Sustainability Forward

What if the modern version of a UK allotment isn’t a patch of land—but a classroom?In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we speak with Alex Tyink, co-founder and CEO of Fork Farms, whose unlikely journey from opera singer to urban farmer began on a rooftop in Brooklyn—and turned into a mission focused on food access with dignity.We explore why food is one of the most practical entry points into sustainability: it’s daily, personal, and deeply connected to health, community, and resilience. Alex explains why Fork Farms focuses on enabling others to grow (rather than operating farms themselves), why highly perishable foods like leafy greens matter most, and what changes when students grow food that ends up on the school lunch line.We also get into the real-world side of scaling: what breaks in deployments, how you design for people who have never grown anything, and where AI can genuinely help day-to-day operators without becoming hype.In this conversation:Alex’s Brooklyn rooftop turning point—and how growing food reshaped purpose and wellbeingFood access beyond price and calories: dignity, trust, and controlWhy schools are the best place to start—and what happens when kids eat what they growScaling distributed indoor growing without the “giant vertical farm” trapWhere automation and AI can improve consistency and operational confidenceIf you’re looking for sustainability that feels human, practical, and achievable, this episode is for you.

As energy systems become more complex and data intensive, organisations face a critical challenge: how to scale reliability, throughput, and decision quality without proportionally scaling headcount.In this episode of Sustainability Forward, hosts Wrishi and Carmine explore how agentic AI represents a shift from AI as a productivity tool to AI as a trusted teammate embedded directly into operational workflows.Joined by Subodh Kumar, they discuss:Why cognitive load is the real constraint inside modern energy organisationsThe difference between traditional AI copilots and agentic AI systemsReal world applications across maintenance diagnostics, process safety, engineering handovers, and operational decision supportHow to design human oversight and accountability in AI enabled environmentsHow leaders must rethink organisational structure and governance to deploy AI safelyThe episode draws from Subodh’s book, Agentic AI for Leaders, which offers a practical executive framework for integrating AI into enterprise decision making while preserving accountability and safety.📘 Book link: https://a.co/d/0aNdOMSKIf you are a leader in energy, oil and gas, renewables, utilities, or industrial operations, this episode explores how AI can strengthen system resilience and unlock sustainable performance gains.Subscribe to Sustainability Forward for more conversations at the intersection of energy, sustainability, technology, and leadership.

What happens when the world doesn’t just face water scarcity — but water bankruptcy?In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we unpack a stark new warning from the United Nations: many of the world’s freshwater systems are now so over-used and degraded that they may never recover to their historical levels.We explore what “global water bankruptcy” actually means, why this framing is different from how we’ve talked about water crises before, and what the implications are for food systems, economies, geopolitics, and climate resilience.From collapsing aquifers and rivers that no longer reach the sea, to the hidden role of groundwater in global food production, this conversation connects water to some of the biggest challenges facing societies today.Most importantly, we discuss what can still be done — and why managing water bankruptcy requires political courage, hard limits, and a fundamental rethink of how we value water.This episode is for anyone interested in sustainability, climate risk, food security, and the invisible systems that underpin modern life.

We often think individual climate action is about small, visible choices — what we eat, what we recycle, or whether we switch off the lights.But do those actions really matter most?In the first episode of the new year, Wrishi Sutradhar and Carmine Fiume take a data-driven look at where personal emissions actually come from. Using concrete examples, we walk through the biggest drivers of individual climate impact: cars and mobility, flying, home energy and heating, food choices, and consumption.Along the way, we unpack why some actions dominate emissions while others receive disproportionate attention — and why context matters so much. Where you live, how your energy is produced, your travel patterns, and your housing all shape your footprint in very different ways.This episode isn’t about being a “perfect green consumer.”It’s about understanding impact, prioritising the right levers, and moving the conversation away from guilt and toward agency.If you’ve ever wondered where to actually focus your energy when it comes to climate action, this episode is a good place to start.

