The Samuele Tini Show - where business, innovation, and sustainability converge

Moving Money to Meaning: Enabling Qapital |S.1 E. 80 with Xavier Pierluca

In this enlightening episode of our sustainability journey, host Samuele Tini sits down with Xavier Pierluca, the co-Managing Partner of Enabling Qapital, an investment firm committed to creating sustainable solutions for pressing global issues.
Our journey begins with Xavier sharing his personal and professional transitions, from a conventional finance background to the sphere of impact investing. The significance of the economic and financial literacy he gained from his past experiences in the traditional finance sector is discussed.
In the second part of our discussion, Xavier delves deep into the problems that Enabling Qapital aims to solve. Specifically, he elaborates on the significance of improving access to clean cooking solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. In this context, he provides an introduction to the Spark Fund, an investment tool focused on reducing CO2 emissions and promoting financial inclusion in Africa. He underscores the urgent need to address this problem given the environmental, health, and social repercussions and highlights how Enabling Qapital is extending capital to businesses tackling this issue.
Our conversation then explores the importance of B Corp certification. Xavier details how this certification has significantly impacted Enabling Qapital's operations, supporting their mission of "moving money to meaning". He discusses how the B Corp certification keeps them accountable and ensures they fulfill their promises.
As we approach the end of our episode, Xavier shares the ambitious goals and future pathways for Enabling Qapital and the Spark Fund. His insights on their strategies, fund management, and their dedication to positive climate impacts are fascinating.
His advice for those keen to venture into impact investing is insightful and pragmatic, encouraging listeners to be change catalysts within their organizations, promoting socially and environmentally responsible investments.
Tune in to this episode for an enlightening conversation on impact investing, financial inclusion, the role of the Spark Fund in promoting sustainable change in Africa, and the power of entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship in driving this change.

”Industrialize Nature Restoration”: An Oxymoron or Our Path Forward? | S.1 E. 79 with Dr. Hassan Sachedina Sayari Earth

“And our vision really is for the planet to become a sponge for co2. what we need to do is to industrialize nature restoration. And normally, those three words are not used in the same sentence. But what we really need to do as society is for nature restoration to effectively become industrialized”.
 
Join us in this latest episode of our journey as we explore the intersection of conservation, the B Corp movement, and carbon markets with Dr. Hassan Sachedina, a renowned sustainability expert and CEO and founder of Sayari Earth. Dr. Sachedina shares his personal journey, the milestones achieved by BCP (BioCarbon Partners), and the transformative impact of conservation land use on communities and wildlife corridors. He then introduces Sayari Earth's 2.0 approach to nature-based solutions and their vision for a regenerative economy. We also address concerns about the integrity of the voluntary carbon market and discuss actionable tips for individuals and organizations to contribute to solving the planetary crisis.
Tune in and be inspired to make a positive impact!

Can Finance Fuel a Greener, Sustainable Future?| S. 1 E.78 with David Carlin

Can Finance Fuel a Greener, Sustainable Future? | Exclusive Interview with David Carlin 
💡 Join us in this insightful episode as David Carlin,  climate risk and TCFD program leader for UNEP Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), shares his perspectives on the role of financial institutions and the corporate world in fostering sustainable development. Discover the challenges faced by financial institutions and the steps we can take to accelerate progress towards a greener future.
Key Points:
📌 Challenges financial institutions face in transitioning to a sustainable and inclusive economy
📌 How financial institutions can contribute to accelerating sustainable development
📌 The role of financial institutions and corporations in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals
📌 Actionable steps to fast-track progress towards a sustainable future
📌 David's advice for making informed choices in support of sustainability
 
🔖 About David Carlin: David leads the climate risk and TCFD program for UNEP FI, where he has worked with over 100 financial institutions on climate scenarios, risk assessments, and governance. He advises UNEP FI’s Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA). David is the founder of Cambium Global Solutions and a contributor to Forbes, writing about climate change and leadership. His background includes roles at Oliver Wyman and PNC Bank, as well as research in financial decision-making at Carnegie Mellon University.
🚀 Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about the vital role of finance and corporate action in shaping our path to a greener, more sustainable world! 

