Innovation Forum podcast

Reducing plastic use: the material innovations to look out for

Aidan Maguire, coalition program manager at the Plastic Pollution Coalition, talks with Ian Welsh about some examples of innovative new materials that can replace plastic at scale. They also discuss the outcomes from the INC-5 meetings and share insights on the need for ambitious treaties to address plastic production and harmful chemical use.

Weekly podcast – Finance: why nature-based food production solutions make sense

This week: Sajeev Mohankumar, from investor group the FAIRR initiative, talks with Ian Welsh about his research into on-farm interventions for livestock climate and nature risks. In particular, he compares the effectiveness of nature-based and tech-based interventions.

Plus: major migrant worker abuse issues in food supply chains; the European Commission goes cold on nutri-score food labelling; EU omnibus regulation; successful reusable cup trial in California; and, how greenhushing is going mainstream, in the news digest, by Ellen Atiyah.

Host: Ian Welsh

Sajeev Mohankimar will be at the Future of Food and Beverage USA in Minneapolis on 28-29 May. To continue the conversation, secure your spot here.

To discover further analysis from the FAIRR initiative, view the full report here.

Monday briefing – Transforming food and beverage amid regulatory challenges

This week: Innovation Forum’s Hannah Oborne and Ian Welsh highlight latest trends in the food and beverage industry. They discuss the implications of the EU’s omnibus regulation and share key examples of innovations and collaborations from organisations such as Unilever and TechnoServe.

Plus: Agreena’s CEO and co-founder Simon Haldrup talks with Ellen Atiyah about how technology is revolutionising approaches to climate-smart agriculture and the importance of verified data.

And, a preview of the recording of Innovation Forum’s recent next-gen packaging materials webinar. Hear from ex-Just Eat Takeaway.com Robin Clark, talking about how their partnership with Notpla has developed.

Host: Ian Welsh

To join the conversation on the latest food innovations and partnership, secure your place at the future of food and beverage forum in Amsterdam on 13-14 May. Click here for full registration details.

Click here to join a complimentary webinar with Agreena, discussing how technology can power data-driven sustainability in food systems. Register here.

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.