Did you know that the Internet and communication technology (ICT) sector is estimated to account for 1.5% and 4% of the world’s carbon emissions? In comparison, aviation represented 2% of the global carbon footprint in 2022.

This figure doesn’t even take into account the use of water to cool down data centres, or the extraction and processing of materials to produce our devices, which have considerable impacts on climate and nature.

All data generated online (including this podcast) has its footprint, even if we can’t see it. The Internet’s emissions will continue to rise, especially as the use of artificial intelligence – which is extremely energy intensive – keeps skyrocketing. Considering that 90% of the world's data was generated in the last two years alone according to some estimates, it is not difficult to imagine that the Internet will soon become the largest-emitting sector of our economy.

But we all can take action, in some way. If you, or your company, have a website, you can design it to be as sustainable and accessible as possible.

In this week’s episode, Giulia talks to Sepas Seraj, founder of digital agency Pixeled Eggs, about sustainable web design and how the conversation has shifted in his industry. The attention is turning to lighter-weight websites, as they are increasingly being prioritised by SEO. Coincidentally, leaner websites also have a smaller footprint, proving that there are benefits in sustainability that go beyond doing the right thing.

Sepas shares tips on how to lower the impact of your website, make it more accessible and user-friendly without sacrificing aesthetics (sustainable design can be beautiful and impactful at the same time!), how to use AI mindfully, and how design trends have changed over the years.

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Businesses face challenges and opportunities in adapting to climate change regulations and sustainability reporting. Linking sustainability strategies to performance and progress is a crucial aspect of this journey.

In this episode, Felicia talks to Stuart McLachlan, chief executive of sustainability firm Anthesis, about the shift from traditional business models to sustainable practices, emphasising the need for organisations to take responsibility for their externalities and adopt circular economy principles.

Adaptability and collaboration are fundamental, as seen in sustainable agriculture and pre-competitive collaboration during the pandemic - in the end, so much of what we need to address comes down to the health of the soil. The conversation touches on the role of investors and regulators in driving sustainability, the urgency of transformation, and how we can shift to a low-carbon, nature-positive world through collective action.

Stuart's book, The Adventure of Sustainable Performance, is available on all major platforms.

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In this week's episode, Felicia talks to Pablo Fernandez, chief executive of global climate solutions company EcoSecurities.

The carbon markets are a contentious, but effective, tool for leveraging finance for action on climate change. Carbon offsets, an important tool within these markets, allow companies to invest in emissions reduction projects, often in developing countries, as a cost-effective way to meet climate goals. However, issues such as weak demand, inconsistent pricing, and trust in project quality have challenged the effectiveness of carbon markets.

What matters is understanding which credits are appropriate for your industry and business, and the pathway you're choosing to cut emissions and transition towards a net zero world - demonstrating a transparent and robust strategy for action on climate change.

In this episode, we discuss the history of the climate negotiations, how the carbon markets developed and why offsetting has an important role to play in transforming the world.

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This week, Giulia interviews Helen Clements, director, innovation & behaviour change lead at GoUnpackaged, a UK-based consultancy that helps retailers switch to refill systems. It’s not just about the individual piece of packaging that ends in the hands of the consumer: there is a whole supply chain behind it to revolutionise.

GoUnpackaged is behind the Refill Coalition, an initiative to create a standardised solution for supermarkets. Its current members are Aldi and Ocado, which are both undergoing trials that Helen says are very successful. However, there are challenges in encouraging other retailers to take part: Waitrose, which was a founding member, left the coalition last year.

In the podcast episode, we discuss GoUnpackaged’s “charmingly ugly” containers and how its system differs from the traditional bulk refills, how consumers can be encouraged to change their habits, the challenges retailers are facing, and the need for stronger policies to enforce a truly circular economy. With powerful lobbying groups pushing the government to keep the status quo, we need every actor in the economy to play their part – especially retailers.

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The world is grappling with numerous environmental challenges and, while COP29 (the world’s most important gathering on the environment) is expected to focus on climate finance, we need solutions that benefit everyone – especially the most vulnerable. We need to revolutionise agriculture, including how we use soil. Indeed, soil plays a crucial role in combating climate change, ensuring food security, and maintaining biodiversity.

This week’s guest is Praveena Sridhar, chief science and technology officer at the Save Soil movement run by the Conscious Planet initiative, set up by internationally-renowned yogi Sadhguru. Through working with over 220,000 farmers in India and advocating for ecological restoration, Conscious Planet's wide network of volunteers have also raised global awareness of the soil crisis, through community events, social media campaigns and in mass media.

Soil health could serve as a critical link between addressing climate change and protecting nature. 12 inches of topsoil supports 95% of global food production, and provides the potential for sequestering nearly a third of all GHG emissions. Yet today over half of all global soils are degraded, a number that could rise to 90% by 2050.

Praveena talks to Felicia about the role of soil in addressing climate change, the critical need to improve the organic content of soil to 3-6% of matter and the importance of supporting farmers in changing their approach to farming, as well as what needs to be done to increase access to finance. The future of the climate - and the food system - could depend on it.

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Giulia speaks to Alisa Murphy, a coach helping purpose-driven professionals build careers rooted in nature, climate, and community.

They talk about her journey to regenerative work, what regenerative means, and what questions people should ask themselves when they feel ready to change their work lives – or to spot corporate greenwashing. It can be scary to leave the corporate world, but we need everyone, whatever their skills and experience, to enact systemic change.

Find Alisa on LinkedIn and on her website. Her podcast, Regenerative Worklife, is on all major platforms.

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Felicia interviews Chris Hocknell, founder of sustainability consultancy Eight Versa on the complex and evolving topic of carbon neutrality and its significance for businesses in the context of climate change.

We explore the difference between carbon neutral and net zero, and why Chris is advocating for the use of the term "carbon neutral" as a pragmatic step for business today. Join us to uncover the nuances of sustainable business practices and understand what it really means to build towards a greener future.

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This week Giulia interviews Patrick Donati, co-founder and managing director of solar power producer Terrawatt. Founded in 2021, the startup is developing a portfolio of solar farms in Italy.

In a wide-ranging chat, they discuss the EU’s renewable energy targets and the challenges of building a solar industry in sunny Italy, which should be a no-brainer but is being hindered by complicated bureaucracy and unsupportive policies. Still, Patrick says there are plenty of opportunities in the sector, which promises to revive areas marred by poverty and brain drain.

The discussion also touches upon differences and similarities across the various countries in the bloc, using green hydrogen as storage, and the economics of installing batteries.

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