Time4Humanity- Unlocking conscious business through values, culture and purpose | S. 1 E.77 with Samie Al-Achrafi

"Sustainability goes beyond banning plastic bags and getting people together as teams once a year. It's really about how ESG is embedded into the culture, behaviors, actions, habits, practices". 
I have met changemaker and sustainability leader  Samie Al -Achrafi , CEO and founder of Marmalade Fish, a certified B Corp, about sustainability, conscious leadership, and the role of technology. Samie shares his personal sustainability journey and how he founded Marmalade Fish. He emphasizes the importance of values, culture, and conscious leadership in businesses and organizations. Samie  discusses the challenges and opportunities of working with emerging markets and his book "Time4Humanity," which is a guide to conscious leadership. He also talks about the role of technology as a facilitator and enabler for humanity.
#time4humanity #sustainability #change 

Empowering Voices: Unleashing the power of women for global climate action | S.1 E. 76 SHE Changes Climate

In this insightful podcast episode, I interview Bianca Pitt, co-founder of She Changes Climate, about the significance of gender equality in climate action.
Bianca discusses the challenges women face in climate negotiations, the progress achieved so far, and the steps needed for 50/50 representation. Throughout the conversation, Bianca highlights the difficulty of gaining media attention and support for gender equality amidst ongoing crises like the war in Ukraine and the cost of living crisis.
She also addresses the reluctance and fear some men have towards women's empowerment, emphasizing that diverse perspectives benefit everyone. Bianca shares her personal journey and her transformation into a passionate advocate for nature and the environment.
She offers practical advice on how individuals can play a role in promoting gender equality in climate action, including amplifying women's voices, supporting female candidates, and becoming ambassadors for the She Changes Climate campaign.
In her final call to action, Bianca urges everyone to strive for a 50/50 vision in their organizations and communities, emphasizing the importance of listening and learning from one another to create a more sustainable future.
Join us as we explore gender equality and climate action in this engaging and inspiring episode. #GenderEquality #ClimateAction #SheChangesClimate #BiancaPitt #WomenInClimate #ClimateJustice #FemaleLeadership #Sustainability #EcoFeminism #ClimateChange #Environment #Empowerment #5050Representation #Podcast #Interview

Bridging Boundaries: Reimagining Africa’s Future in Harmony with Nature- Peace Parks Foundation| S.1 E.75

Dive into this captivating conversation with Werner Myburgh, CEO of Peace Parks Foundation, as he shares the ins and outs of transforming conservation in Africa.
Discover how the foundation is creating cross-border sanctuaries that not only protect biodiversity but also benefit local communities.
.Learn about their unique approach to sustainable conservation by blending government, private sector, and community involvement for long-term success.
From rehabilitating core protected areas to exploring alternative financing mechanisms, Werner discusses the importance of scale and collaboration in shaping Africa's future.
Don't miss this insightful episode that delves into the challenges and opportunities in conservation across the continent! 
#conservation #africa #changemakers #community #peace
 

Sowing the seeds of a sustainable future: Boomitra’s AI and satellite-powered soil carbon solutions | S. 1 E. 74 with Aadith Moorthy

In this episode we meet Aadith Moorthy, the CEO and co-founder of Boomitra, a company that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite technology to quantify and monetize soil carbon. They discuss the importance of soil carbon, the technology behind Boomitra, the role of carbon markets, and the future goals of the company.  Boomitra means “Friend of the Earth” in Sanskrit.
Aadith explains that soil carbon is critical for climate change mitigation, as it can store three times more carbon than the atmosphere. By working with farmers to implement regenerative agriculture practices, Boomitra aims to increase soil carbon and help mitigate climate change.
The company's unique technology uses AI and satellite imagery to measure soil carbon at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods. Aadith emphasizes that "using satellites and AI, we are able to not only measure what's happening, but we are able to measure it at a 90% plus cost reduction compared to doing the soil sampling and every farmer getting it tested”.
Boomitra’s approach ensures that the value of carbon credits reaches the communities that need it the most, with contracts stipulating that the majority of funds must go to the farmers. Aadith also addresses the recent debate around carbon markets, explaining how the company  addresses concerns of over-crediting and ensures the validity of their carbon credits by using control sites and measuring additionality.
Aadith's vision is to reach 500 million farmers by the end of the decade and achieve gigaton-scale carbon removal. He encourages listeners to think in terms of gigaton-scale solutions for climate change, stating, "that's how we can have a truly meaningful impact on climate change, be it adaptation or mitigation or anything else”.
Throughout the episode, Aadith emphasizes the importance of technology, carbon markets, and gigaton-scale solutions in addressing climate change and supporting smallholder farmers around the world.

