Climate finance has huge potential, but it represents a departure from traditional approaches to investment. We need a new approach to how we invest our money, supporting more sustainable business models and implementing net-zero solutions.

In the final episode of our 'Critical Conversations' series with Mars Wrigley UK, we look at the most effective ways to invest in decarbonisation and the role we can all play in investing in a more sustainable future, from individuals to businesses and key finance players. 

Our expert panel includes Divyata Ashiya, Partner at Just Transition Capital; Professor Gbenga Ibikunle, Chair of Finance at the University of Edinburgh; Dr Liz Wildman,  Global Public Affairs Director for Climate and Circularity at Mars Wrigley UK and Maria Lombardo,  Head of Global ESG Advisory team Sustainable Finance at Standard Chartered Bank. 

This episode was recorded as part of a live webinar on 29 November 2023. 

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From making travel more accessible to investing in artificial intelligence, leaders are paving the way for a better future. But what should we expect from leaders this year? What do recent examples of opportunistic leadership teach us? And how can leaders lean on experts to improve their decision-making?

In our first episode of 2024, Penny Richards explores all this and more with two Aspen UK Rising Leaders: Camilo Pires and Sheherazad Kapadia. 

Find out more about the Aspen UK community of leaders here: https://www.aspenuk.org/rising-leaders-fellowship-overview/%20 

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From sports to STEM, where can we find unexpected leaders – and what impact do they have? What is servant leadership? And, what can we learn about leadership from our local community? 

In this episode, Penny delves into these questions with two Aspen UK Rising Leaders: Scott Forsyth and Alex Bulat.

Find out more about the Aspen UK community of leaders here:
https://www.aspenuk.org/rising-leaders-fellowship-overview/ 

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How can leaders deal with failure? What can we learn from young people about leadership? And, with the growing impact of climate change being felt by communities globally, how are leaders paving the way for action?

Join Penny Richards as she delves into these questions with Aspen UK Rising Leader, Alexander Urwin and Beatrice Graupner, Aspen Young European Leader.  

Find out more about the Aspen UK community of leaders: https://www.aspenuk.org/rising-leaders-fellowship-overview/ 

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How can leaders support future generations to flourish? Why do we need to invest in young people’s future? And, can we shape policy to ensure the future strength of our communities, environment, economy and society as a whole?

In this discussion, we explored the role of youth empowerment in building a better society. Paul Lindley, author of ‘Raising the Nation’ and ‘How to Build a Better Future For Our Children (And Everyone Else)’ was joined in conversation with two Aspen UK Rising Leaders to discuss this complex topic.

This discussion is brought to you by the Aspen UK Rising Leaders Fellowship: a community of leading young leaders in the UK who are keen to understand their own ethics and values and how these influence their actions and decisions as leaders.

This event was recorded as part of a live webinar on 4 December 2023. 

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More and more people are living in our cities and as urban populations grow, so does the need to provide housing. Yet, building homes is often perceived to come at a high price: the destruction of natural landscapes and biodiversity. What are the innovative solutions in this space?  And, is there political will to help promote these projects?

In this panel discussion, we were joined by Anis Abou Zaki,  Partner in Environmental Design and Sustainability at Foster + Partners; Aileen Evans, CEO of Grand Union Housing Group; Dusty Gedge, International Ambassador for the European Federation of Green Roof and Wall Associations and Jess Kennedy, Climate & Sustainability Associate Director at Arup. The discussion was moderated by Kate Turner, a consultant, working in the space between decarbonisation and the digital sector.

This event was hosted in partnership with Mars Wrigley UK and recorded as part of a live webinar on 6 November 2023. 

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Join a Boomer, Millennial, and Gen Zer as they discuss the possible consequences of the unprecedented biggest wealth transfer in history, certain to have a seismic impact on the future of capitalism and society.

Our panel features Ken Costa, a boomer, and two Aspen UK Rising Leaders, a Millennial working in investment management, and a Gen Z-er who is an Economic Advisor in the Department for Transport (UK). Ken Costa is the author of The 100 Trillion Dollar Wealth Transfer, which explores how we will need the wisdom and experience of Boomers – Hindsight – plus the social, ethical and environmental purpose motivating Zennials – Insight – to allow us to work together with Foresight. 

This event was recorded as part of a live webinar hosted by the Rising Leaders Fellowship on 27 October 2023. 

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Climate change and a growing population are putting an increased strain on our food systems – will bananas and beef burgers become a thing of the past? The speed at which we are adapting is a long way off, but there are promising solutions available. 

This discussion convened expert speakers to discuss these solutions. We were joined by Catherine Chong, ESG Advisor; Adele Jones, Executive Director at the Sustainable Food Trust; Jean Moreau, CEO of Phenix and Liv Phoenix, Head of External Affairs at the NFU. This conversation was moderated by Naomi Jones, Corporate Affairs Director at Mars Wrigley UK. 

This event was recorded as part of a live webinar on 4 October 2023. 

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In recent years, the way we talk about climate change has shifted significantly, influenced both by an increased public awareness of the issue and the imminent need for urgent action. In this discussion, we look at the meaningful ways the stories across our media landscape can drive climate action. The panel discusses innovative methods to weave sustainability into stories, from positive re-framing in the news to micro-messaging in our favourite sitcom shows.

This episode is part of our ‘Critical Conversations’ series with Mars Wrigley UK bringing together pioneers from different technologies looking to build our net-zero and no-carbon future. It features Justin Forsyth, Co-Founder of the Count Us In Campaign; Joi Lee, Head of Editorial at Earthrise Studio; and Dan McDougall, Film Director and Writer. This conversation was expertly led by Juliet Riddell, Head of New Formats at the Financial Times. 

This event was recorded as part of a live webinar on 20 September 2023. 

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The food system is responsible for one third of global emissions and it is estimated that livestock farming alone makes up 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions – that’s almost as much as the entire transport sector.  But, with technology continuing to advance, will we be able to eat meat sustainably in the future?

In this webinar, we explored the revolutionary food technology making its way on to the market with Thin Lei Win in conversation with Jim Mellon, Executive Director of Agronomics. This is the second discussion in our new ‘Critical Conversations’ series with Mars Wrigley UK bringing together pioneers from different technologies looking to build our net-zero and no-carbon future. 

This event was recorded as part of a live webinar on 10 July 2023.

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