We interview leaders in sustainability, business and digital innovation to explore how to foster positive change. 🌿
... moreShare Sustainability Leadership Circle
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
By Footprint Intelligence
We interview leaders in sustainability, business and digital innovation to explore how to foster positive change. 🌿
... moreThe podcast currently has 7 episodes available.
In an era where sustainability has become a paramount concern for industries worldwide, the maritime sector is making significant strides to align with global environmental goals. Kate Mamchenko, a sustainability manager at S5 Agency World, shares valuable insights on navigating sustainability challenges and opportunities within the maritime industry. Her experiences and strategies offer a blueprint for sustainability managers across various sectors.
Navigating Regulatory Challenges and Leveraging Opportunities
Kate emphasizes the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainability goals. "Engagement is very important, and working with sustainable and like-minded partners and establishing those partnerships again is the cornerstone of any business operation. You need to ensure that you're working with partners who share the same goals. Especially when it ties in with sustainability, it impacts us as a species and is crucial for future development and technological enhancements. In the maritime sense, we're all in the same boat and will try to row in the same direction, simplifying the process."
The maritime sector, responsible for around 90% of global trade, faces unique challenges and opportunities. Compliance with environmental regulations, such as the new CSRD regulation by the European Commission, can be costly and complex. Kate notes, "There is a significant gap between regulations and what companies can actually do. Compliance with environmental regulations can be challenging and costly, requiring high investment levels. However, increasing efficiency and digitalizing processes can enhance sustainability in the maritime sector. Fuel efficiency, alternative energy, and digitalized operations are key areas where companies can improve to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while complying with current and future regulations."
Research supports Kate's observations. A 2020 study by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) highlights the urgent need for innovations in fuel efficiency and alternative energy sources to meet emission reduction targets.
Digitalization and Innovation in Sustainable Practices
Kate's vision for sustainability is rooted in digitalization. She explains, "Utilizing simplified digital platforms for vessel operations reduces the need for printed communication, which benefits both communication and the environment. Implementing digital solutions in various operational aspects, such as electronic bills of lading or consolidating crew transportation, can significantly reduce emissions and operational costs while improving overall efficiency."
The integration of intelligent sustainability software and automated sustainability reporting can further streamline these processes. For example, the use of corporate sustainability software enables companies to track and manage their carbon footprint effectively, ensuring compliance with regulations and enhancing overall sustainability efforts.
Kate also highlights the importance of quantifying investments and their impact. "Quantifying investments and their impact is essential for building trust and increasing chances for resources and investments. Practical approaches like carbon offsetting, carbon credits, and certifications of origin prove the sustainability of actions, avoiding greenwashing. Companies should focus on increasing operational efficiency through digitalization, resource conservation, and circularity, which not only saves money but also enhances sustainability efforts."
A 2021 McKinsey report underscores the importance of digitalization in sustainability efforts, noting that digital tools can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions through optimized resource use and improved operational efficiency.
Overcoming Challenges with Double Materiality and Strategic Planning
Kate's approach to overcoming sustainability challenges is thorough and strategic. "One of the challenges of the double materiality assessment is the need to communicate with internal and external stakeholders to determine which parameters of the reporting are viable for your company. This involves mapping the value chain, including the supply chain and other stakeholders. It’s crucial to ensure that everyone in the organization understands what is coming and why it’s important. Planning everything out from the start and leveraging existing regulations and practices can help organizations transition smoothly."
Double materiality requires companies to evaluate both the impact of environmental factors on the company and the company's impact on the environment. This comprehensive approach ensures that sustainability efforts are deeply integrated into business strategies. A 2021 study by the European Corporate Governance Institute indicates that companies adopting double materiality assessments are better positioned to identify risks and opportunities, leading to more robust and resilient business models.
Kate's experience underscores the importance of strategic planning and communication in overcoming these challenges. "Effective communication and internal alignment are key to overcoming these challenges and leveraging existing practices," she says. By fostering a culture of sustainability and leveraging tools like carbon footprint tracking and scope 3 software, companies can navigate regulatory complexities and drive meaningful environmental impact.
Conclusion
Kate Mamchenko's insights provide a valuable perspective on enhancing sustainability within the maritime sector and beyond. Her emphasis on partnerships, digitalization, and strategic planning highlights the multifaceted approach required to achieve sustainability goals. By adopting intelligent sustainability software, automated sustainability reporting, and other innovative solutions, sustainability managers can drive significant environmental and business benefits. As Kate aptly puts it, "Sustainability is not just a burden and the reporting isn't just a burden; it's also a great opportunity to further grow in the industry.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of any company.
Sources:
International Maritime Organization (IMO), 2020. "Fourth IMO GHG Study 2020."
European Commission, 2020. "Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy."
McKinsey & Company, 2021. "How digital tools can help the world cut greenhouse gas emissions."
European Corporate Governance Institute, 2021. "The Double Materiality Concept: Application and Benefits."
