Innovation Forum podcast

Weekly podcast – Complexity to clarity: how the AFi guides ethical supply chain practices

This week: Jeff Milder from the Accountability Framework initiative and Louise Nakagawa from Brazilian NGO Imaflora talk with Ian Welsh about the AFi’s public consultation to refine guidance for responsible supply chains. They discuss the challenges of aligning sustainability standards, improving traceability, and supporting smallholder inclusion in ethical commodity production.

Plus: Kresse Wesling from Elvis and Kresse speaking at the 2024 sustainable apparel and textiles conference in Amsterdam about upcycling and driving sustainability in fashion, and the urgent need for better industry practices and regulation.

And, the EU sets new food and textile waste targets; the US nears mineral deal with Ukraine; the European Commission shifts agri-food policy away from strict environmental goals; UN biodiversity talks kick off in Rome; and climate change worsens bird flu outbreaks, in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

From data to impact: the potential of product environmental footprints

French sporting goods brand Decathlon’s head of environmental evaluation, Quentin Badenelle, shares his experiences implementing the requirements of the EU’s product environmental footprint. In conversation with Ian Welsh, he explores how PEF metrics can transform product design, supply chain transparency and consumer trust in sustainability claims.

The social impact of circularity: How circular fashion can deliver for people, planet, and profit (webinar recording)

Circularity has the potential to reshape industries, reduce waste, and regenerate nature. But when it comes to the social side, is it advancing a just transition, or does it risk deepening global inequalities? This webinar discussion took a holistic approach to circularity to explore how circular systems can empower workers, foster economic resilience, and drive sustainable growth for the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit.

Hear insights from:

• Carmen Gama, director of circularity, Eileen Fisher
• Dr Hakan Karaosman, associate professor at Cardiff University and co-founder of FReSCH
• Paul Kerssens, COO and co-founder, United Repair Centre

Monday briefing – Making fashion fair: tackling uncertainties with innovation

This week: Ian Welsh and Innovation Forum’s Niamh Campbell talk about the tension between regulatory uncertainty and the need for innovation within the fashion industry. Despite these hurdles, new partnerships are driving progress in, for example, ethical sourcing, recycled materials and regenerative cotton initiatives.

 

Plus: a preview of the recording of Innovation Forum’s recent apparel sector circularity webinar. Hear from Carmen Gama at Eileen Fisher, talking about the brand’s take back programme. 

 

Host: Ian Welsh

 

To join the conversation on the latest textile innovations and partnership, secure your place at thesustainable apparel and textiles conference in Amsterdam on 29-30 April. Click here for full registration details.

 

Click here to join a complimentary webinar tomorrow, discussing the future of alternative packaging materials in driving circularity. Hear from Notpla, Mondi Group, traceless and ex-Just Eat Takeaway.com. Register here.

What are the human rights risks in critical mineral supply chains in 2025? (webinar audio recording)

A wide variety of companies face significant risks related to human rights in sourcing minerals critical to the energy transition. Join us to explore how businesses can minimise sourcing risks across mining, electronics, EVs, and renewable energy. The panellists discussed practical steps for monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

Speakers included:

• Angela Jorns, head of impact innovation, Fairphone
• Shahila Perumalpillai, human rights principal, Anglo American
• James Nicholson, head of corporate responsibility, Trafigura
• Haajarah Ahmed, manager, International Council Mining and Metal

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

This webinar is part of 'The reality of critical minerals' series. Click here to view the upcoming events in the series.

Weekly podcast – Regen agri partnerships: putting palm oil famers first

This week: Rob Nicholls from Musim Mas, Livelihoods Venture’s Sébastien de Royer and Rizki Pandu Parma at NGO SNV talk with Ian Welsh about a regenerative agriculture programme in Sumatra, Indonesia – Livelihoods Project. They explore the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in enhancing smallholder livelihoods and regenerative agriculture in sustainable palm oil production.

 

Plus: more food price volatility in 2025; Brazil opposes UN shipping levy on cost; global south urges EU to uphold corporate due diligence law while France considers rollback; Indonesia rethinks Paris Agreement commitment, in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

 

Host: Ian Welsh

Can US agriculture be carbon negative?

Marty Matlock from the University of Arkansas talks with Ian Welsh about how US agriculture can become a climate solution, transitioning to be a net-negative in terms of greenhouse gas. They discuss the innovation in existing farming practices necessary and how farmers can be at the forefront of the transition.

Monday briefing – Latest food trends and how to empower farmers

This week: Ian Welsh and Anamya Anurag explores emerging food trends in North America, including farmer inclusion specifically for underrepresented farmers and continued uncertainty around input costs, labour availability and policies. 

 

Plus: a short preview of a interview coming up in the Innovation Forum podcast with palm oil company Musim Mas, social business Livelihood Ventures and impact NGO SNV, discussing regenerative agriculture in Indonesia. Hear from SNV’s Rizki Pandu Parma talk about how farmers are being empowered by region ag projects.

 

Host: Ian Welsh

 

Click here for more information on upcoming complimentary webinars.

 

To learn more about food innovations, join us at the future of food and beverage forum USA (Minneapolis, 28-29 May) . Click here.

Weekly podcast – What ethical sourcing means for businesses today

This week: Andrew Wallis, CEO of business and human rights NGO Unseen, talks with Ian Welsh about what good practice looks like when companies are engaging on responsible sourcing and ethical trade issues. They discuss the opportunities business can take advantage of and what incoming legislation means for them.

 

Plus: more calls for delay in EU sustainability regulations; soy sector companies back threatened soy moratorium; why renewable energy's rise is unstoppable; and, EUDR  may threaten Scandinavian forestry, in the news digest.

 

Host: Ian Welsh

Best practice: How to find the opportunity from regulation

Wayne Jordash, managing partner at Beyond Human Rights Compliance, talks with Ian Welsh about how companies are engaging with evolving business and human rights regulation, particularly from the European Union. Wayne shares advice on how companies can approach risk assessments,  what to look out for and the opportunities from this approach.