The Sustainability Journey

Hydrogen and Ammonia: The Future of Clean Energy| S. 1 E. 121

"The biggest problem we face is that the pollution and negative externalities of using fossil fuels are not internalized; they are socialized"
Join us for an enlightening episode of "The Sustainability Journey" as we sit down with Alicia Eastman, co-founder and former president of Intercontinental Energy. Alicia, a global expert in renewable energy, takes us through her fascinating sustainability journey, starting from her early experiences with environmental awareness to her groundbreaking work in hydrogen and ammonia as clean energy solutions. Discover the innovative strategies and policies driving the energy transition, the role of private-public partnerships, and the future of sustainable industries like shipping and steel. This episode is packed with insights on the challenges and opportunities within the energy sector, making it a must-listen for anyone passionate about sustainability.
 

Pioneering Sustainability in Mauritius: Green Building and Technology | S.1 E. 120

"In Africa, businesses are born out of social necessity, making them inherently geared towards sustainability" 
In this episode we learn about green building, smart cities, and sustainable development with Tony Lee Luen Len , an influential sustainability expert from Mauritius. Tony shares his inspiring journey from a small village in Mauritius to becoming a leader in green building and sustainability consulting. Discover how Tony has been at the forefront of promoting green building practices, advocating for climate action, and leveraging technology for sustainable urban development. Learn about the innovative projects and initiatives Tony has led, including the development of a national net-zero roadmap and the greening of public sectors. This episode is packed with insights on operationalizing sustainability at local and global levels, making it essential listening for anyone passionate about sustainable development and climate action.

Saving Lives and Forests - Transforming Lives Through Clean Cooking | S. 1 E. 119

Indoor pollution is a silent killer; millions of lives are lost every year, but with the right solutions, we can change that narrative.
Meet Peter Scott, the visionary CEO and founder of Burn. In this episode, we explore the profound impact of Burn's work in transforming lives and saving forests across Africa through innovative clean cooking solutions.
Peter shares his journey, starting from a bold declaration at 14 to save the world, leading to a life dedicated to combating deforestation and indoor pollution. His commitment has resulted in Burn becoming the largest modern cookstove company in the world, producing over 250,000 stoves monthly and employing thousands across the continent.
Key points of discussion include:
The Challenges and Innovations in Clean Cooking: Peter highlights the pressing challenges in the African energy sector and how Burn's range of wood, charcoal, LPG, and electric stoves are providing sustainable solutions.
Impact and Business Model: Discover how Burn's unique business model, supported by carbon credits, makes their stoves affordable and accessible, even in remote areas.
Carbon Credits and Sustainability: Peter addresses the debates around carbon credits and explains how they are vital for funding clean energy projects and reducing deforestation.
Manufacturing and Job Creation: Learn about Burn's commitment to manufacturing in Africa, creating jobs, and fostering economic growth on the continent.
Future Goals: Peter shares Burn's ambitious plans to ensure every household in Africa benefits from their products, aiming for a transformative impact on both people and the environment.
 
 

Connecting Changemakers: The Power of Community- Good Ripple | S.1 E. 118

"Communities are powerful because they help bring people together and find similarities... we start focusing more on what brings us together as human beings."
In this  episode of "The Sustainability Journey," host Samuele Tini sits down with Carlos Terol, the visionary founder of Good Ripple, a platform designed to connect changemakers across the globe. Carlos shares his journey from a capitalist mindset to becoming a passionate advocate for sustainability, sparked by a transformative trip to Western Sahara.
Discover how Good Ripple evolved from a simple idea into a thriving community of over 2,600 members from 97 countries, with an ambitious goal to connect 300 million changemakers by 2030. Carlos discusses the power of community, the importance of starting small, and the critical role technology plays in driving social change.
Highlights
Carlos’s Eureka Moment: Carlos’s eyes were opened to the realities of social impact during a visit to Western Sahara, which led him to shift his career focus towards sustainability.
The Birth of Good Ripple: Learn how Carlos created Good Ripple to connect local changemakers, inspired by discovering the hidden potential in his neighborhood.
Building and Scaling: Carlos shares valuable lessons from his entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of validating ideas and the power of community-driven development.
The Role of Technology: A discussion on how technology can amplify positive impacts and connect changemakers globally, while balancing it with nature-based solutions.
Future Aspirations: Carlos’s excitement about testing monetization strategies and co-creating premium features with the community to ensure financial sustainability.

