Looking ahead into 2022, the Sustainability Matters podcast welcomes Bruno Sarda, Climate Change and Sustainability Partner with Ernst & Young LLP and new host for the EY Sustainability Matters podcast series, chronicling the recent prioritization of environmental, social and governance (ESG) and the need for greater ESG integration into investor decision-making and corporate strategy.

In this episode, Bruno reflects upon the series to date, highlighting key ESG issues, along with ways businesses can prosper while working harmoniously with the environment and society at large.

Bruno showcases three personal highlights from previous episodes and their continued relevance today:

• Susan Hunt Stevens of WeSpire on engaging employees in ESG
• Steve Bradley of Cox Cleantech on building an enterprise through sustainability
• Steve Varley, EY Global Vice Chair of Sustainability, on the outcomes for business of the COP26 forum.

Finally, Bruno looks ahead to the next 12 to 24 months, and the issues that could inform the ESG agenda: the increase in regulation and reporting obligations, the role of private capital and finance, and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic as a dress rehearsal for the disruption to global economies that climate change could bring. Bruno also discusses the importance of the social aspect of ESG and how diversity and inclusion are set to remain prominent issues.

• The crucial catalyst for change is the move from ambition to action in transitioning to low carbon business models.
• The implementation of increased regulation and disclosure requirements will likely be strong motivators for change.
• The private sector and private capital should take a leading role in financing this transition.
• The COVID-19 pandemic appears to be accelerating a change toward new business models and that could make organizations more adaptable.
• The increased focus on racial, gender equity and diversity & inclusion (D&I) issues is likely to continue to gain prominence alongside the environmental debate.

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