From Dutch Technology to Global Impact: Nazava Water Filters | S.1. E. 73 with Lieselotte Heederik

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Lieselotte Heederik, co-founder and Director of Nazava Water Filters. With a background in microfinance and women empowerment, Lieselotte's experience growing up in different countries and her studies in the Netherlands have shaped her perspective on the importance of clean and safe water access.
Join us as we discuss Lieselotte's sustainability journey, the critical issue of water access, and how Nazava Water Filters is making a difference by providing affordable purification solutions. To date, Nazava has impacted over 600,000 people with improved health and access to safe, affordable drinking water. They are also making strides in reducing single-use plastic and CO2 emissions.
In our conversation, we'll explore the following topics:
 
Lieselotte's background and her path towards co-founding Nazava
The importance of clean water access and its impact on global communities
How Nazava Water Filters work and the technology behind them
Inspiring impact stories from those who have benefited from Nazava's solutions 
The role of carbon credits in ensuring affordability for those in needNazava's global presence, future milestones, and their ambitious goal to impact 10 million people by 2030
Lieselotte's final message on the importance of clean water access and how each of us can contribute to a more sustainable world
Don't miss this insightful conversation with Lieselotte Heederik as we dive into the world of water access and the power of innovation in addressing one of the world's most pressing issues.
#CleanWaterAccess #NazavaWaterFilters #LieselotteHeederik #SustainableSolutions #WomenEmpowerment #Microfinance #WaterPurification #EcoFriendly #ReducePlasticWaste #CO2EmissionReduction #GlobalImpact #AffordableWaterFilters #CommunityHealth #SDG6 #WaterForAll #InnovationForChange

Building a better world: Caspian’s mission to create sustainable businesses | S.1 E.72 with Avishek Gupta

Introducing Avishek Gupta, the Managing Director and CEO of Caspian Debt, a pioneering impact investing firm in India part of Caspian. With over 220 successful customized debt investments in start-ups, social enterprises, and financial institutions, Caspian Debt has proven its worth in sectors ranging from food and agribusiness to clean technologies, healthcare, education, water and sanitation, and financial inclusion.
Avishek's experience in the industry is impressive, with his previous work in setting up a structured finance business in small business lending and affordable housing finance sectors. He began his career by building a startup in the dairy supply chain that provided technology and manpower support to rural financial institutions, enabling them to provide financing to dairy farmers.
Avishek holds a B.Tech in Dairy Technology and Masters in Dairy Chemistry, along with a Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management from the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA).
In the latest episode, Avishek shares his insights into Caspian's investment strategy and its mission to promote social and environmental impact through responsible and transparent investing. Caspian's investment focus is on enterprises that address access and efficiency issues in business ecosystems, with the aim of providing capital and expertise to early-stage enterprises, helping them improve their outreach and viability.
Caspian’s mission is to enable the growth of enterprises that create social and environmental impact in a responsible, transparent, and sustainable manner. The company's commitment to ethical and transparent business practices has been recognized by its B Corp certification, making it the first Indian impact investing firm to be certified.

Studying the Business for Good | S. 1 E. 71 with Jessica Yinka Thomas, B Academics

Jessica is a changemaker, academic, author and B Corp Champion.
She cofounded B Academics the network of educators and researchers committed to accelerating the sustainable business movement by studying the global movement of B Corporation.
She is an associate professor and she leads the Business Sustainability Collective at Poole College of Management at NC State University.
In the episode, she discusses B Academics, the impact stories from the B Corp Clinic and her academic work.
Some Key points. 
Educating the next generation of business leaders. How can academia be an agent of change?
What are some of the initiatives that are creating the leader of the future?
The impact of the B Corp Clinic
What’s the impact of the business sustainability collective?
A great way to start B Corp Month 2023! Follow the Journey!
 
B
Bio: Jessica Yinka Thomas serves as Director of the Business Sustainability Collaborative and Assistant Professor of the Practice in Poole College where she teaches social innovation and environmental sustainability. Her work focuses on studying innovative sustainable business models including B Corporations. Professor Thomas leads the nationally-recognized, B Corp Clinic, an experiential learning consulting program where students work with local and global companies to drive social and environmental impact. She serves as Executive Director of B Academics, a global network that works to unite academics studying and teaching about B Corporations. Professor Thomas has written numerous white papers, case studies and research reports as well as two social justice novels. She received her MBA from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, and her bachelor’s in engineering from Stanford University.