Jeroen Dobbelaere is a well-known name in the world of sustainability, combining his expertise in biochemistry and cell biology with a passion for creating real-world impact. After years in academia, Jeroen now spearheads sustainability efforts at the Institute of Science and Technology (ISTA) near Vienna. His journey and insights offer valuable lessons for sustainability managers everywhere. Through his work, Jeroen aims to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical sustainability solutions, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, education, and holistic approaches to environmental management.
In this interview, Jad Dellel, Senior Sustainability Manager at Exclusive Networks, discusses how frameworks like the CSRD shape organizational sustainability, the challenges smaller companies face, and the crucial role of digital transformation and cybersecurity in achieving sustainability goals.
Co-Founder of Twelve Consulting
Jessica is the co-founder of climate impact agency Twelve, which helps businesses respond to the climate and ecological crisis. She has spent more than twelve years working with purpose-driven businesses and B Corps on their sustainability strategies and communications. As well as being a climate activist, nature facilitator and podcaster, Jessica is a mentor and advisory board member of Catalyse Change , a social enterprise helping young women into sustainability careers. She is also a non-executive director of the Bristol Green Capital Partnership , co-chair of the Bristol Climate Leaders Group and sits on Bristol’s One City Environment Board , helping the city achieve its goal to be net zero by 2030.
Apple Podcast
Spotify
In this episode of the Footprint Futures podcast we talk with Jessica Ferrow, co-founder of Twelve Agency, on driving sustainability strategy and communication.
During the episode we approach:
How to drive sustainability for businesses
The importance of setting the right strategy
How to make help businesses to communicate their sustainability efforts with the most transparency
How businesses need to transform in order to become more sustainable.
Global Head ESG Leader
Akanksha is an internationally acclaimed ESG Leader creating 'Exponential Impact' on through innovative solutions—Finance | Programs | Technology. She is recognized as the 'Most Impactful ESG Leaders Globally', 'Asia’s Top Sustainability Leaders', ‘Young CSR Leader’, 'Influential Sustainability Leaders' amongst others. With 14+ years of eclectic global experience in Leadership roles spread across 11 countries in 5 continents, she has advised Boards on leading and integrating continuum of ESG— Sustainability, Climate Action, CSR & Sustainable Finance into their strategy, value chain, investors relations and brand positioning. Leveraging her insights cutting across the sectors —Tech, FMCG & Manufacturing, she has identified opportunities, mitigated risks and improved business bottom-line & ESG ratings. Published author of 'For the Greater Common Good' (Bloomsbury), her columns, writings and works have featured in Forbes, Times of India, Economic Times, Mint, Financial Express, Huffington Post. She has represented India at 'International Climate Change Expedition at Antarctica' and has served on policy committees & non-profit boards.
Apple Podcast
Spotify
In this episode of the Footprint Futures podcast, we talk with Akanksha Sharma, Global Head ESG Leader, on what role technology has in the sustainability world.
During the episode we approach:
Her background in ESG
Insights when it comes to ESG at large sustainability companies and how the transformation has been working out
The biggest pain points businesses struggle with when it comes to that transformation
Trends in sustainability
Biggest challenges when it comes to reaching global sustainability.
Founder of Climate Positive Consulting
David Jaber is the Founder of Climate Positive Consulting, a firm that advances better decision-making through climate strategy, carbon footprint analytics, and facility site assessments to drive greenhouse gas benefits and reduction. Over the course of twenty years, David has worked with over 150 companies on environmental excellence. He is author of the book “Climate Positive Business: How You and Your Company Hit Bold Climate Goals and Go Net Zero, an advisory board member at Planet FWD, and a Project Drawdown Fellow.
Apple Podcast
Spotify
In this episode of the Footprint Futures podcast, we talk with David Jaber, Founder of Climate Positive Consulting, on how can businesses drive positive environmental impact.
During the episode we approach:
The need for greenhouse gas reduction strategies
How corporates sustainability awareness, consumer, and demand have been involved in the past 20 years
ESG as a metric.
Founder & CEO of Worthmore
Tegan has spent the last five years working with some of the best startups in Denmark. Most specifically, as CTO of Zentabox, the personalized vitamins, and supplements company, and Marketing manager at Opbeat, an open-source application performance monitoring tool for developers.
Through his role as a Nordic Talent Ambassador and Startup Denmark Visa Consultant, he actively works on attracting and helping entrepreneurs from around the world find their way around the Danish startup ecosystem by sharing my knowledge and experience.
Currently, he is the CEO and Founder at Worthmore. Worthmore aims to be the first carbon-neutral mobile service provider for companies and individuals.
Apple Podcast
Spotify
In this episode of the Footprint Futures podcast, we talk with Tegan Spinner, Founder & CEO of Worthmore, on the importance of the digital footprint.
During the episode we approach:
Using smartphones in a more sustainable and eco-friendly way
The process of founding a company
Scaling sustainable business and startup
How to seamlessly integrate new solutions into your consumers’ lives.
The podcast currently has 7 episodes available.