Development, Tech, and Health: Empowering Women and Girls with Tiko | S. 1 E. 117

"We believe that before we even start to talk about education and entrepreneurship, we must cover the needs in terms of sexual health". 
Join us on a compelling journey of innovation and impact as Samuel Tini converses with Benoit Renard of TIKO, a pioneering tech NGO dedicated to promoting sexual and reproductive health for adolescents and young people in Africa. In this episode, we delve into the social side of sustainability, focusing on community work and women's rights.
Benoit shares his transformative journey from France to sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting his passion for mixing business practices with development work to bring efficiencies and impact. Discover how TICO, through its unique software platform, collaborates with local partners to deliver essential health services, especially in challenging environments.
Learn about the inspiring stories from the field, the challenges and triumphs of implementing technology in community health, and the future of tech-driven NGO work. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in sustainable development, technology for good, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people.
Learn more https://tiko.org/ 

From 'The Profiteers' to Pioneers: Transforming Capitalism into a Regenerative Force | S.1 E. 116

In our latest episode we discuss with Professor Christopher Marquis, formerly at Harvard Business School and now at Cambridge Judge Business School, a world leading academic in the study of the business for good movement,. We explore the urgent need to shift from a shareholder-centric view of business to a stakeholder-oriented model that truly considers the environmental and social impacts of corporate actions.
Chris shares his insights on the evolution of sustainability, summarized in his 3 books, from Better Business to the most recent, “The Profiteers” . We discuss the pivotal role of movements like the B Corp in remaking capitalism and the challenges businesses face in this transition.
Then, discussing the second book, Mao and the Markets, we dive into the complexities of the Chinese economic system and what Western businesses can learn from China’s approach to sustainability and long-term planning.
His latest research, summed in the book “The Profiteers-How Business Privatizes Profits and Socializes Costs”  unveils the concept of the "Corporate Free Lunch," explaining how businesses have historically externalized their costs, pushing them onto society and the environment, and what can be done to change this extractive paradigm. Learn about pioneering companies leading the way toward a regenerative model of capitalism and how the concept of positive externalities is shaping the future of responsible business. From Natura’s innovative integrated profit and loss statement to the broader implications of European Union policies, Chris provides a roadmap for how businesses and consumers alike can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world.
 
To learn more https://chrismarquis.com/the-profiteers-how-business-privatizes-profit-and-socializes-cost/ 
https://chrismarquis.com/mao-and-markets-the-communist-roots-of-chinese-enterprise/ 
https://chrismarquis.com/better-business-how-the-b-corp-movement-is-remaking-capitalism/ 
 
 

Space-Based Solar Power: The Next Frontier in Sustainability| S.1 E.115 with Martin Soltau

In this episode we explore the cutting-edge world of space-based solar power, with by Martin Soltau, the co-CEO of Space Solar. We explore a revolutionary approach to clean energy that promises to transform how we harness the power of the sun. Discover how space-based solar technology works, its potential to deliver continuous, reliable energy, and the significant role it can play in achieving global net-zero targets.
Key Points:
Introduction to Space-Based Solar Power: Understanding the basics of this groundbreaking technology and its benefits over traditional solar power.
Martin Soltau's Journey: From aerospace engineering to leading the charge in space-based solar power.
Technical Viability and Economic Feasibility: Insights from the UK government's study on the potential of space-based solar power.
Implementation and Scaling: How Space Solar plans to develop and commercialize this technology within the next six years.
Global Collaboration and Regulation: The importance of international partnerships and regulatory frameworks to make space-based solar power a reality.
Impact on Energy Markets and Sustainability: How this technology can provide affordable, continuous energy and support global sustainability efforts.
Overcoming Challenges: Addressing the technical, economic, and regulatory hurdles in developing space-based solar power.
The Future of Energy: Envisioning a world powered by space-based solar energy and its potential to revolutionize the energy sector.
Learn more https://www.spacesolar.co.uk/

Enabling Change: The Evolving Role of Philanthropy in Global Sustainability| S.1 E 114 with Benjamin Bellegy

"Philanthropy needs to shift from being achievers of change to enablers of change"
 
Our special guest is Benjamin Bellegy, the Executive Director of WINGS, an organization that plays a pivotal role in enhancing the philanthropic sector's effectiveness and impact worldwide.
Philanthropy has always been a powerful ally in solving our most pressing problems, but as the challenges grow more complex and interconnected, the need for transformative change is more apparent than ever. Benjamin takes us on a journey through his experiences, highlighting how philanthropy can act as a catalyst for systemic change. From his start in Ethiopia to his current role in Brazil, Benjamin's story is one of passion, learning, and the drive to make a meaningful difference.
Key Points:
Philanthropy as an Enabler: Learn how philanthropy can shift from being just a funder to an enabler of systemic change, fostering partnerships and trust within communities.
Walking the Talk: Discover the importance of consistency in philanthropy, ensuring that all dimensions of a foundation's work align with its mission for greater impact.
Strategic Use of Assets: Understand how philanthropic assets can be leveraged more effectively to support transformative change, particularly in the context of climate change and sustainability.
Building Bridges: Benjamin emphasizes the role of philanthropy in building bridges and forming partnerships to amplify its impact on a global scale.
Local Impact: Insights into how philanthropy can better connect with and support grassroots initiatives, making a tangible difference at the community level.
To know more 
 
