ESG Decoded Podcast

Ahead of Climate Week NYC and the UN General Assembly, we look at how the world's largest multilateral climate fund is deploying capital in a moment when government commitment to climate finance is wavering.
Host Anna Stablum is joined by Amer Baig, Chief Investment Officer of the Green Climate Fund —  a key financing mechanism under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Over ten years, the fund has invested just over $20 billion across 135 developing countries, and Amer explains how this money unlocks private capital and opens doors to various financing mechanisms. He walks through how the fund uses flexible, patient capital to stretch that $20 billion into roughly $80 billion in total project value. 
Anna and Amer also get into the distance between what institutions say publicly and what they're doing privately, why "climate" may be the most misleading shorthand in the sector, and what perceived versus real risk means for capital flowing into developing markets.
Don't miss an episode—subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social for the latest updates!
Episode Resources
Green Climate Fund: https://www.greenclimate.fund/ 

GCF project database: https://www.greenclimate.fund/projects

GAIA blended finance platform: https://www.findevcanada.ca/en/what-we-do/our-portfolio/gaia

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change: https://unfccc.int/

New York Climate Week: https://www.climateweeknyc.org/

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About ESG Decoded ESG Decoded, powered by ClimeCo, is a podcast for business leaders navigating sustainability, innovation, and the evolving expectations shaping organizations today.
Hosted by Emma Cox, Erika Schiller, and Anna Stablum, the show features candid conversations with sustainability leaders and subject-matter experts across industries. Each episode cuts through the noise to explore the ideas, challenges, and actions moving sustainability forward—giving listeners practical insights to turn ambition into meaningful impact.
ESG Decoded Resource Links 
Site:  https://www.climeco.com/podcast-series/

Apple Podcasts: https://go.climeco.com/ApplePodcasts

Spotify: https://go.climeco.com/Spotify

YouTube Music: https://go.climeco.com/YouTube-Music

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/esg-decoded/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/esgdecoded/*This episode was produced by Singing Land Studio 

About ClimeCo
ClimeCo is an award-winning leader in decarbonization, empowering global organizations with customized sustainability pathways. Our respected scientists and industry experts collaborate with companies, governments, and capital markets to develop tailored ESG and decarbonization solutions. Recognized for creating high-quality, impactful projects, ClimeCo is committed to helping clients achieve their goals, maximize environmental assets, and enhance their brand.
ClimeCo Resource Links
Site: https://climeco.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/climeco/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/climeco/

What if sustainability isn't a job title, but a skill set you already have? 
Emma Cox speaks with Kelsey Kates, founder of Playfully Works,about what it means to care deeply about the planet while working in a role not traditionally tied to sustainability. 
At the time of this recording, Kelsey led learning and development at Google. While sustainability was never part of her formal job description, she became a keynote speaker on the company's sustainability efforts by volunteering her time, sharing her expertise, and consistently showing up. 
Bringing a learning-science lens to a question many of us have asked—how much can one person actually do? Kelsey explores how individual conviction can become meaningful to organizational impact. 
In this conversation, she shares insights on: 
Finding your own entry point into climate work through the expertise, influence, and passions you already have.

How small operational shifts, implemented at scale, can quietly change behaviors and norms.

Why explaining the why behind a change can matter just as much as the change itself.

Whether sustainability is best understood as a competitive advantage—or a competitive imperative.

Disclaimer: Since this conversation, Kelsey has concluded her decade-long tenure at Google and launched her own company, Playfully Works. It’s founding idea is one she shares in this episode, you don't have to be serious to do serious work.
Episode Resources
Google Sustainability: https://sustainability.google/

Google’s 2026 Environmental Report: https://sustainability.google/google-2026-environmental-report/

Climate Action Venn Diagram by Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson: https://www.ayanaelizabeth.com/climatevenn 

Playfully Works: https://kelseykates.com/ 

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About ESG Decoded ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. Join Emma Cox, Erika Schiller, and Anna Stablum for thoughtful, nuanced conversations with industry leaders and subject matter experts that explore the complexities about the risks and opportunities connected to (E)nvironmental, (S)ocial and (G)overnance. We like to say that “ESG is everything that’s not on your balance sheet.” This leaves room for misunderstanding and oversimplification – two things that we’ll bust on this podcast.
ESG Decoded Resource Links 
Site:  https://www.climeco.com/podcast-series/

Apple Podcasts: https://go.climeco.com/ApplePodcasts

Spotify: https://go.climeco.com/Spotify

YouTube Music: https://go.climeco.com/YouTube-Music

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/esg-decoded/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/esgdecoded/
*This episode was produced by Singing Land Studio 

