The Sustainability Journey- by Samuele Tini

Financing the Green Transition and Democratizing Climate-Conscious Investing | S.1 E. 126

"If you bring the do good after the return, that's quite the differentiator."
Pyrpose, a sustainability-focused startup, is tackling the challenge of energy transition in Switzerland by democratizing access to financing for green infrastructure projects. Leveraging a crowdfunding-like platform, Pyrpose empowers climate-conscious investors to directly support local building retrofits and renewable energy installations, while also earning a return on their investment. This innovative approach challenges the notion that "doing good" must come at the expense of financial returns. By addressing the capital constraints faced by building owners, Pyrpose is driving measurable impact in carbon emissions reduction and community engagement. The startup's resilience in navigating different business models and its focus on additive capital have positioned it as a trailblazer in the sustainable finance space. As Switzerland grapples with an aging building infrastructure and high energy prices, Pyrpose's model offers a scalable solution that can be replicated globally, bridging the gap between environmental and financial objectives.
 
learn more at https://pyrpose.io/

Solving Problems with Entrepreneurship: Insights from a Serial Changemaker | S.1 E 125

"The best way of fighting a system that you want to get rid of is not fighting it but coming up with a better solution"
In this episode  the incredible career of Maurits Groen, a pioneering entrepreneur in sustainability. Maurits shares his lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship, from his early days recycling paper to founding transformative ventures like WakaWaka, Kipster, and many more. Discover how his innovative solutions are tackling global issues such as energy access, food waste, and climate change. Learn about the challenges and successes of embedding sustainability in business operations and hear his insights on creating a circular economy. This episode is a testament to the power of perseverance, collaboration, and visionary thinking in driving sustainable change.

Harnessing Data for a sustainable value chain | S. 1 E. 124

Please note that the interviewee was an employee of Agritask at the time of this interview. He has since left the company. The opinions expressed in this interview are solely those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of the company or any other entity.
 
In this insightful episode of The Sustainability Journey, host Samuele Tini engages in a compelling conversation with David Taylor, former Head of Sales and Business Development for Agritask in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region. Delve into the intricate world of sustainable agriculture, data-driven value chains, and innovative practices that aim to enhance both environmental and social impacts. Discover how Agritask is pioneering in the field by helping businesses gain better visibility into farm-level activities and improve their sustainability metrics.
Key Highlights:
The importance of data aggregation and remote sensing in modern agriculture.
The role of technology in bridging the gap between enterprises and farmers.
Success stories from Agritask’s collaborations with major food and beverage companies.
The critical challenges faced by the agri-food sector and how Agritask is addressing them.
Join us for an engaging discussion that sheds light on the crucial role of sustainability data in transforming agricultural practices and ensuring a greener future.

Gender Justice and Climate Action: Empowering Women in climate action | S. 1 E. 123

80% of people displaced by climate change are women. We must bring the voices of women leaders in all their diversity for a just and urgent climate action.
In this powerful episode of The Sustainability Journey, host Samuele Tini welcomes Mamta Borgoyary, Director of She Changes Climate, to discuss the intersection of gender justice and climate change. Mamta shares her extensive experience working at the grassroots level in India, advocating for women's rights and leading climate action movements. This episode highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and children and emphasizes the importance of incorporating women's voices in climate policies and actions.
Key Highlights:
The unique challenges faced by women and children in the face of climate change.
The importance of intersectionality in climate action and gender justice.
Initiatives by She Change Climate to empower women and advocate for inclusive policies.
The critical need for women's leadership in global climate negotiations.
Tune in to hear inspiring stories from the front lines of climate action and learn how gender justice is essential to achieving sustainable solutions for our planet.

Regenerative Fashion: Building a Better Fashion Industry| S. 1 E 122

Our mission is to create systemic change in the fashion industry by providing plant-based, zero-waste products
In this episode of "The Sustainability Journey," we explore the dynamic intersection of fashion and sustainability with Eric Liedtke, CEO and co-founder of Unless Collective. Eric shares his inspiring journey from leading sustainability initiatives at Adidas to pioneering regenerative fashion. Discover how Unless Collective is disrupting the fashion industry by creating products from plant-based materials that decompose naturally, aiming for zero waste and environmental regeneration. Eric discusses the challenges and opportunities in sustainable fashion, the importance of storytelling, and his ambitious vision for the future. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about sustainable innovation and transformative change in the fashion industry.
 

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/