In this Season 3 finale of Sustainability Forward, hosts Wrishi Sutradhar and Carmine Fiume look back on the year — but not as a simple recap.Instead, we retell Season 3 as one connected story: a journey through the messy middle of sustainability, where progress depends on incentives, trust, execution, and real-world adoption.Across the season, we explored the topics shaping today’s sustainability and energy transition conversation — from impact investing and climate finance, to electrification of heating (heat pumps), resilience and food systems, and the growing importance of data, measurement, reporting and verification (MRV).This finale brings together the biggest insights from our guests and episodes, including:Can we make money while saving the planet? (impact investing + incentives)Why heat pumps and electrification matter for decarbonising homesResilience at household level: backyards, preparedness, communitySoil health, regenerative agriculture, and making climate tangible through foodSustainability communication, trust, and avoiding greenwashingScience, solar, and the realities of scaling the energy transitionAI for climate: opportunity, risk, and rising energy demandMethane transparency and why MRV is becoming market infrastructureThe ESG backlash: reporting vs performance, and the role of corporate courageCapital markets and what “mobilising trillions” really requiresPlanetary boundaries and why sustainability is bigger than carbonEmerging markets and renewables: India and Pakistan — same sun, different storiesWe close with our key learnings from the season and a forward-looking view of what 2026 may demand: proof over promises, better execution capacity, credible disclosure, and trust as a foundation for climate and sustainability action.If you want a thoughtful, practical synthesis of sustainability, ESG, climate tech, climate finance, and the energy transition — this episode is for you.Subscribe for more conversations on sustainability strategy, real-economy decarbonisation, climate risk, and the future of energy.

What happens when people stop waiting for the grid — and build their own energy transition instead?In this episode of Sustainability Forward, Wrishi and Carmine travel across India and Pakistan to unpack one of the most dynamic – and least understood – clean energy stories in the world.Wrishi draws on childhood memories of Indian power cuts and today’s giant solar parks to explain how India became a renewables heavyweight: ambitious national targets, ultra-cheap solar auctions, and state-level champions like Gujarat and Rajasthan. At the same time, coal still acts as India’s safety blanket, revealing the tensions at the heart of its energy politics.Then the focus shifts to Pakistan, where the official numbers say renewables are tiny – but rooftops tell a very different story. We explore:The silent rooftop solar boom reshaping homes, factories and farmsHow cheap panels and batteries are changing daily life under chronic load-sheddingThe hidden risks around grid finances, groundwater, and energy inequalityWhat “getting it right” could look like over the next decadeTwo countries under the same sun, facing different constraints, making different mistakes – and offering powerful lessons for the global energy transition.🎧 Listen in if you care about climate, development, or just want to understand what the energy transition really feels like on the ground.

This week, we sit down with IMD Professor and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, Julia Binder, to tackle the biggest misconceptions shaping corporate sustainability.From ESG confusion to climate myopia, “sustainability is expensive” narratives to the belief that sustainable products don’t sell — we break down the stories that have quietly distorted how leaders think and act.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why ESG was never meant to measure positive impact, and what companies get wrong when they treat it as sustainability. How climate has become a shorthand for sustainability, and the planetary boundaries we’re dangerously overlooking. Why sustainability isn’t a cost centre — and how leading firms turn it into a strategic investment. What really stops sustainable products from selling (hint: it’s not consumers), including performance, pricing, and sales-team barriers. Whether we’re facing “sustainability fatigue” — and why the feel-good era is over, but the real work is just beginning. Julia brings clarity, candour, and optimism to one of the most misunderstood areas of modern business.If you’re a business leader, innovator, sustainability professional, or just curious about what’s really happening behind the headlines — this conversation is for you.🎧 Listen now and subscribe to Sustainability Forward for more conversations with global thinkers shaping the future.

Is ESG broken — or just leaderless? Lawyer-technologist Scott Lane, founder & CEO of Speeki, joins Sustainability Forward to argue the bottleneck is corporate courage, not cost or complexity. We cover boards’ ESG literacy, reframing the conversation around risk and resilience, compliance vs. true performance, customer-pulled sustainability, China’s scale, and how AI/agentic automation will reshape decisions. Scott’s advice to CEOs: have courage.In today’s episode, Wrishi and Carmine sit down with Scott Lane (lawyer, technologist, and founder/CEO of Speeki) to unpack why ESG feels “stuck” — and how to get it moving again.We discuss:Crisis of leadership: why the missing ingredient is corporate courageBoards & ESG: shifting the conversation to risk, resilience, duty of careReporting ≠ performance: ESG as a management system that happens to reportFrom green push to customer pull: building products people value (not paper-straw optics)China’s renewable scale-up and lessons for global progressAI & agentic automation: from “smart” to truly predictive decision-makingA CEO playbook: long-term thinking, listen to customers, stop being hostage to politics, and learn the new disciplineScott Lane — lawyer & technologist with 25+ years in ESG risk; founder & CEO of Speeki (ESG reporting and management partner). Former founder of The Red Flag Group (acquired by LSEG).