About ClimeCo
ClimeCo is an award-winning leader in decarbonization, empowering global organizations with customized sustainability pathways. Our respected scientists and industry experts collaborate with companies, governments, and capital markets to develop tailored ESG and decarbonization solutions. Recognized for creating high-quality, impactful projects, ClimeCo is committed to helping clients achieve their goals, maximize environmental assets, and enhance their brand.
ClimeCo Resource Links
Site: https://climeco.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/climeco/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/climeco/

Coastal Louisiana is losing a football field of land every hour. Restore the Earth Foundation (REF) is betting a million acres of restored forest can turn that around — and they're nearly halfway there. 
In this episode, host Erika Schiller is joined by Taylor Marshall, REF's Executive Director and a project manager for Ecometrics – a platform that quantifies the environmental, social, and economic impact of restoration projects. Together they talk about how native bald cypress reforestation delivers far more than carbon, from flood protection and cleaner water to the return of cultural practices that faded when the forests did. 
The conversation traces Restore the Earth's path from small post-Katrina tracts to full landscape-scale restoration, and the collaboration model that made that growth possible across federal agencies, state partners, local parishes, and corporate funders. Marshall shares what two decades of hard-won lessons have taught her about designing projects that endure, and the valuation work that finally gave funders a business case they could act on. 
Don’t miss an episode—subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social for the latest updates!
Episode Resources
Restore the Earth Foundation - https://restoretheearth.org/

Climate-driven depopulation and adaptation realities in America's coastal ground zero (Nature Sustainability) - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-026-01820-z

EcoMetrics: Measuring and Valuing the Impact of Nature-Based Solutions - https://www.ecos.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/EcoMetrics_WhitePaper_Jan2026.pdf

Restore the Earth Foundation Awarded Louisiana's First Water Quality Credits - https://restoretheearth.org/2025/05/06/restore-the-earth-foundation-awarded-louisianas-first-water-quality-credits/

Louisiana's Coastal Master Plan - https://coastal.la.gov/our-plan/

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About ESG Decoded ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. Join Emma Cox, Erika Schiller, and Anna Stablum for thoughtful, nuanced conversations with industry leaders and subject matter experts that explore the complexities about the risks and opportunities connected to (E)nvironmental, (S)ocial and (G)overnance. We like to say that “ESG is everything that’s not on your balance sheet.” This leaves room for misunderstanding and oversimplification – two things that we’ll bust on this podcast.
ESG Decoded Resource Links 
Site:  https://www.climeco.com/podcast-series/

Apple Podcasts: https://go.climeco.com/ApplePodcasts

Spotify: https://go.climeco.com/Spotify

YouTube Music: https://go.climeco.com/YouTube-Music

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/esg-decoded/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/esgdecoded/
*This episode was produced by Singing Land Studio 

About ClimeCoClimeCo is an award-winning leader in decarbonization, empowering global organizations with customized sustainability pathways. Our respected scientists and industry experts collaborate with companies, governments, and capital markets to develop tailored ESG and decarbonization solutions. Recognized for creating high-quality, impactful projects, ClimeCo is committed to helping clients achieve their goals, maximize environmental assets, and enhance their brand.
ClimeCo Resource Links
Site: https://climeco.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/climeco/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/climeco/

In our new exclusive – ESG Decoded x Superpollutant Sessions, we’re shifting the climate conversation toward something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention, but has the potential to drive some of the fastest, most meaningful climate impact available right now: superpollutants.
You’ve likely heard a lot about carbon dioxide, and for good reason. But gases like methane, nitrous oxide, and refrigerants are significantly more potent (hence the name superpollutants), and yet they remain underrepresented in mainstream climate discussions, business strategies, and public awareness.
So, the question is: why? And more importantly: what can we do about it?
In this multi-voice video episode, we’re bringing together a range of perspectives—from scientists and climate experts to industry leaders, corporate decision-makers, and policy experts, to connect the dots and challenge how we think.
You’ll hear a series of focused conversations, each offering a different lens on the same challenge: how do we accelerate practical, scalable solutions that already exist, and what it will take to move from conversation to action.

