Host Matt Bell explores the pivotal role of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in shaping climate policy and investment strategies. He interviews four experts to get their insights.

Joanna MacGregor, a senior advisor at the UN Climate Change (UNFCCC), explains how NDCs have evolved into comprehensive national climate plans that can drive economic growth and resilience. Antonina Scheer, Policy Fellow at the London School of Economics and Research Project Manager at the Transition Pathway Initiative Centre, discusses the challenges of financing climate action in emerging markets and introduces a tool that helps assess the credibility and ambition of NDCs. Pablo Carvajal, Director in the Climate Change and Sustainability Services team at EY UKI, shares insights from his work with governments and banks, highlighting the disconnect between policy targets and business implementation. Claudia Gollmeier, Managing Director at Colchester Global Investors, emphasizes the importance of investors considering NDCs and the rise of innovative financial instruments like sustainability-linked bonds.

Together, the guests underscore the urgency of making NDCs investable and inclusive, involving businesses and investors in their design and execution. Despite delays in countries submitting their NDC plans, they remain optimistic about the potential of NDCs to unlock financial flows and accelerate the global transition to a low-carbon economy.

• NDCs are evolving into powerful economic tools that can drive growth, resilience and clean energy transitions.
• Businesses and investors play a crucial role in implementing NDCs, even though governments set the targets.
• Transparent information and innovative financial products are helping bridge the gap between climate ambition and investable action.

@2025 Ernst & Young LLP

This special episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast is introduced by Nadia Woodhouse from the EY New Economy Unit (NEU), which focuses on the long-term, systemic shifts toward a new, regenerative economy.

Nadia presents a thought-provoking dialogue with two influential leaders in sustainability: Helena Helmersson, former CEO of the fashion giant H&M Group, and Jonathon Porritt, a writer, environmentalist, advocate for sustainable development and a member of the advisory council for the NEU. The discussion centers around the pressing need for businesses to adopt regenerative practices in the face of escalating sustainability challenges and the crucial role of CEOs in driving that change.

The conversation delves into critical themes, such as the tension between profitability and sustainability, the importance of structural changes within large organizations, and the importance of forming deep, cross-industry coalitions. Both guests emphasize the need for greater inclusion of sustainability professionals in decision-making roles, the need for appropriate regulation, and urge CEOs to view sustainability not just as a responsibility, but as a core business imperative that drives innovation and competitiveness.

Read more about the EY New Economy Unit here.

• CEOs’ commitment to sustainability can drive significant organizational change and inspire collective action at all levels of the business.
•  Immediate and decisive actions are essential for companies to transition toward sustainable practices and mitigate the drastic impacts of climate change.
• Companies should align their economic objectives with sustainability commitments to foster innovation and resilience in an increasingly resource-constrained world.

© 2025 Ernst & Young LLP

Despite the popular belief that slavery is a thing of the past, it is estimated that slavery affects around 50 million people globally. Human exploitation for labour and other forms of modern slavery are embedded within the supply chains of many of the products and services that we choose to consume regularly, whether we are buying clothes, electronics, or even a bar of chocolate.

This is becoming an increasing concern for business as well. Mounting pressure from both legislative bodies that introduce new regulations and a new generation of consumers, who seem to be willing to pay more for sustainable products, signals a need for a change.

In this episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast, host Bruno Sarda explores this topic further with Tom Veit, CEO of Asahi Global Procurement – a large Japanese consumer goods company, and Kate Skattang, Director in the Climate Change and Sustainability Services practice at EY Australia (Ernst & Young Services Pty Limited). The guests discuss the challenges posed by the issue of forced labor across global supply chains and the recent legislative changes that compel organizations to scrutinize their procurement.

Tom and Kate share industry insights about how EY worked with Asahi Global to create their own human rights due diligence framework, emphasizing the importance of a top-down approach as well as putting people first across all areas of business processes.

• Protecting human rights is a fundamental responsibility for companies, as forced labor impacts tens of millions of people globally.
• Leadership commitment is essential for prioritizing human rights and implementing effective due diligence frameworks within organizations.
• Recent laws, such as modern slavery regulations in the UK and Australia, or Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), are driving companies to assess and proactively disclose human rights risks in their supply chains.

© 2025 Ernst & Young LLP

In this episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast hosted by Bruno Sarda, the discussion centers around the vital collaboration between the public and private sectors in advancing sustainability efforts. Bruno welcomes Ruth Ahchow, EY Global Government and Public Sector Leader for Climate Change and Sustainability Services, who elaborates on the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) as key mechanisms for sustainable development, showcasing successful examples from around the world, including the Asia-Pacific region.

Bruno and Ruth discuss how recent political shifts in regions, such as the US and Europe, influence sustainability initiatives. Ruth also provides actionable insights, urging governments to actively participate in sustainable procurement and create stable policies that encourage green investments, while companies are encouraged to integrate long-term sustainability into their core strategies.

01:48 - Evolution of sustainability in the public sector through Ruth’s career

05:50 - Understanding PPPs

08:06 - Examples of successful PPPs around the world and in the Asia-Pacific

16:16 - The impact of political shifts on sustainability

19:41 - Role of sustainability reporting standards

25:34 - Actionable insights for business and governments

© 2025 Ernst & Young LLP

In this episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast, host Bruno Sarda and guests dive into the intersection of sustainability and the music industry. Discussing the topic with Bruno are: Joel Makower, Chairman and Cofounder of the Trellis Group (formerly GreenBiz) and the Strategy Director & Industry Council Chair of the Music Sustainability Alliance, and Olga LaBelle, Vice President and Head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) at Warner Music Group.

