Sustainability Solved

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May 2026

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Making your organisation sustainable doesn't have to be complicated... Learn the proven strategies that transformed ordinary businesses into sustainability leaders, and how to implement them in your organisation today. Struggling to make your organisation more sustainable without sacrificing business performance? Each month on Sustainability Solved, Will Richardson & Charlie Luxton unpack how leading companies are cracking the sustainability puzzle - and extract the strategies you can actually use, regardless of your industry. We dive deep into real success stories, breaking down exactly how organisations overcame common sustainability challenges, from supply chain emissions to waste reduction. Through candid conversations with leaders who've been there, you'll get battle-tested approaches, practical frameworks, and actionable insights you can implement today. Whether you're just starting your sustainability journey or looking to accelerate progress, each episode gives you concrete tools to drive meaningful change while strengthening your business. Ready to turn sustainability from a challenge into competitive advantage?

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August 18, 202656 min

Why Low-Carbon Heating Is Now a Board-Level Decision

Episode Brief Most net zero roadmaps have ticked off Scope 2. Renewable tariffs, LED lighting, EV charging. The boiler is still running on gas, and it is still the biggest single source of direct emissions on site. This month we sit down with David Leighton, National Distribution Sales Manager for LG HVAC Solutions across the UK and Ireland, to talk about why heat pumps have stopped being a residential nice-to-have and started being a commercial necessity. We cover the myths holding businesses back, what performance actually looks like at minus seven degrees, and what a realistic transition plan looks like for a multi-site food and beverage or commercial operator working to SECR and SBTi obligations. Show Notes What we cover Why heating sits in a blind spot in most net zero strategies, and what that gap is costing businesses in carbon credibility The myths on noise, cold-weather performance and installation disruption that are quietly delaying board-level decisions Why the transition feels complicated for multi-site operators, and the practical first step to take What a heating switch actually does to a company's Scope 1 position, energy bill and investor conversations Where heat pumps sit in the commercial market five years from now Key moments 00:00 Welcome and introductions 03:00 Warm-up: 20 years watching heating go from gas-first to a credible low-carbon alternative 08:00 Problem 1: the Scope 1 blind spot in net zero roadmaps 18:00 Problem 2: the myths doing real damage to decision-making 28:00 Problem 3: why the transition feels complicated, and where to start 40:00 Looking ahead, and David's one thing every business leader should do differently Timestamps are approximate. Confirm against the final edit before publishing. Facts worth pulling out for the post Heating and hot water account for around 40% of total UK energy consumption LG's Therma V heat pump holds 100% heating capacity at -7°C, addressing the cold-weather objection directly Switching from gas or oil to an air-to-water heat pump can cut carbon emissions by up to 70% in a well-insulated UK commercial property LG has SBTi-verified targets to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 54.6% by 2030 against a 2017 baseline Under SECR, UK organisations with 250+ employees or £36m+ turnover must report Scope 1 and 2 emissions annually, and heating is typically a major component Grant scheme figures and specific savings numbers change. Confirm current amounts with David before this goes out, rather than repeating anything above without a check. Why this matters A sustainable business can also be a successful business, and this episode is a good example of where that shows up in practice. Food and beverage operators carry large thermal loads and refrigerated space; media, marketing and advertising businesses carry leased office heating decisions and investor-facing ESG reporting. Both sit on the same Scope 1 lever, and both are running out of reasons to leave it untouched. Links and next steps LG HVAC Solutions: HVAC - Air Conditioning Solutions | LG