EY Sustainability Matters

This episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast is a rare opportunity to hear from two global thought leaders who have shaped sustainability strategies at the highest levels of business and international development, about the need for a move toward a regenerative economy, and the challenges and opportunities that will present.  Nadia Woodhouse from the EY New Economy Unit (NEU) welcomes two distinguished thinkers: Sir Noel Quinn, former Chief Executive of HSBC, and Usha Rao-Monari, former Under-Secretary General of the United Nations Development Programme and member of the EY New Economy Unit Advisory Council. Both guests bring a wealth of experience from the worlds of global finance, development and industry, and currently serve as independent directors on the board of Fortescue, a global metal mining company at the forefront of commercial decarbonization.   The conversation dives deep into the challenges and opportunities of building a regenerative economy. Noel shares insights from his tenure at HSBC, emphasizing the importance of economic case-making, transparency in target setting and overcoming organizational fear in driving change. Usha expands the discussion to the global scale, highlighting the push for better data, risk mitigation, and collaboration between public and private sectors — especially in emerging markets.   Together, they explore the roles of policy, finance and innovation in accelerating the transition to a sustainable future, offering practical insights for leaders navigating the complexities of climate action and systemic transformation.  Read more about the EY New Economy Unit here.

Claudia Gollmeier, Managing Director at Colchester Global Investors, dives into the transformative power of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in shaping global investment strategies. She highlights how NDCs can be designed to drive economic growth while supporting climate goals. The discussion features innovative financial tools like sustainability-linked bonds, which are essential for attracting green capital. Gollmeier emphasizes the urgency for businesses and investors to collaborate in making NDCs more investable and inclusive for a sustainable future.

This special episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast is introduced by Nadia Woodhouse from the EY New Economy Unit (NEU), which focuses on the long-term, systemic shifts toward a new, regenerative economy. Nadia presents a thought-provoking dialogue with two influential leaders in sustainability: Helena Helmersson, former CEO of the fashion giant H&M Group, and Jonathon Porritt, a writer, environmentalist, advocate for sustainable development and a member of the advisory council for the NEU. The discussion centers around the pressing need for businesses to adopt regenerative practices in the face of escalating sustainability challenges and the crucial role of CEOs in driving that change. The conversation delves into critical themes, such as the tension between profitability and sustainability, the importance of structural changes within large organizations, and the importance of forming deep, cross-industry coalitions. Both guests emphasize the need for greater inclusion of sustainability professionals in decision-making roles, the need for appropriate regulation, and urge CEOs to view sustainability not just as a responsibility, but as a core business imperative that drives innovation and competitiveness. Read more about the EY New Economy Unit here. CEOs’ commitment to sustainability can drive significant organizational change and inspire collective action at all levels of the business.  Immediate and decisive actions are essential for companies to transition toward sustainable practices and mitigate the drastic impacts of climate change. Companies should align their economic objectives with sustainability commitments to foster innovation and resilience in an increasingly resource-constrained world. © 2025 Ernst & Young LLP

Despite the popular belief that slavery is a thing of the past, it is estimated that slavery affects around 50 million people globally. Human exploitation for labour and other forms of modern slavery are embedded within the supply chains of many of the products and services that we choose to consume regularly, whether we are buying clothes, electronics, or even a bar of chocolate. This is becoming an increasing concern for business as well. Mounting pressure from both legislative bodies that introduce new regulations and a new generation of consumers, who seem to be willing to pay more for sustainable products, signals a need for a change. In this episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast, host Bruno Sarda explores this topic further with Tom Veit, CEO of Asahi Global Procurement – a large Japanese consumer goods company, and Kate Skattang, Director in the Climate Change and Sustainability Services practice at EY Australia (Ernst & Young Services Pty Limited). The guests discuss the challenges posed by the issue of forced labor across global supply chains and the recent legislative changes that compel organizations to scrutinize their procurement. Tom and Kate share industry insights about how EY worked with Asahi Global to create their own human rights due diligence framework, emphasizing the importance of a top-down approach as well as putting people first across all areas of business processes. Protecting human rights is a fundamental responsibility for companies, as forced labor impacts tens of millions of people globally. Leadership commitment is essential for prioritizing human rights and implementing effective due diligence frameworks within organizations. Recent laws, such as modern slavery regulations in the UK and Australia, or Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), are driving companies to assess and proactively disclose human rights risks in their supply chains. © 2025 Ernst & Young LLP

In this episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast hosted by Bruno Sarda, the discussion centers around the vital collaboration between the public and private sectors in advancing sustainability efforts. Bruno welcomes Ruth Ahchow, EY Global Government and Public Sector Leader for Climate Change and Sustainability Services, who elaborates on the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) as key mechanisms for sustainable development, showcasing successful examples from around the world, including the Asia-Pacific region. Bruno and Ruth discuss how recent political shifts in regions, such as the US and Europe, influence sustainability initiatives. Ruth also provides actionable insights, urging governments to actively participate in sustainable procurement and create stable policies that encourage green investments, while companies are encouraged to integrate long-term sustainability into their core strategies. 01:48 - Evolution of sustainability in the public sector through Ruth’s career 05:50 - Understanding PPPs 08:06 - Examples of successful PPPs around the world and in the Asia-Pacific 16:16 - The impact of political shifts on sustainability 19:41 - Role of sustainability reporting standards 25:34 - Actionable insights for business and governments © 2025 Ernst & Young LLP

In this episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast, host Bruno Sarda and guests dive into the intersection of sustainability and the music industry. Discussing the topic with Bruno are: Joel Makower, Chairman and Cofounder of the Trellis Group (formerly GreenBiz) and the Strategy Director & Industry Council Chair of the Music Sustainability Alliance, and Olga LaBelle, Vice President and Head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) at Warner Music Group. The speakers discuss the current state of sustainability in the music industry, innovative collaborations for environmental benefit, and how artists, labels, concert venues and fans can contribute to a more sustainable industry.   © 2025 Ernst & Young LLP

Join Pia Heidenmark Cook, former Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA and sustainability advisor, along with Lisen Wiren, Programme Manager at IKEA Social Entrepreneurship. They discuss how every professional, regardless of role, can contribute to sustainable practices in their organizations. Their new book, co-authored together, emphasizes collective responsibility in business sustainability and highlights the evolution of corporate environments toward this goal. They share personal journeys, the importance of collaboration, and practical strategies for embedding sustainability at all levels.

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