All Things Sustainable

Key takeaways from COP28 include discussions on climate, nature, and water; evolving climate data and regulation; the role of financial institutions in addressing climate change; and the importance of diverse voices and youth perspectives. Speakers include CEOs of nonprofits, a technology company's Chief Impact Officer, a partner at Deloitte, and a Chief Sustainability Officer of a big Japanese bank. Other chapters cover addressing biodiversity loss, data in climate adaptation and finance, water needs and infrastructure improvement, and the role of finance in addressing the climate crisis.

The ESG Insider podcast covers the recent conclusion of COP28 and focuses on the transportation sector's challenges in decarbonization. They interview Kristen Siemen, Chief Sustainability Officer of General Motors, who emphasizes the importance of partnerships, innovation, and concrete solutions to drive progress. The podcast discusses General Motors' sustainability initiatives, successful collaborations for sustainable development, challenges in transitioning to an all-electric future, and the importance of collaboration and innovation in fighting climate change.

Shargiil Bashir, Chief Sustainability Officer of the largest bank in the United Arab Emirates, discusses FAB's sustainability strategy, the evolving approach to climate change in the Middle East, and the need for concrete actions and investments at COP28.

Dame Susan Rice, chairs the Global Steering Group of the Global Ethical Finance Initiative, talks about the need to close the climate finance gap and the importance of creative and hybrid solutions. She emphasizes the challenge of understanding and monetizing risk, which makes investors and bankers cautious. The podcast also discusses the role of finance in addressing climate change, importance of involving all stakeholders, and expectations for COP28.

At COP28, Tetris pioneer turned environmentalist Henk Rogers talks about his organization's goal of legislatively mandating 100% renewable energy by 2045. He emphasizes the importance of changing public mindsets and the role of younger generations. The podcast highlights big announcements at the conference and emphasizes the power of people's involvement in tackling climate change.

In this episode, the podcast explores how the private sector is addressing water risks and opportunities globally through partnerships. They discuss the water challenges faced by the UAE and the solutions being implemented. The podcast also reflects on the interconnectedness of water, climate, and nature, emphasizing the role of water in businesses' climate strategies. They highlight the importance of water stewardship and consumer attitudes towards water conservation. Finally, they discuss the growing significance of water in addressing climate challenges and the upcoming UN Water Conference.

Hong Paterson, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of the Green Climate Fund, talks about the role of the private sector in climate financing at COP28. She discusses the need to overcome funding hurdles and highlights successful climate finance projects in Africa. The urgency and importance of climate financing and the role of global cooperation in bridging the financing gap are also explored.

The podcast discusses the intersection of gender and climate change ahead of COP28. It explores the disproportionate impact of climate change on women, highlighting the burden on women securing essential resources. Gender equality in the transition to a green economy is emphasized, emphasizing the need for women's voices in climate decision-making. The importance of gender equity in climate policies at COP28 is also discussed, highlighting the need for better gender data and representation.

Saugata Saha, President of S&P Global Commodity Insights, discusses the first-ever global stocktake and the phasedown of fossil fuels at COP28. Dan Feldman, former ambassador and Co-Chair of ESG and Business & Human Rights practices at law firm Covington & Burling, explains the conference dynamics and the role of the private sector. Topics include the significance of COP28, the urgency for climate action, just transition in the energy sector, and renewable energy targets.

Val Smith, Chief Sustainability Officer at Citigroup, discusses Citi's approach to the energy transition, changing investor expectations around climate disclosure, and the challenges of climate data. She explains Citi's net-zero goals and how the bank is approaching Scope 3 emissions in light of evolving climate disclosure regulations. Collaboration between different teams is crucial to meet the expectations in the changing landscape of climate disclosure.