UK Business Leave us a review on your podcast app, it helps other business leaders find the show Do you know an enterprise organisation who might benefit from a chat with me? Please put them in touch. Guest Bio: David Leighton David Leighton is National Distribution Sales Manager for LG HVAC Solutions across the UK and Ireland. He has spent over 20 years in the plumbing and heating industry, working with distributors, merchants and specification channels across some of the country's most demanding commercial and industrial markets. Before joining LG Electronics' Energy Solutions division, David held senior roles at Plumbase, where he built deep expertise in heating product distribution and key account management. His background spans solar thermal, heat pumps, gas and oil heating, and B2B channel development. At LG, David's focus is helping businesses see that low-carbon heating is not a compromise; it is a commercially sound decision that also delivers on Scope 1 reduction targets. He sees the gap between sustainability commitments and operational reality every day, and speaks with unusual directness about where businesses are stalling and what it is costing them. About LG HVAC Solutions LG Electronics is one of the world's leading manufacturers of HVAC systems, operating across residential, light commercial and large commercial sectors. Its HVAC Solutions division in the UK and Ireland covers air conditioning, ventilation and heating, including the Therma V range of air-to-water heat pumps central to commercial building decarbonisation programmes. Mentioned in this episode: Keep informed on Sustainability News I'm Will Richardson, Head of Ecosystems at 51toCarbonZero and a sustainability advisor with 25 years in the field. I founded Green Element in 2004 and spent two decades building it into one of Europe's most respected sustainability consultancies before it merged with 51toCarbonZero in November 2025. Climate action is both an obligation and an opportunity, and that's the thread running through everything I write here. I co-created Compare Your Footprint, carbon accounting software recognised as a key player in the Global Carbon Accounting Software Market, and I'm a Fellow of IEMA and a Chartered Environmentalist. Each week, I break down what's actually happening in sustainability: the data, the regulation, the greenwash worth calling out, and the practical steps businesses can take right now. No jargon, no doom-mongering, just clear thinking for people who need to make real decisions. I also host the Sustainability Solved podcast with Charlie Luxton, 200+ episodes and counting, where we talk to the people building the solutions. Based in Scotland. Writing for business leaders who want sustainability to make commercial sense, not just moral sense. Substack Blog Climate Transition that Works Don't stop at carbon measurement. Go from insight to action with 51toCarbonZero. Measure & Report Effortlessly gauge your impact: swift and precise carbon footprint and ESG measurement. Transition Navigate towards net-zero and your impact goals: set accountable plans and governance. Engagement Inspire your stakeholders: the board, colleagues, suppliers, clients and investors More Than a Platform: Your Strategic Sustainability Partner Embark on your net-zero and sustainability journey with confidence with 51toCarbonZero. We go beyond providing a platform; with Climate Unlimited™, our expert advisory service, we ensure simplicity every step of the way. See us as an extension to your team; guiding you through the measurement process, charting your net-zero path, obtaining disclosures, engaging your stakeholders, consulting on complex climate subjects as well as addressing any questions that arise. 51-0 UPCOMING WEBINAR: The Scope 3 Blind Spot: What Your Supplier Data Isn't Telling You Scope 3 emissions are often the biggest contributor to an organisation’s carbon footprint, yet many businesses are making decisions based on incomplete, outdated or estimated supplier data. In this webinar, we’ll explore the biggest blind spots in supplier emissions data, why they matter for reporting and decarbonisation, and how leading organisations are moving beyond spreadsheets and assumptions to build a more accurate, scalable approach to Scope 3. LIVE ATTENDANCE BONUS: complimentary gap audit of your top 10 suppliers. Wednesday 16 September | 1pm BST https://www.51tocarbonzero.com/webinar-supply-chain/ Supply Chain Webinar

