HOST, PRODUCTION, ARTWORK: Joseph Jacobelli  |  MUSIC: Ep76 onward excerpts from Vivaldi's La Follia, played by Luca Jacobelli.

The Department of Sustainable Development has completed a three-day technical workshop aimed at improving Saint Lucia's climate reporting and meeting its international obligations under the Paris Agreement. The programme examined greenhouse gas emissions, climate policies and progress towards the country's Nationally Determined Contributions. Participants also focused on data collection, emissions reporting and performance monitoring. Feedback from the workshops will contribute to Saint Lucia's reporting to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and strengthen the country's enhanced transparency framework.

In our new exclusive – ESG Decoded x Superpollutant Sessions, we're shifting the climate conversation toward something that doesn't get nearly enough attention, but has the potential to drive some of the fastest, most meaningful climate impact available right now: superpollutants.You've likely heard a lot about carbon dioxide, and for good reason. But gases like methane, nitrous oxide, and refrigerants are significantly more potent (hence the name superpollutants), and yet they remain underrepresented in mainstream climate discussions, business strategies, and public awareness.So, the question is: why? And more importantly: what can we do about it?In this multi-voice video episode, we're bringing together a range of perspectives—from scientists and climate experts to industry leaders, corporate decision-makers, and policy experts, to connect the dots and challenge how we think.You'll hear a series of focused conversations, each offering a different lens on the same challenge: how do we accelerate practical, scalable solutions that already exist, and what it will take to move from conversation to action.Meet the experts driving this conversation with our lovely host, Erika Schiller: Segment 1: Dr. Gabrielle Dreyfus (Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development) & Dr. Ilissa Ocko (Spark Climate Solutions)Segment 2: Derek Six & Alison Tyndall (ClimeCo)Segment 3: Michelle Jolly (Amazon)Segment 4: Kristen Gorguinpour (Climate Action Reserve)Don't miss an episode—subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social for the latest updates!Episode ResourcesUN Secretary-General's Call to Action on Methane - https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/methane IPCC Seventh Assessment Report (AR7) - https://www.ipcc.ch/assessment-report/ar7/ Montreal Protocol & Kigali Amendment - https://ozone.unep.org/treaties/montreal-protocol Climate Action Reserve - https://climateactionreserve.org/ ICVCM Core Carbon Principles - https://icvcm.org/ -About ESG Decoded ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. Join Emma Cox, Erika Schiller, and Anna Stablum for thoughtful, nuanced conversations with industry leaders and subject matter experts that explore the complexities about the risks and opportunities connected to (E)nvironmental, (S)ocial and (G)overnance. We like to say that “ESG is everything that's not on your balance sheet.” This leaves room for misunderstanding and oversimplification – two things that we'll bust on this podcast.ESG Decoded Resource Links Site:  https://www.climeco.com/podcast-series/Apple Podcasts: https://go.climeco.com/ApplePodcastsSpotify: https://go.climeco.com/SpotifyYouTube Music: https://go.climeco.com/YouTube-MusicLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/esg-decoded/IG: https://www.instagram.com/esgdecoded/*This episode was produced by Singing Land Studio About ClimeCoClimeCo is an award-winning leader in decarbonization, empowering global organizations with customized sustainability pathways. Our respected scientists and industry experts collaborate with companies, governments, and capital markets to develop tailored ESG and decarbonization solutions. Recognized for creating high-quality, impactful projects, ClimeCo is committed to helping clients achieve their goals, maximize environmental assets, and enhance their brand.ClimeCo Resource LinksSite: https://climeco.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/climeco/IG: https://www.instagram.com/climeco/

Felix Dodds is Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina.  Felix chaired the 2011 UN conference that proposed the first set of indicative Sustainable Development Goals.  From 1992 to 2012, he served as the Executive Director of the Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future. He established the Network for Regional Government for Sustainable Development in 2002, the Water and Climate Coalition in 2007, and the Communitas Coalition for the UN's SDG 11 in 2013. His most recent books are both with Chris Spence: last year's Environmental Lobbying at the United Nations and the 2023 book Heroes of Environmental Diplomacy: Profiles in Courage.  The United Nations, through its international conferences, research studies, agency programs, and collaboration with civil society, has been one of the most significant proponents of discussions on the climate crisis and clean energy. Many countries have bypassed the USA in achieving energy independence and environmental enhancement.                     

07/30/26: Tony Pipa is a senior fellow in the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution. He launched and leads the Reimagining Rural Policy initiative and hosts the award-winning Reimagine Rural podcast. He's in town for TEDxFargo, and joins Joel Heitkamp in the studio to talk about rural America. Learn more about Tony and his work at Brookings,edu. (Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, “News & Views,” can be heard weekdays from 8 – 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the PRI marks its 20th anniversary, responsible investment stands at a turning point. In an investment landscape that has grown more complex, what will it take to shape the next chapter of responsible investment?  Cambria Allen-Ratzlaff, Interim CEO of the PRI, is joined by Josselin Kalifa, CIO of Caisse des Dépôts Asset Management and Co-Chair of the Net Zero Asset Owner Alliance, and Anne-Marie Chidzero, CIO at FSD Africa Investments.Together, they explore why responsible investment is increasingly recognised as simply good investment, how emerging markets are shaping the future of sustainable finance, and how investors navigate a more complex and fragmented global landscape. From capital mobilisation and blended finance to technology, resilience and the next generation of investment leaders, the conversation looks ahead to what will make responsible investment more credible, more relevant and more effective over the next 20 years.Detailed coverage:Responsible investment is good investmentThe guests discuss how ESG considerations have become embedded within investment processes, with responsible investment increasingly viewed as applying sound judgement, managing long-term risks and identifying material drivers of value.Emerging markets are shaping the futureAnne-Marie explains how African financial markets are developing their own responsible investment approaches, with growing pools of domestic capital helping finance solutions tailored to local economic, social and environmental priorities.Maintaining credibility through financial materialityThe conversation explores why responsible investment must remain grounded in evidence, financial relevance and measurable outcomes rather than ideology, particularly in an increasingly fragmented political environment.Mobilising capital for sustainable growthExamples from African capital markets demonstrate how collaboration between development finance institutions, private investors and local markets can unlock innovative financing solutions for water, energy and natural capital.The role of stewardship and asset ownersJosselin reflects on how asset owners can influence long-term outcomes through investment decisions, manager selection, voting and ongoing engagement with portfolio companies.Technology, resilience and the future of financeThe guests discuss the growing importance of digital resilience, AI, data quality and stronger financial infrastructure in supporting sustainable economic development.A multidisciplinary futureThe episode concludes by encouraging the next generation of investment professionals to combine financial expertise with disciplines such as climate science, technology, geopolitics and demography to navigate an increasingly complex investment landscape.Chapters:00:00 – Introduction: 20 years of the PRI and responsible investment04:12 – Why responsible investment is now simply good investment06:43 – Emerging markets and Africa's growing influence10:27 – Remaining credible in a changing global landscape16:16 – Financing inclusive growth and resilient economies19:43 – The role of asset owners and stewardship24:21 – Technology, innovation and deepening capital markets27:38 – Partnerships to mobilise sustainable finance30:27 – Advice for the next generation of investors33:10 – Final reflections on the next 20 years of responsible investmentDisclaimer:This podcast and material referenced herein is provided for information only. It is not intended to be investment, legal, tax or other advice, nor is it intended to be relied upon in making an investment or other decision. PRI Association is not responsible for any decision made or action taken based on information on this podcast. Listeners retain sole discretion over whether and how to use the information contained herein. PRI Association is not responsible for and does not endorse third parties featured on in this podcast or any third-party comments, content or other resources that may be included or referenced herein. Unless otherwise stated, podcast content does not necessarily represent the views of signatories to the Principles for Responsible Investment. All information is provided "as is" with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy or timeliness, or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. PRI Association is committed to compliance with all applicable laws. Copyright © PRI Association 2026. All rights reserved. This content may not be reproduced, or used for any other purpose, without the prior written consent of PRI Association.

