Sustainable connections

In our sixth episode, Mark Lee talks to Nikki Bartlett, Chief Impact Officer at CDP, and Bertrand Millot, Head of Sustainability at global investment group Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), about the ERM Sustainability Institute's latest survey of how investors and companies rate ESG raters and their services. Their conversation covers:

• How investors use ESG ratings in decision making
• Company strategies to improve ESG ratings performance
• The future evolution of ESG ratings

Related links:

Rate the Raters 2023: ESG Ratings at a Crossroads

In our fifth episode, Mark Lee talks to Jordan Peterson, Principal and Chief Disruptor of Affinity North, an indigenous-owned consultancy, about how companies can better engage with local indigenous communities when developing clean energy and other projects. Their conversation covers:

• Company strategies to improve engagement with indigenous communities
• How to include indigenous peoples in the just transition
• Building indigenous community engagement into project planning

Mark also speaks with Michael Van Aanhout, Partner at Stratos, an ERM Group company, about how the renewable energy and extractive industries can rebuild trust with local communities.

In our fourth episode, Mark Lee talks to Sandy Nessing, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at American Electric Power, about managing the shift to low carbon energy in the US whilst meeting competing stakeholder demands. Their conversation covers:

• Ensuring a just transition in communities where AEP decommissions coal plants.
• Preparing for increasing ESG disclosure requirements.
• Engaging with investors on corporate climate strategy.

Mark also speaks with Margie Flynn, Senior Partner at ERM, about how companies can manage rapidly increasing stakeholder expectations around sustainability. 

In our third episode, Mark Lee talks to Rama Variankaval, Global Head of the Center for Carbon Transition at J.P. Morgan, about how J.P. Morgan will deliver on its commitment to align its financing with global climate goals. Their conversation covers:

• J.P. Morgan’s work with ERM to create its Carbon Compass, a tool designed to help align its portfolio with the ambition of the Paris Agreement. 
• Strategies for engaging with clients on decarbonization.
• The impact of US policy on financing the low carbon transition.

Mark also speaks with Rob La Count, North America Climate Change Advisory Lead at ERM, about ESG data and priorities for low carbon finance in 2023.

Related links:

JPMorgan Chase's Carbon Compass

In Episode Two of the Sustainable Connections podcast, Mark Lee talks with Elizabeth Sturcken, Managing Director of Corporate Partnerships at the Environmental Defense Fund and leader of the EDF+Business team, which develops and implements joint projects with leading companies to create environmental change. Join this episode to learn about:

• EDF's long history and unique approach to collaborating with business to solve sustainability challenges.
• Recent research by EDF and ERM on what keeps companies from advancing their net zero ambitions more quickly.
• The types of stakeholder engagement that Elizabeth believes companies need to embrace to thrive in a rapidly decarbonizing world.

Mark also speaks with Matt Haddon, ERM's Global Service Lead for Nature, Biodiversity and Water, about his experience working with EDF as well as with ERM clients on net zero obstacles and catalysts.

Related links:

EDF+Business

Net Zero: Obstacles and Catalysts for Business Climate Action

In our inaugural podcast episode, Mark Lee sits down with Giulia Carbone, Director of the Natural Climate Solutions Alliance at WBCSD, and Jessica Christianson, Head of sustainability at Bayer Crop Science. Their conversation covers:

• Natural Climate Solutions and the C-Suite guide recently launched with The Sustainability Institute by ERM;
• the connection between nature, biodiversity and climate agendas; 
  What quality natural climate solutions look like and the challenges in the vetting process; and
• How collaboration is key to the necessary action on climate change and reversing the loss of biodiversity.

Mark also speaks with Aiste Brackley, Associate Director of the SustainAbility Institute by ERM, on the the key takeaways from the C-Suite guide and the partnerships that help make the Institute's work possible.