May 11, 202651 min

Warming Homes, Changing Lives: Scarf's 40-Year Fight Against Fuel Poverty

Description : In this enlightening episode of Sustainability Solved, Will Richardson and Charlie explore the remarkable work of Scarf, a Scottish charity celebrating 40 years of tackling fuel poverty. Join Lawrence Johnston and David from Scarf as they reveal how their organization has transformed thousands of homes across Scotland, providing energy efficiency solutions that not only reduce carbon emissions but dramatically improve quality of life for vulnerable households. Show Notes : - **00:01-01:43** - Introduction to Sustainability Solved and welcome to guests - **01:48-03:47** - Introduction to Scarf: 40 years as a charity focused on reducing fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency - **03:48-06:22** - Discussion of Scarf's relationship with Scottish Government and their reach (20,000+ remote engagements, 4,000-5,000 home visits annually) - **07:47-10:51** - Explanation of fuel poverty metrics and KPIs used to measure impact - **10:51-12:53** - Discussion on data collection and measuring effectiveness of interventions - **12:55-15:30** - Exploration of quality of life improvements and social benefits from energy efficiency measures - **15:39-18:03** - Main challenges in Scottish housing: granite buildings, solid walls, and electric heating systems - **18:03-19:16** - The importance of balancing social and environmental sustainability for a just transition - **19:50-22:31** - Barriers to engagement: lack of awareness, stigma around poverty, and skepticism of "too good to be true" offers - **24:05-26:48** - Overview of organizations delivering similar services across Scotland and the fragmented approach in England - **32:18-34:16** - Scarf's approach to energy efficiency: starting with behavioral changes and low-cost measures before larger interventions - **35:02-37:14** - Discussion of Scarf's business energy services and varied impacts - **39:22-44:48** - Powerful case studies showcasing Scarf's life-changing impact on vulnerable households - **44:49-49:07** - Closing thoughts on the need for national recognition of housing as an emergency and potential for wider implementation of Scarf's model Key Takeaways: - Scarf has facilitated approximately £20 million in private investment for energy efficiency measures - The average intervention is £18,000-£20,000 per property at no cost to eligible homeowners - There's a critical link between poor housing conditions and health issues that needs more attention - Scotland's regionalized approach to energy efficiency appears more effective than England's fragmented system Mentioned in this episode: Climate Transition that Works Don't stop at carbon measurement. Go from insight to action with 51toCarbonZero. Measure & Report Effortlessly gauge your impact: swift and precise carbon footprint and ESG measurement. Transition Navigate towards net-zero and your impact goals: set accountable plans and governance. Engagement Inspire your stakeholders: the board, colleagues, suppliers, clients and investors More Than a Platform: Your Strategic Sustainability Partner Embark on your net-zero and sustainability journey with confidence with 51toCarbonZero. We go beyond providing a platform; with Climate Unlimited™, our expert advisory service, we ensure simplicity every step of the way. See us as an extension to your team; guiding you through the measurement process, charting your net-zero path, obtaining disclosures, engaging your stakeholders, consulting on complex climate subjects as well as addressing any questions that arise. 51-0

April 13, 202652 min

The Tech That Lets You See Carbon and Cost in Every Supply Chain Decision

Most organisations know their supply chain is where the bulk of their emissions sit. The problem has always been visibility: if you can't see it, you can't manage it. In this episode, we sit down with Saskia van Gendt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Blue Yonder, one of the biggest supply chain software platforms on the planet. Saskia has spent nearly two decades working across government, consumer goods, fashion and now enterprise tech, and she brings a rare combination of scientific rigour and real-world empathy to the conversation. We get into why large multinationals are staying the course on their carbon targets despite political headwinds, how companies are moving beyond spend-based carbon estimates to actual supplier data, and where AI fits into supply chain optimisation (including the honest trade-offs around energy use). Saskia also walks us through how tariff volatility is reshaping sourcing decisions and why the carbon intensity of manufacturing locations matters more than most people realise. If you work in sustainability consulting, supply chain, procurement, or you advise organisations on Scope 3 emissions, this one is packed with practical insight. Connect with Saskia on LinkedIn and visit https://www.blueyonder.com for case studies and their sustainable supply chain solutions. If you're a sustainability consultant or advisor looking to deliver stronger results for your clients, we'd love to have you in our network: https://www.51tocarbonzero.com/referral/ Find out more about 51toCarbonZero: https://www.51tocarbonzero.com Subscribe and hit the bell so you don't miss the next episode. Drop us a comment or DM if there's a topic you want us to tackle. #Sustainability #SupplyChain #Scope3Emissions #NetZero #CarbonAccounting

March 12, 202653 min

Climate Truth in Business: Mike Berners-Lee on the National Emergency Briefing

Episode Summary In this powerful episode of Sustainability Solved, hosts Will Richardson and Charlie Luxton speak with Mike Berners-Lee about the National Emergency Briefing (NEB) initiative. Mike explains how this groundbreaking project brings together top experts to communicate the urgent reality of our climate and nature emergency, and outlines how businesses can transform these challenges into opportunities. The conversation explores media misinformation, political inaction, and practical steps businesses can take to thrive in a sustainable future. Guest Mike Berners-Lee - Professor at Lancaster University, author, and sustainability expert focused on helping organizations respond appropriately to climate and nature emergencies. Key Topics The National Emergency Briefing initiative and its impact Media's role in climate misinformation Business opportunities in sustainability transitions Food security and the shift to plant-rich diets The importance of truth in public discourse Positive tipping points in climate action Key Quotes "We're accelerating into a poly crisis at the moment, and it's about a response to that." - Mike Berners-Lee "The most important thing to do is to keep the narrative, is to raise the narrative on this. We've got to make it normal to talk about this stuff as though it's a huge deal all the time." - Mike Berners-Lee "We can't afford not to do it. Businesses, you need to do your own independent thinking. You need to get clear view of proper facts on this and then you need to be a bit imaginative about working out how that economic business opportunity pans out for you." - Mike Berners-Lee Resources Mentioned National Emergency Briefing website: nebriefing.org People's Emergency Briefing film (available from April 7th) Mike's book: "A Climate of Truth" Fit for the Future business tool Call to Action Visit nebriefing.org to watch the nine expert briefings and learn how to host a People's Emergency Briefing event at your business after April 7th.

