The interviews: Rakhi Kumar, State Street Global Advisors' head of ESG investments; Libby Bernick, Trucost managing director; Mindy Lubber, CEO and president of Ceres.

The backstory: Progress on corporate disclosures. A looming talent shortage. Climate change mitigation. These are among the top trends that sustainability experts predict will shape the ESG landscape in 2019. In the inaugural episode of ESG Insider, a new podcast from S&P Global, co-hosts Esther Whieldon and Lindsey White speak to several ESG leaders about the key themes they are watching this year, including Rakhi Kumar, State Street Global Advisors' head of ESG investments and asset stewardship, Mindy Lubber, CEO and president of Ceres, and Libby Bernick, Trucost managing director and global head of corporate business. Lindsey White is a financial news editor with S&P Global Market Intelligence. Esther Whieldon is a sustainability & climate news reporter, also with Market Intelligence. (Photo: AP)