Innovation Forum podcast

Switching gears to building circular economy within the apparel sector

Footprinting and circularity expert at Quantis Matthew Hawthorne, and the company's fashion and goods lead Luca Mosca, talk with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about the growing circular economy models developing in the apparel sector and what these transitions will look like in practice. They discuss sector-specific barriers to success and share step-by-step guidance on how business can lead the transition.

On the factory floor: improving women worker labour conditions in Pakistan

In the next in the factory spotlight series, Rimsha Naaem, assistant factory manager at Pakistan textiles business Crescent Bahuman, talks with Innovation Forum's Savanna Razzaque about the company's initiatives and policies to support female workers in the factory. They also discuss how to develop labour conditions to enhance the well-being of female workers.

Data-driven farming: tools and technologies for sustainable sourcing

On 8th February 2024, Innovation Forum and Agmatix hosted the webinar, Data-driven farming: tools and technologies for sustainable sourcing. Listen to the audio version of the recording here.

As challenges mount within the food and beverage sector, the need for enhanced visibility at the field level has never been more crucial. Companies are grappling with the complexities of fluctuating crop yields, diminishing soil health, and escalating threats posed by pests and diseases. Simultaneously, the increasing influence of legislation and heightened security necessitate clear reporting verification for sustainable sourcing efforts.

In this landscape, businesses urgently require innovative solutions to enhance crop yield sustainably, de-risk their supply chains, and ensure transparent reporting. This webinar spotlights the transformative potential of on-farm data technology as a key solution for businesses aiming to overcome obstacles and foster sustainable crop cultivation.

In this conversation at the intersection of technology, agriculture, and environmental stewardship, our panel discussed:

• The role of better data in mitigating risks in the supply chain, ensuring resilience and sustainability in sourcing
• How data tools provide companies with transparent reporting and verification for sustainable sourcing efforts
• Examples of case studies in which on-farm data technology has made a tangible impact in addressing agricultural challenges.
• How these technologies and approaches positively impact supply chain management and corporate sustainability goals in the food and beverage sector.

 

Click here for a full list of live questions

The panel:

• Stacy Cushenbery, food system program manager North America, Oatly
• Jonathan Sullivan, vice president sustainability & business development, Agmatix
• Maurizio Comandone, global sustainability data analyst, McCain Foods
• The webinar was moderated by Ian Welsh, publishing director, Innovation Forum.

This webinar was held in partnership with Agmatix. 

Monday briefing: Indonesian elections amid energy transition commitments

This week, Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh and Bea Stevenson talk about the upcoming Indonesian elections and potential impact on energy transition commitments,  being facilitated by a Just Energy Transition Partnership. They also discuss the impact of climate change for migratory species as the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals is due to take place in Smarkand, Uzbekistan.

 

Plus: Innovation Forum's Hanna Halmari highlights some key sessions coming up at the sustainable apparel and textiles conference in Amsterdam on 23rd-24th April, focusing on incoming legislation and developing circular business models. Join the conversation by registering here.

Weekly podcast – Breaking it down: The future of chemical recycling

This week: Geoff Brighty, head of sustainability at Mura Technology, talks with Innovation Forum's Bea Stevenson about the capabilities of advanced chemical recycling for breaking down plastics. They discuss the role of new EU legislation in shaping the technology's future.

 

Plus: Human Rights Watch calls out big carmaker brands' failure to minimise risks of forced labour in Xinjiang aluminium; the European Commission recommends a 90% cut in greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by 2040; CDP highlights this year's corporate A-listers leading on emissions reporting, in the news digest.

 

Host: Ian Welsh

Transparency and targets: net zero realities for sustainable palm oil sourcing

Sime Darby Plantation's chief financial officer, Renaka Ramachandran, speaks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about the challenges in net zero target setting and shares guidance on how to effectively develop short- and long-term targets. They discuss the importance of addressing transparency, considering environmental impact in making financial investments, and collaboration across the supply chain to meet the targets.

 

 

Case study: how apparel manufacturers can tackle worker protection

Part of the factory voices series, apparel manufacturer Maxport's deputy compliance manager, Huong Do, talks with Innovation Forum's Savanna Razzaque about the company's work improving working conditions and livelihoods of its workforce. They discuss the importance of brand-manufacturer collaboration and share how brands can provide support to make in-factory progress.

Monday briefing: collaboration on sustainable development and biodiversity, from India to the US

This week, Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh and Bea Stevenson talk about the World Sustainable Development Summit in New Delhi, which focuses on leadership for sustainable development and climate justice this year. They discuss the first Global Biodiversity Framework Fund meeting in Washington DC to develop and evaluate the operational policies and programmes of the fund.

 

Plus: Jonathan Sullivan, vice president of sustainability and business development at Agmatix talks about what to expect at the upcoming webinar on data-driven farming. The webinar will held this Thursday 8th February. You can click here to join us.

 

And, Innovation Forum's Gabriela Cuison talks about ways to partner on human rights due diligence and responsible sourcing policies at this year's responsible sourcing and ethical trade forum, taking place in London on 20th-21st March. Click here for more information.

Weekly podcast – A carbon conundrum: how business can thrive in evolving market landscapes

This week: Jonathan Schuldenfrei, managing director, risk and financial advisory practice at Deloitte, talks with Ian Welsh about regulated and voluntary carbon markets, how they are evolving and what companies can do take advantage of the opportunities presented.

 

Plus: research shows the potential yearly benefits of $10 trillion from a move to sustainable food systems; Ikea decouples emissions from growth; major apparel brands are failing to report on water-related risks, says Planet Tracker; and, the Republic of Ireland launches a deposit return recycling scheme, in the news digest with Innovation Forum's Bea Stevenson.

 

Host: Ian Welsh

One size doesn't fit all: how to develop a sustainable apparel sector

Bex Hall, head of consulting at Sedex, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about practical steps for business in developing a more sustainable apparel and fashion sector. She shares guidance on how to measure progress, legislations to look out for, and the importance of ensuring worker protection and production waste management.