December 18, 202511 min

A short update and "The impact of political climate and actionable outcomes from COP 30"

Organizations are increasingly leveraging AI-powered platforms to understand and reduce their carbon emissions. Creating innovative, sustainable settlements that integrate nature and human habitats is crucial to reversing biodiversity decline. Employee ownership trusts can incentivize long-term stewardship and success of service-based companies. Please contact Will @ will.richardson@51tocarbonzero.com

July 24, 20251 hr 16 min

POPULAR REPLAY: Wine Society talks about why investing in your supply chain is crucial in 2025

Host Will Richardson offers his thoughts on sustainability and more and replays one of our popular episodes on supply chain sustainability with the Wine Society. Will and Charlie Luxton are taking a break over the Summer to spend time with their families. We hope to bring you more episodes in early Autumn. From bottles to biodiversity! Welcome to Sustainability Solved ! In this episode, hosts Will and Charlie dive into the fascinating world of wine and sustainability with Dom De Ville from the Wine Society . First set up in 1874 by a bunch of people who wanted to pay a fair price for their booze, the Wine Society is leading the charge in tackling supply chain emissions, improving agricultural practices, and supporting winemakers across the globe. If you’re curious about Scope 3 emissions, regenerative viticulture, and innovative approaches to sustainability, this episode is for you. Join the Sustainability Solved Hub to collaborate, ask questions, and share insights. Problem The wine industry faces mounting sustainability challenges: Scope 3 Emissions : 94% of the Wine Society’s carbon footprint comes from their supply chain, particularly in wine production, glass bottle manufacturing, and shipping. Climate Change : Extreme weather patterns, droughts, and floods are threatening vineyards worldwide. Human Rights Risks : Reliance on seasonal, often migrant, labour raises ethical concerns. Biodiversity Loss : Conventional farming practices, such as pesticide and herbicide use, degrade soil and ecosystems. Solutions Investing in Suppliers (Insetting) : Instead of traditional carbon offsets, the Wine Society invests directly in its growers through a Climate and Nature Fund . This supports projects like regenerative farming and reforestation. Examples include hydro-seeding trials, agroforestry initiatives, and providing seed money for transitioning to regenerative viticulture. Reducing Glass Bottle Emissions : The Wine Society collaborated with 12 retailers through the Bottle Weight Accord to reduce bottle weights by 2027, significantly lowering emissions. Regenerative Agriculture : Encouraging natural solutions, such as planting cover crops, using sheep for natural fertilisation, and avoiding soil tillage to preserve carbon stores. Collaboration : Active involvement in the Sustainable Wine Roundtable and the Regenerative Viticulture Foundation to share knowledge and best practices across the industry. Producers Making a Difference : Highlighting sustainable suppliers on their website to incentivise greener practices and reward innovation. Results Direct investment of £65,000 per year into supply chain projects, supporting growers in transitioning to more sustainable practices. A unified industry effort to reduce glass bottle weights, potentially transforming the carbon footprint of millions of bottles annually. Positive relationships with suppliers, fostering long-term partnerships and encouraging sustainable innovation. Takeaways Pay a Fair Price : Sustainability in supply chains requires investment and fair compensation for producers. Insetting Over Offsetting : Direct investment in suppliers creates measurable, on-the-ground impact while improving relationships. Collaboration is Key : Solving sustainability challenges requires industry-wide cooperation and shared solutions. Regenerative Practices Work : Nature-based approaches not only improve biodiversity but also increase resilience to climate change. Resources The Wine Society : thewinesociety.com Sustainable Wine Roundtable : An industry forum driving collaborative change: https://swroundtable.org/ Regenerative Viticulture Foundation : Supporting growers in adopting sustainable, regenerative practices https://www.regenerativeviticulture.org/ Producers Making a Difference : Explore sustainable winemakers on the Wine Society’s website: https://www.thewinesociety.com/buy/wines/producers-making-a-difference/ Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad Ministry for the future by Kim Stanley Robinson Green Element Group is an environmental management consultancy offering a range of bespoke sustainability services, products, and resources to accelerate the just transition to a stable climate. The Group consists of Green Element Limited , Compare Your Footprint Limited , and Sustainability Solved Podcast and Resource Hub . Find out more about Green Element Group here and benefit from a 20% discount on the first year of subscription to Compare Your Footprint, the highest quality carbon footprint software for your organisation. When registering, click ‘Got a Coupon’ and enter code ‘ PODCAST ‘ to claim discount. Sponsors This episode is brought to you by Business Declares, a network inspiring businesses to address the climate, ecological, and social emergency. Learn more at Business Declares . Credits Hosts: Will Richardson, Charlie Luxton Production: Soundquake Exec-Producer: Sam Hamilton-Turner Producer: Jake Lee-Savage For questions or feedback, email us at podcast@sustainabilitysolved.org . Tune in next time for more stories on sustainability and business innovation!

