Episodes
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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.
Case Study Format
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 their 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... -
Did you know you probably emit more CO2 from your website than your travel! Welcome to Sustainability Solved! In this episode, hosts Will Richardson and Charlie Luxton explore a surprising yet critical issue: digital emissions! Joined by Tom Greenwood and Georgie Monaghan of Wholegrain Digital, the conversation covers everything from the environmental impact of websites to how organisations can reduce their digital carbon footprint. This discussion offers actionable insights for anyone with a digital footprint (Yes, that’s probably you).
ProblemDigital emissions, often overlooked, contribute 4% of global carbon emissions, surpassing the aviation sector. Organisations frequently underestimate their digital footprint, focusing instead on areas like travel. This lack of awareness results in inefficient websites, high electricity usage from data centres, and excessive consumption of new tech.
SolutionsOptimising Websites:
Build lightweight websites using lean code to minimise energy usage.Audit and reduce resource-heavy elements like autoplay videos, large images, and redundant scripts.Adopt green hosting providers powered by renewable energy.Promoting Awareness:
Use tools like the Website Carbon Calculator to measure digital impact.Encourage transparency about digital emissions in board-level discussions.Extending Equipment Lifespan:
Repair and refurbish devices instead of replacing them.Purchase refurbished technology and prioritise products with high repairability scores.Innovative Cooling for Data Centres:
Explore creative solutions like reusing data centre heat for community swimming pools or industrial applications.
ResultsWholegrain Digital reduced one client’s website emissions by 94% through creative pixelation and optimisation techniques.Organisations like the UK Green Building Council have embraced these practices, integrating sustainability into their core operations and communications.Businesses are now reporting digital emissions at board level, leading to greater accountability and alignment with sustainability goals.
TakeawaysAwareness is Key: Educate teams about the impact of digital emissions and their role in reducing them.Start Small, Think Big: Begin with low-hanging fruits like using dark mode, adjusting video quality, and switching to green hosting.Leverage Tools: Utilise resources like the Digital Declutter Toolkit to identify actionable changes.Continuous Maintenance: Regularly review and optimise websites and digital processes to sustain long-term benefits.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
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Welcome back to Sustainability Solved, this time with a twist! Hosts Will Richardson and Charlie Luxton chat with Sam Hamilton-Turner, co-founder of Soundquake, a purpose-driven podcast production company (now making this very podcast!) . Sam shares the story of Soundquake's transformation from a conventional, transactional business into a company with a clear focus on sustainability and purpose. He discusses the challenges, solutions, and lessons learned along the way.
Problem
Soundquake initially operated as a generalist audio production company, taking on various projects without a focus or direction. This approach resulted in a lack of purpose, excessive travel, economic instability, and an unsustainable business model that conflicted with the founders' personal values, especially as they became more environmentally conscious.
Solutions
Client Selection: The company began working exclusively with clients aligned with sustainability values, turning down projects that didn’t fit this criteria.Remote Work: They closed their Cardiff office and moved to remote working, reducing the need for travel and office-related emissions.Sustainable Procurement: Opted for high-quality, second-hand equipment to minimise electronic waste.Niche Focus: Specialised in purpose-driven podcasts, allowing them to become a go-to provider for other purpose-driven people.Results
Greater Alignment: The business is now fully aligned with the founders’ values, leading to deeper fulfilment and motivation.New Market Opportunities: Focusing on sustainability has attracted more suitable clients and opened up new business prospects.Environmental Impact Reduction: Remote work significantly lowered travel emissions, and using second-hand equipment helped decrease electronic waste.Takeaways
Align Business with Values: Choose clients and projects that reflect your organisation’s mission for a more meaningful impact.Niche Specialisation Drives Success: Focusing on a specific area can unlock unique opportunities and differentiate your brand.Saying No Can Lead to Better Opportunities: Declining projects that don’t align with your mission can open doors to more suitable and impactful work.Adopt Flexible, Sustainable Practices: Remote work and sustainable purchasing can improve both environmental impact and business efficiency.Mentions & Resources:
Hook Norton Community Land TrustThe Ministry for the FutureClean CreativesSDG Action ManagerGreen 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
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In this episode, we explore the world of sustainable housing design, highlighting award-winning projects and the innovative strategies driving the industry forward.
Hosts Will Richardson and Charlie Luxton are joined by special guests David Birkbeck, Managing Director of Design for Homes, and Richard Williams, Development Manager at VELUX.
They dive into the highlights from the 2024 Housing Design Awards, the UK’s longest-running awards program celebrating excellence in housing design. Discover how this year’s winning projects are pushing the boundaries of sustainability and community engagement.
