Policy & Leadership Episodes

Europe has just lived through another extreme heatwave — and this one felt different. In this episode of Sustainability Forward, Wrishi and Carmine unpack “Canicule” - Europe’s Heatwave Wake-Up Call: what happened, why temperatures became so extreme, and what this tells us about the climate reality Europe is now facing. We look at the human impact of the heatwave, from health risks and school closures to pressure on hospitals, farms, rivers and infrastructure. We also explain the science behin...

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we introduce a new type of content: a story-led sustainability deep dive. Instead of our usual conversation format, we step back into one defining moment in environmental history: the Great Smog of London. For five days in December 1952, London was trapped under a thick, toxic blanket of coal smoke and fog. Streets disappeared. Transport stopped. Hospitals filled. Thousands of people died. And eventually, the disaster helped force a political and ...

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we speak with Jennifer Motles, Chief Sustainability Officer at Philip Morris International, about what sustainability leadership looks like inside a complex global business undergoing transformation. Jennifer shares her journey into sustainability leadership and explains how she sees the role of a CSO: not as a side function, but as a driver of long-term value creation, resilience, and business transformation. The conversation explores why sustainabi...

We often think individual climate action is about small, visible choices — what we eat, what we recycle, or whether we switch off the lights. But do those actions really matter most? In the first episode of the new year, Wrishi Sutradhar and Carmine Fiume take a data-driven look at where personal emissions actually come from. Using concrete examples, we walk through the biggest drivers of individual climate impact: cars and mobility, flying, home energy and heating, food choices, and consumpti...

What happens when people stop waiting for the grid — and build their own energy transition instead? In this episode of Sustainability Forward, Wrishi and Carmine travel across India and Pakistan to unpack one of the most dynamic – and least understood – clean energy stories in the world. Wrishi draws on childhood memories of Indian power cuts and today’s giant solar parks to explain how India became a renewables heavyweight: ambitious national targets, ultra-cheap solar auctions, and state-lev...

This week, we sit down with IMD Professor and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Julia Binder, to tackle the biggest misconceptions shaping corporate sustainability. From ESG confusion to climate myopia, “sustainability is expensive” narratives to the belief that sustainable products don’t sell — we break down the stories that have quietly distorted how leaders think and act. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why ESG was never meant to measure positive impact, and what companies get w...

Is ESG broken — or just leaderless? Lawyer-technologist Scott Lane, founder & CEO of Speeki, joins Sustainability Forward to argue the bottleneck is corporate courage, not cost or complexity. We cover boards’ ESG literacy, reframing the conversation around risk and resilience, compliance vs. true performance, customer-pulled sustainability, China’s scale, and how AI/agentic automation will reshape decisions. Scott’s advice to CEOs: have courage. In today’s episode, Wrishi and Carmine sit down wi...

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we dive into two crucial reports shaping Europe's clean energy future. First, we explore the Draghi Report by Mario Draghi, highlighting Europe's economic challenges and opportunities amidst its ambitious energy transition. Then, we unpack the "Cleantech Reality Check" from Cleantech for Europe and Systemiq, examining the stark gaps between policy goals and real-world implementation of essential clean technologies. Discover what Europe must urgently add...

As we wrap up the year, join hosts Wrishi and Carmine for a special episode of Sustainability Forward! This reflective journey revisits the highlights from all 16 episodes recorded this year, featuring incredible guests and inspiring discussions. From the urgency of net zero to groundbreaking insights on biodiversity, energy transitions, and climate finance, this episode ties it all together in one compelling narrative. Discover actionable takeaways, listener favorites, and exclusive insights i...

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we’re joined by Andrew Prag, Managing Director for Policy at the We Mean Business Coalition, for a deep dive into COP29 in Baku. Andrew brings 20 years of expertise across energy, environment, and climate policy, with leadership roles at the OECD, IEA, and in the private sector. Key topics include: Progress on commitments made at COP28, including renewables, energy efficiency, and fossil fuels Standout policy-level actions at COP29 The climate finance d...