June 18, 202559 min

From Regulatory Burden to Business Opportunity: Mastering Biodiversity Net Gain

What if environmental regulations could become your competitive advantage? In this conversation with Emma Toovey, Chief Land and Nature Officer at Environment Bank, discover how the UK's new Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements are creating unexpected business opportunities while driving genuine environmental progress. Whether you're a developer, landowner, or business leader in any sector, learn how this game-changing framework provides certainty, reduces costs, and opens new revenue streams - while contributing to nature recovery at scale. 🎯 Key Takeaways BNG Creates Business Certainty and Predictability After decades of inconsistent biodiversity requirements across local authorities, the new BNG regulations provide a standardised Excel-based metric that removes professional judgment and bias from planning decisions. This consistency allows developers to plan, cost, and budget for biodiversity requirements from day one, transforming uncertainty into strategic advantage. As Emma notes, "Developers like the predictability and certainty that comes with this metric." Early Engagement Minimises Costs and Maximises Opportunities The days of bringing ecologists in at the last minute are over. Smart developers are integrating biodiversity planning into their feasibility and master planning processes from the start, designing nature into schemes rather than retrofitting solutions. This approach not only reduces offsite requirements but can add property value and appeal to residents who increasingly want access to green spaces. Nature Disclosure is the Next Frontier for All Businesses Just as carbon reporting became mandatory, nature-related financial disclosures are on the regulatory horizon through frameworks like TNFD (Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures). Forward-thinking businesses across all sectors are preparing now, recognising that understanding and managing nature dependencies and risks will become essential for regulatory compliance, investor relations, and talent retention. ⚡ Quick Wins & Actionable Steps 🌱 Start Biodiversity Planning Early 📊 Assess Your Nature Dependencies and Risks 🤝 Explore Revenue Opportunities in Nature Recovery 🛠 Tools & Resources Biodiversity Net Gain Metric - Government Excel spreadsheet for calculating biodiversity units Environment Bank - Habitat banking provider with 32 projects across 2000+ hectares TNFD Framework - Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures The Guardian's TNFD Report - Practical example of nature disclosure implementation UK Biodiversity and Business Forum - Membership organisation providing support and guidance CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) - EU legislation requiring nature impact disclosure ❓ Got a question? Ask us and we'll try our best to answer it in the show! podcast@sustainabilitysolved.org 🔄 Share Your Impact Let us know how you implemented these actions Submit your case study Join our Sustainability Solved Hub 🎙 Guest Emma Toovey Chief Land and Nature Officer at Environment Bank Trained ecologist with 20+ years experience Former ecological consultant specialising in developer relations Expert in biodiversity net gain implementation 🏢 Green Element Group Green Element Group is an environmental management consultancy offering a range of bespoke sustainability services, products, and resources to accelerate the just transition to a stable climate. The Group consists of Green Element Limited, Compare Your Footprint Limited, and Sustainability Solved Podcast and Resource Hub. 👫 Credits Hosts: Will Richardson, Charlie Luxton Production: Soundquake Exec-Producer: Sam Hamilton-Turner Producer: Jake Lee-Savage 💚 Help us make the show better! Share your feedback Rate and review us on your favourite podcast platform Mentioned in this episode: Climate Transition that Works Don't stop at carbon measurement. Go from insight to action with 51toCarbonZero. Measure & Report Effortlessly gauge your impact: swift and precise carbon footprint and ESG measurement. Transition Navigate towards net-zero and your impact goals: set accountable plans and governance. Engagement Inspire your stakeholders: the board, colleagues, suppliers, clients and investors More Than a Platform: Your Strategic Sustainability Partner Embark on your net-zero and sustainability journey with confidence with 51toCarbonZero. We go beyond providing a platform; with Climate Unlimited™, our expert advisory service, we ensure simplicity every step of the way. See us as an extension to your team; guiding you through the measurement process, charting your net-zero path, obtaining disclosures, engaging your stakeholders, consulting on complex climate subjects as well as addressing any questions that arise. 51-0