https://transformphilanthropy.wingsweb.org/
 
https://philanthropyforclimate.org/
 
https://wingsweb.org/

Media, AI, and Sustainability - Empowering the Sustainable Transition | S.1 E. 113 with Andrea Gori

"We are here to empower the sustainable transition with the most insightful information and data".
In this episode we meet Andrea Gori, a global leader, founder and Chief Earth Officer (CEO)  of Illuminem and a former sustainability lead at one of the top consultancy firm, to explore the transformative power of media in driving sustainability. Andrea shares his transition from consulting to creating Illuminem, a platform aiming to be the Bloomberg of sustainability, offering a centralized source of accurate and accessible information. we discuss into the critical role of sustainable practices in businesses and the evolving landscape of ESG investment.
Key points
Transition from Consulting to Entrepreneurship: Andrea discusses his move from a high-level sustainability consultant at BCG to launching Illuminem, driven by his passion for impactful change.
Role of Illuminem: Described as the second most read platform on sustainability worldwide, it integrates AI to categorize and summarize content, serving as both a media platform and a data provider.
Innovative Business Model: It operates on a SaaS model, monetizing data on sustainability performance to support solution providers in the green tech and renewable energy sectors.
Importance of Media in Sustainability: Andrea emphasizes the transformative role of media in disseminating knowledge and driving the sustainable agenda forward, advocating for high-quality, accessible information.
Challenges in the Consulting Sector: Discusses the perception of consulting as reactive rather than proactive in sustainability, addressing criticisms of consulting firms possibly hindering progress in sustainable practices.
The ESG Debate: Andrea addresses criticisms of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing, highlighting the growth and challenges of ESG as a tool for sustainable investment.
Future Trends and Innovations: Highlights emerging trends like carbon engineering vs. nature-based solutions, the creation of biodiversity credits, and the potential of ocean wave energy.
Vision for Illuminem’s Future: Aims to establish it as a central, reliable source for sustainability data and information, fostering transparency and accountability in the sustainability sector.
 

Nature’s Architects: How Fungi Are Shaping Sustainable Practices |S.1 E 112

"There's so much intelligence in nature... that's the new frontier for me" 
In this episode we explore the often unknown world of fungi with global sustainability and fungi expert Susanne Gløersen.  This conversation uncovers the untapped potential of fungi in addressing pressing environmental issues, blending science, innovation, and a passion for ecological solutions. Susanne would describe herself as "super passionate about the fungi revolution - and how to harvest the intelligence of nature for the environmental innovations that the world needs".
She has more than 12 years of extensive experience in sustainability across the financial ecosystem (most lately Sustainability Lead at SEB GreenTech VC), but has now jumped off to only immerse herself into accelerating fungal innovations for planetary wellbeing. She is the founder of a global award to honor truly cutting edge  fungi focused science and start-up innovation, leveraging fungi to solve some of humanity`s largest environmental challenges – The Future is Fungi Award.  An award nominated for The Earthshot Prize.
She is also investing in fungi focused start-ups and building an ecosystem of fungi oriented investors - having founded the The Fungi Investment Collective.
Susanne sees biology and nature itself will be the next wave in sustainability, with a particular interest in fungi and how it can support a more regenerative agriculture, nature & biodiversity restoration and the material needs in the world. And it is the truly frontier and breakthrough innovations that excites Susanne the most.
Key Points:
Journey to Sustainability: Susanne shares her transformative journey from finance to a career driven by a passion for sustainability and responsible capitalism.
Fungi’s Versatile Role: Discover the myriad ways fungi are revolutionizing environmental solutions, from alternative proteins to sustainable materials.
Innovations in Mycelium: Explore the groundbreaking applications of mycelium in various sectors, showcasing fungi's potential in sustainable practices.
Frontier Science and Startups: Insights into the Future of Fungi Award and Collective, highlighting cutting-edge fungal research and startups.
Future Vision and Advice: Susanne offers predictions on the role of fungi in future sustainability efforts and advice for aspiring changemakers in this field.
Useful Links 
 
The Fungi Investment Collective: https://www.fungiinvestmentcollective.com/
The Future is Fungi Award: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-future-is-fungi-award/