Shaken Not Burned

In order to transition the global economy to a more sustainable basis, we have to reshape economic systems to balance growth with environmental protection and social equity – and that means putting people at the heart of that transformation.The just transition is about ensuring that nobody is left behind; it's about upholding human rights, minimising negative impacts on workers, and boosting equality and opportunity. In this week’s episode, Giulia interviews Gosbert Chagula MBE, co-founder and head of programmes at the Startup Discovery School. He also sits on the UK Department of Business and Industrial Strategy’s SME Engagement Group, which advises the government on issues and opportunities relating to entrepreneurship and small business.Giulia and Gosbert discuss the role of entrepreneurship in driving the transition, the implications of climate justice, and the effectiveness of global events, such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, in fostering action and championing diversity. Financial inclusion is going to be crucial if we’re going to successfully address global challenges, because it ensures that everyone – especially marginalised communities, small businesses, and workers in high-risk industries – has the financial resources and opportunities to adapt, innovate, and thrive in a more sustainable economy. Gosbert provides examples of good practices in the private and public sector, concluding with his recommendations for governments looking to implement the just transition. Because not everyone holds the same power: those who do will need to lift the others up.Reading materials:Definition, history, and principles of the just transition Gosbert’s opinion piece on the World Economic Forum’s diversity problemStartup Discovery School’s impact reportUK climate tech investment surges almost 25%: PwCIf you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram – and why not spread the word with your friends and colleagues?

Multilateral treaties underpin so much of what's needed to achieve climate and sustainability goals, but few understand the complexities of international treaties or the real challenges of global cooperation.Nearly 200 nations with different economic and geopolitical interests have to negotiate emissions cuts, financial responsibilities, commitments and strategies for how to achieve their goals. Is it any wonder that most of us look at the annual climate meetings and wonder why progress is so slow?This week Felicia talks to Dr. Harald Heubaum, chair of the Centre for Energy and Climate Policy at SOAS, University of London about the Paris Agreement, the challenges it faces and the potential for change.  Corporate and local action has a critical role to play, as these international treaties change the norms underpinning how we are expected to behave. We unpack the obstacles businesses face in meeting climate goals and the solutions that can drive meaningful change. With the US pulling out of the Paris Agreement for the second time, we explore the role of local action, from states and cities, to corporations and citizens.Reading materials:Breaking Barriers Toward a Net-Zero Economy5 Challenges the UNFCCC Must Overcome To Spur Climate ActionHow Businesses Can Achieve Net-Zero GoalsGlobal Climate Agreements: Successes and Failures30 Years of International Climate Negotiations: Are They Still Our Best Hope?Corporations and Climate Change: An OverviewIf you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram – and why not spread the word with your friends and colleagues?

Biodiversity is the foundation of nature’s ability to function, yet it’s vanishing at an alarming rate; so much so that experts call it the sixth mass extinction. With over half of the world’s GDP relying on nature, businesses ignoring this crisis risk major disruptions: biodiversity loss, largely driven by resource extraction and industrial activity, already has major effects on global supply chains and the economy. This week, Felicia chats with Nicole Sherwin, chief impact officer at sustainability intelligence company EcoVadis, about why biodiversity matters for businesses and how a rising tide raises all boats. There is extraordinary potential within nature to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss - and one thing that we can all do is start the conversation.She highlights how biodiversity loss is deeply connected to climate change, supply chain resilience, and social issues such as fair wages. Addressing it requires a holistic approach that integrates environmental, social, and economic factors. Nicole encourages businesses and individuals alike to take action, whether by setting biodiversity policies, embracing sustainable practices, or investing in nature-based solutions.The takeaway? Biodiversity isn’t just about compliance: it’s an opportunity. Companies that lead in conservation will be more resilient, earn consumer trust, and stay ahead of evolving regulations. While the challenge is huge, every effort, big or small, helps reverse biodiversity loss and build a more sustainable future.If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram – and why not spread the word with your friends and colleagues?

An effective sustainability strategy is now a necessity, but sometimes it can feel like yet another task to add to the pile. In times of uncertainty, however, sustainability isn’t just another chore – it’s the foundation for resilience, competitive advantage, and long-term survival. In this episode, Giulia interviews Mike Penrose, co-founder of sustainability management and reporting ecosystem Sustainability Group and FuturePlus, who argues that sustainability needs to be integrated into core business, rather than being addressed as a standalone endeavour.The conversation covers the role of chief sustainability officers, the impact of regulations, and why businesses should adopt proactive sustainability strategies.Measuring data such as carbon emissions, natural resource consumption, and social impact can provide insights that can help plan for more efficient, future-proof and, ultimately, profitable, operations. This data can prove pivotal in raising funding and complying with legislation, which is getting tighter in many jurisdictions. As Mike says, sustainability comes with upfront costs, but retrofitting the business later down the line may prove significantly more expensive.Reading materials:ESG performance has positive impacts on its resilience in the form of stability and flexibility: studyGuide on global sustainability reporting frameworks, standards, and protocolsOECD’s Global Corporate Sustainability Report 2024, which analyses the evolving landscape of corporate sustainability practices worldwideSustainability or profitability? Increasingly, you can have both: Boston Consulting GroupIf you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram – and why not spread the word with your friends and colleagues?

