Innovation Forum podcast

Weekly podcast – Recyclable, but not recycled: why labels don't equal action

This week: Julien Tremblin, European general manager at TerraCycle, talks with Ian Welsh about the hidden economic challenges behind sustainable packaging and why many "recyclable" items never get recycled. They discuss why lightweight designs and contamination render many materials worthless to recyclers, and how policy gaps perpetuate the cycle.

Plus: younger shoppers push for greener packaging; Mondelēz International urges EUDR delay as rivals push back; China powers ahead on renewables as Europe hits key coal tipping point; and, dairy milk sees a revival as plant-based market cools, in the news digest by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Diana Kim

The real ROI of sustainability, and the blind spots holding you back

Charlotte de Degot, CEO of CO2 AI talks with Ian Welsh about how leading companies are generating real ROI from sustainability – up to 7% of sales or $200M in net benefits annually. 

• See how companies like Reckitt are unlocking financial gains through decarbonisation 
• Learn more about the launch of CO2 AI Agents and what it means for Scope 3 emissions 
  
  

Charlotte shares results from a CO2 AI and BCG global survey, and addresses why most companies still treat sustainability as a cost centre. 

Monday briefing – Why circular packaging still struggles to compete

This week: Innovation Forum’s Lia Da Giau and Ian Welsh talk about where packaging innovation is heading, from concentrated refill formats to algae-based inks. They highlight how regulation and cross-sector collaboration are shaping the future of sustainable packaging.

 

Plus: Amcor’s Jeremy Blake share reflections from the recent sustainable packaging innovation forum in Amsterdam about why the economics of packaging still favour the linear model. In conversation with Ian, they discuss what it will take to make circular packaging viable at scale

 

Host: Ian Welsh

 

Join the conversation at the sustainable packaging innovation forum USA in Chicago on 28-29 October. Click here for information on how to get involved.

Fashion’s future: How collaboration is shaping a circular economy

This week, Innovation Forum’s Tanya Richard talks with Danielle Holly, executive lead for North America at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, about the vital role of circularity in transforming the fashion industry. Recorded live at the Sustainable Apparel and Textiles Conference in New York, they explore how brands can collaborate to shift mindsets and drive systemic change toward a circular economy. 
 
Also: Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh and Tim van Pelt from ING talk about financing critical mineral supply chains.

Plus: Nearly 200 organisations urge EU policymakers not to weaken sustainability rules; why rising temperatures could sharply reduce global crop yields; and the dismantling of the US Inflation Reduction Act, in the news digest.

Host: Ian Welsh 

Scaling circular packaging beyond the buzz

Diageo's global sustainability and innovation director Dave Lütkenhaus, talks with Ian Welsh about moving sustainable packaging from pilots to practical, scalable solutions. From refill trials to aluminium and fibre formats, they discuss circularity being redefined by real-world constraints and opportunities.

Weekly podcast – A reality check on AI: how to get it right for your business

This week: Ian Welsh speaks with Charlotte Degot, CEO of CO2 AI, about how companies can unlock the business value hidden in their sustainability strategies. Drawing on global research and client case studies, they share insights on why many businesses still view sustainability as a cost burden, and how that mindset is shifting. The conversation explores how leading companies can use AI in overcoming data blind spots, streamlining carbon accounting and accelerating Scope 3 emissions reductions.

Plus: EU scraps greenwashing crackdown plans; H&M leads fossil-free fashion rankings again; CGF unveils common data framework for supply chains; and, climate change threatens gin’s signature flavour, in the news digest.

Host: Ian Welsh

• Click here to read how companies such as Reckitt are achieving measurable financial benefits from decarbonisation
• Click here to learn more about the launch of CO2 AI Agents

EUDR state of play: are companies ready?

Evan Harvey is a leader in sustainability (and an audit and assurance managing director at Deloitte & Touche LLP), focusing on services related to sustainability, materiality and nature. He joins Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh to unpack EUDR readiness for companies across sectors. As the 2025 fully operational date for large companies approaches, they explore which industries are leading the charge, the operational and technological challenges many businesses face, and why early action can offer a competitive edge.

Monday briefing – What will it take to scale circular fashion?

This week: Innovation Forum’s Niamh Campbell and Ian Welsh talk about some of themes that may emerge at the sustainable apparel and textiles conference in New York City this week. From Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s new fashion circularity guidance to disaster textile waste relief partnerships, Niamh highlights sessions to look out for.

Plus: at the recent food conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota state director for the US Department of Agriculture Troy Daniel talks with Ian Welsh about the government's facilitative – not directive – role in supporting farmers and how partnerships can reconnect consumers with agriculture.

Host: Ian Welsh

Deforestation-free supply chains: Addressing 2025 target dates and future trajectories (webinar recording)

With 2025 deforestation targets looming, this webinar — now available to watch on demand — explores how companies can close gaps, show progress, and scale action on nature.

2025 is a milestone year for corporate action on deforestation and ecosystem conversion. As companies with agricultural and forestry supply chains approach 2025 target dates, there is growing urgency to deliver on commitments and demonstrate progress. In this webinar, the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) and Innovation Forum explored what meaningful action looks like in the months ahead, and beyond.

The panellists discussed: 

• How to manage 2025 target dates and any remaining gaps towards meeting commitments
• How to convey clear and credible ambitions, milestones, and plans post-2025
• How to communicate performance and progress

We heard from leading companies on how they are adapting strategies to drive real transformation across agricultural and forestry commodity supply chains, and what actions are needed to scale impact further.

Our panel of experts:

• Hillary Fenrich, global manager: nature and water strategy, McDonald’s
• Jeff Milder, director, the AFi
• Róisín Mortimer, global sustainability and stakeholder engagement manager, COFCO International
  
  

The session was moderated by Ian Welsh, publishing director, Innovation Forum.

This session is essential for sustainability leads, procurement professionals, legal and compliance teams, and corporate strategists working to address deforestation, nature loss, and associated business risks.

Weekly podcast – Rethinking organic cotton: engaging consumers with transparency

This week: Sarah Rosenkranz and Bettina Fafengut, from the product specialist team at testing and certifiers the Hohenstein Group, talk with Ian Welsh and unpack the OEKO-TEX organic cotton certification. As consumer demand for transparency grows, they highlight how empowering buyers with product certainty can raise the bar on both organic integrity and chemical safety.

Plus: some quick fire insights from the recent packaging innovation forum  in Amsterdam with Bayer’s head of packaging sustainability, Keiko Tago, talking with Ian about the complex realities of flexible packaging.

And, Nescafé achieves regen ag target; World Refill Day spotlights reuse gaps; and, France targets fast fashion with new law, in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Join the conversation at the sustainable packaging innovation forum, taking place in Chicago on 28-29 October. Click here for information on how to get involved.