Sustainability in Housing
Sustainability is now a core aspect of housing design, evolving beyond energy efficiency to include goals like biodiversity and biophilic design, which foster a deeper connection to nature.David Birkbeck explains how architectural awards are setting higher standards for daylight, outdoor spaces, and overall liveability, shaping industry practices.Innovative Housing Projects
The Blenheim Estate’s Hill Rise development exemplifies a model that minimises car use and integrates green spaces, creating more pedestrian-friendly streets.A new project in Lewes focuses on shared mobility hubs to reduce individual car ownership and improve community spaces.Richard highlights the Alkerden Gateway project’s adaptable living spaces and the Appleby Blue Almshouses’ blend of outdoor spaces with community living for seniors.Environmental Impact and Design Innovations
Richard discusses the “Living Spaces” project’s success in lowering embodied carbon by using alternative materials and notes Denmark and the Netherlands as leaders in this approach.Velux reinvests 90% of its profits into health and environmental research, demonstrating a strong commitment to healthier living environments.Future of Housing Innovation
Innovative designs from smaller developers are increasingly being adopted by larger firms, showing a growing acceptance of high-quality, efficient housing solutions.Richard and David highlight the rising focus on mental health in housing design, emphasising the benefits of daylight and environmental quality as shown in recent award-winning projects.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
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In this episode, hosts Will Richardson and Charlie Luxton dive into a pressing issue within the construction industry – pallet waste.
Each year, the industry uses around 20 million pallets, yet only 10% are recovered or reused. The rest end up in landfills, contributing to significant waste and environmental damage.
Joining the discussion is Paul Lewis, Founder of Pallet Loop, who is on a mission to transform how pallets are used, tracked, and reused in construction. Paul shares how his innovative approach is set to tackle this issue.
Key Highlights:
The Pallet Loop Initiative:
Discover how Pallet Loop is pioneering the first reusable, trackable, and returnable pallet specifically for construction, potentially cutting pallet-related emissions by 40%. Paul compares the construction industry to the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, where reuse rates reach 98%. Learn about the deposit-based model inspired by Germany and Norway’s bottle recycling schemes, designed to maintain the value of pallets. Explore the innovative logistics system Pallet Loop has developed, featuring Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to efficiently recover pallets.Economic and Environmental Impact:
Paul reveals shocking statistics: 6000 acres of forestry are felled annually to produce single-use pallets for construction. Hear how poor design contributes to waste and how Pallet Loop promotes standardisation from the outset to combat this issue. Understand how Pallet Loop not only reduces waste and carbon emissions but also offers a cost-effective solution for the supply chain. Paul discusses how Pallet Loop has helped suppliers like British Gypsum meet their Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) goals, addressing Scope 3 emissions without increasing cost for clients.Overcoming Industry Resistance:
The discussion highlights the challenges of persuading a traditionally change-resistant industry to adopt sustainable practices, often hindered by economic pressures and procurement processes. Paul outlines his vision to overcome these barriers by extending reuse principles throughout the entire construction supply chain, with plans to expand the loop system to include other materials like cement bags and bulk packaging.Resources:
Pallet Loop
British...
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E189 Shownotes: The Football Sustainability Index
In this episode, we delve into the transformative world of football sustainability.
We explore the Football Sustainability Index, a groundbreaking initiative assessing clubs on their environmental impact, equality standards, financial sustainability, and community engagement.
Joining us is Niall Couper from Fair Game, a volunteer-driven organisation dedicated to transforming the governance of football to ensure the sport contributes positively to its communities and operates sustainable. This episode uncovers the current challenges and vision for football’s sustainable future.
What is the Football Sustainability Index?
The index assesses football clubs on environmental impact, equality standards, financial sustainability, and community engagement. Football clubs are not just teams. They are community hubs offering services like dementia groups, walking football, food banks, and environmental programs.Current Challenges in Football:
The football culture often prioritises short-term gains through high player wages over long-term community investments. The Premier League generates £3.19 billion annually, with most funds directed towards player wages, leaving minimal support for lower league clubs. Example: For every £1,000 a Premier League club earns, only 15 pence goes to lower league clubs. Increasing this to £22 would greatly enhance community services.Long-Term Vision for Football:
Encouraging clubs to adopt long-term thinking can strengthen community ties and create a more sustainable football ecosystem. Clubs like AFC Wimbledon and Lincoln City exemplify how a long-term approach can yield both social and financial benefits.Regulatory Framework and Financial Instability:
The football governance bill proposes an independent regulator to oversee financial distributions and ensure clubs meet sustainability criteria. Since 2000, 64 clubs have gone into administration, with 58% of clubs in the top four divisions being technically insolvent.ESG and Equal Pay in Football:
Niall highlights Dale Vince’s Green Code initiative promoting sustainability in football. Will discusses the holistic approach, including veganism, at Forest Green Rovers. Niall suggests rewarding clubs adhering to sustainable practices to drive cultural change. Niall emphasises the need for financial incentives for clubs excelling in sustainability and advocates integrating the Green Code into a broader sustainability index. Niall covers Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions tracking and the importance of long-term thinking in football management. The podcast concludes by discussing Fair Game’s efforts to create an index for clubs based on sustainability, social impact, and financial stability.Resources:
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In this episode of the Sustainability Solved Podcast, hosts Will Richardson and Charlie Luxton are joined by Charlotte Harrington, Co-CEO of Belu Water, a social enterprise dedicated to clean water initiatives, exemplified by its partnership with WaterAid. To date, Belu has donated nearly £6 million to WaterAid by selling bottled water and filtration systems.
With a strong corporate retail background and a deep passion for sustainability, Charlotte is on a mission to revolutionise the bottled water industry by integrating purpose with profit. Tune in to discover how she and Belu Water are transforming how we consume water!
