The Sustainability Agenda

By Fergal Byrne

What's The Sustainability Agenda about?

The Sustainability Agenda is a weekly podcast exploring today’s biggest sustainability questions. Leading sustainability thinkers offer their views on the biggest sustainability challenges, share the latest thinking, identify what’s working --and what needs to change -- and think about the future of sustainability.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Sustainability Agenda episodes:

04.14.2024
Episode 190: Dr. Xander Dunlap discusses how current environmental policies and "green" technologies are perpetuating ecological destruction.
In this thought-provoking interview, Xander Dunlap argues that current environmental policies and "green" technologies are perpetuating ecological destruction under the guise of sustainability. He contends that solutions like solar and wind energy are wedded to capitalism and leading to increased...
03.14.2024
Episode 189: Interview with Irish rewilding pioneer Eoghan Daltun in the Beara peninsula of Co. Cork, Ireland.
In this fascinating interview, conducted with my daughter, Catherine Byrne, we delve into the world of Eoghan Daltun, an Irish farmer and advocate for rewilding. Eoghan's journey is a testament to the power of nature and the importance of ecological...
01.17.2024
Episode 188: Interview with Bhutanese lama Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche...offering a distinctive Buddhist outlook on current environmental crises.
In this compelling interview, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, a revered Bhutanese lama and educator, offers a distinctive Buddhist outlook on the critical environmental crises we are currently facing. Rinpoche stresses the necessity of immediate action and illustrates how a Buddhist viewpoint...
01.02.2024
Episode 187: Interview with indigenous Australian academic and human and earth rights activist, Dr. Anne Poelina.
In this episode, we speak to Dr. Anne Poelina an indigenous Australian academic and human and earth rights activist. Dr. Poelina explains her role as a “Yimardoowarra marnin,” which, translated from the Nyikina language, means “a woman who belongs to...
12.11.2023
Episode 186: Interview with Steve Trent, founder of the Environmental Justice Foundation
In this revealing interview, Steve Trent, the founder of the Environmental Justice Foundation, delves into the Foundation’s pivotal work at the intersection of environmental security and human rights. He underscores the Foundation’s vital role in actively probing and witnessing environmental...
11.27.2023
Episode 185: Interview with leading French anthropologist Professor Philippe Descola on man's relationship with nature.
Fascinating interview with leading French anthropologist Professor Philippe Descola, first posted in 2021, exploring man's relationship with nature. Professor Descola argues that we can, and must today, learn from other ways of connecting to nature--and move beyond the strict separation...
11.20.2023
Episode 184: Interview with Dr. Matthew J. Bell, EY Global Climate Change and Sustainability Services Leader
Matthew is Global Climate Change and Sustainability Services Leader Leader at EY, the professional services company. He has a background in government climate and energy policy, and science. Matt has more than 20 years' experience supporting organizational transformation toward...
10.22.2023
Episode 183 Interview with Professor Katharina Pistor on How the Law Creates Wealth and Inequality. First aired on December 13th, 2021.
Katharina Pistor, Professor of Comparative Law and director of the Center on Global Legal Transformation at Columbia Law School, discusses her most recent book The Code of Capital: How the Law Creates Wealth and Inequality. In this fascinating discussion, she...
10.03.2023
Episode 182: Journalist Vincent Bevins discusses his new book If We Burn: The Mass Protest Decade and the Missing Revolution
In this revealing interview, journalist Vincent Bevins discussed his newly released book If We Burn: The Mass Protest Decade and the Missing Revolution, based on his research of a wide range of social movements between 2010 and 2020. Beginning with...
09.23.2023
Episode 181: Environmental degradation, capitalism, and imperialism with Jason W Moore
In this fascinating, hard hitting interview, Jason Moore talks about the intertwining relations between environmental degradation, capitalism, imperialism, and climate change-stressing the need to recognize the role of imperialis--and counter-insurgency across the past century to advance climate justice. He argues...
08.29.2023
Episode 180 Net Zero: Beyond the hype. Professor Angel Hsu on the reality of Net Zero Pledges
