EY Sustainability Matters

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Aug 2026

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The EY Sustainability Matters podcast explores sustainability as a business issue. The series offers insights on key business risks and opportunities, through an environmental, social, governance and sustainability lens.

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55 recent

August 11, 202622 min

How sport can become a catalyst for business sustainability

I n this episode of Sustainability Matters podcast , host Colin Tetreault , Managing Director, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, Ernst & Young LLP , explores the shifting environmental landscape of the sports industry. As North America enters an unprecedented era of mega events, a critical question emerges : Is the massive environmental footprint of sports a standard business liability, or can it become a powerful driver for operational resilience? Colin is joined by Heather Watkins, co-founder of Bold Reuse , to break down the operational realit ies of tackling single-use waste at scale. The conversation confronts major logistical and economic challenges, mapping out the impact of rising supply-chain costs for single-use products and upcoming Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation in the US . The episode offers an inspiring look at how sports venues act as a "cultural beacon" for innovation. Heather explains how implementing reusable packaging systems not only cuts costs but also drives local jobs, community engagement and new corporate sponsorship revenue.

July 15, 2026Episode 124 min

How sustainability reporting can drive financial performance

In this episode of Sustainability Matters podcast, host Christian Orth explores how Siemens is using sustainability reporting as a powerful management tool to help steer business performance. As new regulatory frameworks such as CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) roll out, he explores whether ESG disclosure is simply an administrative burden or a tool to drive real value. Christian is joined by Thomas Knobloch from Siemens AG and Caroline Pfaff, Partner at EY Germany to break down the practical reality of ESG reporting. Together, they look at the challenge of complex global data, tracking how organizations can move past chasing "perfect" real-time metrics and instead prioritize immediate progress over perfection. They discuss the real-world operational challenges, how Siemens successfully built a 360-degree target framework directly into its board-level decisions and how focusing on material KPIs, like carbon intensity and product carbon footprints, can simultaneously mitigate long-term risk while unlocking competitive advantages. Through it all, Thomas and Caroline highlight that building a strong company culture is what can drive true organizational transformation as well as the opportunities to unlock real business value. @2026 Ernst & Young LLP

June 24, 2026Episode 914 min

AI for climate: risk or solution?

In this episode of Sustainability Matters , host David Rae, EY Global Lead for Sustainability Technology and Innovation , explores the impact of AI on climate change. As AI companies build massive data centers worldwide, a critical question emerges : W ill the skyrocketing resource footprint of AI push global grids past their limits , or will AI become a vital tool to help accelerate the energy transition ? David is joined by James Grabert from the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and Michael Lepech from Stanford University to break down the duality of this digital megatrend. Together, they look at the physical reality behind "the cloud," tracking how AI is driving a massive surge in electricity demand while also leaving an extensive water footprint through data center cooling and the lifecycle of chip manufacturing. However, they also identify areas of opportunity . The episode offers a hopeful look at "decision intelligence." The guests explain how AI is already delivering measurable climate benefits — from transforming early warning weather models in the Global South to balancing power grids and optimizing renewable energy.

April 26, 2026Episode 833 min

Why healthy rivers are critical to businesses and the economy

In this episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast, Bruno Sarda hosts a discussion with Mark Greatrex, President of Cox Communications, and Tom Kiernan, CEO of American Rivers, about the pivotal role of water in supporting communities and businesses. The guests emphasize that, amid increasing challenges such as nature loss, pollution, drought, flooding and climate extremes, safeguarding rivers is now more critical than ever for commercial interests and economic health. The dialogue explores how organizations can deepen their understanding of their reliance on healthy river systems, advance solutions through collaborative efforts, and promote water-positive and nature-positive practices. Additionally, the speakers underscore the importance of strategic partnerships in achieving watershed-scale outcomes. Effective collaboration between businesses and nonprofit organizations facilitates data sharing, strategic alignment , and the development of practical projects that provide multifaceted benefits to communities, industry and ecosystems. Both guests highlight the value of establishing relationships prior to crises, ensuring that trust and momentum are established when challenges inevitably arise .

March 17, 2026Episode 716 min

Can AI save nature, or will it cause more harm?

In this episode of EY Sustainability Matters, David Rae, EY Global Lead for Technology, AI and Innovation at EY Climate Change and Sustainability Services, explores the complex intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and nature. The host poses the question: Can technology solve the nature loss crisis, or will its resource-heavy footprint only accelerate the problem? Hear industry voices and activists debate whether AI is a necessary tool for nature's survival and offer holistic views on the risks and opportunities ahead, drawing on a hypothetical debate from The EY AI x Sustainability Exchange: from big questions to real solutions, where activists were asked to take opposing sides of the argument. Gilad Goren of the Nature Tech Collective argues that reversing nature loss is impossible without AI, which is essential for de-risking private sector investment and closing the nature finance gap. We also hear how companies, such as SAP, IBM, Treefera and others, are leveraging real-time data to track deforestation and optimize crop yields in hard-to-abate sectors. Conversely, activists Livia Pagoto and Fred Werner highlight the "shadow effect" — the skyrocketing energy and water demands of massive data centers. The conversation also explores ethical governance, questioning whether potentially biased algorithms can ever replicate human care required to protect the environment. AI is already accelerating nature protection, from monitoring deforestation and biodiversity to improving climate risk assessment, supply ‑ chain transparency and renewable energy optimization. However, AI's rapid growth is resource ‑ intensive, driving significant increases in energy and water use, and raising concerns about scalability, equity and environmental impact. Progress requires collective action, combining human wisdom, inclusive governance, Indigenous knowledge and responsible innovation, to ensure that AI strengthens — rather than replaces — our relationship with nature. @2026 Ernst & Young LLP