May 14, 202521 min

ANTHROPY25: Paul Nowak - Trade Unions Are Essential To A Just Transition

For the final episode in our Anthropy special series, we speak with Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), representing 48 unions and 5.5 million workers across every sector of the UK economy. Paul shares a powerful perspective on ensuring a just transition to a sustainable economy, drawing on his personal experience growing up in Merseyside during the industrial changes of the 1980s and 1990s. He discusses the importance of bringing workers to the table when planning for sustainability transitions, the role public services can play in reducing emissions, and why skills development is crucial to sustainable economic transformation. Paul argues that without fairness at the heart of the transition, we risk having no transition at all. 🎯 Key Takeaways 1. Just transition requires concrete plans, not warm words Workers in carbon-intensive industries need clear pathways for their future, not distant promises People have a right to be around the table and shape their own future Without fairness at the centre of sustainability transitions, there will be no transition at all Example: Oil and gas workers in Aberdeen need specific plans, not vague assurances 2. De-industrialisation is not a viable path to net zero Offshoring emissions by importing steel and other materials is not a sustainable solution Maintaining an industrial base in the UK that complements net zero objectives is essential Green technologies like electric arc furnaces for steel and carbon capture must be part of the mix The UK should maximise domestic supply chains in renewable industries to support good jobs 3. Public services can lead the way in emission reduction Government can use procurement power to ensure taxpayer money is spent sustainably 4 million union members in public services could help drive the transition Leading by example in the public sector makes it easier to ask private sector to follow Healthcare delivery models can be reimagined for better patient outcomes and sustainability 4. Workers need to be involved in net zero planning Companies should draw up net zero plans in consultation with their workforce "Union green reps" can function like shop stewards for climate change in workplaces Frontline workers often have the best insights into making operations more sustainable Small employers in transitioning sectors need particular support 5. Flexibility and lifelong learning are key skills for the future Employers themselves often don't know what skills they'll need in 5 years Education system should prioritise adaptability over specific employer requirements Retraining throughout working life needs to become normalised UK employers invest about half the EU average in skills and need to increase this ⚡ Quick Wins & Actionable Steps 1. Establish workplace "green reps" 2. Develop transition plans collaboratively 3. Reimagine service delivery models ❓ Got a question? Ask us and we'll try our best to answer it in the show! podcast@sustainabilitysolved.org 🔄 Share Your Impact Let us know how you implemented these actions Submit your case study Join our Sustainability Solved Hub 🎙️ About Our Guest Paul Nowak is the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), representing 48 unions and just short of 5.5 million workers across every sector of the UK economy. With a background growing up in Merseyside during the industrial changes of the 1980s and 1990s, Paul brings firsthand understanding of what happens when industrial transition is mismanaged. He advocates for a just transition to a sustainable economy that creates good quality employment in the long term, while ensuring workers have a voice in shaping their future. 👫 Credits Hosts: Will Richardson, Charlie Luxton Production: Soundquake Exec-Producer: Sam Hamilton-Turner Producer: Jake Lee-Savage 💚 Help us make the show better! Share your feedback Rate and review us on your favourite podcast platform Mentioned in this episode: Climate Transition that Works Don't stop at carbon measurement. Go from insight to action with 51toCarbonZero. Measure & Report Effortlessly gauge your impact: swift and precise carbon footprint and ESG measurement. Transition Navigate towards net-zero and your impact goals: set accountable plans and governance. Engagement Inspire your stakeholders: the board, colleagues, suppliers, clients and investors More Than a Platform: Your Strategic Sustainability Partner Embark on your net-zero and sustainability journey with confidence with 51toCarbonZero. We go beyond providing a platform; with Climate Unlimited™, our expert advisory service, we ensure simplicity every step of the way. See us as an extension to your team; guiding you through the measurement process, charting your net-zero path, obtaining disclosures, engaging your stakeholders, consulting on complex climate subjects as well as addressing any questions that arise. 51-0

