Innovation Forum podcast

EUDR unpacked #3: palm and soy plantations under the lens (webinar audio recording)

In the third webinar in the 'EUDR unpacked' series, we addressed critical questions surrounding the regulation. This session focused specifically on the impact of EUDR on palm oil and soy plantations, putting these sectors under the spotlight.

Panel:

• Heleen Van Den Hombergh, senior policy advisor at IUCN NL, coordinator at Collaborative Soy Initiative 
• Michelle Desilets, executive director, Orangutan Land Trust
• Mansuetus Darto, founder and national board, Indonesia's Palm Oil Smallholder Union (SPKS)
• Ruben Brunsveld, deputy director EMEA, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil
• Susanne Fromwald, board member of The Collaborative Soy Initiative, general secretary of Donau Soja  
• Wei Peng, global head of sustainability - grains & oilseeds, Louis Dreyfus Company
• Will Schreiber, representative of the Retail Soy Group, director of 3Keel

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

Weekly podcast – What to expect in 2025 for sustainable business

This week: In the latest state-of-sustainable-business series conversation, Brendan May, business expert and founder of Robertsbridge, talks with Ian Welsh about emerging trends for 2025. They highlight disclosure fatigue, and the importance of streamlining business efforts and focus on impactful environmental actions.

Plus: quick-fire insights from palm oil business Golden Agri-Resources chief operating officer Tony Kettinger at the scope 3 innovation forum in Washington DC. In conversation with Ian Welsh, he discusses how value chain actors can collaborate and engagement on decarbonisation.

And, Coca-Cola is retreating on plastic sustainability goals, focusing instead on weaker recycling efforts; theEuropean Union approves the new packaging and packaging waste directive; according to the World Economic Forum, climate change can threaten business on economic loss; the Democratic Republic of Congo has filed criminal complaints against Apple for allegedly using conflict minerals in its supply chain; and, the European parliament signs off the year delay for EU’s Deforestation Regulation, in the news digest, by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Monday briefing: What does best-in-class procurement strategy look like?

Monday briefing: What does best-in-class procurement strategy look like?

This week, Innovation Forum’s Hannah Oborne and Ian Welsh reflect on some of the conversation in Washington DC a at the recent Scope 3 Innovation Forum. And, speaking at the conference, Altruistiq CEO Saif Hameed shares some thoughts on what makes for good supply chain engagement and procurement practices.

Plus: details about the next in the Scope 3 Innovation Forum series, coming up in Amsterdam on 3^rd and 4^th May 2025.

EUDR unpacked #2: coffee and cocoa supply chains under the lens (webinar recording)

The postponement of the EUDR deadline offers coffee and cocoa supply chains more time to comply, but what do smallholder farmers think of this delay?

This webinar examined the effects of the newly-proposed December 2025 and June 2026 deadlines, how the delay will affect cocoa and coffee supply chains and the potential win-win outcomes for people, profit and planet. This session focused specifically on the impact of EUDR on coffee and cocoa supply chains, putting these sectors under the spotlight.

Panellists included: 

• Antonie Fountain, managing Director and co-founder VOICE Network
• Josephine Ndikwe, founding chairperson, Association of Women in Coffee
• Julia Christian, forests and agriculture campaigner, Fern
• Miguel Gamboa, coffee sector lead, Rainforest Alliance
• Olivier Laboulle, global head of sustainability for coffee, Louis Dreyfus Co
• Pomasi Ismail, council chairman, Cocoa Abrabopa Association (farmer representative)
• Raina Lang, senior director sustainable coffee, Conservation International

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

INC-5: what's next for the plastic treaty? (webinar audio recording)

The rapidly escalating problem of plastic pollution poses a significant global challenge, adversely affecting environmental, social economic and health aspects of sustainable development. According to WWF, if current trends continue unchecked and no immediate measures are taken, global plastic waste could almost triple, reaching approximately 1.2 billion tonnes by 2060.