February 19, 2026Episode 630 min

How collaboration can open new opportunities to reduce emissions

In this episode of the Sustainability Matters podcast , hosts Bruno Sarda and Anne Munaretto interview Ravi Annapragada , Director of Sustainability and Energy Strategy at Carrier , a global supplier of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) products . Together they discuss ' Joining f orces for a s ustainable f uture ' , a collaboration between Carrier customers, suppliers, and internal teams that aims to accelerat e decarbonization and driv e meaningful sustainability progress. The initiative , engag ing 10 major customers across various sectors at different stages of their sustainability journey , highlights the benefit s of moving away from isolated efforts toward partnership and co-creation. The discussion describes the HVAC giant's path to setting ambitious science-based targets, recognizing that most emissions stem from product use and realizing that addressing these challenges requires collaboration rather than a solely transactional relationship . The guests also emphasize the importance of internal alignment, especially with sales teams, and demonstrate that sustainability and business growth can be mutually reinforcing.

January 15, 2026Episode 534 min

2026: from climate pledges to measurable results

In this episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast, hosts Elanne Almeida, EY LATAM Industrials and Energy Lead for Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS), and Matthew Handford, EY CCaSS Lead for Financial Services in the Americas, unpack the pivotal outcomes of COP30 and what they mean for the year ahead. This episode moves beyond the conference itself to focus on how its decisions are shaping business and policy strategies for 2026. Listeners will hear insights from global leaders and industry professionals on the shift from climate pledges to implementation, the rise of accountability frameworks, and the growing role of collaboration between the private and public sectors. Discover how new transparency requirements, ambitious national climate plans (NDCs) and innovative collaborations are setting the stage for measurable progress in sustainability — and why 2026 is poised to be a defining year for climate action worldwide.

November 27, 2025Episode 438 min

What working in sustainability looks like in today's global market

In this episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast, listeners will explore what it means to work in sustainability by hearing from three unique perspectives: Janine Osborne, CEO of Sustainable Seas Trust and marine conservation advocate; Alice Ashpitel, Sustainability Lead at Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team; and Benjamin Okpara, Senior Consultant in EY Climate Change and Sustainability Services. Together, they reveal how sustainability for them is more than a job - it's a mission that spans advocacy, business innovation and advisory work. Listeners will hear how Janine drives systemic change across Africa's blue economy, how Alice embeds sustainability in the fast-paced world of Formula 1 and how Ben helps organizations navigate complex environmental challenges. The episode delves into the realities of the field: balancing ambition with practical constraints, the importance of collaboration, and the personal motivations and experiences that keep these leaders moving forward. 0:00 - Exploring Diverse Roles in the Sustainability Ecosystem 2:12 - Alice Ashpitel on Driving Sustainability in Formula 1 13:41 - Janine Osborne on Marine Conservation and Advocacy 26:00 - Benjamin Okpara on Consulting for Sustainable Business Practices 37:03 - Connecting Advocacy, Practice, and Advisory for Impact @2025 Ernst & Young LLP

November 3, 2025Episode 316 min

Why businesses are leaning in at Climate Week NYC 2025

What happens when over a thousand climate-focused events converge in one city? At Climate Week NYC 2025 , the private sector showed up in force, bringing bold ideas, collaborative energy and a clear shift from strategy to delivery. In this episode of EY Sustainability Matters, host Matthew Bell shares insights from leaders across various industries-utilities, consumer goods, technology and agriculture-as well as NGOs interviewed on the sidelines of EY-hosted events. Hear how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming sustainability efforts, enabling smarter and faster decisions in the race against time. Discover why nature is no longer just an ethical concern but a material business priority. Learn how cross-sector partnerships are unlocking regenerative practices and reshaping supply chains. From boardroom strategies to landscape-level collaboration, this episode captures the pulse of NY Climate Week and the momentum building toward the upcoming COP30 in Brazil. Collaboration and cross-sector partnerships can unlock scalable climate and nature solutions, especially in agriculture and energy. Nature is now strategic, and businesses are integrating nature into core operations for resilience and profitability. From predictive analytics to emissions reduction, AI is accelerating sustainability with speed and precision. @2025 Ernst & Young LLP

September 29, 2025Episode 235 min

How to overcome fear in financing climate innovation

This episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast is a rare opportunity to hear from two global thought leaders who have shaped sustainability strategies at the highest levels of business and international development, about the need for a move toward a regenerative economy, and the challenges and opportunities that will present. Nadia Woodhouse from the EY New Economy Unit (NEU) welcomes two distinguished thinkers : Sir Noel Quinn, former Chief Executive of HSBC, and Usha Rao-Monari , former Under - Secretary General of the United Nations Development Program me and member of the EY New Economy Unit Advisory Council. Both guests bring a wealth of experience from the worlds of global finance, development and industry, and currently serve as independent directors on the board of Fortescue, a global metal mining company at the forefront of commercial decarbonization. The conversation dives deep into the challenges and opportunities of building a regenerative economy. Noel shares insights from his tenure at HSBC, emphasizing the importance of economic case-making, transparency in target setting and overcoming organizational fear in driving change. Usha expands the discussion to the global scale, highlighting the push for better data, risk mitigation, and collaboration between public and private sectors — especially in emerging markets. Together, they explore the roles of policy, finance and innovation in accelerating the transition to a sustainable future, offering practical insights for leaders navigating the complexities of climate action and systemic transformation. Read more about the EY New Economy Unit here .