May 7, 202523 min

ANTHROPY25: Joanna Yarrow - The Importance Of Joy

In this episode of our Anthropy special series, we speak with Joanna Yarrow, who helps run Human Nature Places, a company creating neighbourhoods that make sustainable living easier. Joanna brings a unique perspective shaped by her upbringing in a Sussex woodland with "Good Life" parents who embraced sustainability before it was fashionable. Her journey from homemade clothes and organic sandwiches to working with IKEA on sustainability reveals how she's navigated the tension between sustainable values and modern aspirations. Joanna discusses how sustainability needs to connect to people's everyday lives to truly succeed, focusing particularly on food and transportation as key impact areas. She offers a refreshing take on joy as an important but overlooked sustainability metric. 🎯 Key Takeaways 1. Making sustainability relatable to everyday life Sustainability solutions need to connect to people's daily realities and aspirations Starting with people's needs (saving money, time, health goals) makes sustainability accessible At IKEA, sustainability was reframed as "creating a better everyday life with lower climate impact" Most organisations still fail to ground big existential challenges in people's daily experiences 2. Food and transportation offer the biggest impact opportunities Together they represent 60-70% of our climate and ecological impact We don't need high-tech solutions like lab-grown meat or flying cars Better design of neighbourhoods reduces car dependence More plant-based, less wasteful meals make a substantial difference These integrate with necessary everyday activities rather than becoming "extra tasks" 3. Joy deserves more attention as a sustainability metric Sustainability is often framed as difficult, worthy, and problem-focused, which isn't motivating Living sustainably should enhance quality of life - health, social connection, agency, place connection There's science showing these factors contribute to happiness and health A "joy matrix" could help accelerate sustainability adoption People are drawn to positive outcomes more than problem-solving 4. There's no silver bullet - action is what matters While we discuss theoretical perfect solutions, we're wasting time "Do everything everywhere all at once" is the pragmatic approach Focus on high-impact areas that people interact with frequently Prioritise solutions that also provide immediate benefits 5. Sustainable placemaking goes beyond efficient buildings Human Nature Places uses bio-based building materials Designs incorporate active travel (walking, biking) and car sharing Community food systems integrate growing spaces and canteens Looking at total lifestyle carbon footprint, not just operational building emissions ⚡ Quick Wins & Actionable Steps 1. Prioritise food and transportation changes 2. Frame sustainability through personal benefits 3. Add joy and social connection to sustainability initiatives ❓ Got a question? Ask us and we'll try our best to answer it in the show! podcast@sustainabilitysolved.org 🔄 Share Your Impact Let us know how you implemented these actions Submit your case study Join our Sustainability Solved Hub 🎙️ About Our Guest Joanna Yarrow helps run Human Nature Places, a property development company that designs, builds, and manages neighborhoods that make sustainable living easier. With a background shaped by growing up in a woodland in Sussex with environmentally conscious parents in the 1970s, Joanna has dedicated her career to making sustainability accessible and appealing to mainstream audiences. She previously spent seven years leading sustainability initiatives at IKEA, where she helped integrate environmental considerations into everyday product design and business operations. 👫 Credits Hosts: Will Richardson, Charlie Luxton Production: Soundquake Exec-Producer: Sam Hamilton-Turner Producer: Jake Lee-Savage 💚 Help us make the show better! Share your feedback Rate and review us on your favourite podcast platform Mentioned in this episode: Climate Transition that Works Don't stop at carbon measurement. Go from insight to action with 51toCarbonZero. Measure & Report Effortlessly gauge your impact: swift and precise carbon footprint and ESG measurement. Transition Navigate towards net-zero and your impact goals: set accountable plans and governance. Engagement Inspire your stakeholders: the board, colleagues, suppliers, clients and investors More Than a Platform: Your Strategic Sustainability Partner Embark on your net-zero and sustainability journey with confidence with 51toCarbonZero. We go beyond providing a platform; with Climate Unlimited™, our expert advisory service, we ensure simplicity every step of the way. See us as an extension to your team; guiding you through the measurement process, charting your net-zero path, obtaining disclosures, engaging your stakeholders, consulting on complex climate subjects as well as addressing any questions that arise. 51-0

April 30, 202521 min

ANTHROPY25: Gbemi Oluleye - The One Environmental Metric We Aren't Talking About...