Key Highlights:
Charlotte discusses Belu’s unique co-leadership model, where two CEOs with different skill sets collaborate to enhance the company’s performance. Belu started with the belief that businesses can help solve global problems. Charlotte shares the company’s journey from its inception by Reed Paget, to becoming a leading social enterprise committed to sustainability. Every decision at Belu is filtered through the lens of environmental impact, ensuring that sustainability remains a core value. Charlotte delves into Belu’s partnership with WaterAid, which provides unrestricted funds to support critical water and sanitation projects globally. Charlotte recounts a visit to Malawi, witnessing the life-changing impact of clean water access in rural communities. Belu’s expansion to Hong Kong and Singapore is discussed, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of scaling a purpose-driven business internationally. Charlie raises the discussion of the carbon footprint of bottled water compared to tap water. Charlotte acknowledges the environmental impact of bottled water but explains the practical challenges in the hospitality sector where bottled water remains crucial. The growing adoption of filtration systems in restaurants and hotels is explored, providing a sustainable alternative to bottled water. Charlotte explains her dissatisfaction with the carbon offset markets, which led Belue to focus on supporting nature-based solutions and biodiversity projects in the UK instead.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.
A big thank you to our...
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In this episode, hosts Will Richardson and Charlie Luxton delve into the surprising intersection of tradition and sustainability within the funeral industry. Joined by Sarah Jones, Founder of award-winning Full Circle Funerals, the discussion uncovers how the age-old sector is undergoing a transformative shift towards embracing sustainable practices.
Fellow B Corp Full Circle Funerals stands at the forefront of this evolution by reframing funerals within the realm of health and social care. By prioritising holistic support and sustainability, Sarah challenges the conventional transactional approach of traditional funeral services.
The episode underscores the evolving landscape of funeral services, where sustainability is becoming integral to end-of-life planning and commemoration.
Highlights:
With approximately 600,000 funerals arranged annually in the UK, Sarah sheds light on the environmental impact of traditional flame cremations and explores alternative options like electric cremators and natural burials. The conversation extends to personal choices in funeral arrangements and the importance of discussing end-of-life wishes with loved ones. Sarah’s book, Funerals Your Way, provides a resource for individuals to navigate their options and make informed decisions aligned with sustainability principles. Use code FYW25OFF for 25% off your copy here. Through crowdfunding, Sarah initiated a groundbreaking study evaluating the environmental impact of different committal methods, including burial and cremation. Beyond carbon emissions, the study also considers factors like land usage, water consumption, space utilisation, and biodiversity. Sarah highlights the benefits of natural burial, which involves shallow depth and biodegradable materials as potentially the most environmentally friendly option. The conversation touches on the response of the funeral industry to sustainability efforts, with Sarah acknowledging the challenges of mobilising a diverse sector without regulatory guidance. Will and Charlie share their personal experiences and perspectives, with Will discussing his decision to opt for a wicker basket burial for his father and reflects on the environmental impact of funeral practices.Resources:
Full Circle Funerals
Funerals Your Way by Sarah Jones – use code FYW25OFF for 25% off!
Greener Funerals...
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E186: Show Notes
Title: Exploring Careers in Sustainability In this episode, hosts Will Richardson and Charlie Luxton explore the booming landscape of sustainability careers, a sector that has witnessed huge growth in the UK job market. With sustainability-focused roles accounting for 1/3 of UK job postings, the industry has become a focal point for professionals looking to make positive environmental impact. To delve into this topic, we are joined by Serrol Osman, Director of Verdant Search, a renowned firm specialising in Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) and sustainability recruitment. Together, they unpack the evolving dynamics of the industry and provide invaluable insights, advice, and strategies for individuals looking to transition into sustainability careers.
1. Market Dynamics and Industry Disruption:
· Serrol reflects on the rapid growth of sustainability careers up to 2022, noting a slowdown due to global economic factors.
· The discussion covers shifts in salary structures, challenges in accommodating rising costs, and talent shortages at mid-level positions.
· Despite uncertainties, Serrol predicts continued growth driven by regulatory changes and corporate sustainability initiatives.
2. Confusion and Evolution in Job Descriptions:
· The podcast addresses confusion in job descriptions amidst the fast-paced evolution of sustainability roles.
· Serrol discusses challenges in finding the right talent, inconsistent salaries, and the need for clear job definitions to streamline recruitment processes.
3. Demand for Purpose-Led Companies:
· Both hosts emphasise candidates' desire to work for purpose-driven companies.
· Serrol underscores the importance of aligning company values with employee aspirations for enhanced retention and growth.
4. Evolution of Recruitment Profiles:
· Serrol predicts that, like digital transformation, specialised sustainability roles will be integrated into traditional business operations.
· The discussion highlights the role of sustainability leadership and reporting structures in driving meaningful organisational change.
5. AI and Future Job Trends:
· Serrol offers insights into AI's potential impact on green jobs, predicting shifts in productivity and new roles in design, research, and policy.
· Serrol stresses the significance of soft skills and emerging opportunities within the sustainability domain.
6. Advice for Aspiring Professionals:
· Serrol advises aspiring professionals to assess their skill sets and explore opportunities in education, voluntary sectors, and current companies.