How can we move the machinery of global finance fast enough to meet the urgency of the climate crisis?In this episode of Sustainability Forward, hosts Wrishi Sutradhar and Carmine Fiume sit down with Steven Rothstein, Chief Program Officer at Ceres and the founding Managing Director of the Ceres Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets. With over four decades of experience spanning nonprofits, government, and finance, Steven shares what it really takes to turn investor intentions into measurable sustainability outcomes.From fiduciary duty and climate disclosure to risk, regulation, and the next wave of innovation — we unpack the playbook for mobilizing capital markets to deliver real-world climate results.🎙️ Topics include:Why climate risk is financial riskThe next frontier for investor actionThe hidden role of water, insurance, and heavy industriesHow credible disclosure can cut through greenwashingWhat gives Steven hope for the future📍 Visit www.sustainabilityforward.com for more stories and insights.Available on all major podcast platforms.

Renewables have officially overtaken coal as the world’s largest source of electricity — a historic first. But beneath that milestone lies a much more complex story.In this episode of Sustainability Forward, Wrishi and Carmine unpack BP’s Energy Outlook 2025 to reveal what’s really shaping the global energy transition. From the “two futures” of rapid clean tech expansion in Asia versus fossil resurgence in the West, to the ten key insights that define BP’s latest scenarios — including oil’s long glide path, the LNG decade, AI’s growing power hunger, and why energy efficiency remains the quiet boss.They close with three big takeaways for anyone thinking seriously about the future of energy:The hinge of decarbonisation lies in emerging markets.Build for demand surprises driven by AI and slow efficiency gains.LNG’s near-term boom will depend on how strongly the world commits to climate goals post-2035.Listen for a clear, grounded breakdown of the world’s evolving energy map — and what it means for business, policy, and investment.👉 Visit www.sustainabilityforward.com or find Sustainability Forward on all major podcast platforms.

The planet just got a health check — and the results are alarming.In this episode of Sustainability Forward, Wrishi and Carmine revisit one of their most downloaded topics: the 9 Planetary Boundaries Framework — the scientific model that helps us understand how human activity is pushing Earth beyond its safe operating space.The 2025 update brings a sobering milestone: for the first time, scientists confirm that ocean acidification has crossed its boundary. That means 7 out of the 9 planetary boundaries — including climate change, biodiversity loss, and chemical pollution — are now beyond the safe zone.But this episode isn’t about despair. It’s about direction. Wrishi and Carmine unpack what each boundary means for ecosystems, economies, and people — and highlight the real-world actions that can bring us back, from restoring forests and protecting water systems to accelerating decarbonisation and circular economy solutions.Because understanding the boundaries isn’t just science — it’s about redefining how we live within them.🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows.🌐 sustainabilityforward.com

Methane may not grab the headlines like carbon, but it’s one of the most powerful greenhouse gases—and tackling it is critical if we’re serious about slowing climate change. In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we sit down with Georges Tijbosch, CEO of MiQ, to explore how methane certification is bringing trust and transparency into the energy transition.Georges shares his personal journey into climate leadership, the story of how MiQ was founded, and the progress made so far in getting oil and gas companies, policymakers, and investors to take methane seriously. We dig into the challenges of scaling climate action, the rising wave of pessimism around sustainability, and why he believes cutting methane emissions is one of the biggest “quick wins” available to the world right now.If you want to understand how data, verification, and trust can reshape climate markets, this conversation is for you.

As heatwaves scorch Europe and global electricity demand surges—up 4% in 2024 alone—can artificial intelligence be part of the solution to climate change rather than the problem?In this episode of Sustainability Forward, Wrishi and Carmine explore the double-edged sword of AI’s environmental footprint. From the staggering water and energy consumption of data centers to AI-driven breakthroughs in energy efficiency, methane detection, wildfire response, and food waste reduction, this conversation offers a candid look at AI's climate promise—and its pitfalls.Drawing from new insights in the Global Electricity Review 2025 by Ember and projections from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, we examine how AI could help cut up to 5.4 billion tonnes of CO₂ by 2035—but only if used wisely.Whether you're in tech, policy, or simply climate-curious, this is the episode to understand how AI is shaping the future of our planet—one algorithm at a time.

What does a loaf of sourdough have to do with fighting climate change?In this episode, we sit down with Maddie Hamann, co-founder of PACHA Bread, to explore the unexpected connections between regenerative farming, food allergies, zero-waste packaging—and the future of sustainability.Maddie shares how she made the leap from ocean science to sourdough, and what it’s really like building a purpose-driven business while raising a young family. We talk about sourcing from regenerative farms, designing compostable packaging, and why your grocery list might be one of the most powerful climate tools you have.It’s a grounded, inspiring look at how climate action can begin right in your kitchen.