The speakers discuss the current state of sustainability in the music industry, innovative collaborations for environmental benefit, and how artists, labels, concert venues and fans can contribute to a more sustainable industry.

© 2025 Ernst & Young LLP

The relationship between business and sustainability is evolving. As awareness of its importance – and value – grows, so does the recognition that responsibility for addressing the subject is not confined to specific sustainability roles. Indeed, growing opinion is that every job within an organization can and should be considered a sustainability job.

In this episode, EY Americas Climate Change and Sustainability Services Leader Bruno Sarda sits down with Pia Heidenmark Cook, a former Chief Sustainability Officer at IKEA and now senior board member, speaker and sustainability advisor, and Lisen Wiren, Programme Manager at IKEA Social Entrepreneurship, to discuss the very idea that every professional within any business can make an impact.

 Pia and Lisen have just published a book “Embedding Sustainability - How to Drive Organizational Transformation,” based on decades of their experience. Listen to this insightful conversation where two seasoned sustainability professionals talk about the importance of threading sustainability into the basis of every organization, as well as on how typically small corporate sustainability departments can make a big difference.

© 2025 Ernst & Young LLP

With the world in the midst of a global polycrisis, the New Economy Unit (NEU) — a global research group at the EY organization — was established to look at the key economic forces at play and the leading business practices needed to create a sustainable future.

Host Bruno Sarda discusses the NEU and a bigger idea of regenerative business transformation it represents with Matt Bell, EY Global Leader, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, and Anastasia Roussou, EY Head of New Economy Research Unit, in London.

Moreover, the discussion covers the work the NEU does with the activist and academic community, some of whom sit on the NEU advisory board. It also highlights the importance of taking a long-term view while not neglecting short-term objectives, and teases what the NEU will be exploring next.

Please, read the full report “A new economy - Exploring the root causes of the polycrisis and the principles to unlock a sustainable future” on ey.com, or contact the New Economy Unit at [email protected].

• The New Economy Unit help enables practitioners to think about the long-term future and what they need to radically change.
• The report aims to bring everyone on the same page and mainstream the concepts that will likely aid the transition to long-term sustainability.

© 2024 Ernst & Young LLP

In this episode, Bruno Sarda, host of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast, meets with prior guests to talk about the significant developments in sustainability over the past year, ahead of the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference or COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, later this November.

Amy Brachio, EY Global Vice Chair for Sustainability, and Matt Bell, EY Global Leader for Climate Change and Sustainability Services, share their experiences from the 2024 New York Climate Week .  They discuss the transition from addressing environmental issues in siloes to a comprehensive view that acknowledges the interdependence of various sustainability factors that must be addressed together.

The speakers share their expectations for the upcoming COP29, underscoring emerging trends, such as the increased emphasis on finance and carbon markets to support the transition.

In the final part of the episode, Amy and Matt express optimism about the future, talking about the businesses’ desire for innovation, investment in new technologies and a collective willingness to undertake systemic change.

© 2024 Ernst & Young LLP

With the upcoming 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference, also known as COP16, this episode of the Sustainability Matters podcast explores the critical link between nature, biodiversity and human wellbeing. EY leaders Alex Banks and Ana Luci Grizzi join host Bruno Sarda to discuss the challenges and the key decisions that should be taken for meaningful progress to be made.

The thought-provoking discussion emphasizes the need to integrate biodiversity conservation into our economic models and addresses the interconnected threats of climate change and biodiversity loss. Also highlighted is the importance of protecting the rights of vulnerable communities who are most affected by these environmental challenges.

• There is an inseparable relationship between climate change and biodiversity loss.

• It is necessary to integrate biodiversity strategies into existing economic growth models.

• Clients need to understand their nature-related risks, impacts and dependencies.

• Sustainable solutions have to uphold human rights, cultural sensitivities and community impact considerations.

• The transition to a nature-positive approach is both an imperative and an opportunity.

© 2024 Ernst & Young LLP

When we sit down to enjoy a meal, at home or in a restaurant, we’re rarely aware of the environmental toll our food choices may take. However, the reality is that the journey from farm to table carries a significant environmental cost, often unseen but deeply impactful. This episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast delves deeper into the impact the global food system has on climate change, biodiversity and land use. It also explores how digital innovation can be leveraged to make food production more sustainable without sacrificing quality or taste.

Join host Bruno Sarda, EY Americas Climate Change and Sustainability Services Leader, and Hanne Thornam, EY Nordics Head of Climate Change and Sustainability Services, as they interview two leaders in the food sustainability sector to uncover the challenges facing this industry and how technology is playing a key role in addressing them.

Stephen Nolan, CEO of Nutritics and the 2022 EY Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year, shares his insights on integrating sustainable practices within the food and hospitality industry. He debunks myths that equate sustainability with compromised quality or financial viability. Alongside him, Pete Statham, Head of Sustainability and Government Relations at Sysco GB, the world's leading broadline food distributor, discusses the practical applications of Nutritics' software in making large-scale, impactful changes. He shares how even a slight change in one menu item can multiply its positive or negative environmental effect, when delivered to thousands of customers across the world.

The discussion closes on a hopeful note, with the guests discussing the vast potential and opportunity that exists within the market to create a more sustainable and resilient food industry for the future.

© 2024 Ernst & Young LLP