This week Howie is joined by Dr. Marie Therese Merhej Seif, a Member of the Political Board of the Green Party of Lebanon (GPL), where she champions a green political vision rooted in ecological responsibility, social justice, transparency, and inclusive decision-making. Within the party, she works to advance climate resilience, renewable energy, sustainable cities, and biodiversity protection, while placing gender equality at the heart of environmental policy and governance.She also serves as UNEP's Regional Facilitator for Major Groups and Stakeholders (MGS) for the West Asia Region, representing civil society perspectives in UNEP regional processes and strengthening dialogue between stakeholders, governments, and environmental actors.A committed advocate for women's leadership, Marie Therese is Gender Focal Point for the Arab Region within the Arab Network for Environment and Development (RAED), promoting gender-responsive climate policy across Arab civil society. She is a member of the UNEP Women's Major Group and the IPEN Women's Caucus, and was elected to the G100 Global Network of Women Leaders, representing the Environment, Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Oceans sector.A Lebanese architect with a PhD in Forestry Engineering and Sustainable Development, and President of the Human Environmental Association for Development (HEAD), Marie Therese continues to bridge green politics, environmental governance, and women's leadership—building a more just, sustainable, and gender-equal Lebanon and Arab region.Streamed on 7/25/26Watch the video at: https://youtube.com/live/t4pmuvZG3m0Green Socialist Notes is a weekly livestream/podcast hosted by 2020 Green Party/Socialist Party presidential nominee, Howie Hawkins.  Started as a weekly campaign livestream in the spring of 2020, the streams have continued post elections and are now under the umbrella of the Green Socialist Organizing Project, which grew out of the 2020 presidential campaign.  Green Socialist Notes seeks to provide both an independent Green Socialist perspective, as well as link listeners up with opportunities to get involved in building a real people-powered movement in their communities.Green Socialist Notes PodcastEvery Saturday at 3:00 PM EDT on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch.Every Monday at 7:00 AM EDT on most major podcast outlets.Music by Gumbo le FunqueIntro: She Taught UsOutro: #PowerLoveFreedom

President Xi Jinping unveiled on Friday a set of concrete measures to help developing countries build artificial intelligence capacity, including 5,000 training opportunities over the next five years, as he called for joint efforts to build a just and equitable system for global AI governance.Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, held in Shanghai, Xi said that China will develop international AI application cooperation centers with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS.China will also promote the deployment of MAZU, an AI-powered meteorological early-warning solution, in 30 countries, he said.Xi announced the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization as "a major move by China to answer the call of the Global South and unite the international community" to vigorously promote AI development and governance.On Thursday, representatives of 29 countries signed an agreement establishing the organization. With headquarters in Shanghai, it will be the world's first intergovernmental organization dedicated to AI."It will be an important milestone in the history of AI development," Xi said, noting that AI development should be a symphony of international cooperation instead of a solo performance by a single country.In his keynote speech, Xi said China believes that all countries should take a people-centered approach and develop AI for positive and good outcomes and for humanity.He stressed the need to uphold openness and win-win cooperation and promote innovation-driven development, calling for greater openness, collaboration and sharing in open-source development, technological innovation and AI applications to empower industries, upgrade traditional sectors and foster emerging and future industries.Xi called for strengthening risk awareness to ensure that AI is secure and under human control. He also urged stronger legal, monitoring, early-warning and emergency-response systems to prevent the misuse or malicious use of AI, while opposing the overstretching of national security concerns in the AI sector or placing one country's security above that of others."We should … ensure that AI is always under human control," he said.Xi also called for countries to encourage inclusiveness and mutual learning among civilizations, saying that the values of AI should be shaped with humanity's common values, and AI technologies should be used to deepen understanding, tolerance, exchanges and sharing among all civilizations."AI development and its application should not erode or undermine the diversity of world civilizations or the uniqueness of cultures of different countries," he said.Xi advocated solidarity and stronger global AI governance, urging countries to work through the United Nations to align development strategies, governance rules and technical standards, in order to form a consensus-based global governance framework at an early date.He also called for stronger capacity-building support for the Global South to bridge the AI and digital divides and prevent creating new historical injustice in AI.Addressing the opening ceremony, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said no country should remain merely a consumer of AI, and that every state should have the opportunity to develop its own digital infrastructure and institutional capacity.Tokayev described the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization as a decision of historic significance, saying that it could become an important pillar of the global AI governance architecture and a platform for mutually beneficial cooperation.Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said his country views AI as a bridge for international cooperation rather than a source of geopolitical rivalry, and supports an open, multi-aligned architecture that enables collaboration across regions, political systems and governance models.Developing countries should have meaningful and equitable access to AI technologies, data infrastructure and localized tools, he said.Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that although AI is already reshaping many aspects of people's lives, technological progress does not automatically become human progress, which depends on the choices countries make together."Thailand, therefore, commends the foresight of President Xi Jinping and his government for convening this important meeting and for advancing international cooperation on AI governance, including the initiative to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization," he said.United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said technology that will shape the future of humanity must be shaped by all humanity, and cannot be governed by only a handful of countries or companies.While AI can accelerate medical breakthroughs, transform education, strengthen food systems and create new industries and jobs, Guterres warned that computing power, data resources and technical expertise remain concentrated, with developing countries receiving only a trickle of AI investment.He said China has an essential role to play in making AI a force for greater inclusion and shared progress.The four-day conference, which runs through Monday under the theme "AI Partnership for a Brighter Future", is one of the world's leading annual AI events.This year, it has drawn government officials and representatives from industry, academia and research institutions, with participants representing more than 100 countries and international organizations.A chair's statement issued on Friday called for stronger international cooperation to address major challenges in the AI era and greater prominence for AI capacity building in global governance.It also urged action to tackle unequal access to resources and power, so that Global South countries can share fairly in the benefits of AI and contribute to achieving the goals of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Heritage in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and Beyond (U Edinburgh Press, 2025) outlines the need to embed Ocean Heritage into ocean science, sustainable development, and marine conservation to meet the goals of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) and beyond. Ocean Heritage—spanning tangible sites, such as shipwrecks or submerged harbours, and intangible connections such as traditional practices and knowledge systems—remains underrepresented in ocean governance. Yet it offers critical insights for more effective policy and research. Its inclusion is essential to ensuring science is informed by human–ocean relationships and responsive to the needs of communities. Led by the Cultural Heritage Framework Programme (CHFP), the Ocean Decade's only programme focused on Ocean Heritage, this text demonstrates how heritage supports all 10 Ocean Decade Challenges. Ocean Heritage strengthens climate adaptation, improves spatial planning, and supports equitable governance by grounding decisions in historical context and lived experience. The paper draws on more than 20 CHFP-endorsed initiatives, offering clear case studies and actionable recommendations for policy alignment, institutional support, and multidisciplinary collaboration. As the Ocean Decade reaches its midpoint, this book offers a path forward: one where science draws on the full range of human—ocean relationships to guide sustainable, equitable action. Ocean Heritage is not a symbolic gesture—it is a fundamental human right. Rather than treating culture as an add-on to marine conservation, this paper calls for its broad integration into ocean science and decision-making. Athena Trakadas is a maritime archeologist who studies underwater and coastal marine cultural heritage and advises international and national heritage, marine science and governmental organizations. Helen Dewar is an historian of the Atlantic World and French colonization in North America in the 17th and 18th centuries. She is a professor of history at the Université de Montréal (Québec, Canada) and the author of Disputing New France: Companies, Sovereignty and Law in the French Atlantic, 1598-1663 (McGill-Queen's University Press, 2022). helen.dewar[at]umontreal.ca Helen's institutional website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Heritage in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and Beyond (U Edinburgh Press, 2025) outlines the need to embed Ocean Heritage into ocean science, sustainable development, and marine conservation to meet the goals of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) and beyond. Ocean Heritage—spanning tangible sites, such as shipwrecks or submerged harbours, and intangible connections such as traditional practices and knowledge systems—remains underrepresented in ocean governance. Yet it offers critical insights for more effective policy and research. Its inclusion is essential to ensuring science is informed by human–ocean relationships and responsive to the needs of communities. Led by the Cultural Heritage Framework Programme (CHFP), the Ocean Decade's only programme focused on Ocean Heritage, this text demonstrates how heritage supports all 10 Ocean Decade Challenges. Ocean Heritage strengthens climate adaptation, improves spatial planning, and supports equitable governance by grounding decisions in historical context and lived experience. The paper draws on more than 20 CHFP-endorsed initiatives, offering clear case studies and actionable recommendations for policy alignment, institutional support, and multidisciplinary collaboration. As the Ocean Decade reaches its midpoint, this book offers a path forward: one where science draws on the full range of human—ocean relationships to guide sustainable, equitable action. Ocean Heritage is not a symbolic gesture—it is a fundamental human right. Rather than treating culture as an add-on to marine conservation, this paper calls for its broad integration into ocean science and decision-making. Athena Trakadas is a maritime archeologist who studies underwater and coastal marine cultural heritage and advises international and national heritage, marine science and governmental organizations. Helen Dewar is an historian of the Atlantic World and French colonization in North America in the 17th and 18th centuries. She is a professor of history at the Université de Montréal (Québec, Canada) and the author of Disputing New France: Companies, Sovereignty and Law in the French Atlantic, 1598-1663 (McGill-Queen's University Press, 2022). helen.dewar[at]umontreal.ca Helen's institutional website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/world-affairs

Heritage in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and Beyond (U Edinburgh Press, 2025) outlines the need to embed Ocean Heritage into ocean science, sustainable development, and marine conservation to meet the goals of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) and beyond. Ocean Heritage—spanning tangible sites, such as shipwrecks or submerged harbours, and intangible connections such as traditional practices and knowledge systems—remains underrepresented in ocean governance. Yet it offers critical insights for more effective policy and research. Its inclusion is essential to ensuring science is informed by human–ocean relationships and responsive to the needs of communities. Led by the Cultural Heritage Framework Programme (CHFP), the Ocean Decade's only programme focused on Ocean Heritage, this text demonstrates how heritage supports all 10 Ocean Decade Challenges. Ocean Heritage strengthens climate adaptation, improves spatial planning, and supports equitable governance by grounding decisions in historical context and lived experience. The paper draws on more than 20 CHFP-endorsed initiatives, offering clear case studies and actionable recommendations for policy alignment, institutional support, and multidisciplinary collaboration. As the Ocean Decade reaches its midpoint, this book offers a path forward: one where science draws on the full range of human—ocean relationships to guide sustainable, equitable action. Ocean Heritage is not a symbolic gesture—it is a fundamental human right. Rather than treating culture as an add-on to marine conservation, this paper calls for its broad integration into ocean science and decision-making. Athena Trakadas is a maritime archeologist who studies underwater and coastal marine cultural heritage and advises international and national heritage, marine science and governmental organizations. Helen Dewar is an historian of the Atlantic World and French colonization in North America in the 17th and 18th centuries. She is a professor of history at the Université de Montréal (Québec, Canada) and the author of Disputing New France: Companies, Sovereignty and Law in the French Atlantic, 1598-1663 (McGill-Queen's University Press, 2022). helen.dewar[at]umontreal.ca Helen's institutional website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies

Heritage in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and Beyond (U Edinburgh Press, 2025) outlines the need to embed Ocean Heritage into ocean science, sustainable development, and marine conservation to meet the goals of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) and beyond. Ocean Heritage—spanning tangible sites, such as shipwrecks or submerged harbours, and intangible connections such as traditional practices and knowledge systems—remains underrepresented in ocean governance. Yet it offers critical insights for more effective policy and research. Its inclusion is essential to ensuring science is informed by human–ocean relationships and responsive to the needs of communities. Led by the Cultural Heritage Framework Programme (CHFP), the Ocean Decade's only programme focused on Ocean Heritage, this text demonstrates how heritage supports all 10 Ocean Decade Challenges. Ocean Heritage strengthens climate adaptation, improves spatial planning, and supports equitable governance by grounding decisions in historical context and lived experience. The paper draws on more than 20 CHFP-endorsed initiatives, offering clear case studies and actionable recommendations for policy alignment, institutional support, and multidisciplinary collaboration. As the Ocean Decade reaches its midpoint, this book offers a path forward: one where science draws on the full range of human—ocean relationships to guide sustainable, equitable action. Ocean Heritage is not a symbolic gesture—it is a fundamental human right. Rather than treating culture as an add-on to marine conservation, this paper calls for its broad integration into ocean science and decision-making. Athena Trakadas is a maritime archeologist who studies underwater and coastal marine cultural heritage and advises international and national heritage, marine science and governmental organizations. Helen Dewar is an historian of the Atlantic World and French colonization in North America in the 17th and 18th centuries. She is a professor of history at the Université de Montréal (Québec, Canada) and the author of Disputing New France: Companies, Sovereignty and Law in the French Atlantic, 1598-1663 (McGill-Queen's University Press, 2022). helen.dewar[at]umontreal.ca Helen's institutional website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science

Heritage in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and Beyond (U Edinburgh Press, 2025) outlines the need to embed Ocean Heritage into ocean science, sustainable development, and marine conservation to meet the goals of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030) and beyond. Ocean Heritage—spanning tangible sites, such as shipwrecks or submerged harbours, and intangible connections such as traditional practices and knowledge systems—remains underrepresented in ocean governance. Yet it offers critical insights for more effective policy and research. Its inclusion is essential to ensuring science is informed by human–ocean relationships and responsive to the needs of communities. Led by the Cultural Heritage Framework Programme (CHFP), the Ocean Decade's only programme focused on Ocean Heritage, this text demonstrates how heritage supports all 10 Ocean Decade Challenges. Ocean Heritage strengthens climate adaptation, improves spatial planning, and supports equitable governance by grounding decisions in historical context and lived experience. The paper draws on more than 20 CHFP-endorsed initiatives, offering clear case studies and actionable recommendations for policy alignment, institutional support, and multidisciplinary collaboration. As the Ocean Decade reaches its midpoint, this book offers a path forward: one where science draws on the full range of human—ocean relationships to guide sustainable, equitable action. Ocean Heritage is not a symbolic gesture—it is a fundamental human right. Rather than treating culture as an add-on to marine conservation, this paper calls for its broad integration into ocean science and decision-making. Athena Trakadas is a maritime archeologist who studies underwater and coastal marine cultural heritage and advises international and national heritage, marine science and governmental organizations. Helen Dewar is an historian of the Atlantic World and French colonization in North America in the 17th and 18th centuries. She is a professor of history at the Université de Montréal (Québec, Canada) and the author of Disputing New France: Companies, Sovereignty and Law in the French Atlantic, 1598-1663 (McGill-Queen's University Press, 2022). helen.dewar[at]umontreal.ca Helen's institutional website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/public-policy

"One of the most common refrains you used to hear 10 years ago was 'US innovates, China imitates, and Europe regulates'. Today, I don't hear that anymore." Aparna Bharadwaj, a managing director at Boston Consulting Group, joins us to analyse what we learned about geopolitics and business relations at Summer Davos, AMNC26. And Yang Yanqing, director of ShanghaiTech's Center for Education, Innovation and Sustainable Development, dissects how the rise of artificial intelligence has transformed education and jobs markets worldwide. Both were in Dalian, China for the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions and joined us online to discuss the big lessons on geopolitics, economics and more from AMNC26. Hosts: Robin Pomeroy, Radio Davos, and Jessica Wanger,  Deputy Head, Event Editorial, World Economic Forum This episode was recorded live in front of an online audience of Forum partners and digital members who can watch it here: https://toplink.weforum.org/sessions/a0WTG000001drrt2AA/annual-meeting-of-the-new-champions-debrief-2026. To become a digital member, visit: https://initiatives.weforum.org/strategic-intelligence-community/join-us Related podcasts: AMNC26: What just happened at the Summer Davos?: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/amnc26-what-just-happened-summer-davos/ The Hormuz shock, AI and China: the state of global energy, with Jason Bordoff: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/amnc26-energy-china-hormuz-oil-gas-renewables-bordoff/ The scientific advances ready to change the world: the Top 10 Emerging Technologies 2026: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/radio-davos/episodes/top-10-emerging-tech-2026/ Check out all our podcasts on wef.ch/podcasts:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wef Radio Davos - subscribe: https://pod.link/1504682164 Meet the Leader - subscribe: https://pod.link/1534915560 Agenda Dialogues - subscribe: https://pod.link/1574956552        

Former UN Ambassador and National Security Advisor Sir Mark Lyall Grant discusses the challenges facing delivery of Western security strategies. In this season of Talking Strategy we have explored many of the key themes of today's security and defence strategies, but the test of a strategy is what changes as a result. A perfectly written strategy that makes the wrong assumptions, or that cannot be delivered, is meaningless at best, and often worse. In the final episode of this season, we examine the vital question of how defence strategy is delivered. With so many Western strategies built on the assumption of a rules based international order, the fracturing of that system poses profound challenges for our defence strategies. Sir Mark, who chaired the UN Security Council four times, describes how the assumption was perhaps overblown – based on a 'Golden Age' that only lasted for 25 years – and how the world is moving in a disorderly manner towards a three-tier model in which interests are enforced through power. In this new world, governments need to confront the reality that they cannot guarantee the safety of their citizens alone or without the help of their populations. This affects how governments operate – their structures and processes – and the conversations they need to have with their people and allies.   Further Reading Mark Lyall Grant, 'The world order in crisis', Horizons: Journal of International Relations and Sustainable Development, vol.21 (2022): 124-133. Peter Ricketts, Hard Choices: The Making and Unmaking of Global Britain, Atlantic Books, 2021. Jack Watling, Statecraft: The New Rules of Power in a Divided World, Macmillan, 2026.

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stewart Alsop sits down with Violeta Bulc, former European Commissioner for Transport and coordinator of the book Leadership Challenged, featuring 24 authors from around the world. They explore the dangers of transhumanism, the misuse of artificial intelligence, and how Silicon Valley has lost its authority to lead on technology ethics. Drawing from her background as a computer engineer who worked in Silicon Valley, Bulc argues for creating global AI infrastructure with democratically agreed-upon standards—similar to how the early Internet was built. The conversation covers the manipulation of public consciousness, the importance of middle-class agency in social change, and why humanity needs to reclaim ownership of its collective knowledge before private enterprises consolidate total control. Bulc's book is available for free download at ecocivilization.earth.Timestamps00:00 Stewart introduces Violeta Bulc and her book Leadership Challenged, coordinated with 24 global authors discussing humanity's chance through better leadership approaches.05:00 Violeta explains her technology background and critiques artificial intelligence naming, arguing these are powerful data-processing tools without true intelligence, emphasizing unknown ethical standards embedded in AI systems.10:00 Discussion of transhumanism as investment buzzword serving elite agendas, comparing to previous Silicon Valley bubble while emphasizing humanity's unexplored relational, spiritual and energetic dimensions beyond industrial development.15:00 Stewart discusses mainstream culture's fragmentation since 2008, Silicon Valley's dystopian vision, and personal strategies for reducing dependency on AI tools through diversification and stepping back from reliance.20:00 Violeta explains historical civilization patterns and middle class destruction, expressing hope that emerging thoughts worldwide will eventually converge to shift current power dynamics and technological obsessions.25:00 Technology as tool versus misuse, emphasizing builders' responsibility and ethical frameworks needed, comparing AI regulation needs to automotive safety standards that weren't implemented early enough.30:00 Edward Bernays discussion revealing manipulation through public relations and psychological operations, leading to modern sock puppet armies used by nation states for narrative control online.35:00 Internet described as most democratic technological tool ever built, maintained by responsible groups preserving equality and inclusion principles through decentralized infrastructure and IP address accessibility.40:00 Proposal for global AI infrastructure with agreed rules treating applications as interfaces, questioning private enterprise ownership of humanity-generated data and advocating collective management with usage fees.45:00 Technology evolution patterns from mainframes to personal computing back to centralized cloud computing, emphasizing need to prevent domination while preserving entrepreneurship and collective decision rights.50:00 Quantum physics principles applied to human connection and responsibility, discussing EU ethical committees reviewing AI projects post-approval, emphasizing caring hearts over short-term quarterly corporate thinking.55:00 Violeta shares company transformation experiences moving away from competition models toward serving genuine market needs, concluding with book availability at ecocivilization.earth for free download.Key Insights1. Violeta Bulc argues that artificial intelligence is fundamentally misnamed because there is no actual intelligence within these systems. They are powerful computational tools capable of processing massive amounts of data and identifying patterns, but they lack genuine intelligence. What concerns her most is that this technology has owners with embedded interests and unknown ethical standards, yet society increasingly wants to build everything on these applications and even allow them to make decisions for us. She emphasizes that as someone with decades of experience in high-tech engineering, including work in Silicon Valley, she understands the architecture behind these systems and believes we must recognize them as tools rather than intelligent entities.2. During her time as European Commissioner, Bulc helped write the first European strategy on artificial intelligence, which included three critical elements she was proud of. First, there must always be a red button to switch off any application or technology when it causes harm. Second, there must be a responsible person behind every app who can be held accountable for its consequences. Third, there should be an ethical committee evaluating powerful applications to understand their potential consequences. Though these principles have been somewhat diluted over time, they represent an important framework for responsible technology development that prioritizes human oversight and accountability.3. Bulc observes that throughout human history, great civilizations have risen across all continents, not just in Europe or the Americas, and most brought themselves down through decadence, self-centeredness, and arrogance before being finished off by external forces. She believes Western civilization is currently at this point, having become accustomed to obtaining resources through force and authority while constantly readjusting moral standards to serve elite interests. The industrial revolution initially improved conditions for people because industry needed workers, which led to the emergence of a powerful middle class. However, the elite recognized that the middle class was the only segment of society truly interested in change, so they systematically worked to destroy it over the past twenty to thirty years.4. The Internet represents the most progressive democratic tool ever built in human society, according to Bulc. Its fundamental architecture, based on TCP IP protocol and packet switching, was designed to be non-hierarchical, allowing any computer with an IP address to be seen on the same level as powerful global corporations. The maintenance of Internet tables remains in the hands of people with high levels of awareness and responsibility who are faithful to its initial democratic mission. She had hoped this technology would bring the world together as the closest tool humanity has invented to support equality and inclusion, and despite the problems with applications built on top of it, the underlying infrastructure still maintains these democratic principles.5. Bulc proposes creating a global AI infrastructure with globally agreed rules and standards, similar to how the Internet functions. She argues that many AI tools currently claim ownership of humanity's knowledge, wisdom, and heritage without permission, manipulating data that rightfully belongs to all of humanity. Instead of allowing private enterprises to capture this data first and then charge people to access it, she envisions putting all of humanity's data into a commonly managed infrastructure with clear rules about who can use it, under what conditions, and with fees paid back to humanity. This approach would challenge the current fragmented network of privately owned data centers and restore collective ownership of human knowledge.6. The transhumanism movement represents an obsession rather than a thoughtful application of technology, in Bulc's view. She distinguishes between using transhumanism as a tool for exploring the universe under extreme conditions where humans cannot survive versus implementing it on Earth as a replacement for humanity. The fundamental problem is that the human characters building these machines and applications have questionable ethical models, and they will not allow the rest of humanity to coexist peacefully on the planet. She advocates for transhumanism to be used for space exploration while preserving Earth for humans who want to live as relational, spiritual, and social beings connected to the natural ecosystem.7. Bulc emphasizes that we must move beyond the competition model and think carefully about the consequences of our actions because humanity is too connected and interdependent to simply do things because we can. She applies three basic laws of quantum physics to everyday life: we are all connected and influence each other, the same ideas can emerge simultaneously around the world through entanglement, and the observer always makes a difference in any situation. The current rush to develop technology without pausing to assess consequences is a deliberate tool to prevent thinking, driven by fear of competition. However, her fourteen years of experience helping companies recover from financial trouble demonstrated that moving away from competition models and focusing on genuinely serving market needs creates sustainable, prominent players who work together with customers and local communities.

Today we have access to information about the world of coffee that is unprecedented. At times it can be overwhelming to consider all the areas of the coffee industry that need fixing while we also work daily to care for those we have immediately with us. The trick is to tune into sources that convey not just the reality of the problem, but can also feature stories that showcase hope as we work to make progress. Today we get talk with someone whose work in writing about coffee has helped countless people grapple with and take steps to address our industry's most pressing issues. Sarah Charles is the founder of Underscore Communications, former Editor of Coffee Intelligence, and Senior Communications Officer at the International Trade Centre (ITC/WTO agency). A principal author of the ITC Coffee Guide 4th Edition, she writes for print and online publications and produces industry reports and books covering coffee trends, trade, and development. Her work makes sense of the world's messiest systems – climate, trade, culture, food – through sharp storytelling, fresh angles, and analysis. She holds an MSc in Sustainable Development from SOAS, University of London and is a founding member of the Greek IWCA chapter.  Today we will discuss: Sarah's start in coffee writing Romanticism vs. Reality in Coffee The Impact of Writing on the Coffee Industry Navigating Challenges and Finding Inspiration Hopeful Futures for Coffee Farmers The Power of Necessity in Innovation Community and Connection in Business Hopeful Trends from China's producing Community Knowledge as Leverage in Coffee Trade The Impact of Consolidation on Specialty Coffee Balancing Ethics and Profit in Business Links: https://www.instagram.com/unprincipledwriter/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-e-charles/ https://iwcagreece.org/ https://www.intracen.org/resources/publications/the-coffee-guide-fourth-edition   KEYS TO THE SHOP OFFERS CONSULTING + COACHING If you are a cafe owner and want to work one on one with me to bring your shop to its next level and help bring you joy and freedom in the process then email  chris@keystothshop.com of book a free call now:  https://calendly.com/chrisdeferio/30min    Related episodes:  451: Business Growth, Integrity, and Coffee Farmer Equity w/ Martin Mayorga of Mayorga Coffee 602: Renata Henderson | Cxffeeblack | Putting The Heart Back Into Coffee 560: Bio-Innovation and Securing the Future for Coffee Farmers and Their Land w/ Felipe Sardi of La Palma y El Tucan

Today's conversation is about war, politics, and the experiences of women, girls, and communities in war-torn Sudan with Dr Suad Musa. She is a freelance researcher and consultant on women, gender, peace, and governance issues. She has worked with the Government of Sudan and has extensive experience working with international NGOs, such as Oxfam and civil society organizations in Sudan, the Horn of Africa, and Britain. Dr. Musa is a co-founder of Gender Centre for Peacebuilding and Sustainable Development in El Fasher, Darfur, Sudan The post Women, Girls, and the War in Sudan with Dr. Suad Musa appeared first on KPFA.

This week, we examine whether the government’s long-awaited 25-year Farming Roadmap will deliver the certainty, confidence and investment farmers need. NFU president Tom Bradshaw gives his reaction to Defra’s plan, while we discuss profitability, agri-environment funding, climate resilience and the value of farming to the wider economy. We debate the impact of hot weather and this month's record-breaking temperatures on farm enterprises. We also examine Defra’s refreshed bovine TB strategy, including new testing approaches and the prospect of cattle vaccination by 2030. With the UK marking 10 years since the Brexit referendum, Cheffins chairman Bill King explains how leaving the EU has changed the trade in second-hand farm machinery. And we visit Courteenhall Estate in Northamptonshire, winner of a King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development. This episode is brought to you by Certis Belchim – crop protection specialists. Special Guests. * Tom Bradshaw, president, NFU* Paul Tompkins, deputy president, NFU* Josh Swain, farm animal vet, Synergy Animal Health* Bill King, chairman, Cheffins* Dr Johnny Wake, managing partner, Courteenhall Estate Chapters 00:00 Intro and headlines01:13 Defra unveils 25-year farming roadmap01:45 Tom Bradshaw on whether the roadmap goes far enough05:42 Louise and Hugh analyse the plan12:09 Certis Belchim partner message: managing take-all risk13:48 Defra refreshes bovine TB eradication strategy14:59 Josh Swain explains new TB testing technology16:30 Hugh and Louise discuss TB testing, vaccination and farm impact24:24 Hot weather, harvest prospects and climate adaptation26:30 Brexit: 10 years on for farm machinery trade27:04 Bill King on export friction after Brexit31:25 Hugh and Louise assess Brexit’s farming legacy36:45 This week’s commodity prices38:31 Courteenhall Estate wins King’s Award for sustainability42:41 Looking ahead to Groundswell Useful links * Defra farming roadmap* Defra bovine TB strategy update* Cheffins farm machinery auctions* Courteenhall Estate* King’s Awards for Enterprise* Groundswell This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker. We love to hear from you: - Contact or follow Johann: linkedin.com/in/johanntasker/ Contact or follow Louise: linkedin.com/in/louise-impey-95470b20b/ Contact or follow Hugh: linkedin.com/in/hugh-broom-9b11906a/ For Farmers Weekly, visit fwi.co.uk or follow linkedin.com/company/farmers-weekly To contact, sponsor or advertise on the Farmers Weekly Podcast, email podcast@fwi.co.uk. In the UK, you can also text the word FARM followed by your message to 88 44 0. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Affendi Rashdi, Director General of Labuan Financial Services Authority, on the Awqaf Free Zones initiative, the modernization of Waqf assets, Labuan's role in Islamic finance and sustainable development financing

William McDonough is one of the world's most influential sustainable design thinkers. His book, Cradle to Cradle, kickstarter my career path. And I've enjoyed working with him in environmental private equity for many years.Bill has advised companies, governments, and cities on regenerative design for decades and has won awards such as the Presidential Award for Sustainable Development, the National Design Award, the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, and the title of "Hero for the Planet" from Time magazine.Climate tech often focuses on reducing harm. Bill McDonough argues that's the wrong starting point. In this episode, we explore how design, economics, nature, and human intention can create systems that are not merely less bad but genuinely beneficial.

“The Gross National Product measures everything except that which makes life worthwhile.” — Robert F. Kennedy, University of Kansas, March 18, 1968 It is June 5, 1968. An eleven-year-old English boy is watching the assassination of Bobby Kennedy on his black and white television. That little boy is Tim Jackson — now one of Britain's most influential critics of capitalism. He had no idea then that RFK would change his life. It happened years later, when Jackson discovered a speech Kennedy gave in Kansas in the spring of 1968. It was a speech that changed the way Tim Jackson thought about economics. The March 1968 speech, one of the first of RFK's presidential campaign, was delivered at Phog Allen Fieldhouse, University of Kansas. It opened with a joke at the expense of rival Kansas State University. Then Bobby turned deadly serious. For the first time (at least for a Presidential candidate), he attacked the very idea of the Gross National Product itself. RFK argued that GDP quantifies all the worst stuff including air pollution, cigarette advertising and jails. But it doesn't measure the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It quantifies everything except that which makes life worthwhile. Then fetishizes the data. Worse than wrong, Bobby Kennedy suggested, GDP makes data evil. For Jackson, who has spent his career mulling over the idea of economic growth, RFK's Phog Allen Fieldhouse speech came as a revelation. Indeed much of his later thinking, including his 2021 award-winning book Post Growth: Life After Capitalism, is indebted to this March 1968 speech. Almost sixty years later, in our ever-more-quantifiable age of data-centres, it's a speech that appears uncannily prescient. Both Tim Jackson and Bobby Kennedy are right to remind us that there is an alternative to quantifying progress. There is, indeed, life after GDP. And it can't be measured. Five Takeaways •       An 11-Year-Old Watching the Assassination on His Birthday: Tim Jackson was born on June 4. On the night of June 4–5, 1968, after the California primary, RFK was shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Jackson — watching on a black and white television in the UK — remembers thinking: oh no, not again. His aunt had just sailed for America from Southampton. Is this the country she is going to? Two high-profile assassinations. Violence as a condition of American political life. He had no idea then that RFK would become important to him professionally two or three decades later. •       The Kansas Speech: GDP Measures Everything Except What Makes Life Worthwhile: The speech RFK gave at Phog Allen Fieldhouse, University of Kansas, March 1968 — one of the first of his presidential campaign — opened with a joke at the expense of rival Kansas State University and became one of the most prescient political speeches of the 20th century. Kennedy attacked GDP directly: it counts air pollution, cigarette advertising, and the jails for the people who break the law. It does not count the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile. •       The Two Wrong Turns of Post-War Capitalism: Jackson's account: fossil fuels made mass production possible; the Great Depression revealed the danger of overproduction; the post-war solution was to persuade people that having more stuff is what matters. Two big mistakes were embedded in that solution. First: material consumption is not all we are — we have social, relational, spiritual needs that GDP ignores. Second: more production does more environmental damage. Both wrong turns are what Kennedy was already diagnosing in Kansas in 1968. Both are what we are now living with in extremis. •       The Trillionaire and the 2 Billion: The interview is recorded the day after the world's first trillionaire arrived on the scene. Jackson's response: this is an obscene amount of money for one person to have, while 2 billion people lack access to clean water and electricity. The same structural observation could be made about the 1850s: monarchs parading luxury while the people around them starved. The trillionaire is not a new phenomenon. He is the latest expression of an economic system that was always building toward this endpoint. •       They Created a Desert and Called It Peace: In the Kansas speech, RFK quoted Tacitus on Rome: “they created a desert and called it peace.” Jackson applies it directly to today's America: what is it to be a citizen of the affluent West only on the back of a flattened Gaza, a distant war, the creation of violence to preserve a failing hegemonic empire? Bobby was saying: we have values around social justice. We have a fragile planet. These are what matter. Bernie Sanders said the same things. AOC picked up the mantle. The message is unchanged. It is still Kansas, 1968. About the Guest Tim Jackson is Professor of Sustainable Development at the University of Surrey and Director of the Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP). He is the author of Post Growth: Life After Capitalism (Polity Press, 2021; winner of the 2022 Eric Zencey Prize for Economics) and Prosperity Without Growth (2009/2017; Financial Times book of the year). He is also an award-winning BBC radio dramatist. He lives in Guildford, Surrey. References: •       Post Growth: Life After Capitalism by Tim Jackson (Polity Press, 2021). •       RFK's University of Kansas speech, March 18, 1968 — delivered at Phog Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, Kansas. •       Tacitus, Agricola — “they created a desert and called it peace,” quoted by RFK in the Kansas speech. •       Kerry Kennedy, Ripples of Hope — referenced in the conversation. •       Andrew Keen's forthcoming book: Where Have You Gone, Bobby Kennedy? My Search for a Lost America — the RFK book this conversation feeds directly into. About Keen On America Nobody asks more awkward questions than the Anglo-American writer and filmmaker Andrew Keen. In Keen On America, Andrew brings his pointed Transatlantic wit to making sense of the United States — hosting daily interviews about the history and future of this now venerable Republic. With nearly 3,000 episodes since the show launched on TechCrunch in 2010, Keen On America is the most prolific intellectual interview show in the history of podcasting. WebsiteSubstackYouTubeApple Podcasts

Share your Field Stories!Laura and Nic sit down with Alice Madden, Senior Director of Climate Strategies at the National Audubon Society, to talk about Colorado's clean energy transformation, what it takes to lead progressive policy change, and how strong teams help turn big environmental goals into action. Along the way, Alice shares candid career advice on mentorship, fundraising, public service, and building a meaningful path in climate and conservation work.Welcome back to Environmental Professionals Radio, Connecting the Environmental Professionals Community Through Conversation, with your hosts Laura Thorne and Nic Frederick! Help us continue to create great content! If you'd like to sponsor a future episode hit the support podcast button or visit www.environmentalprofessionalsradio.com/sponsor-form Please be sure to ✔️subscribe, ⭐rate and ✍review. This podcast is produced by the National Association of Environmental Professions (NAEP). Check out all the NAEP has to offer at NAEP.org.Connect with Alice Madden at https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-madden-3868112b/Guest Bio:Alice Madden is the Senior Director of Climate Strategies for the National Audubon Society where she oversees efforts to achieve the organization's strategic goal of influencing the responsible clean energy transition to abate climate change. An innovative changemaker, Alice brings several decades of success in developing and implementing groundbreaking policies in myriad areas, including clean energy, sustainability, environmental justice, land/water conservation, and climate action. Alice practiced law for a decade before serving in the Colorado House of Representatives. She is considered the architect of the 2004 progressive resurgence and as Majority Leader, Alice led the passage of an historic agenda – including implementing the means to grow a sweeping clean energy economy. She went on to become Gov. Bill Ritter's Climate Change Advisor and was a Climate Fellow at the Center for American Progress in DC. She then held the Timothy E. Wirth Chair in Sustainable Development at the University of Colorado's School of Public Affairs. In 2013, she accepted a high-level appointment in the Obama administration at the U.S. Department of Energy, serving as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Intergovernmental and External Affairs. Alice led the prestigious Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy & the Environment at University of Colorado School of Law. Just prior to joining Audubon, Alice served as Greenpeace USA's first Policy & Political Director. Alice has always believed in giving back to her community and has served on multiple non-profit boards. In everything she does, Alice incorporates efforts to create broad collaborations, and to ensure equitable and inclusive support of women and historically under-represented populations.Music CreditsIntro: Givin Me Eyes by Grace MesaOutro: Never Ending Soul Groove by Mattijs MullerSupport the showThanks for listening! A new episode drops every Friday. Like, share, subscribe, and/or sponsor to help support the continuation of the show. You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and all your favorite podcast players. 

A Fireside Chat with Brent Bobsein, Vice President of Sustainable Development at CNX The post The Engineer's Answer to the Climate Crisis — A Fireside Chat with Brent Bobsein, CNX Resources, US first appeared on Kaj Embren.

In this episode of the Sustainable Connections podcast, Sebastian Leape, CEO at Natcap, Nadine McCormick, Senior Manager at WBCSD (the World Business Council for Sustainable Development), and Daniele Strippoli, EMEA Nature Lead at ERM, join Mark Lee to explore the emerging challenges in the nature market, the opportunities for companies to accelerate solutions, and what embedding nature into decision‑making could look like by 2030. Drawing on examples from supply chains, finance, and operations, the conversation examines how organizations can move from understanding nature‑related risk to taking practical action that strengthens long‑term business resilience.Related content:ERM and Natcap Partner to Scale Science-Based Nature and Water Solutions | ERMNatcap and ERM Partner to Deliver Science-Based Nature Intelligence for Corporate Action and ResilienceMore on how WBCSD supports business to take action on nature hereLearn and explore nature actions and metrics for business 

As the United Nations marks 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, Sydney's Taronga Zoo highlights the vital role of community volunteers in wildlife conservation. With nearly 500 volunteers contributing to visitor engagement, education, and conservation efforts, the zoo offers a unique opportunity for animal lovers to make a meaningful impact. SBS Nepali spoke with volunteer program leader Danny Alti about the importance of volunteering and how people can join the program. - जनावर संरक्षणको क्षेत्रमा लगाव हुनेहरूका लागि स्वयंसेवा गर्ने अवसर चिडियाखानामै मिल्यो भने हुँदैन त सुनमा सुगन्ध। सिड्नीको सबैभन्दा ठुलो चिडियाखाना टरोङ्गा चिडियाखानामा यस्तै कार्यक्रम सञ्चालनमा रहेको छ। संयुक्त राष्ट्र सङ्घको महासभाले सन् २०२6 लाई दिगो विकासका लागि स्वयंसेवकहरूको अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय वर्षका रूपमा घोषणा गरेको सन्दर्भमा हामीले सो चिडियाखानामा स्वयंसेवा कार्यक्रमको नेतृत्व गरिरहेकी ड्यानी अल्टिले स्वयम् सेवकहरूको महत्त्व र यस कार्यक्रममा सहभागी हुने तरिकाबारे एसबीएस नेपालीलाई बताएकी छिन्।हाम्रा थप अडियो प्रस्तुतिहरू पोडकास्टका रूपमा उपलब्ध छन्। यो नि:शुल्क सेवा प्रयोग गर्न तपाईंले आफ्नो नाम दर्ता गर्नु पर्दैन। पोडकास्टमा सामाग्री उपलब्ध हुनासाथ सुन्न यहाँ थिच्नुहोस्।एसबीएस नेपालीको प्रत्यक्ष प्रसारण हरेक मङ्गलवार र बिहीवार दिउँसो २ बजे SBS South Asian मा डिजिटल रेडियोमार्फत, आफ्नो टेलिभिजनको च्यानल ३०५ मा, SBS Audio एपमार्फत वा हाम्रो वेबसाइटबाट सुन्न सक्नुहुन्छ।साथै हामि सोसल मिडिया प्लेटफर्महरू फेसबुक, इन्स्टाग्राम र एक्स मा पनि रहेका छौं SBS Nepali का नाममा।

In this episode Divya speaks with Rachel Carmenta, Associate Professor of Climate Change and International Development at the University of East Anglia. They discuss Rachel's recent work on the poverty–biodiversity loss association (PBLA) and the idea of connected conservation. In this scholarship, Rachel and her colleagues critically examine how mainstream conservation narratives have often framed poor and rural communities as drivers of biodiversity decline, while overlooking the larger structural forces, such as extractive industries, unsustainable patterns of consumption, and unequal political and economic systems, that are central to environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. They also discuss how poverty is often reduced to income deprivation and how that framing has made conservation and development programs to focus heavily on cash-based incentives and payment schemes. Rachel argues that poverty is way more than income deprivation; instead, it must be understood as multidimensional, encompassing wellbeing, dignity, health, education, security, and access to social services. This broader understanding challenges narrow approaches to both poverty alleviation and conservation governance. Another important theme in their discussion is connected conservation, which emphasizes the interconnected relationships between people, ecosystems, livelihoods, cultural practices, and local knowledge systems, rather than viewing conservation and human wellbeing as separate or competing goals. In this context, Rachel reflects on biocultural conservation and the importance of recognizing the ways communities live with, care for, and understand their environments and what these relationships can teach us about more just and meaningful approaches to conservation in a rapidly changing world. References: Carmenta, R., Lima, M.G.B., Choiruzzad, S.A., Dawson, N., Estrada-Carmona, N., Hicks, C., Kallis, G., Nana, E., Killick, E., Lees, A. and Martin, A., 2025. Unveiling pervasive assumptions: moving beyond the poverty-biodiversity loss association in conservation. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 74, p.101537. Tebboth, M.G., Carmenta, R., Minas, A., Adelekan, A., Cao, X., Fullonton, A., Kinally, C., Cataldo, N.L., Mander, S. and Shelton, C., 2025. The ‘how'of transformation: Principles for a justice-centered response to the climate and biodiversity crises. Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development, 67(3), pp.7-23. Carmenta, R., Barlow, J., Lima, M.G.B., Berenguer, E., Choiruzzad, S., Estrada-Carmona, N., França, F., Kallis, G., Killick, E., Lees, A. and Martin, A., 2023. Connected Conservation: Rethinking conservation for a telecoupled world. Biological Conservation, 282, p.110047. Lapola, D.M., Pinho, P., Barlow, J., Aragão, L.E., Berenguer, E., Carmenta, R., Liddy, H.M., Seixas, H., Silva, C.V., Silva-Junior, C.H. and Alencar, A.A., 2023. The drivers and impacts of Amazon forest degradation. Science, 379(6630), pp. 8622. Carmenta, R., Zaehringer, J.G., Balvanera, P., Betley, E., Dawson, N.M., Estrada‐Carmona, N., Forster, J., Hoelle, J., Lliso, B., Llopis, J.C. and Menon, A., 2023. Exploring the relationship between plural values of nature, human well‐being, and conservation and development intervention: Why it matters and how to do it?. People and nature, 5(6), pp.1720-1738.

Transforming healthcare delivery in resource-limited contexts around the world calls for compassionate, innovative solutions. Learn how The Luke Commission is bringing healthcare to the most isolated and underserved in Eswatini through a scalable model for advancing health equity.

We're all seeing how geoeconomic tensions are affecting the supply of key resources, including mined minerals and fuels together with food and other biological resources. My guest, Dr Jack Barrie, is the lead author of a recent World Economic Forum white paper, The Future of Materials Systems: cooperation opportunities in a Multipolar World. In the context of today's world of competing regions and powers - where the multilateral system is really struggling to make progress – Jack and his contributors set out to answer an important question: how do we keep progress going? Dr Jack Barrie is an independent global advisor and researcher specialising in the circular economy, with more than 15 years' experience working at the intersection of policy, international trade, and material value chains. Most recently, Jack led the Global Materials Collaboration at the World Economic Forum, developing scenarios for international cooperation on materials and circularity to support economic resilience, climate action, and nature-positive outcomes. He has held several global advisory roles, including as a member of the UK Government Circular Economy Task Force and as a specialist advisor to UNECE on ESG traceability of sustainable value chains in the circular economy. Jack is also a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development's Global Circularity Protocol. He holds a PhD in circular economy innovation policy from the University of Strathclyde, alongside further degrees from the University of Cambridge, the University of Edinburgh, and Aalborg University. We'll discuss the findings of the World Economic Forum white paper, including its key recommendations and how we make those tangible. Jack also shares some surprising insights about how governments are using the circular economy, and why he sees some of those strategies as deeply problematic.