Fascinating discussion with Professor Angel Hsu on the significance and challenges surrounding the Net Zero emissions goals. While companies often tout their commitment to Net Zero, a recent report suggests that many are not taking credible steps towards this target....
08.16.2023
Episode 179: Jeremy Lent talks about finding our place in the universe by integrating science and traditional wisdom
In this wide-ranging interview, first published in 2021, Jeremy Lent discusses his fascinating new book Web of Meaning which combines findings in cognitive science, systems theory and traditional Chinese and Buddhist thought, to develop a framework that integrates both science...
07.23.2023
Episode 178: Discussion with Paula DiPerna of the pros and cons of a market based approach to our environmental problems.
In this in-depth, and spirited interview, we discuss the pros and cons of a market based approach to our environmental problems-and climate change in particular. Paula DiPerna discusses her new book, Pricing the Priceless: The Financial Transformation to Value the...
07.11.2023
Episode 177 Author Ned Beauman talks about his satirical extinction novel, Venemous Lumpsucker. First aired in September 2022.
In this interview, British novelist, journalist and screenwriter Ned Beauman discusses his latest novel Venomous Lumpsucker-a brilliant, darkly satirical and terrifying novel about endlings (the last of a species), the manipulation of extinction credit markets... the elusive Hermit Kingdom: described...
06.08.2023
Episode 176: Interview with Mike Davis, CEO of pioneering campaigning NGO, on their work unmasking global corruption, safeguarding the environment, and advocating for human rights
In this revealing interview, Mike Davis CEO of pioneering campaigning NGO Global Witness provides an in-depth look at the work of the organization which is committed to uncovering and addressing human rights and environmental violations across the globe. Mike highlights...
05.19.2023
Episode 175: Dr. Samantha Montano: Understanding Emergency Management in the Climate Change Era
In this episode, Dr Samantha Montana, an expert in disaster policy, discusses the U.S.'s approach to emergency management, specifically in the context of climate change. She highlights the complexity of disaster policy, which often necessitates a balance between immediate and...
05.05.2023
Episode 174: Interview with Professor Daniel Aldrich on resilience and the importance of social capital in post-disaster recovery, first aired October 2021
In this deep dive on resilience, Professor Daniel Aldrich gives a fascinating overview of different ways of thinking about resilience—focussing in particular on the kind of resilience that allows communities to recover from disasters in a way that brings together...
04.25.2023
Episode 173: Interview with Scottish author Martin MacInnes on contemporary literature and the climate crisis
In-depth, frank, and fascinating exploration of contemporary literature's response to current environmental crises, with Scottish writer Martin MacInnes, author of the recently acclaimed novel, In Ascension. Martin believes literature is profoundly implicated in the crises, and that it has a...
03.27.2023
Episode 172: Professor Neta Crawford discusses the emissions of the Pentagon -- the world’s largest single greenhouse gas emitter.
In this eye-opening interview, Professor Neta Crawford discusses the research in her new book The Pentagon, Climate Change, and War focussing on the huge carbon footprint of the Pentagon -- the world’s largest single greenhouse gas emitter. She tracks the...
02.27.2023
Episode 171: Interview with Dr Jeffrey Kiehl, climate scientist and Jungian analyst.
In this fascinating interview, first aired April 13th 2021, Dr. Jeffrey Kiehl brings to bear two very different ways of thinking about climate change: the scientific and the psychological—and his journey as an experienced climate scientist to bring these different...
02.01.2023
Episode 170: Interview with renowned climate scientist Will Steffen, first aired in June 2020, on the dangers of “tipping cascades” that could post an existential threat to civilization.
In this episode, Will Steffen discusses his research on cascading climate tipping points that pose a growing threat of abrupt and irreversible climate change.
01.30.2023
Episode 169: Interview with environmental anthropologist Peter Sutoris on new models for schooling and environmental activism.
In this inspiring interview, Peter Sutoris shares the results of his research into grassroots environmental activism and education--and provides an array of ideas on teaching and community based action needed to deal with to the deeply challenging environmental problems we...
01.16.2023
Episode 168: Veteran activist Stephen Corry, former CEO of Survival International, provides a coruscating analysis of the outcome of COP15