After intense negotiations at INC-5 in Busan, a plastics treaty remains elusive, leaving many feeling disappointed and disheartened. Countries have been unable to finalise a crucial agreement on addressing plastic pollution, after over two years of discussions. As we look ahead to INC5.2, what’s the solution to reaching an agreement? What can the industry do in the meantime to ensure progress on these important matters?

Our expert speakers discussed these questions, the outcome of INC-5 and more. The panel included:

• Jodie Roussell, global public affairs lead – packaging & sustainability, Nestlé
• Richard Wielechowski, lead analyst on petrochemicals and plastics, Planet Tracker

This webinar was moderated by Ian Welsh, publishing director at Innovation Forum.

Weekly podcast – The role of reuse and recycling in packaging strategy

This week: Tom Szaky, CEO of recycling innovators Terracycle, talks with Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh about the current trend towards use of fibre-based packaging, and discusses how reuse and compostable solutions face challenges in scalability, economics and corporate adoption.

 

Plus: Ian talks with Imogen Fanning from the Zoological Society of London about the latest SPOTT research into the palm oil sector, and in particular the challenges in supporting smallholders and addressing deforestation and biodiversity loss. 

 

And, Mars promotes regenerative agriculture to meet sustainability goals with global partnerships; the European Union proposes reforms to strengthen farmers' rights, fairness and sustainability in agriculture; Microsoft introduces waterless cooling system, aiming for water-positive operations by 2030; and, the Philippines and Bangladesh urge court to declare climate harm a violation of international law, in the news digest, by Ellen Atiyah.

 

Host: Ian Welsh

How legislation is shaping the future of human rights in business

Giles Bolton, executive director of the Ethical Trading Initiative, talks with Ian Welsh about the importance of addressing human rights challenges within supply chains, particularly for vulnerable workers such as illegal migrants. They highlight the need for comprehensive human rights due diligence, collaboration among unions, NGOs, and businesses and the impact of recent legislation on corporate accountability.

Monday briefing – How to balance packaging innovation, regulation and commercial goals

This week: Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh and Hanna Halmari introduce the upcoming sustainable packaging innovation forum, taking place in Amsterdam on 6th-7th May 2025. They discuss the key conference themes and highlight recently confirmed participants from Nestlé, Berry Global, Heineken, Diageo, TerraCycle and many more.

 

Plus: reflections from the recent US packaging forum with Cheryl Baldwin from Pure Strategies. In conversation with Ian Welsh, she talks about the role of R&D in sustainable packaging development.

Weekly podcast – Rethinking land use: collaboration to drive progress on climate resilience

This week: Tropical Forest Alliance's executive director Jack Hurd and Gustavo Idigoras, president of the Argentinian Edible Oils Association, talk with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about the importance of measuring land-use footprints. They explore best practices for setting realistic corporate climate targets that drive tangible emission reductions and promote collaboration toward sustainable supply chains. With a focus on the soy sector in Argentina, they explore how industries are adapting to regulatory requirements and address deforestation risks.

Plus: quick fire insights from Kevin Rabinovitch at Mars recorded at the scope 3 innovation forum in Washington DC. In conversation with Ian Welsh, he discusses embedding climate goals into strategies and how to balance ambitious climate targets with actionable strategies.

And, the European Union Deforestation Regulation delay continues to spark mixed reactions; Christmas shopping consumption habits shift towards pre-loved items in the UK; the fifth round of negotiations for the global plastics treaty ends without agreement; and, Italy mandates climate risk insurance for companies starting 2025, in the news digest.

Host: Ellen Atiyah

Deforestation regulation decoded: how to stay ahead of the curve

Alison Kopf, CEO of TRACT, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh at the recent sustainable commodities and land use event, sharing some reflections on the discussions. They discuss the challenges companies face in meeting due diligence requirements amidst (potential) regulatory delays, emphasising the need for proactive investment in risk assessment, technology testing, and collaboration. They also delve into the opportunities of the delay in being able to refine processes, foster inclusivity among smaller producers, and aligning broader sustainability goals.

Please note: this interview was recorded before the European Union Deforestation Regulation was officially postponed.