· The discussion emphasises starting with broad sustainability concepts before specialisation and the value of diverse skill sets, including communication and adaptability.
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.
A big thank you to our sponsors!
This episode of Sustainability Solved is sponsored by Business Declares, a not-for-profit business network who inspire, encourage, and accelerate action within businesses to address the climate, ecological, and social emergency.
They are an active network of 100+ businesses who back our commitments to reach net-zero, restore and protect nature, and advocate for regulatory change.
Join Business Declares as a member to get help accelerating your...
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In this episode we look at the funny side of Climate Change with award winning comedian, podcaster and business speaker, Stuart Goldsmith. He grabbed the headlines at the Edinburgh Festival in 2023 with his show about Climate Change, called Spoilers. Stuart talks about his journey in stand-up over the last 20 years, and his mission to engage a wider audience on Climate Change through comedy.
Why did Stuart Goldsmith decide to make jokes about Climate Change?
Stuart talks about spending 10 years as a street performer and his increasing feeling of ‘eco-dread’. He acted on this feeling by writing and performing comedy about Climate Change. Stuart talks about the challenges of performing material about the Climate Crisis to audiences.How does Climate Change comedy compare to activism?
Charlie asks Stuart whether this was a form of activism. Stuart has attended Extinction Rebellion protests and a Just Stop Oil meeting. He respects their commitment but didn’t feel like these were his normal social group. Will highlights when we tackle a new way of sending a message, it is a kind of activism. Will compares it to when he worked in sustainability in the early days of his career. Stuart talks about his journey writing jokes on the Climate Crisis and soliciting climate confessions from the audience. But tries to go further and influence his more famous comedy friends to include the topic in their material. Stuart wants his audiences to feel more comfortable starting a conversion about Climate Change with friends. Stuart also shares a joke about flying business class.How does Stuart gather research?
Stuart talks about taking part in Climate Fresk, a workshop designed to teach the fundamental science behind Climate Change, and also playing EN-ROADS, an online simulator with the ability to test and explore cross-sector climate solutions. Will and Stuart discuss the impact of flying that’s both negative and positive to society. Stuart talks about interviewing people for his podcast, The Comedian’s Comedian, using one example of a global sustainability person for a huge US investment bank talking about Climate Change, politics, and Trump. This interviewee stressed that capital money has decided that [Climate Change] is real, so we can’t pretend it’s not real. Charlie offers the example of Trump supporting the reopening of coal mines, but none opened because no-one would invest in them. Stuart raises climate justice, and the fact people are already running for their lives. He asks what will humanity look like in the future? Charlie responds by quoting James Lovelock’s Gaia hypothesis, where he recorded that if we hit an increase if 5-5 degrees above pre-industrial levels we could go from 8 billion people down to 1.5 billion living in the far North and far South.What’s the worst thing Stuart jokes about?
Stuart doesn’t communicate how horrible a topic is to his audience, or they will stop listening. He thinks we need to safeguard our mental health. Stuart talks about being a parent and offers a ‘worst thing’ joke related to his fellow playground dad’s... -
Season 5, Episode 184: Sustainable Standstill: Why major housebuilders aren’t going green This episode we interview Ian Pritchett, the co-founder of Greencore Homes in Oxfordshire. They build airtight, energy-efficient, timber frame houses, from their factory in Bicester. Ian shines a spotlight on the challenges of the ‘business-as-usual’ housebuilding planning system and champions the need for a new national planning policy that is fit for the future.
The problem
· Charlie asked Ian what the planning system is doing to respond to climate change challenges and pressures around development.
· Ian is frustrated at the planning system. Trying to do something different and better is a challenge. It gets closer scrutiny and there is more bureaucracy.
· National Government and housebuilders are focused on volume, not sustainability. They are more interested in avoiding a housing crisis, than a climate crisis.
Environmental impact
· Ian reports that every time a new house is built it generates over one hundred tons of carbon emissions (CO2), plus the use of the house will emit carbon. The total carbon budget for Oxfordshire’s five local authorities is 26.3m tonnes of CO2 by 2050. With their plan to build 100,000 new homes in the next 10 years, they will use between 80-100% of that budget on new housing alone.
· Sustainability regulations are dumbed down to keep volumes up. It is a choice between the quantity or the quality of housing. Ian explains that we can have both.
· Charlie asks Ian if we can build our way out of a housing crisis and why does volume win Government votes.
· Ian explains that we are living longer, there are smaller households and spare housing is not where employment is concentrated, hence why the Southeast is the focus of housebuilding.
A planning system fit for our future
· Ian wants a new national planning policy that is fit for the future and focuses on more important areas such as energy, carbon, wildlife, biodiversity, and community.
· Greencore’s mission is to move the house building industry from an unsustainable to sustainable model answering questions such as can you lock up more carbon than you emit? Can you generate more energy than you use? Can you improve wildlife and biodiversity? · Ian talks about how Greencore works to the One Planet Living framework. It is building places where people want to live and can live sustainably, can live happily and healthily.
· Charlie and Ian discuss the issue of landowner wealth and a need to involve the local community to ensure they benefit.
Are greener houses more expensive? · Will talks about how Cardiff University proved that an environmentally friendly home could be more affordable than a normal home.