In this hard-hitting, no-holds barred interview, Stephen Corry, who has been working as indigenous rights activist for some 50 years, provides a coruscating analysis of the outcome of COP15.
12.29.2022
Episode 167: Interview with Professor Daniela Gabor on funding the transition to a low carbon economy, first aired June 2021
In this fascinating interview, first aired in June 2021, Daniela discusses the eye-opening sums of money needed to achieve a transition to a low carbon economy --how this can be funded, the role of state in dealing with current...
12.07.2022
Episode 166. Pascoe Sabido from Corporate Europe Observatory reflects on the outcome of COP27
Pascoe Sabido from Corporate Europe Observatory reflects on the outcome of COP27 -- and discusse the way in which fossil fuel lobbyists operate at the COPs and within the EU to stall and block policies to deal with climate change.
11.28.2022
Episode 165 Interview with pioneering American political activist, urban theorist and Marxist environmentalist Mike Davis, first aired in January 2022
A wide-ranging and hard-hitting interview with pioneering American writer, activist, and Marxist environmentalist Mike Davis, recorded in January 2022, about the existential environmental and nuclear dangers we are facing --and the prevailing ideology that finance capitalism can save the world.
11.06.2022
Episode 164 Harjeet Singh, head of Global Political Strategy at Climate Action Network International on his expectations for COP27
In this timely interview on the eve of COP27, Harjeet Singh shares his expectations for this COP and explains why 'Loss and Damage' compensation is the centrepiece of COP27 -and what he believes needs to happen over the next five...
10.26.2022
Episode 163: Interview with David Loy, professor, writer, and Zen teacher of Japanese Zen Buddhism
David Loy presents the key ideas in his latest book EcoDharma—which provides a Buddhist response to our ecological predicament - to deal with today’s environmental and other crises. A profound important discussion.
10.12.2022
Episode 162: Groundbreaking nuclear scholar Professor Elaine Scarry shares her views on today’s growing nuclear threats – and discusses how citizens and communities can prepare for emergency situation
Groundbreaking nuclear scholar and social thinker Professor Elaine Scarry shares her views on today’s growing nuclear threats –the underlying problems with the nuclear architecture and governance, and discusses how citizens and communities can prepare for emergency situations in order to...
09.25.2022
Episode 161 Interview with Indian Marxist historian Vijay Prashad –looking at today’s environmental problems through a Marxist lens.shad
A wide-ranging, hard hitting discussion with Vijay Prashad exploring the environmental crises we are facing today through a Marxist lens-with a particular focus on the importance of the “common but differentiated responsibilities” contained in Principle 7 of the 1992 Rio...
09.14.2022
Episode 160 Author Ned Beauman talks about his satirical extinction novel, Venemous Lumpsucker
Fascinating, broad ranging discussion on extinction, literary fiction and the climate crisis, environmental satire, and the commodification of nature.
08.31.2022
Episode 159: Deep dive on the destruction of the blue commons, with economist Guy Standing
Eye opening discussion on the destruction of the blue commons… the destruction of fragile ocean ecosystems, marine pollution, habitat destruction, and the destruction of coastal communities, driven by overfishing, corporate exploitation, lax regulatory enforcement...and a passionate call to protect the...
08.22.2022
Episode 158: interview with McKinsey partner Peter Spiller on how to deal with Scope 3 emissions
McKinsey partner Peter Spiller shares his perspective on key questions around how to tackle Scope 3 emissions, why Scope 3 emissions matter, and he highlights some of the key challenges companies face decarbonizing their supply chains.
08.11.2022
Episode 157: Interview with American theologian, philosopher, and environmentalist John B. Cobb
John B. Cobb talks about his half-century long commitment to the environment, and environmental ethics, his life long work as a theologian and philosopher, and why, ay 97, he has cofounded Living Earth Movement to inspire global cooperation for the...
07.15.2022
Episode 156: interview with Dasha Karma Ura, President of the Center for Bhutan studies, and Gross National Happiness Research
Discussion of the Bhutanese philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH) based on measures of individual and collective happiness, well-being of the population, and relationship with the environment, underpinned by Buddhist values.
06.29.2022
