With the world in the midst of a global polycrisis, the New Economy Unit (NEU) — a global research group at the EY organization — was established to look at the key economic forces at play and the leading business practices needed to create a sustainable future. Host Bruno Sarda discusses the NEU and a bigger idea of regenerative business transformation it represents with Matt Bell, EY Global Leader, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, and Anastasia Roussou, EY Head of New Economy Research Unit, in London. Moreover, the discussion covers the work the NEU does with the activist and academic community, some of whom sit on the NEU advisory board. It also highlights the importance of taking a long-term view while not neglecting short-term objectives, and teases what the NEU will be exploring next. Please, read the full report “A new economy - Exploring the root causes of the polycrisis and the principles to unlock a sustainable future” on ey.com, or contact the New Economy Unit at neweconomyunit@uk.ey.com. Key takeaways include: The New Economy Unit help enables practitioners to think about the long-term future and what they need to radically change. The report aims to bring everyone on the same page and mainstream the concepts that will likely aid the transition to long-term sustainability. © 2024 Ernst & Young LLP

In this discussion, Amy Brachio, EY's Global Vice Chair for Sustainability, shares her insights on the evolving landscape of sustainability, while Matt Bell, EY's Global Leader for Climate Change, brings his expertise on climate initiatives. They explore the shift from isolated environmental concerns to a holistic approach embracing interdependence. Highlighting the upcoming COP29, they discuss key trends like the emphasis on finance in sustainability and the role of innovation in driving systemic change. Optimism shines through as they see businesses eager to adopt new technologies and strategies for a sustainable future.

With the upcoming 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference, also known as COP16, this episode of the Sustainability Matters podcast explores the critical link between nature, biodiversity and human wellbeing. EY leaders Alex Banks and Ana Luci Grizzi join host Bruno Sarda to discuss the challenges and the key decisions that should be taken for meaningful progress to be made. The thought-provoking discussion emphasizes the need to integrate biodiversity conservation into our economic models and addresses the interconnected threats of climate change and biodiversity loss. Also highlighted is the importance of protecting the rights of vulnerable communities who are most affected by these environmental challenges. Key takeaways include: There is an inseparable relationship between climate change and biodiversity loss. It is necessary to integrate biodiversity strategies into existing economic growth models. Clients need to understand their nature-related risks, impacts and dependencies. Sustainable solutions have to uphold human rights, cultural sensitivities and community impact considerations. The transition to a nature-positive approach is both an imperative and an opportunity. © 2024 Ernst & Young LLP

Discover how our food choices impact climate change and biodiversity. Experts discuss the urgent need for sustainable practices and the role of technology in transforming the food industry. Learn about innovative software from Nutritics that guides menu changes and enhances transparency. Hear success stories from chefs reducing their ecological footprints and see how collaboration and education can empower the hospitality sector to adopt greener practices. It’s a tasty recipe for sustainability!

For the people of Palau, a nation of over 300 small islands in the Western Pacific, climate change is not a future threat, but an immediate and pressing reality. Rising temperatures and sea levels have changed their way of life and are already impacting communities. How are they confronting these changes, and what can the rest of the world learn from their experiences? In this episode, host Bruno Sarda is joined by Mikayla Etpison from the Palau Office of Climate Change, and Martine Crowe, a member of the EY team that codeveloped a broad climate strategy with the government of Palau. Mikayla emphasizes the disproportionate impact of climate change on Pacific nations, which, despite contributing less than 1% of all global  emissions, are experiencing some of the most severe consequences. Warmer oceans, typhoons and coral bleaching threaten delicate ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Mikayla points out that Palau has limited resources for mitigation projects and the need for support from the larger emitters is critical. The discussion also covers Palau’s proactive measures, including a government climate policy, codeveloped by EY teams and Mikayla’s team, that integrates traditional Palauan marine conservation practices. This episode is a testament to the resilience of island nations and the critical role of collaboration in forging a path toward a sustainable future. Listen to understand the challenges faced by Palau, the innovative strategies they employ, and the lessons they offer to the world in the fight against climate change. © 2024 Ernst & Young LLP