· Ian reports that there are some higher costs when building sustainably at a smaller scale. However, these costs will come down when building at volume.
· Charlie offers an example of one of his affordable housing projects and how lower running costs could be included in rent and mortgage agreements.
· Ian talks about the idea of houses built to encourage zero energy bills and the problems with this not being valued by residents.
The problem with parking space
· Ian is concerned about housing schemes being dominated by parking and car ownership. He sees a future where we make more use of shared sustainable transport and offer examples of where this is happening. Decisions also need to be made around green space vs car parking space.
· Charlie and Will discuss the pros and cons of electric car sharing in housing projects.
How to innovate faster
· Ian talks about how economics will drive innovation in this space faster. One way is to reduce stamp duty on low-carbon homes which would drive demand, supply, and legislation.
· Will and Charlie discuss getting a better mortgage for a low-carbon home, and Charlie uses the...
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In our latest episode, we sit down with hosts Will Richardson, CEO and Founder of Green Element Group, and Charlie Luxton, an architectural designer focusing on sustainability buildings. Will and Charlie kick off the new year by reflecting on their sustainability journeys, and discuss key trends in sustainability for the year 2024! The conversation touches on sustainable architecture, political shifts and media challenges impacting sustainability, technological advancements, diverse perspectives on environmental activism, and much more!
Starting 2024 with Sustainability:
Will and Charlie anticipate significant sustainability topics for the year, emphasising the urgency of addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. Will advocates for proactive climate action rather than waiting for legislative mandates.Charlie’s Sustainability Journey:
Charlie shares his early environmental interest, stemming from childhood experiences in Australia. His sustainability journey began with a realisation about the environmental impact of logging in the rainforest. Discussing his transition from TV hosting to sustainability, architecture, and history, Charlie highlights his recent project “The Great British Restoration Challenge” focused on converting non-houses into homes.Sustainable Architecture:
The conversation centres on integrating sustainability into architectural projects as a foundational aspect. Charlie emphasises the importance of taking risks in sustainable practices, often testing innovative ideas on personal projects before implementing them for clients. Both Will and Charlie discuss the significance of embodied carbon modelling in architectural projects. Charlie expresses his excitement in AI’s role in optimising buildings, focusing on structure, servicing, thermal design, and orientation.Embracing All Aspects of Sustainability
Both Will and Charlie share some diverse sustainability initiatives they have witnessed over the years, highlighting the importance of storytelling in showcasing complex sustainability scenarios. Will discusses an audit of an Eon site with diverse perspectives of environmental activism, while Charlie recalls an industrial symbiosis network in Denmark involving a coal-fired station, plasterboard production, and a fish farm.Political Shifts and Media Challenges
The hosts provide insights into political shifts, particularly in the US, and discuss potential impacts on sustainability. Charlie expresses concerns about the media prioritising clickable headlines over fact-checking, shaping public opinion on sustainability.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
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In this episode, Andrew Griffiths, co-founder of the Carbon Accounting Alliance, sheds light on the Alliance’s mission to tackle sustainability challenges through collaboration. Backed by over 100 organisations and businesses, including Green Element and Compare Your Footprint, Andrew explains the Alliance's focus on promoting best practices and robust standards.
Interested businesses can easily join the Carbon Accounting Alliance by filling out a quick form. The process is open and accessible, aiming to create a supportive community without any current costs involved.
Highlights:
Carbon Accounting 101:
· Andrew simplifies carbon accounting, likening it to financial accounting – but with carbon instead of money! He explains the process of measuring carbon, the significance of carbon factors, and provides insights into achieving net-zero.
· Andrew discusses the Alliance’s primary objectives including policy alignment, standards, technical coherence, and communications to drive positive change.
· As of last month, the Carbon Accounting Alliance had measured a staggering 587,000,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent and reported 6,000,000 tonnes of reductions.
Challenges and Solutions for Carbon Accounting:
Andrew delves into data collection as a barrier for organisations looking to manage their carbon footprint. He discusses governmental policy recommendations and initiatives like Project Perseus for seamless and automated data gathering.The UK government has shown genuine interest in the Alliance’s proposals, signalling a potential bridge between business-led action and policy change.The Carbon Accounting Alliance plans to streamline data collection, analysis, and assurance using technologies like open banking but for carbon data.Collaboration is Key:
Andrew drives home the importance of collaboration in the industry and creating a safe space for professionals to connect, collaborate, and share experiences openly.For the Carbon Accounting Alliance, success in the next 12 months relies on collaboration, influencing policy makers, and engaging with standards like ISO and net-zero guidelines to drive change.This episode of Sustainability Solved is sponsored by Business Declares, a not-for-profit business network who inspire, encourage, and accelerate action within businesses to address the climate, ecological, and social emergency.
They are an active network of 100+ businesses who back our commitments to reach net-zero, restore and protect nature, and advocate for regulatory change.
Join Business Declares as a member to get help accelerating your action on net-zero targets and on nature targets for your business from the network. Find out more here: Business Declares
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This month on the Sustainability Solved Podcast, our hosts Will Richardson and Charlie Luxton delve into the world of sustainable brewing. Joining them from Berlin is Roland Pahl-Dobrick, the Beer Market Manager from Pall Filtration, to shed light on the intricacies and challenges of sustainability in brewing.
