Innovation Forum podcast

How did we get here? The no deforestation supply chain story

Scott Poynton, CEO and founder of A Different Way, and founder and former CEO of the Earthworm Foundation, talks with Ian Welsh about the past, current and future challenges in achieving robust and sustainable commodity supply chains. The discussion focuses on the evolution of corporate commitments to no deforestation, particularly in palm oil, highlighting key milestones that have shaped the conversation over the past 15 years. From Nestlé's no deforestation pledge in 2010 to Wilmar’s comprehensive policy in 2013, they explore how values-driven decisions by companies have influenced industry standard and practices.

 

This interview was originally released in two parts in Innovation Forum’s weekly podcast. 

Weekly briefing – Agriculture’s carbon challenge: scope 3 emissions and supply chain innovation

This week: a preview of upcoming interview with Marty Matlock from the University of Arkansas discussing how the US agricultural sector can be better than carbon neutral.

Plus: Hannah Oborne and Ian Welsh talk about latest exciting innovations in the food sector, such as dairy alternatives and recyclable food packaging.

And, continuing the conversation on supply chain decarbonisation, Ian is joined by Natasha Bodnar to highlight emerging themes in 2025. They discuss the importance of industry alignment and partnership for net zero success, and ongoing issues of data and reporting fatigue.

 

Host: Ian Welsh

Weekly podcast – Understanding product environmental footprinting for the apparel sector

This week: French sportswear brand Decathlon’s Quentin Badonnel talks with Ian Welsh about the intricacies of product environmental footprinting. They discuss the European Union’s Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) initiative, exploring how Decathlon has embraced standardised life cycle assessments to enhance sustainability practices.

 

Plus: the US bans some Chinese apparel imports over alleged forced labour in Xinjiang; JBS aspires, not commits, to net-zero by 2040; carbon credits initiative aims to raise $1.5bn to protect the Amazon; the US EPA warns that PFAS in biosolid fertilisers may pose health risks; US withdraw from the Paris Agreement, again, in the news digest with Ellen Atiyah.

 

Host: Ian Welsh

Recalibrating business sustainability: from ESG fatigue to meaningful action

In the second episode of the state of sustainable business series, Brendan May from Robertsbridge reflects with Ian Welsh on the polarisation within sustainability that had developed during 2024. They discuss the challenges of ESG fatigue, the shifting focus of major companies such as Unilever, and the need for a more streamlined approach to sustainability that prioritises material impacts. The conversation also highlights the importance of connecting with broader societal issues while maintaining a clear and positive vision.

 

Please note: this interview was conducted in late December.

Monday briefing – Creating sustainable apparel supply chains: collaboration, circularity, accountability

This week: Innovation Forum’s Niamh Campbell and Ian Welsh highlight the upcoming sustainable apparel and textiles conference (Amsterdam, 29th-30th April), featuring thought leaders from leading brands including ASOS, Adidas and Burberry. From actionable strategies for decarbonisation to scaling circularity initiatives, they preview some of the key conference sessions and talk about how to get involved.

 

Plus: some insights from the 2024 apparel conference from Aldi Sud’s Hasan Uz Zaman, who discusses the company's approach to addressing human rights risks within a global supply chain. He highlights Aldi Sud's commitment to consumer accountability and ethical sourcing, through social auditing and transparency.

 

Host: Ian Welsh

Weekly podcast – Enhance soil health, feed the planet and protect the environment

This week: Marina Ettl and Simon Pogson, from fertiliser business Yara International, talk with Ian Welsh about the role of the careful use of fertilisers in long-tern soil health, and the impact on international food systems.

 

Plus: alleged child labour in cotton sourced by major apparel brands, such as Adidas and H&M; Danish biologists reveal the effective use of ants in combating climate-change-induced crop diseases; nearly 90% of Norwegian new car sales now fully electric vehicles; 2024 was the hottest year ever; and, BBC investigation reveals inhumane working conditions in Shein factories in China, in the news digest, by Ellen Atiyah.

 

Host: Ian Welsh

Circular solutions: navigating legislation and innovation for sustainable packaging

Tom Szaky, CEO of TerraCycle, talks with Ian Welsh and discusses the company’s work in global waste management and the circular economy. Tom discusses TerraCycle's focus on recycling non-traditional items and advancing reusable packaging systems to scale reuse systems and the economics of compostable materials. They highlight the need for systemic change and collaboration to address sustainability in packaging at both local and global levels.

 

Join Tom Szaky and other packaging innovators at the Sustainable Packaging Innovation Forum in Amsterdam on 6th-7th May. Full details here. https://www.innovationforum.co.uk/conferences/sustainable-packaging-eu

Monday briefing – Collaboration to drive sustainable food and beverage amid climate challenges

This week: Innovation Forum’s Anamya Anurag and Ian Welsh highlight some new themes and features at this year’s future of food and beverage US forum, taking place in Minneapolis on 28th-29th May. They share latest confirmed speakers including senior representatives from General Mills, Danone, Kraft Heinz, USDA, Smithfield Foods, Kellogg Company and many more.

 

Plus: Kansas farmer Dwane Roth speaking at the 2024 future of food and beverage  forum in Minneapolis. He covers the farming challenges on-the-ground and the importance of farmer inclusion in improving agri-food systems, and highlights innovative solutions and collaborate water management efforts to sustain farming for future generations.

 

Host: Ian Welsh

Weekly podcast – How to stay ahead of the legislative curve for responsible sourcing this decade

This week: Ian Welsh talks with Scott Poynton, CEO and founder of A Different Way and founder and former CEO of the Earthworm Foundation. They discuss the current and future challenges, and some positive thoughts as we look into the second half of the decade. Scott highlights how regulation might develop and what companies should do to stay ahead of the curve (listen from 21:06)

Plus: Wayne Jordash, managing partner at Global Rights Compliance, talks about the challenges for business in changing regulatory climates. In conversation with Ian, they discuss the importance of getting risk assessments right (listen from 01:17).

And, Brazil halts Chinese vehicle manufacturer BYD’s factory construction due to labour law violations; UK Business and Trade Select Committee question big brands such as McDonald’s and Shein on their labour rights policies and sourcing practices; UK generated its cleanest electricity ever in 2024, with renewable energy supporting 45% of the country's electricity; and, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil expands its certification scope through a jurisdictional approach, in the news digest, by Ellen Atiyah (listen from 16:29).

Host: Ian Welsh

Transforming agricultural practices towards sustainable land use

Tropical Forest Alliance executive director Jack Hurd and Gustavo Idigoras, president of the Argentinian Edible Oils Association, join Innovation Forum’s Ian Welsh to discuss the critical role of land use in addressing climate change, particularly in light of recent regulations such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation. They explore how agricultural practices and corporate responsibility can align with sustainability goals, emphasising the potential for cross-sector collaboration to drive meaningful change.