“That’s genius!” - Charlie Luxton in response to Gbemi’s revolutionary new idea… In this episode of our Anthropy special series recorded at the Eden Project, we speak with Dr. Gbemi Oluleye from Imperial College London. Gbemi brings a refreshing academic perspective to how businesses can make sustainable transitions affordable. As a lecturer at the Grantham Institute, she leads research on making sustainability economically viable for the manufacturing sector while also running executive education programs for sustainability officers. Gbemi discusses the need for convergent thinking, offers a sobering assessment of how late the sustainability movement started, and proposes a revolutionary new metric to track how planetary degradation impacts human productivity. 🎯 Key Takeaways 1. It's not just the cost, but how we see costs We tend to view sustainability as a burden rather than risk mitigation Poor accounting practices fail to consider whole system value What appears as a cost to one business may be value to another in the supply chain Example: Housing retrofit costs are viewed as a burden rather than as societal savings 2. Convergent thinking is the most valuable business skill for the future We've moved from multidisciplinary to interdisciplinary and now need convergent thinking Current education creates divergent thinkers who operate in silos Universities are restructuring around global problems rather than traditional disciplines Holistic perspectives are essential to extract economic value from sustainability 3. The sustainability movement started too late Materials like rubber, iron, steel, and cement were invented centuries before sustainability was considered We've "had years to do rubbish" and now face urgent pressure to fix it The delay makes the challenge harder, though opportunities still exist to catch up 4. We need a metric for planetary impact on human productivity Current metrics focus on human impact on planet, not how planetary degradation affects people A "Gbemi scale" would measure how environmental changes affect individuals People connect more with health impacts than abstract concepts like sea level rise Linking sustainability to personal productivity could be a game-changer for business adoption 5. Businesses need safe spaces to discuss implementation challenges Sustainability rhetoric vs. business reality creates a significant disconnect Companies put on a show of knowing what they're doing when many don't CSO teams often operate separately from core business functions Executives lack time to integrate sustainability into existing responsibilities ⚡ Quick Wins & Actionable Steps 1. Adopt whole-system accounting practices in your organisation 2. Create cross-functional sustainability teams 3. Connect environmental metrics to human impacts ❓ Got a question? Ask us and we'll try our best to answer it in the show! podcast@sustainabilitysolved.org 🔄 Share Your Impact Let us know how you implemented these actions Submit your case study Join our Sustainability Solved Hub 🎙️ About Our Guest Dr. Gbemi Oluleye is a lecturer at the Grantham Institute at Imperial College London, where she leads research activities focused on making sustainable transitions affordable for industry and the manufacturing sector. She translates her research into executive education programs for chief sustainability officers and sustainability leads, helping them implement strategies in cost-effective ways. Gbemi also teaches Masters students at Imperial on creating sustainable futures, focusing on both the economics and innovation required to drive change. 👫 Credits Hosts: Will Richardson, Charlie Luxton Production: Soundquake Exec-Producer: Sam Hamilton-Turner Producer: Jake Lee-Savage 💚 Help us make the show better! Share your feedback Rate and review us on your favourite podcast platform Mentioned in this episode: Climate Transition that Works Don't stop at carbon measurement. Go from insight to action with 51toCarbonZero. Measure & Report Effortlessly gauge your impact: swift and precise carbon footprint and ESG measurement. Transition Navigate towards net-zero and your impact goals: set accountable plans and governance. Engagement Inspire your stakeholders: the board, colleagues, suppliers, clients and investors More Than a Platform: Your Strategic Sustainability Partner Embark on your net-zero and sustainability journey with confidence with 51toCarbonZero. We go beyond providing a platform; with Climate Unlimited™, our expert advisory service, we ensure simplicity every step of the way. See us as an extension to your team; guiding you through the measurement process, charting your net-zero path, obtaining disclosures, engaging your stakeholders, consulting on complex climate subjects as well as addressing any questions that arise. 51-0