Article Top Ad

Episode 171: CDP's new leader speaks up, Steelcase CSO takes stock, Moody's wants feedback

Plus, behind the renewed interest in measuring the impact of impact investing. Read More

(Updated on July 24, 2024)

Week in Review

Tune in around 4:16 for commentary on this week’s stories.

  1. A tale of two cities, 2030 edition
  2. Coca-Cola bottler experiments with turning emissions into effervescence
  3. Inside the quest to measure the impact of impact investing

Features

Meet the new head of CDP North America (14:55)

At first Dell and later NRG, Bruno Sarda was instrumental in driving sustainability deeper into the mindset of the operations teams. In late April, he was named the new president of CDP North America. We spoke with Sarda about why he made the switch, the role of technology in reporting on environmental, social and governance issues, and what he’ll prioritize first in his new position.

What’s your exposure? Moody’s seeks feedback on assessment tool (28:16)

Jim Hempstead is managing director of global project and infrastructure finance for Moody’s Investors Services, and part of its ESG Working Group. We chatted with him about a new tool Moody’s is developing to help assess the risk of the transition to a low-carbon economy. “This tool will provide an opportunity to see how different issuers within a given sector are exposed to carbon transition risks, as we’ve defined them in this report, differently,” Hempstead told GreenBiz. “You can have companies in the automobile manufacturing sector being highly exposed to transition risk or being very lowly exposed to carbon transition risks. Just because they’re an auto company doesn’t mean they get painted with the same risk.”

Steelcase CSO: Circular economy goes far beyond closed loop (34:48)

For the past three years, venerable workplace products vendor Steelcase has been investigating how embracing circular economy principles — such as allowing clients to “own” furniture through subscriptions — might affect its long-term vision. “We had a vision that sustainability viewed through this lens, could be integrated into the core of the business,” said company’s director of global sustainability, Angela Nahikian. “It could do an even better job of delivering value to our customers.” Nahikian said the early research has been humbling but has also provided a “sense of roadmap” that has helped Steelcase to envision new revenue possibilities for its event services, as one example. 

* All music in this episode by Lee Rosevere: “Try Anything Once,” “More On That Later,” “Wandering” and “Southside.”

What’s new at GreenBiz?

Packing up the future of circular packaging. Concerns about plastic waste and the blossoming of new materials are changing how manufacturers think about packaging. There’s a revolution coming. Are you prepared? This webcast is moderated by GreenBiz Executive Editor Joel Makower. Topics include pressures driving companies and the growth of alternative materials and packaging styles. Register now for the live session at 1 p.m. EST May 21.

The shape of shipping. How can retailers and other e-commerce stakeholders appease consumer interest in instant gratification while meeting carbon emissions reduction goals? Register now to join GreenBiz Senior Writer and Transportation Analyst Katie Fehrenbacher for this interactive discussion at 1 p.m. EST June 11. Experts will explore various options to decarbonize shipping — including fleet electrification, moving to more efficient rail or buying carbon offsets. 

Do we have a newsletter for you! We produce five weekly newsletters: GreenBuzz by Executive Editor Joel Makower (Monday), Transport Weekly by Senior Writer and Analyst Katie Fehrenbacher (Tuesday), VERGE Weekly by Executive Director Shana Rappaport and Editorial Director Heather Clancy (Wednesday), Energy Weekly by Senior Energy Analyst Sarah Golden (Thursday) and Circular Weekly by Director and Senior Analyst Lauren Phipps (Friday). You must subscribe to each newsletter in order to receive it. Please visit this page to choose the newsletters you want to receive.

Check out our Center Stage podcast, which features the best of live interviews on sustainable business and clean technology, conducted on stage at GreenBiz and VERGE conferences.

The GreenBiz Intelligence Panel is the survey body we poll regularly throughout the year on key trends and developments in sustainability. To become part of the panel, click here. Enrolling is free and should take two minutes.

Stay connected

To make sure you don’t miss the newest episodes of GreenBiz 350, subscribe on iTunes. Have a question or suggestion for a future segment? E-mail us at 350@greenbiz.com.

Trellis Briefing

Subscribe to Trellis Briefing

Get real case studies, expert action steps and the latest sustainability trends in a concise morning email.
Article Sidebar 1 Ad
Article Sidebar 2 Ad