Meet the experts driving this conversation with our lovely host, Erika Schiller: 
Segment 1: Dr. Gabrielle Dreyfus (Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development) & Dr. Ilissa Ocko (Spark Climate Solutions)

Segment 2: Derek Six & Alison Tyndall (ClimeCo)

Segment 3: Michelle Jolly (Amazon)

Segment 4: Kristen Gorguinpour (Climate Action Reserve)

Don’t miss an episode—subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite podcast platform and follow us on social for the latest updates!
Episode Resources
UN Secretary-General's Call to Action on Methane - https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/methane 

IPCC Seventh Assessment Report (AR7) - https://www.ipcc.ch/assessment-report/ar7/ 

Montreal Protocol & Kigali Amendment - https://ozone.unep.org/treaties/montreal-protocol 

Climate Action Reserve - https://climateactionreserve.org/ 

ICVCM Core Carbon Principles - https://icvcm.org/ 

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About ESG Decoded ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. Join Emma Cox, Erika Schiller, and Anna Stablum for thoughtful, nuanced conversations with industry leaders and subject matter experts that explore the complexities about the risks and opportunities connected to (E)nvironmental, (S)ocial and (G)overnance. We like to say that “ESG is everything that’s not on your balance sheet.” This leaves room for misunderstanding and oversimplification – two things that we’ll bust on this podcast.
ESG Decoded Resource Links 
Site:  https://www.climeco.com/podcast-series/

Apple Podcasts: https://go.climeco.com/ApplePodcasts

Spotify: https://go.climeco.com/Spotify

YouTube Music: https://go.climeco.com/YouTube-Music

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/esg-decoded/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/esgdecoded/
*This episode was produced by Singing Land Studio 

About ClimeCoClimeCo is an award-winning leader in decarbonization, empowering global organizations with customized sustainability pathways. Our respected scientists and industry experts collaborate with companies, governments, and capital markets to develop tailored ESG and decarbonization solutions. Recognized for creating high-quality, impactful projects, ClimeCo is committed to helping clients achieve their goals, maximize environmental assets, and enhance their brand.
ClimeCo Resource Links
Site: https://climeco.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/climeco/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/climeco/

The future (and current state) of ESG has been debated from every angle, but what is actually happening inside companies?
In this episode, Emma Cox is joined by Andrew Jones, Principal Researcher at The Conference Board, to discuss new research on how organizations are responding to today's evolving ESG landscape. Together, they separate headlines from reality, examining how businesses are adapting their strategies, navigating shifting political and regulatory pressures, and integrating sustainability more deeply into core business decisions.
The conversation highlights why many companies are rethinking how they communicate about ESG, what this means for climate commitments and long-term resilience, and how business leaders can stay focused on creating measurable value amid ongoing uncertainty.
Disclaimer: This episode was recorded in August 2025. Some data and trends discussed may have evolved since the time of recording. 
Thank you to our sponsor, Amazon Sustainability, for supporting this episode. 
Amazon is known for speed and scale. That same approach drives their sustainability efforts. Guided by data and science, and powered by invention, Amazon works backward from ambitious targets to drive measurable progress. Every package delivered, every data center powered, every product designed is an opportunity to make tomorrow better.
Learn more about Amazon Sustainability
Amazon’s Energy spotlight: https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/stories/spotlight-on-energy
Amazon’s Homepage: https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/
Episode Resources
Did US Companies Pull Back from Sustainability Reporting in 2025? - https://www.conference-board.org/publications/did-US-companies-pull-back-from-sustainability-reporting-in-2025 

Emission Impossible: Corporate Climate Goals Moving from Adoption to Execution - https://www.conference-board.org/publications/Emission-impossible-corporate-climate-goals-moving-from-adoption-to-execution

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About ESG Decoded ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. Join Emma Cox, Erika Schiller, and Anna Stablum for thoughtful, nuanced conversations with industry leaders and subject matter experts that explore the complexities about the risks and opportunities connected to (E)nvironmental, (S)ocial and (G)overnance. We like to say that “ESG is everything that’s not on your balance sheet.” This leaves room for misunderstanding and oversimplification – two things that we’ll bust on this podcast.
ESG Decoded Resource Links 
Site:  https://www.climeco.com/podcast-series/

Apple Podcasts: https://go.climeco.com/ApplePodcasts

Spotify: https://go.climeco.com/Spotify

YouTube Music: https://go.climeco.com/YouTube-Music

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/esg-decoded/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/esgdecoded/
*This episode was produced by Singing Land Studio 

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Sponsored Episode Disclaimer: This episode of ESG Decoded is sponsored by Amazon. The views and opinions expressed are those of the host and guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ESG Decoded, ClimeCo LLC, the Sponsor, or the guest’s organization. Sponsorship provides financial support only and does not give the Sponsor any right to direct, review, or approve the editorial content of this episode, including topics discussed, questions asked, or opinions expressed by the host or guest(s). 
Views Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the host and guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of ESG Decoded, ClimeCo LLC, any Sponsor, or any organization with which a guest is affiliated. Participation by a guest or Sponsor does not constitute an endorsement of any product, service, or organization. This conversation is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice.