All Things Sustainable (formerly ESG Insider)

Building out the infrastructure needed for the low-carbon energy transition will require a substantial increase in the production of critical minerals and metals such as copper, nickel, zinc and lithium. These minerals are needed for many different technologies including electric vehicles and battery storage, clean hydrogen, geothermal, wind, solar and electricity networks.   In this episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast, we'll hear how one of the biggest producers of critical minerals, Vale Base Metals, is approaching this increased demand. And we'll explore how the company thinks about balancing those demands with other sustainability issues including community engagement, biodiversity, waste management, and physical climate risks.  We sit down with Vale Base Metals  Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer Emily Olson on the sidelines of S&P Global’s CERAWeek energy conference. Vale Base Metals is a subsidiary of mining company Vale SA with operations in Canada, the UK, Brazil, Japan and Indonesia.  Emily says Vale Base Metals factors sustainability into its operations from the start. “You cannot be a miner without having sustainability in all of its elements integrated into how you run your operations," she says. “It's a big operation — we impact the land, we impact communities. And so for us, your social license and how you are willing to create that mutual and shared value, that's the first stop.”  Emily also discusses how the company is navigating current market uncertainty from tariffs and the potential impacts on the company’s supply chains. “Policy aside, mining needs dependable supply chains,” she says. “We are a long life, long lead business. Having dependable diversified supply chains is really important.”  Read S&P Global Sustainable1 research: Rocks and hard places: The ecosystem risks of mining for energy transition minerals  Learn more about the S&P Global Sustainable1 Nature & Biodiversity Risk dataset. This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.           Copyright ©2025 by S&P Global DISCLAIMER     By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.     S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.   

The rise of AI means more datacenters, and that means huge increases in electricity demand. In the US, natural gas is expected to play a prominent role in powering the AI boom.   In this episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast, we’re talking with EQT, one of the nation’s largest natural gas companies, to understand what’s ahead for AI, the energy transition and sustainability.   We sit down with Courtney Loper, EQT’s Head of Government Relations and Public Affairs, on the sidelines of S&P Global’s CERAWeek energy conference. She says natural gas can help the world shift away from coal-fired generation, which has a higher concentration of carbon emissions per unit of energy than natural gas. And she says EQT is focused on making its product as clean as possible, including by curbing carbon and methane emissions in its production of natural gas.  "A big focus for EQT has been the replacement of international coal with US natural gas and really thinking about the emissions offset that can come from that," Courtney says.   She says permitting reforms are needed in the US to get natural gas pipelines and other infrastructure built to meet growing energy demands from AI.  Courtney also tells us the company's view on sustainability remains "unchanged."   “Regardless of what winds shift in any sort of way around the idea of sustainability, it's something that we're going to continue to engage in, it's something that we're going to continue to promote, because it's important for the long-term viability of natural gas,” she says.  Learn more about S&P Global’s energy transition data here. Read S&P Global Sustainable1 research, "Can AI become net positive for net-zero?"  Explore S&P Global Sustainable1 net-zero data.  Listen to our podcast interview with ExxonMobil at CERAWeek. Listen to our podcast interview with JPMorganChase. This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.           Copyright ©2025 by S&P Global           DISCLAIMER     By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.     S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST. 

Shinjini Menon, Senior Vice President at Southern California Edison, discusses how one of the largest US utilities is tackling the dual challenge of climate resilience and energy reliability. She highlights ambitious decarbonization goals and innovative technologies like LIDAR for wildfire risk mitigation. Shinjini emphasizes the importance of equitable energy access and collaboration with stakeholders in addressing climate change. Tune in to learn how these strategies not only protect communities but also ensure affordable and reliable energy during extreme weather.

This episode features Paul Gruenwald, Chief Economist at S&P Global Ratings, who discusses balancing immediate energy concerns with long-term sustainability amidst policy uncertainties. Arshad Mansoor, CEO of EPRI, examines how AI will shape future electricity generation to meet increasing demands. Damian Beauchamp, from 8 Rivers, shares insights on innovative clean energy solutions aimed at achieving net-zero emissions. The conversation unveils a pragmatic approach to addressing energy security, affordability, and climate challenges in today's fluctuating landscape.

Will Hewes, Amazon's Water Sustainability Lead, discusses the tech giant's innovative approach to water stewardship. He details Amazon's goal to achieve 'water positivity' in its data centers by 2030, aiming to return more water to communities than it consumes. Hewes emphasizes collaboration with local communities to manage water scarcity exacerbated by climate change. He also highlights the importance of transparency and consumer engagement in sustainable practices, alongside innovative solutions for water management across Amazon's global operations.

Matt Kolesar, ExxonMobil's chief environmental scientist, dives into the company's sustainability strategy and energy transition. He discusses the urgent need for investments in low-carbon technologies and the importance of decarbonization targets. Kolesar sheds light on innovative projects, like a Texas initiative for low-carbon hydrogen production and a pioneering lithium extraction plant in Arkansas. He also shares optimistic insights from CERAWeek, emphasizing science-based strategies and the evolving role of fossil fuel companies in a sustainable future.

This podcast features Marc Rotter, Counsel at Ropes & Gray, and Andreas Rasche, Professor at Copenhagen Business School. They dive into the European Commission's proposals aimed at simplifying sustainability reporting, highlighting how these changes could reduce burdens for SMEs while raising concerns about data availability for investors. Rotter discusses the uncertain legislative timeline, while Rasche emphasizes the risks of limited ESG data for making informed investment decisions. Together, they shed light on the evolving landscape of corporate sustainability transparency.

Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative and former diplomat, shares insights on bridging public and private sectors for sustainability. She discusses the initiative's origins and its role in shaping global markets through collaboration. Jennifer highlights the urgent need for collective action, particularly in tackling challenges like climate change and fast fashion. She also reflects on her journey to leadership, emphasizing youth engagement and ambitious strategies as essential to driving meaningful change.

This week, the All Things Sustainable podcast delves into the intersection of climate change and gender equality with Rachel Vestergaard, Founder and CEO of Empower Co.  Empower Co. is a brokerage firm that is building a global voluntary market for women’s empowerment as measured by the W+ Standard, which is hosted by the S&P Global Commodity Insights Environmental Registry.  Studies have showed that the climate crisis is not gender neutral, with women and girls experiencing the greatest impacts of climate change. As we approach International Women's Day on March 8, Rachel discusses how her company is creating a global voluntary market for women's empowerment using the W+ Standard, which measures six domains critical for women’s empowerment: Time Savings, Income & Assets, Health, Leadership, Education & Knowledge, and Food Security.  Rachel emphasizes that women are also crucial to finding solutions. “Without that, we are completely fighting this climate crisis issue with one hand behind our back,” she says.  This episode highlights the importance of integrating gender equity into climate solutions and the role businesses can play in supporting this mission, especially as we look ahead to the UN’s COP30 climate change conference in Brazil this November.  Read more about the W+ Standard here: https://view.highspot.com/viewer/66047cb70b83e1a2d28f9003?utm_campaign=Oktopost-Global-Cross+Commodity-Random+Posts&utm_content=Oktopost-linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin#1   Listen to a previous episode that explores the topic of climate change and gender here: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/intersection-of-gender-and-climate-in-focus-ahead-of-cop28   This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.  Copyright ©2025 by S&P Global  DISCLAIMER  By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.  S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST. 

This week, the All Things Sustainable podcast (formerly ESG Insider) reached 2 million downloads. Today, we bring you an interview with the largest bank in the US.    We sit down with Brian DiMarino, Managing Director and Deputy Director of Global Sustainability, Strategy and Operations at JPMorganChase. He explains how the bank is navigating a challenging sustainability landscape, including its decision to exit the Net-Zero Banking Alliance, and why he believes it’s time for a “rebrand” of some of the language companies use when communicating about sustainability topics. At the same time, he says JPMorgan’s focus on sustainability is "steadfast."   "Science has told us what we need to do. Technology has told us we can do it and economics will tell us whether it gets done or not," Brian tells us. This interview took place at a live event we hosted in New York City on Feb. 6 to celebrate the podcast’s anniversary and the launch of our new name. All Things Sustainable reflects an idea we’ve heard repeatedly from guests over the past six seasons: Solutions to big sustainability challenges require action from all sectors and all stakeholders. You can hear more highlights from our Feb. 6 event in last week’s special anniversary episode: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-companies-are-navigating-2025-sustainability-challenges-a-new-podcast-name-  This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global. Copyright ©2025 by S&P Global DISCLAIMER By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.