Can we separate politics from democracy? Our political system is wholly corrupt and no longer fit for purpose - if it ever was. What if Citizens' Assemblies could bring agency to the whole of our population, helping people to find empathy with each other, to engage in conversations in good faith and work together to solve the wicked problems of the polycrisis: social inequity, climate chaos, the death cult of predatory capitalism.  These are so interlinked, we won't fix one unless we fix them all. So how do we do it?  This week, I'm talking to someone who spends her life reflecting on, teaching and researching this. Isabella Roberts started off in the Big Four, Private Equity and Investment Banking, then switched from the private markets into politics at the start of 2021 as a candidate for the London Assembly elections. Against the backdrop of the UK's first year out of the EU and in the depths of the COVID pandemic, she was inspired to take a stand and be the change she wanted to see in the governance of the UK's capital. She then took on a Masters in Digital Politics and Sustainable Development.  Her thesis in 2023 focused on How Collective Intelligence Can Enhance Democracy, which resulted in the initiation of SAAFE which stands for: Space for Silent Contemplation and Reflection, Active Listening and Feeling Heard, Ability to Change One's Mind, Feeling Connected as Part of the Whole, Epistemic Growth and Epistemic Humility - and which uses human-centred design principles for empowering participants in tech-enabled deliberation. This is an inquiry into what it means to be human in a digital age, in line with systems change towards a more deliberative democracy, and it has manifested in a multi-stakeholder project supported by the Web Science Institute at the University of Southampton, bringing together democratic practitioners and the developers of deliberative technologies.  Meanwhile, Bella is the independent evaluator of two deliberative processes: the Birmingham Museums Trust Citizens' Jury, and currently the National Gallery's Citizens' Assembly (NG Citizens).  She also completed her first Vipassana course of 10-day silent meditation and is studying for a PhD with the title: Revolutionising deliberative democracy with immersive technology - a comparison between East and West. Bella has explored the depth and breadth of what works, so that together, we can create a democracy that empowers ordinary people to help fix their communities and the wider world. Like previous podcast guests, Matt Golding of Antidote and Dylan McGarry of Empatheatre, Bella understands the sense of meaning and purpose and involvement that is so transformative - which was why this conversation was so rich and so deep.  Enjoy!LinksBella on LinkedInAntipartyDelibtechBreathe With Bella SubstackBella on YouTube Bella on Spotify@Antiparty on YouTubeANTIPARTY on SpotifyPOLISBooksAgainst ElectionsPolitics without Politicians by Helen Landemore Bella's Masters Dissertation - How Can Collective Intelligence Enhance Democracy? An Investigation Towards Human Centred Design Principles For Empowering People Engaging With Deliberative Technologies?—About Accidental Gods—We offer three strands all rooted in the same soil, drawing from the same river: Accidental Gods, Dreaming Awake and the Thrutopia Writing Masterclass Our next Open Gathering offered as part of our Accidental Gods Programme is 'FALLING IN LOVE WITH LIFE' which will run on Sunday 17th May 2026 from 16:00 - 20:00 GMT - details are here. You don't have to be a member of Accidental Gods - but if you are, all Gatherings are half price.If you'd like to join us at Accidental Gods, this is the membership where we endeavour to help you to connect fully with the living web of life. If you'd like to train more deeply in the contemporary shamanic work at Dreaming Awake, you'll find us here. If you'd like to explore the recordings from our last Thrutopia Writing Masterclass, the details are hereManda and Louise both offer one-to-one Mentoring Calls.  Manda is fully booked just now, but if you'd like to contact Louise, details are here.

The energy shock and economic headwinds caused by the Iran war have increased uncertainty in Latin America – but the region remains resilient. That's according to Ilan Goldfajn, president of the Inter-American Development Bank. He tells FRANCE 24 there are requests for "targeted support" like energy diversification and fertiliser needs. Also in the show: Jerome Powell gives his last press conference as Federal Reserve Chair, as his successor Kevin Warsh takes a step closer to confirmation. 

Jeffrey Sachs on the real origins of the Iran war, and the coming economic devastation. (00:00) Where Does the Iran War Go From Here? (10:13) Iran's Growing Power Since the War Began (24:37) The Nuclear Weapon Lie Surrounding Iran (41:12) Iran's Drought, Israel's Use of the U.S., and Accepting a Stronger Iran (1:07:08) Zionism's Origin Jeffrey D. Sachs is a Columbia University professor and leading foreign policy expert. He has advised multiple UN Secretaries-General and serves as an SDG Advocate to António Guterres. He is President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network and spent over 20 years as a professor at Harvard University. He is also the author of The Ages of Globalization (2020) and Ethics in Action for Sustainable Development (2022). Paid partnerships with: Good Ranchers: Use code TUCKER to get an additional $25 off your first order at https://go.goodranchers.com/tucker Audien Hearing: Learn more about how Audien can help you or someone you love hear better. Call 1-800-453-2916 or visit https://HearTucker.com Joi + Blokes: Use code TUCKER for 50% off your labs and 20% off all supplements at https://joiandblokes.com/tucker TCN: NEW! Tucker Carlson Books presents Russell Brand's ‘How to Become a Christian in 7 Days.' Available only on  https://tuckercarlsonbooks.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we focus on two unique natural sites and the efforts to protect and restore them. First, we visit the Šúr nature reserve, located near Bratislava. Despite its international ecological value, it remains little-known to the public. Conservationists are now working to revive this rare wetland forest—using traditional methods like grazing cattle. Then, we turn our attention to the Danube River and its islands. Once rich in biodiversity, many of these islands have been damaged by human intervention. We speak with Andrea Froncová from the Regional Association for Nature Conservation and Sustainable Development about current efforts to restore them.

04/21/26: Tony Pipa is a senior fellow in the Center for Sustainable Development at the Brookings Institution. Pipa launched and leads the Reimagining Rural Policy initiative and hosts the award-winning Reimagine Rural podcast. He recently wrote an article, The local implications of data centers for rural communities in the US, and joins Joel to speak about it. (Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, “News & Views,” can be heard weekdays from 8 – 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recorded live for the first time at the 7th Digital for SMEs (D4SME) Roundtable, this special episode is hosted by Shayne MacLachlan and Alix Philouze. While 61% of SMEs report using AI, three quarters remain beginners, highlighting a gap between adoption and confidence. Joined by entrepreneurs Regitze Vestergaard Jacobsen, Robyn Baker and Leonardo Baggiani, the discussion explores how small businesses are experimenting with AI, managing cyber risks, navigating costs and skills gaps, and protecting jobs, identity and the human touch. A candid, on the ground conversation to explore what matters most to entrepreneurs facing these challenges today. Hosts: Shayne MacLachlan, Public Affairs and Communications Manager at the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities. Alix Philouze is a communications co-ordinator at the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, where she works with both the SME and Entrepreneurship division and the Cities, Urban Policies and Sustainable Development division. She holds a degree in European Studies from Trinity College Dublin. Guests: Robyn Baker | https://www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-baker-257924396/ Robyn Baker is an entrepreneur based in The Netherlands who loves supporting small businesses succeed on competitive eCommerce marketplaces. Through her business Unicorn Copy & Strategy, she provides the written and photo content needed to launch products online with a focus on AI optimization to maximize product visibility and brand growth. Leonardo Baggiani | https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonardo-baggiani-488216116/ A former Chef, Leonardo Baggiani transitioned to management to ensure business resilience. Leveraging an Agronomy degree and Food Quality Master, he directs cultural-site cafés through public-sector collaborations. His human-scale approach prioritizes staff well-being, promoting the vital social essence of traditional neighborhood hubs also in tourist areas. Regitze Vestergaard Jacobsen | https://www.linkedin.com/in/regitze-vestergaard-jacobsen-12025b97/ Regitze Vestergaard Jacobsen is a Sales and Marketing Manager in the Danish hospitality sector at Hotel Gl. Skovridergaard and Conference Center, where she works hands-on with AI to turn digital potential into real business value. She focuses on saving time, personalising guest experiences, and improving visibility. Her core belief is clear: technology should support people, not replace them, and be simple enough for SMEs to actually use. To know more about the D4SME network https://www.oecd.org/en/networks/oecd-digital-for-smes-global-initiative.html For the latest SMEs policy https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/empowering-smes-in-the-age-of-ai_bf5a9816-en.html To learn more about the OECD, our global reach, and how to join us, go to www.oecd.org/about/ To keep up with latest at the OECD, visit www.oecd.org/ Get the latest OECD content delivered directly to your inbox! Subscribe to our newsletters: www.oecd.org/newsletters #oecdpodcast #oecd #ocde #SMEs #AI #business #digital