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we explore the critical importance of biodiversity in addressing global challenges like climate change, food security, and resource scarcity. Joined by special guest Adrian Deckler, Senior Research Writer at IMD’s Center for Sustainable and Inclusive Business, we unpack the outcomes of COP16 in Cali, Colombia, highlighting its breakthroughs and challenges, including the creation of the innovative Cali Fund and the role of Digital Sequencing Information ...

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we tackle the pressing issue of biodiversity and its vital role in sustainability for businesses. After a refreshing summer break, we’re excited to return and discuss the definition of biodiversity, the alarming rates of decline, and the strategic importance of addressing these challenges. We also delve into the environmental footprint of the recent Olympics, highlighting the lessons learned from this major global event. Join us as we outline actionable...

In this episode of "Sustainability Forward," hosts Wrishi and Carmine sit down with Arun Cardoza, an energy professional with three decades of international experience across the energy spectrum, including upstream oil & gas, power generation, renewables, and energy transition. Arun shares his expert insights on the current state and future of the energy transition, discussing the biggest tailwinds and headwinds the industry faces. He delves into the global north vs. global south debate, the rol...

Join hosts Wrishi Sutradhar and Carmine Fiume on this episode of Sustainability Forward as they engage in a captivating conversation with Cecile Pompei, a seasoned Chief People Officer in climate change domain. Cecile brings a wealth of experience from living and working in nine countries across four continents, focusing on environmental impact, social entrepreneurship, and the nuances of recruiting and building careers in the climate change industry. In this episode, Cecile shares her insights ...

In a world grappling with the urgent need for a sustainable energy transition, "Sustainability Forward" brings you a groundbreaking conversation with Roberto Bocca, Head of the Centre for Energy and Materials and Member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum. This episode takes you inside the discussions from Davos 2024, shedding light on the collaborative efforts required to achieve an inclusive energy transition that supports economic growth. From the critical role of energy ef...

In this enlightening episode of "Sustainability Forward," hosts Wrishi and Carmine dive deep into the complexities of climate change with the esteemed Professor Karl Schmedders from IMD. As the world faces an unprecedented environmental challenge, understanding the economic underpinnings and potential solutions becomes crucial. From the latest alarming findings by the World Meteorological Organization to exploring the "tragedy of the commons," this episode unravels why climate change represents ...

Welcome to a groundbreaking episode of Sustainability Forward, where we're joined by Preeti Pincha, Director of Sustainable Systems Initiative at Deloitte. This episode takes a deep dive into the world of systems transformation, a crucial lever for addressing climate change and promoting sustainability. Hear Preeti's expert perspective on the latest trends in systems-led approaches and understand why these transformations are integral to our environmental future. We discuss the significant role ...

As 2023 gracefully exits stage left, Sustainability Forward reflects on a year of remarkable achievements and looks ahead with optimism to 2024. Join hosts Wrishi and Carmine as they revisit the sustainability milestones of the past year, from record-breaking renewable energy investments to the electric vehicle revolution. But the journey doesn't end there! Dive into the exciting prospects of 2024, where COP29 promises strengthened climate action, businesses get even greener, and technological ...

Join us in our latest episode of "Sustainability Forward," where we delve into the recent COP28 in Dubai with our special guest, Andrew Prag of the We Mean Business Coalition. This episode, titled "Straight from COP," provides a unique perspective on the conference's outcomes and implications for global sustainability efforts. Andrew shares his first-hand experiences, discussing the achievements and challenges faced during COP28, and offers his personal reflections on the event's highlights and ...

Carmine and Wrishi discuss a busy couple of weeks of climate policy changes in Europe.

Carmine and Wrishi discuss the biggest challenges in sustainability to develop an understanding of what lies ahead of us

Carmine and Wrishi discuss thr motivation for this podcast and why sustainability is such an important topic today.