Brewing Process and Impact:
- Unlike wine filtration, beer filtration faces unique challenges due to its scale, volume, and sensitivity as a product.
- The conversation highlights the staggering waste generated by filtration processes in the brewing industry, estimated to reach tens of millions of tonnes.
- Traditional beer filtration using Diatomaceous Earth (DE), a fossilised algae, produces substantial waste, rendering it unfit for recycling or reuse, particularly problematic for large breweries.
Sustainability Challenges and Progress in Brewing:
- Roland discusses the industry’s movement away from DE filtration toward membrane-based filtration, which significantly curbs waste production by over 90%, leading to substantial water savings and reductions in carbon footprint.
- Advancements in brewing technology have notably slashed water usage by up to 80% from previous decades.
Future of Sustainable Brewing:
- Brewing companies are increasingly adopting robust sustainability programmes aimed at minimising waste, enhancing operational efficiency, and prioritising environmentally friendly production processes.
- Consumer preferences, particular amongst the younger demographic, are driving companies to embrace eco-friendly technologies, aligning with evolving market demands.
- Roland explains how attention is also being directed toward addressing the environmental impact of packaging, including efforts to lightweight materials, explore reusable packaging options, and consider more sustainable transportation methods.
This episode of Sustainability Solved is sponsored by Business Declares, a not-for-profit business network who inspire, encourage, and accelerate action within businesses to address the climate, ecological, and social emergency.
They are an active network of 100+ businesses who back our commitments to reach net-zero, restore and protect nature, and advocate for regulatory change.
Join Business Declares as a member to get help accelerating your action on net-zero targets and on nature targets for your business from the network. Find out more here: Business Declares
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Title: Breaking Down COP28: The Critical Climate Conference
Welcome to a special episode of the Sustainability Solved Podcast!
In this episode, we introduce a brand-new co-host, Charlie Luxton, an architectural designer and TV presenter well-known for his passion for the built environmental and sustainability, as seen on Homes By The Sea and Building The Dream.
With COP28 just around the corner, we’ve invited guests with strong opinions to discuss one of the most significant events in the sustainability calendar. Our first guest is Georgia Elliot-Smith, environmental activist and the founder and managing director of sustainability consultancy Element Four. Joining us is Emma Littlewood, Strategy Director at Green Element Group, and creator of the comprehensive carbon footprinting platform, Compare Your Footprint.
Tune in as we dive deep into the inner workings of COP28, explore the impact of industry and capitalism, and discuss the prospects of revitalising this pivotal event for a sustainable future.
This episode of Sustainability Solved is sponsored by Business Declares, a not-for-profit business network who inspire, encourage, and accelerate action within businesses to address the climate, ecological, and social emergency.
They are an active network of 100+ businesses who back our commitments to reach net-zero, restore and protect nature, and advocate for regulatory change.
Join Business Declares as a member to get help on accelerating your action on net-zero targets and on nature targets for your business from the network. Find out more here: Business Declares
Highlights:
COP28 Explained
Our guests delve into what COP is, its evolution, how the agenda is developed, and key sustainability milestones like the Rio Summit in 1992, the Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement in 2015. Georgia shares her experience as an observer at COP, telling all about the ‘green zone’ for businesses and public, and the ‘blue zone’ – the heart of negotiations.Oil and Gas at COP28:
Emma exposes the staggering subsidies offered to the oil and gas industry and their involvement in COP28. Concerns are raised about this year’s COP28 host, the UAE, and their connections to the oil and gas industry. Georgia reveals that the UK have given £20 billion more to fossil fuels than renewables post Paris Agreement.Reviving COP:
We discuss how the merging of industry and governments is problematic in climate discussions, with our guests pushing for strict rules to limit corporate influence at COP. The guest’s desire for COP28 to fail to pave the way for a more effective future is... -
Two of the most pressing concerns of our generation are housing and the climate crisis. In the UK in particular, the housing stock is in desperate need of modernisation and improved insulation. But this problem isn’t limited to the UK; we need affordable housing that is better for the environment and more affordable to run. But how do we get there?
Today we are joined by two guests who are taking very different approaches to sustainable housing. Carl Gish is from Aro Homes, a US startup looking to replace existing dilapidated housing stock with new energy-efficient homes built off-site to Passivhaus standards. Marion Baeli is an architect, author, and board director of UK Passivhaus Trust. She has written about residential retrofits, and as a partner of Studio PDP, she worked on Princedale Road, the first Victorian residential retrofit in the UK to be certified in the Passivhaus Standard.
Highlights:
Retrofitting existing homes vs. creating new sustainable homes
· Marion explains how retrofitting existing homes addresses inefficiency, reduces energy demand, and supports the transition away from fossil fuels.
· Carl highlights the benefits of building new sustainable homes, including eliminating constraints associated with retrofitting.
· Carl emphasises the importance of constructing environmentally sound homes, given that around 23% of global carbon emissions come from single-family homes.
The net-zero challenge: balancing energy and emissions
· Achieving net-zero status for homes involves reducing embodied carbon, improving energy efficiency, and harnessing renewable energy sources.
· Both guests discuss the need for a unified approach to net-zero construction.
Cost considerations: retrofit vs. new construction
· Carl highlights how new constriction can offer efficiency advantages and cost savings.
· Marion discusses how step-by-step retrofitting is an option to spread costs over time and align with budgets.
· Marion emphasises the need for government policies and financial incentives to drive retrofitting initiatives on a larger scale.
Behavioural barriers and new technology
· Both guests highlight the importance of addressing behaviour as a barrier to retrofitting and the need to motivate homeowners to undergo disruptive home improvements.
· Carl introduces the concept of hydraloop technology, which recycles water in homes to reduce water wastage.
Resources: Passivhaus Standard Aro Homes Studio PDP Princedale Road; first Victorian residential retrofit in the UK Climate Change Committee Hydraloop Technology
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Title: Striking a Chord for the Planet: Music's Journey to Sustainability
Story:
Welcome to an exciting episode of the Sustainability Solved Podcast, where our spotlight falls on an industry renowned for creativity and innovation: the music industry. The music industry has the power and influence to make huge strides in the environmental movement, but who is responsible for leading the change?
Our guests today have certainly struck a chord in the music industry for their leadership in sustainability: Lewis Jamieson, co-founder of Music Declares Emergency (MDE) and Hannah Cox, founder of Better Not Stop and author of the “More Than Music” report on sustainability at music festivals.
Together we explore how the music industry, artists, labels, fans, and governments hold key roles in steering the industry towards a more eco-conscious path.
This episode of the Sustainability Solved Podcast is sponsored by Good Citizens.
Good Citizens is an eyewear brand like no other. Born to untrash the planet of single-use plastic. Good Citizens turns a discarded single-use plastic bottle into a pair of 100% recycled frames. It took them 752 days & 2500+ failed attempts to perfect the first pair of sunglasses. Even more unique, the modular system means you can repair each part in seconds. So, if your dog munches on them, it’s all fixable.
Use this discount code GREEN20 to get $20AUD off and help untrash the planet.
Highlights: · Lewis sheds light on the motivations behind Music Declares Emergency, an initiative uniting artists, labels, and fans to address climate challenges. · Hannah, founder of Better Not Stop, discusses the “More Than Music” report on sustainability at music festivals. She explains her inspiration and the challenges music festivals face in adopting sustainable practices. · Lewis and Hannah discuss Coldplay’s groundbreaking eco-friendly world tour. They highlight the significance of Coldplay’s efforts in advancing discussion around sustainability in the music industry.
· The conversation delves into the idea of virtual concerts as a potential solution to reduce carbon emissions.
· Lewis candidly discusses the challenges of securing funding for climate-related initiatives in the music industry. He emphasises the lack of commitment to sustainable causes.
· Music festivals often take place in remote areas, posing challenges for government-driven public transport improvements. Lewis and Hannah discuss solutions to these challenges.
· Sustainability is more than just a cost: Hannah highlights the advantages of adopting sustainable frameworks and what to include.
· Spotlight on trailblazers making a significant impact on sustainability within the music industry like EarthPercent, Vision 2025, and Blue Dot Festival.
· Uncover the concept of “Climate Shadow”, revealing that individual actions extend beyond personal consumer choices.
Resources: Music Declares Emergency Better Not Stop More Than Music Report Coldplay’s eco-friendly tour Kendall Calling Festival EarthPercent Vision 2025 Green Events Code Blue Dot Festival
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Australia is at the forefront of the climate change movement, facing the need to protect its biosecurity, enhance climate resilience, and overcome geographic isolation. Over the past five years Australia has made significant strides towards sustainability, particularly through its commitment to partnering with the private sector. Together, they aim to design out waste and pollution, promote material reuse, and work towards supporting the circular economy by 2023.
Join us in this month’s episode of our podcast as we delve into Australia’s role in tackling climate change and its unique sustainability challenges. Our special guests Dr. Mary Stewart and Arvind Sharma are renowned sustainability experts in Australia, bringing their valuable insights to the conversation. Dr. Mary Stewart is the CEO of Energetics, Australia’s leading specialist consultancy in energy and carbon management, and Arvind Sharma is the Executive Director and ESG and Sustainability Lead for Rennie Advisory. This episode of the Sustainability Solved Podcast is sponsored by Good Citizens.
Good Citizens is an eyewear brand like no other. Born to untrash the planet of single-use plastic. Good Citizens turns a discarded single-use plastic bottle into a pair of 100% recycled frames. It took them 752 days & 2500+ failed attempts to perfect the first pair of sunglasses. Even more unique, the modular system means you can repair each part in seconds. So, if your dog munches on them, it’s all fixable.
Use this discount code GREEN20 to get $20AUD off and help untrash the planet.
Highlights: - Mary emphasises the vast potential of the circular economy in Australia, with a focus on resource recovery, utilising recycled materials, effective waste management, and transitioning to renewable energy resources.
- Australia’s distinct location and vulnerability to climate change posts unique sustainability challenges, coupled with the fragility of ecosystems that support its natural biodiversity. - Arvind sheds light on Australia’s revised sustainability targets under the Paris Agreement; it is evident that Australia is currently falling short of aligning with the 1.5°C pathway outlined by the IPCC.
