Navigating Net Zero with Alexia Kelly

In this episode of Navigating Net Zero, host Alexia Kelly is joined by CSO Copilot’s Ashley Allen, whose career has spanned climate leadership at the United States Department of State, spearheading climate and land use initiatives at Mars, and serving as Oatly’s Chief Sustainability Officer. They discuss the challenges and strategies of setting ambitious net zero goals, the complexities of tackling supply chain emissions, and the vital role both large multinationals and smaller startups play in driving lasting change. The conversation also covers the impact of recent political shifts on global sustainability efforts and the promising future of nature-based solutions.

In the pilot episode of Navigating Net Zero, host Alexia Kelly connects with Patrick Flynn, climate expert and former Head of Sustainability at Salesforce. Patrick and Alexia discuss his experience at Salesforce, where a strong culture throughout the entire organization – from teams in every part of Salesforce all the way to CEO Marc Benioff – was so important to embedding sustainability throughout the company, even to the point of establishing sustainability as a core company value. They also dive into the challenges of tackling supply chain emissions, the importance of customer pressure, and how incentives and market-based instruments drive and enable real-world impact. They also discuss Patrick’s experience leading Switchboard, an organization aimed at building new climate leaders and harnessing collective action, and his upcoming masterclass on how to architect and execute your organization’s most impactful climate action strategies.

Navigating Net Zero is a new podcast dedicated to highlighting practitioners and experts navigating the complex realities of corporate decarbonization and sustainability. Hosted by international climate leader Alexia Kelly & The High Tide Foundation’s Carbon Policy & Markets Initiative, this series explores what really works from the people who do the work.

Through candid conversations, we aim to address challenges, uncover opportunities, and empower listeners—whether they’re corporate sustainability professionals, policymakers, or engaged members of the public—to take meaningful action in their own spheres of influence.

Season 1 of Navigating Net Zero focuses on dynamic, eye-opening conversations with corporate sustainability leaders. What is it actually like to lead a Fortune 500 company’s sustainability efforts? What do people not fully understand about the past, present, and future of corporate climate action? What comes next? 

Tune into Navigating Net Zero to hear and learn from the smart, effective professionals trailblazing the crucial but challenging work of finding effective climate solutions. 

Episode 1 is set for release on August 27th.