Climate change is a super wicked problem: time is running out to address it; the same people who caused the problem are also the ones responsible for fixing it, from governments to the fossil fuel industry; and there's no central body or authority to turn to. On top of this, policymakers are in the habit of discounting the future, meaning they look at short-term wins rather than long-term solutions for which they may not be rewarded. For example, if the UK had pushed heavily into renewables early enough, the current cost of living crisis, largely driven by expensive natural gas, would never have happened. We've got to broaden the conversation, ensuring that people understand what's at stake and what it's going to mean to them in the medium and long term.In this week's episode of Shaken Not Burned, Felicia talks to one of the world’s leading climate scientists: Professor Mark Maslin, a professor in Earth System Science at University College London.We explore why climate science is so critical to tackling the climate crisis and, perhaps more importantly, discuss what 1.6°C rise in global temperature really means for our future. And, as ever, we look at how we can accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable world. Professor Maslin breaks down the science behind our changing planet, the urgent need for policy reform, and the role that businesses, governments, and individuals must play in addressing climate change. From the power of renewable energy to the influence of climate misinformation, this conversation highlights the barriers to action—and the solutions we already have at our fingertips.If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram – and why not spread the word with your friends and colleagues?

Sustainability has become a business imperative. What years ago may have been dismissed as “hippie, tree-hugging” talk in the boardroom is now being seriously demanded by investors, customers, and consumers.But how did we get here?In the first episode of the fourth season, Shaken Not Burned co-host and co-founder Felicia Jackson takes the guest seat, interviewed by fellow co-host and co-founder Giulia Bottaro. Felicia has over two decades of experience in the sustainability world as a lecturer, consultant, researcher, and journalist.We cover the history of business sustainability, touching on the 1987 Brundtland Report, the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, and of course the 2015 Paris Agreement.We explore what’s driving new business strategies and how our collective mentality has changed over the years, painting the picture of an ideal world economy that is rooted in nature. Everything is interconnected – companies, nature, individuals – and it’s crucial to understand the foundation of our systems to enact effective change.Reading materials:Brundtland ReportRio Earth SummitParis AgreementShareholder vs stakeholder capitalismSystems change If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram – and why not spread the word with your friends and colleagues?

Season 4 of Shaken Not Burned is about to start!Our new iteration is all about providing the tools to build sustainability literacy. Many professionals are being thrust into a world they are not familiar with, having to learn new jargon or come up with strategies to keep up with what's going on in their industry and beyond.We have compiled a list of topics that are ever-present and ever-changing in sustainability debates, such as the history and outcomes of the Paris Agreement, the concept of degrowth, the practicalities of the G of ESG, what climate risk means in investment and insurance, and many more.Co-hosts Felicia Jackson and Giulia Bottaro will be interviewing expert guests to cover all the bases of each topic. The episodes will be divided into clusters of big-picture topics and the specifics of how it might affect various industries, in a coherent approach that allows you to interact at your own level of interest.If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram – and why not spread the word with your friends and colleagues?

Eight million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean annually, averaging to about 22,000 metric tons per day – roughly equivalent to dumping one garbage truck of plastic into the ocean every minute. That plastic ruins rivers and shorelines, affects fish, birds and corals, and harms ecosystems and communities. We need both upstream (design, reduction) and downstream (collection, recycling) solutions. Felicia talks to Tom Peacock-Nazil, founder of Seven Clean Seas, an organisation with a dual approach: cleaning up plastic waste from the ocean while helping companies measure and reduce their plastic impact. They discuss the importance of ocean conservation, the trouble with plastic and what we can do, as individuals and as companies, to address the challenge that it creates. You can learn more about Seven Clean Seas and their work via Instagram or X; details of the HIPPO project and you can donate as well. If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram – and why not spread the word with your friends and colleagues?

Did you know that the Internet and communication technology (ICT) sector is estimated to account for 1.5% and 4% of the world’s carbon emissions? In comparison, aviation represented 2% of the global carbon footprint in 2022.This figure doesn’t even take into account the use of water to cool down data centres, or the extraction and processing of materials to produce our devices, which have considerable impacts on climate and nature.All data generated online (including this podcast) has its footprint, even if we can’t see it. The Internet’s emissions will continue to rise, especially as the use of artificial intelligence – which is extremely energy intensive – keeps skyrocketing. Considering that 90% of the world's data was generated in the last two years alone according to some estimates, it is not difficult to imagine that the Internet will soon become the largest-emitting sector of our economy.But we all can take action, in some way. If you, or your company, have a website, you can design it to be as sustainable and accessible as possible.In this week’s episode, Giulia talks to Sepas Seraj, founder of digital agency Pixeled Eggs, about sustainable web design and how the conversation has shifted in his industry. The attention is turning to lighter-weight websites, as they are increasingly being prioritised by SEO. Coincidentally, leaner websites also have a smaller footprint, proving that there are benefits in sustainability that go beyond doing the right thing.Sepas shares tips on how to lower the impact of your website, make it more accessible and user-friendly without sacrificing aesthetics (sustainable design can be beautiful and impactful at the same time!), how to use AI mindfully, and how design trends have changed over the years.If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram – and why not spread the word with your friends and colleagues?

Businesses face challenges and opportunities in adapting to climate change regulations and sustainability reporting. Linking sustainability strategies to performance and progress is a crucial aspect of this journey.In this episode, Felicia talks to Stuart McLachlan, chief executive of sustainability firm Anthesis, about the shift from traditional business models to sustainable practices, emphasising the need for organisations to take responsibility for their externalities and adopt circular economy principles. Adaptability and collaboration are fundamental, as seen in sustainable agriculture and pre-competitive collaboration during the pandemic - in the end, so much of what we need to address comes down to the health of the soil. The conversation touches on the role of investors and regulators in driving sustainability, the urgency of transformation, and how we can shift to a low-carbon, nature-positive world through collective action.Stuart's book, The Adventure of Sustainable Performance, is available on all major platforms.If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn, TikTok and Instagram – and why not spread the word with your friends and colleagues?