Episode 155: Art curator and critic Hans Ulrich Obrist discusses the role of art in climate communications and activism
A wide-ranging discussion with art critic and curator Hans Ulrich Obrist on ecology and contemporary art--focussing on his work at the Serpentine Gallery in London--and the potential for climate and environmental art today.
06.16.2022
Episode 154: Interview with Professor Helen Thompson on her new book Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st century.
Fascinating interview exploring the interwoven geopolitical, economic, and political history of Western democratic societies revealing the way in which the battles for energy and for resources has ultimately led to many recent crises
06.06.2022
Episode 153: Lord Adair Turner on the role of Carbon Dioxide Removals (CDR) in meeting global climate objectives
Lord Adair Turner discussed the work of the Energy Transitions Commission --and the Commission’s recent report on the role of Carbon Dioxide Removals (CDR) in meeting global climate objectives.
05.26.2022
Episode 152: Interview with Timothée Parrique: why we need to degrow the economy. Now.
Timothee Parrique discusses the latest research on degrowth economics, how the IPCC is embracing the idea of degrowth, and why green growth is not the answer.
05.17.2022
Episode 151: Professor Robert Eccles discusses ESG trends, and the importance of sustainability ratings
A fascinating discussion with Professor Robert Eccles, one of the world’s leading authorities on ESG, on the role of ESG factors in investment, the development of new sustainability standards, and investors’ changing attitudes to sustainability.
05.09.2022
Episode 150: Sunrise co-founder William Lawrence shares some lessons and insights from the growth and development of the Sunrise movement
A deep dive with Sunrise co-founder William Lawrence on the key lessons and insights from the growth and development of the Sunrise movement.
04.25.2022
Episode 149 Professor Kevin Gallagher and Richard Kozul-Wright discuss their ideas for a new Bretton Woods to deal with inequality and climate breakdown
How can the Bretton Woods institutions be reformed to stabilise international finance, align trade and investment rules with climate and development goals?
04.12.2022
Episode 148: Interview with Ann Pettifor on finance and climate and stranded assets
Wide ranging interview with Ann Pettifor on the impact of an unstable financial system on the prospects of dealing with the climate crisis, the power of the private finance, the risk of stranded assets, and the necessity of moving to...
03.29.2022
Episode 147: Professor Ruth DeFries on lessons from the natural world on how to deal with environmental crises.
Deep dive with Professor Ruth DeFries on her recent book What would Nature Do exploring how strategies from the natural world can help humanity weather many of the environmental crises we are now facing.
03.11.2022
Episode 146: Interview with Mark Campanale, Founder of the Carbon Tracker Initiative
A deep dive on stranded assets with Mark Campanale, Founder of the Carbon Tracker Initiative --and a look at the Fossil fuel Non Proliferation Treaty.
02.24.2022
Episode 145 Interview with MSCI’s Global Head of ESG and Climate Research Linda-Eling Lee
Interview with MSCI’s Global Head of ESG and Climate Research Linda-Eling Lee
02.01.2022
Episode 144: Interview with Kenyan conservationist Dr Mordecai Ogada on conservation trends in Kenya.
Hard-hitting interview with outspoken Kenyan ecologist and conservation writer Dr Mordecai Ogada on conservation trends in Kenya.
01.11.2022
Episode 143 Interview with pioneering American political activist, urban theorist and Marxist environmentalist Mike Davis
A wide-ranging and hard-hitting interview with pioneering American writer, activist, and Marxist environmentalist Mike Davis about the existential environmental and nuclear dangers we are facing --and the prevailing ideology that finance capitalism can save the world.
12.27.2021
Episode 142: Sir Ronald Cohen, "the father of social investment," discusses his new book, Impact, Reshaping capitalism to drive real change.
Sir Ronald Cohen, "the father of social investment," discusses his new book, Impact, Reshaping capitalism to drive real change, and shares his vision of a world where investors can measure companies impact and “help change the behaviour of companies...
12.13.2021
Episode 141 Interview with Professor Katharina Pistor on How the Law Creates Wealth and Inequality
Professor Katharina Pistor on How the Law Creates Wealth and Inequality--and she highlights the various ways that debt, complex financial products, and other assets are selectively coded to protect and reproduce private wealth-and extends her analysis to the recent proliferation...