- Mary and Arvind delve into how Australia has responded to the significant rise in electricity prices, with many companies opting for Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to manage
their energy price risks.
- We explore the sustainability skills gap as a significant barrier hindering the accelerated implementation of sustainability goals in Australia.
- Through their expertise, Mary and Arvind shed light on how Australia’s experiences can serve as valuable lessons for the rest of the world. They emphasise the importance of not blindly following others but instead tailoring sustainability approaches to fit specific countries.
- Australia has made impressive progress in embracing new energy sources and the rapid pace at which investments have been made; something the rest of the world can look to for inspiration.
Resources: Energetics Rennie Advisory Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) The Paris Agreement Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) Australia Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) A Short Guide to the Circular Economy
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Small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) have a crucial role to play in sustainability, despite some thinking they are too small to make an impact. SMEs make up around 90% of businesses globally; while individual SMEs may have a smaller impact compared to larger corporations, their collective action can have a significant effect on environmental impact.
In this episode, our host Will Richardson explores the question: are you ever too small to make a difference? To shed light on this topic, he is joined by two experts who assist SMEs on their sustainability journeys: Sarah Whale, Managing Director of Profit Impact, and Andy Hawkins, Chief People, Planet, and Purpose Officer at Business on Purpose.
This episode of the Sustainability Solved Podcast is sponsored by Good Citizens.
Good Citizens is an eyewear brand like no other. Born to untrash the planet of single-use plastic. Good Citizens turns a discarded single-use plastic bottle into a pair of 100% recycled frames. It took them 752 days & 2500+ failed attempts to perfect the first pair of sunglasses. Even more unique, the modular system means you can repair each part in seconds. So, if your dog munches on them, it’s all fixable.
Use this discount code GREEN20 to get $20AUD off and help untrash the planet.
Highlights:
Sarah and Andy both share the belief that no business is too small to make a difference. Sarah emphasises that it starts with individuals and their actions, regardless of whether they belong to a big corporation or work independently. Andy illustrates this by using an analogy of playing football without a goalkeeper, where even individual contributions add up to make a significant difference. He cites historical figures like Nelson Mandela and Florence Nightingale who made a tremendous impact despite being part of a bigger system. Many business owners find it challenging to make sustainability a top priority. Sarah and Andy agree that time restraints, prioritisation, and limited resources are common challenges for SMEs. Will points out that some businesses may consider financial constraints as a reason for not prioritising sustainability, however engaging in sustainable practices can strengthen a business’s financial position. Andy adds that B Corps have reported positive financial outcomes, trading at 28% above GDP. He plans to conduct research to further investigate these benefits and explore the barriers that prevent businesses from measuring and improving their social and environmental impact.Resources:
Profit Impact
Business on Purpose
B Corp Certification: Benefits and Requirements
B Lab...
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Title: Investing in Green Innovation
In the midst of a global economic downturn, sustainable businesses need to grow and innovate to survive in uncertain times. But just how easy is it to get investment? The EU recently announced the Green Deal industrial plan, aiming to fast track Net-Zero projects in Europe, making 250 billion euros available for greening industry. Alongside this, the US Inflation Reduction Act also includes a $369 billion package for clean energy projects, and there have been calls for a similar scheme to boost businesses in the UK.
Can UK businesses take advantage of the rush to go green? And if so, how? To help us answer this question, we are joined by Jon Dishotsky, an investment partner at Giant Ventures who builds and backs purpose-driven companies, and Wiktor Warchałowski, CEO and founder of Airly, who supply real-time air quality data for governments and businesses. This episode of the Sustainability Solved Podcast is sponsored by Good Citizens.
Good Citizens is an eyewear brand like no other. Born to untrash the planet of single-use plastic. Good Citizens turns a discarded single-use plastic bottle into a pair of 100% recycled frames. It took them 752 days & 2500+ failed attempts to perfect the first pair of sunglasses. Even more unique, the modular system means you can repair each part in seconds. So, if your dog munches on them, it’s all fixable.
Use this discount code GREEN20 to get $20AUD off and help untrash the planet.
Highlights:
· More capital has been raised in the last 12-24 months than ever before by investors, however the pace of investment into companies has slowed down significantly.
· Wiktor tells us about his experience going through the investment process, and the multitude of benefits it has brought to his company.
· We discuss what types of questions are asked by investors and if this differed across various investment bodies. For Wiktor, his team built an FAQ list to be prepared for their next investment meeting as they noticed a reoccurring theme amongst questions.
· Jon gives us a detailed insight into the question: how much money should a business ask to have invested in them?
· We look at how investment can put pressure on companies to scale too quickly, consequently having negative impacts on the organisation’s progression.
· “Capital does not help you innovate”; Jon shares his findings from a study that shows that companies that raised less than $100 million outperformed their peers who raised 5x more, meaning they continued to innovate significantly over a long period of time.
· Wiktor discusses the importance of working with investors that align with your organisation’s values and goals.
· Jon and Wiktor share some eye-opening and raw advice about building a business, gaining investment, and prioritizing innovation.
Resources: The Inflation Reduction Act Green Deal Industrial Plan Giant Ventures Airly Sustainability Solved
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