Innovation Forum podcast

Monday briefing: UN SDG stakeholders convene in New York, and celebrating World Wetlands Day

This week, Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh and Bea Stevenson talk about what to expect at the UN Economic and Social Council Partnership Forum held in New York City, to discuss building effective partnerships to advance the sustainability development agenda and the 17 sustainable development goals. They also discuss World Wetlands Day,  and the importance of wetlands to help combat the climate crisis.

 

Plus, Innovation Forum's Emily Heslop shares updates on the upcoming future of food and beverage USA conference, taking place in Minneapolis on 29th-30th May. Click here for full registration details – $400 early-bird discount expires this week.

Weekly podcast – From linear limitations to circular progress: emerging trends in the apparel sector

This week: Matthew Hawthorne, a footprinting and circularity expert, and Luca Mosca, fashion and goods lead for Italy, both at Quantis, talk with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about emerging circular economy models in the apparel sector. They discuss the sector-specific challenges and advice on the viable next steps to improve for businesses.

 

Plus: the next in our factory spotlight series, Innovation Forum's Savanna Razzaque talks with Ateeq Ur Rehman, senior manager, support services at manufacturer Interloop in Pakistan about the measures the company has taken to support the well-being and livelihood of the workforce.

 

Host: Ian Welsh

Reality check: impact measurement and carbon accounting

Marco Albani, co-founder and CEO of Chloris Geospatial talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about the shifting trends in impact measurement and carbon accounting. They discuss the unexpected impacts of being carbon-positive and why we need to get beyond thinking only in terms of zero deforestation.

Webinar audio: The EUDR Debate: what’s necessary to make it work effectively?

On 18th January 2024, Innovation Forum hosted the webinar, 'The EUDR Debate: what's necessary to make it work effectively?' Listen to this podcast episode for the audio recording of the event. 

 

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) has been designed to prevent deforestation-linked commodities and products from entering the EU market, and in doing so catalyse a much needed reduction in deforestation on a global scale.

With the regulation coming into effect in December 2024, some have raised concerns that the smallholder farmers who supply a significant share of targeted commodities lack both the technical and financial means to comply. With fears that businesses may choose to remove smallholders from EU supply chains under current rules, millions of farmer livelihoods could be left extremely vulnerable.

In this installment of Innovation Forum's big debate series, we addressed pressing concerns and explored potential solutions for protecting smallholders and ensuring their continued access to the EU market.

Hear from our distinguished panel:

• Emanuele Pitto, International Relations Officer, DG Environment, European Commission
• Olivier Tichit, director, sustainability, Musim Mas
• Tessa Meulensteen, senior program manager coffee, IDH

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

Monday briefing: Global biodiversity framework progress and the EU’s green transition

This week, Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh and Bea Stevenson talk about the Bern III conference, which continues discussions from 2019 and 2021 to contribute to the effective implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. And, they discuss the European Commission's strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture in the European Union to ensure a fair and inclusive green transition.

 

Plus, Innovation Forum's Hannah Oborne reveals what to expect at the future of food and beverage conference in Amsterdam from 14th-15th May. Register now to receive conference passes at the discount rate.

Weekly podcast - Transparency and targets for sustainable palm oil sourcing

This week: Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh speaks with Renaka Ramachandran, chief financial officer at Sime Darby Plantation, about some of the challenges around interim and 2050 net zero target setting, and the importance of transparency on environmental and social impacts. 

 

They also discuss the challenges of setting baselines, and waiting for the right technology to address hard-to-abate emissions. 

 

And, in the first of a new factory voice series, Innovation Forum's Savanna Razzaque talks with Salman Azim from denim manufacturer Azim and Son in Bangladesh. They discuss some of the initiatives the company has developed to support the wellbeing of its workforce, and the impact of climate change on production processes.

 

Plus, new South Pole report suggests rise in greenhushing; Drax gets the go-ahead on CCS technology development; and, Know the Chain benchmarks action on labour rights in apparel and footwear, in the news digest. 

 

Host: Ian Welsh 

Monday briefing: World Economic Forum descends on Davos

This week, Ian Welsh and Bea Stevenson talk about the sustainable business issues likely to be on the agenda at the 2024 World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos – in particular this year's focus on driving corporate transparency and accountability. 

 

They also discuss this week’s Innovation Forum European Union Deforestation Regulation webinar, at 1pm CET on Thursday 18th January, with panelists from the European Commission, Musim Mas and IDH who will debate potential consequences of the regulation's implementation and explore potential solutions to any challenges. Click here to join us.

Plus, Innovation Forum's Hanna Halmari shares agenda updates and what to expect at the sustainable apparel and textiles conference, taking place in Amsterdam on 23rd-24th April. Register here to join us.

Weekly podcast – What does the apparel sector have in store in 2024?

This week: Bex Hall, head of consulting at Sedex, talks with Ian Welsh about the development of a more sustainable apparel and fashion sector. They discuss the current trends within the sector and what to look out for in 2024.

 

Plus: 2023's temperatures likely to have exceeded any of the period of the past 100,000 years, say EU scientists; UK companies recognise the need for decarbonisation; the UN predicts relatively low global growth of 2.4% in 2024; and, what to expect for business and human rights in 2024, in the news digest.

 

Host: Ian Welsh

Is regulation driving effective land, carbon and biodiversity impact measurement?

Francis Gassert, strategy and impact lead at Vizzuality, talks with Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh about the importance of corporate land, carbon and biodiversity impact measurement in the light of the incoming EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and Deforestation Regulation. They discuss guidance on how to conduct impact measurement effectively and ensure data credibility.

Monday briefing: CSRD and Veganuary gear up for action

In this week's briefing, Innovation Forum's Ian Welsh and Bea Stevenson talk about some of what's coming up. They discuss the implementation of the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards, with large corporates the first to the impacted and new reporting requirements coming in from 2025. They also talk about the impact of Veganuary and other grass roots initiatives for businesses, and how companies are engaging with shifting consumer attitudes.

 

Plus: an update on the responsible sourcing and ethical trade forum taking place in London on 20th-21st March. Register now and save £400.