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we’re joined by renowned chemist and energy expert Nicola Armaroli to unpack the state of the global energy transition. As a research director at Italy’s National Research Council and a leading voice in science communication, Nicola brings both deep technical insight and a clear-eyed perspective on the societal and narrative challenges slowing our progress.We ask: If you had gone to sleep in 2022 and woken up today—what would you see?We explore the evolution of solar energy, the hard truths about renewable adoption across sectors, and what’s still missing in how we talk about energy and climate.The conversation ends with a deeply personal take: what individuals can do to contribute to a more resilient, sustainable energy system—and how we can build a better public narrative around it.Keywords: energy transition, Nicola Armaroli, solar energy, renewables, science communication, climate action, energy systems, sustainable future, circular economy, sustainability podcast

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we sit down with Helen Neal, founder and CEO of HN Communications, a multi-award-winning sustainability communications and events agency. Helen shares expert insights on how global brands like HEINEKEN, Bosch, and The Climate Group are navigating the complexities of sustainability messaging, partnerships, and stakeholder engagement.We explore why clear, authentic communication is essential for sustainability success, how companies can move beyond buzzwords to real action, and what it takes to run high-impact sustainability events. Helen also opens up about her journey as a founder scaling a fully remote global team—and the lessons she’s learned along the way.Whether you’re a corporate leader, communications professional, or sustainability enthusiast, this episode offers valuable takeaways on building trust, creating impact, and shaping the future of sustainable business.Keywords: sustainability communications, corporate sustainability, ESG strategy, stakeholder engagement, sustainability events, green marketing, sustainability partnerships, HN Communications, Helen Neal, remote teams, climate action, sustainable leadership

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we sit down with Marjory Wildcraft—founder of The Grow Network and a global leader in modern self-sufficient living. Featured by National Geographic as an expert in off-grid lifestyles, Marjory has empowered hundreds of thousands of people to grow their own food and natural medicine.We dive into how regenerative gardening can transform not just your backyard, but your entire relationship with sustainability. Marjory shares practical tips on growing food, preparing for climate-related disruptions, and embracing resilience through community. We also explore the role of home-grown medicine, how to start with little or no land, and why self-sufficiency is more urgent than ever.Whether you're a climate-conscious urban dweller, a homestead dreamer, or just trying to reconnect with what you eat—this episode is full of insights you can act on.Topics covered:Regenerative gardening for beginnersFood security and climate adaptationGrowing your own medicineModern homesteading and preparednessBuilding resilient communitiesKeywords: self-sufficient living, grow your own food, homesteading, regenerative gardening, food security, climate resilience, Marjory Wildcraft, The Grow Network, sustainability, survival skills, backyard gardening

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we dive into Sustainable Entrepreneurship with Josh Dorfman, founder of Plantd and Supercool, and former host of The Lazy Environmentalist. Josh shares his inspiring journey from sustainable media to climate-tech innovation, providing practical insights on creating profitable businesses that positively impact the planet. We explore carbon-negative building solutions, the power of storytelling in driving climate action, and key strategies for entrepreneurs committed to sustainability. Tune in to learn how aligning sustainability with profitability can shape a greener, more resilient future.Keywords: Sustainability, Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Climate-Tech, Carbon-Negative, Innovation, Climate Solutions, Business Sustainability, Josh Dorfman, Environmental Business, Impact Investing.

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we dive into two crucial reports shaping Europe's clean energy future. First, we explore the Draghi Report by Mario Draghi, highlighting Europe's economic challenges and opportunities amidst its ambitious energy transition. Then, we unpack the "Cleantech Reality Check" from Cleantech for Europe and Systemiq, examining the stark gaps between policy goals and real-world implementation of essential clean technologies. Discover what Europe must urgently address—funding gaps, permitting delays, and infrastructure bottlenecks—to maintain both its climate leadership and global competitiveness. Listen now and join the conversation!Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Don’t forget to subscribe and share with your network!

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we explore why heat pumps are rapidly replacing gas boilers and how this shift is key to reducing energy costs, cutting CO₂ emissions, and building a net-zero future.🔎 What’s inside this episode?✅ The real economics of switching from a gas boiler to a heat pump✅ How Switzerland is leading Europe’s electrification of heating✅ Overcoming consumer concerns: Do heat pumps work in cold climates?✅ The future of Meier Tobler and the heating industry🔥 Our guest:Sylvain Cognard – expert in electrified heating and building services, sharing first-hand industry insights.📢 Want to future-proof your home’s heating?Tune in now!