Sustainable Views

Energy and climate policy are divisive issues in the United States but is there still room for bipartisan action?In this episode of the Sustainable Views Podcast, deputy editor Elizabeth Meager speaks with Alex Flint, Executive Director of the Alliance for Market Solutions and a former member of President Trump's transition team, about the future of climate policy in the US.They discuss why Republicans have become quieter on climate change, where there is still potential for cross-party cooperation, how businesses are shifting their focus from climate mitigation to adaptation, and what rising energy demand from AI and data centres means for the energy transition.

PFAS, often called "forever chemicals", are found in everything from non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing to food packaging and industrial products. But growing concerns over their health and environmental impacts are driving tighter regulation around the world.In this episode of the Sustainable Views Podcast, editor, Philippa Nuttall is joined by Elizabeth Meager and Florence Jones to explore what PFAS are, why they're attracting so much attention from regulators, and what businesses need to know as rules tighten across the EU, UK and US.We also discuss the potential financial risks for companies, the legal action against manufacturers such as 3M, and why investors are paying closer attention to PFAS exposure.

In this episode, editor, Philippa Nuttall is joined by reporters, Florence Jones and Fiona McNally, to explore the rapidly changing landscape for sustainable investing and ESG funds.As political pressure, regulatory changes and shifting market conditions reshape the investment industry, sustainable funds are facing growing scrutiny from investors, policymakers and regulators alike. But despite the challenges, many asset managers continue to argue that sustainability remains a critical part of long-term investment decision-making.The discussion examines how sustainable funds are adapting, what will happen with the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) review, and whether the ESG backlash has fundamentally changed the outlook for sustainable investing.

In this episode of Sustainable Views, editor, Philippa Nuttall is joined by reporters Florence Jones and Fiona McNally to examine the future of corporate sustainability reporting in Europe, the UK and beyond.We unpack the latest developments around the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the ongoing revision of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), and what businesses are saying about the new reporting requirements.As sustainability reporting frameworks continue to evolve around the world, we explore what businesses, investors and policymakers should be watching next.Timestamps00:00 - EU CSRD & ESRS Updates09:19 - UK Reporting: SRS, ISSB, EU15:14 - Global Reporting Trends & Policies19:50 - UK Government & Double Materiality20:42 - Podcast Conclusion & Resources

Why did BP face such a strong shareholder backlash — and what does it mean for climate votes?In this episode of Sustainable Views, editor, Philippa Nuttall is joined by Elizabeth Meager and Fiona McNally to unpack a dramatic AGM season, starting with BP’s recent shareholder revolt, where investors pushed back against proposals seen to weaken governance and climate accountability.We explore what’s driving the tension between companies and shareholders, whether climate resolutions are losing momentum, and how trends differ between Europe and the US. From Exxon’s influence on voting rights to upcoming votes at Shell and Equinor, we look at whether this is a turning point for shareholder activism — or just a noisy moment in a shifting landscape.Read more on Sustainable Views:Investors raise alarm over Exxon’s controversial voting platformWhy we need standardised nature reportingBP chair faces heavy shareholder opposition following governance concernsTimestamps:00:00 - What happened at BP's AGM?06:27 - Climate Resolutions & Investor Strategies08:24 - US Regulatory & Shareholder Influence13:14 - Global Governance & Democracy Concerns16:37 - European Accountability & Outlook

How is business really dealing with the EU’s deforestation rules?In this episode of Sustainable Views, editor, Philippa Nuttall speaks to Nestlé’s head of government relations and ESG engagement, Bart Vandewaetere about the realities of implementing the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) — from supply chain traceability to navigating delays and shifting rules.With the regulation repeatedly postponed and political opposition growing, we explore what’s actually happening on the ground: how companies track thousands of suppliers, the cost and complexity of compliance, and why uncertainty around implementation is one of the biggest challenges.We also examine the bigger picture — whether sustainability and competitiveness are really in conflict, and why deforestation rules could ultimately strengthen supply chains, improve resilience, and support long-term business performance.