The case for climate action is often presented in terms of facts and data: detailing scientific evidence and financial risk. But is it time to explore different ways to communicate the message; to try an approach that focuses more on human stories and emotions? In this episode of the Sustainability Matters podcast, Bruno Sarda is joined by two colleagues from EY Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS): Managing Director Karima Zedan at Ernst & Young LLP and the Gareth Jenkins, EY Global CCaSS Head of Creative at Ernst & Young LLP, to discuss ways to reframe the sustainability narrative. Behavior change is not happening fast enough to meet climate change realities. The guests suggest that engaging the hearts as well as the minds of businesses, and bringing to life the impact on people, culture and society, is a more compelling narrative. Gareth points out that people, whether at home or the boardroom, respond to stories instinctively, and can be challenged and inspired by them. The guests discuss the importance of engaging with different audiences, from the C-suite to investors and employees. Karima emphasizes how sustainability initiatives may have a positive impact not only on the company and the brand but also on the employees and wider community. Gareth then gives some fascinating insight into the innovative EY Four Futures experience that was first presented at COP28 — an immersive installation that explores different outcomes from four potential future scenarios. Through the power of hearing each of the four stories, Four Futures can inspire joint action today. © 2024 Ernst & Young LLP

As more businesses focus on net-zero targets, voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) need to play an increasingly crucial role. The VCMs are a necessary and important tool for offsetting hard-to-decarbonize emissions, and there is a vital need to scale them; however, there are many challenges in their current state. In this episode of the Sustainability Matters podcast, Bruno Sarda and EY Sustainability Global Account Lead for Microsoft, Alissa Byersdorfer, examine the VCMs’ growth and how they needs to evolve with Brian Marrs — Senior Director for Energy and Carbon Removal at Microsoft. Bruno sets the scene with a brief history of the VCMs and carbon as a commodity. He shares that VCMs are growing and are now a key component of many businesses’ decarbonization strategies but there are some significant challenges around credibility and quality. Alissa explains how the alliance between Microsoft and the global EY organization helps other businesses achieve their own decarbonization goals through sustainable strategies and data management solutions. With a commitment to becoming carbon negative by 2030, Microsoft is a pioneer in this space. Brian discusses the challenges Microsoft has faced and how the VCMs need to evolve to focus more on quality carbon removal products. Brian covers why Microsoft’s strategy is solely focused on investing in carbon removal programs and how they have approached the challenges of the carbon market with their four north stars on quality. Lastly, Brian shares some first-hand advice for companies exploring VCMs to achieve their net-zero goals. © 2024 Ernst & Young LLP

EY Latin America Climate Change expert and CEMEX Global VP discuss decarbonization strategies in the construction industry, touching on use of alternative fuels, waste materials, and new technologies like hydrogen. They highlight business opportunities and cost benefits in the process, emphasizing the importance of waste management for creating a circular economy.

In this episode of the EY Sustainability Matters Podcast, host Bruno Sarda discusses with Mary de Wysocki, Chief Sustainability Officer at Cisco, how companies can leverage technology for a more sustainable future. The intersection between business, technology and sustainability is accelerating, with companies increasingly digitizing their operations. This can significantly reduce waste, energy and materials required to deliver products and services. However, de Wysocki warns that if digital transformation is not done in a sustainable manner, it could have a damaging effect on our planet due to the large energy needs of cloud service providers and data farms. Companies need to integrate sustainability into their digital transformation strategies and harness the value of data to drive these initiatives. De Wysocki also emphasizes the importance of deploying emerging technologies like Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation responsibly, considering the social dimensions such as ethics, privacy information, security, digital equity and human rights. Cisco is already embedding sustainability into its operations and moving towards a regenerative, green future. They have set three priorities in its environmental strategy - accelerating the transition to clean energy, evolving the business from linear to circular, and investing in resilient ecosystems. Cisco is also working on developing a data strategy to create consistent sustainability data across the enterprise, with rigorous reviews to ensure reliability and trust. De Wysocki concludes by highlighting the importance of partnerships and collaboration for achieving sustainability goals and emphasizes the need for inclusivity and a healthy planet for future generations. Key takeaways include: Digital technologies, like AI and automation, have the potential to transform the environmental impact of companies, reducing waste and lowering energy use. There are environmental impact risks posed by intensive energy users like the Information and Communications Technology sector and cloud service providers if not powered by clean energy. Sustainability needs to be integral to business strategy, with an emphasis on a “regenerative future”. Challenges include managing greenhouse gas emissions, addressing digital equity issues and appreciating the role of nature-based solutions in mitigating climate change. Companies should increase their commitment to transparency and accountability, and look to create partnerships in their value chain. © 2024 Ernst & Young LLP

Amy Brachio, EY Global Vice Chair for Sustainability, and Matt Bell, EY Global Climate Change and Sustainability Services Leader, discuss the upcoming COP28 and the importance of the Global Stocktake. They emphasize the need for cross-sector collaboration, the representation of all stakeholders, and the urgency for climate action. The podcast also highlights the impact of climate change on people's lives, the role of businesses in driving the transition to a low-carbon economy, and the importance of regulation, transparency, and accountability. By the end, the guests express hope for positive outcomes and cross-sector collaborations at COP28.