What's The Sustainability Agenda about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Sustainability Agenda episodes:

Episode 190: Dr. Xander Dunlap discusses how current environmental policies and "green" technologies are perpetuating ecological destruction.

Episode 189: Interview with Irish rewilding pioneer Eoghan Daltun in the Beara peninsula of Co. Cork, Ireland.

Episode 188: Interview with Bhutanese lama Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche...offering a distinctive Buddhist outlook on current environmental crises.

Episode 187: Interview with indigenous Australian academic and human and earth rights activist, Dr. Anne Poelina.

Episode 186: Interview with Steve Trent, founder of the Environmental Justice Foundation

Episode 185: Interview with leading French anthropologist Professor Philippe Descola on man's relationship with nature.

Episode 184: Interview with Dr. Matthew J. Bell, EY Global Climate Change and Sustainability Services Leader

Episode 183 Interview with Professor Katharina Pistor on How the Law Creates Wealth and Inequality. First aired on December 13th, 2021.

Episode 182: Journalist Vincent Bevins discusses his new book If We Burn: The Mass Protest Decade and the Missing Revolution

Episode 181: Environmental degradation, capitalism, and imperialism with Jason W Moore

Episode 180 Net Zero: Beyond the hype. Professor Angel Hsu on the reality of Net Zero Pledges

Episode 179: Jeremy Lent talks about finding our place in the universe by integrating science and traditional wisdom

Episode 178: Discussion with Paula DiPerna of the pros and cons of a market based approach to our environmental problems.

Episode 177 Author Ned Beauman talks about his satirical extinction novel, Venemous Lumpsucker. First aired in September 2022.

Episode 176: Interview with Mike Davis, CEO of pioneering campaigning NGO, on their work unmasking global corruption, safeguarding the environment, and advocating for human rights

Episode 175: Dr. Samantha Montano: Understanding Emergency Management in the Climate Change Era

Episode 174: Interview with Professor Daniel Aldrich on resilience and the importance of social capital in post-disaster recovery, first aired October 2021

Episode 173: Interview with Scottish author Martin MacInnes on contemporary literature and the climate crisis

Episode 172: Professor Neta Crawford discusses the emissions of the Pentagon -- the world’s largest single greenhouse gas emitter.

Episode 171: Interview with Dr Jeffrey Kiehl, climate scientist and Jungian analyst.

Episode 170: Interview with renowned climate scientist Will Steffen, first aired in June 2020, on the dangers of “tipping cascades” that could post an existential threat to civilization.

Episode 169: Interview with environmental anthropologist Peter Sutoris on new models for schooling and environmental activism.

Episode 168: Veteran activist Stephen Corry, former CEO of Survival International, provides a coruscating analysis of the outcome of COP15

Episode 167: Interview with Professor Daniela Gabor on funding the transition to a low carbon economy, first aired June 2021

Episode 166. Pascoe Sabido from Corporate Europe Observatory reflects on the outcome of COP27

Episode 165 Interview with pioneering American political activist, urban theorist and Marxist environmentalist Mike Davis, first aired in January 2022

Episode 164 Harjeet Singh, head of Global Political Strategy at Climate Action Network International on his expectations for COP27

Episode 163: Interview with David Loy, professor, writer, and Zen teacher of Japanese Zen Buddhism

Episode 162: Groundbreaking nuclear scholar Professor Elaine Scarry shares her views on today’s growing nuclear threats – and discusses how citizens and communities can prepare for emergency situation

Episode 161 Interview with Indian Marxist historian Vijay Prashad –looking at today’s environmental problems through a Marxist lens.shad

Episode 160 Author Ned Beauman talks about his satirical extinction novel, Venemous Lumpsucker

Episode 159: Deep dive on the destruction of the blue commons, with economist Guy Standing

Episode 158: interview with McKinsey partner Peter Spiller on how to deal with Scope 3 emissions

Episode 157: Interview with American theologian, philosopher, and environmentalist John B. Cobb

Episode 156: interview with Dasha Karma Ura, President of the Center for Bhutan studies, and Gross National Happiness Research

Episode 155: Art curator and critic Hans Ulrich Obrist discusses the role of art in climate communications and activism

Episode 154: Interview with Professor Helen Thompson on her new book Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st century.

Episode 153: Lord Adair Turner on the role of Carbon Dioxide Removals (CDR) in meeting global climate objectives

Episode 152: Interview with Timothée Parrique: why we need to degrow the economy. Now.

Episode 151: Professor Robert Eccles discusses ESG trends, and the importance of sustainability ratings

Episode 150: Sunrise co-founder William Lawrence shares some lessons and insights from the growth and development of the Sunrise movement

Episode 149 Professor Kevin Gallagher and Richard Kozul-Wright discuss their ideas for a new Bretton Woods to deal with inequality and climate breakdown

Episode 148: Interview with Ann Pettifor on finance and climate and stranded assets

Episode 147: Professor Ruth DeFries on lessons from the natural world on how to deal with environmental crises.

Episode 146: Interview with Mark Campanale, Founder of the Carbon Tracker Initiative

Episode 145 Interview with MSCI’s Global Head of ESG and Climate Research Linda-Eling Lee

Episode 144: Interview with Kenyan conservationist Dr Mordecai Ogada on conservation trends in Kenya.

Episode 143 Interview with pioneering American political activist, urban theorist and Marxist environmentalist Mike Davis

Episode 142: Sir Ronald Cohen, "the father of social investment," discusses his new book, Impact, Reshaping capitalism to drive real change.

Episode 141 Interview with Professor Katharina Pistor on How the Law Creates Wealth and Inequality