EY Sustainability Matters

In this episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast, hosts Elanne Almeida, EY LATAM Industrials and Energy Lead for Climate Change and Sustainability Services (CCaSS), and Matthew Handford, EY CCaSS Lead for Financial Services in the Americas, unpack the pivotal outcomes of COP30 and what they mean for the year ahead. This episode moves beyond the conference itself to focus on how its decisions are shaping business and policy strategies for 2026.
Listeners will hear insights from global leaders and industry professionals on the shift from climate pledges to implementation, the rise of accountability frameworks, and the growing role of collaboration between the private and public sectors. Discover how new transparency requirements, ambitious national climate plans (NDCs) and innovative collaborations are setting the stage for measurable progress in sustainability — and why 2026 is poised to be a defining year for climate action worldwide.

In this episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast, listeners will explore what it means to work in sustainability by hearing from three unique perspectives: Janine Osborne, CEO of Sustainable Seas Trust and marine conservation advocate; Alice Ashpitel, Sustainability Lead at Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team; and Benjamin Okpara, Senior Consultant in EY Climate Change and Sustainability Services. Together, they reveal how sustainability for them is more than a job - it's a mission that spans advocacy, business innovation and advisory work.
Listeners will hear how Janine drives systemic change across Africa's blue economy, how Alice embeds sustainability in the fast-paced world of Formula 1 and how Ben helps organizations navigate complex environmental challenges. The episode delves into the realities of the field: balancing ambition with practical constraints, the importance of collaboration, and the personal motivations and experiences that keep these leaders moving forward.
0:00 - Exploring Diverse Roles in the Sustainability Ecosystem

2:12 - Alice Ashpitel on Driving Sustainability in Formula 1

13:41 - Janine Osborne on Marine Conservation and Advocacy

26:00 - Benjamin Okpara on Consulting for Sustainable Business Practices

37:03 - Connecting Advocacy, Practice, and Advisory for Impact
 
@2025 Ernst & Young LLP

What happens when over a thousand climate-focused events converge in one city? At Climate Week NYC 2025, the private sector showed up in force, bringing bold ideas, collaborative energy and a clear shift from strategy to delivery. In this episode of EY Sustainability Matters, host Matthew Bell shares insights from leaders across various industries-utilities, consumer goods, technology and agriculture-as well as NGOs interviewed on the sidelines of EY-hosted events.
Hear how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming sustainability efforts, enabling smarter and faster decisions in the race against time. Discover why nature is no longer just an ethical concern but a material business priority. Learn how cross-sector partnerships are unlocking regenerative practices and reshaping supply chains.
From boardroom strategies to landscape-level collaboration, this episode captures the pulse of NY Climate Week and the momentum building toward the upcoming COP30 in Brazil.
Collaboration and cross-sector partnerships can unlock scalable climate and nature solutions, especially in agriculture and energy.

Nature is now strategic, and businesses are integrating nature into core operations for resilience and profitability.

From predictive analytics to emissions reduction, AI is accelerating sustainability with speed and precision.

@2025 Ernst & Young LLP

What happens when over a thousand climate-focused events converge in one city? At Climate Week NYC 2025, the private sector showed up in force, bringing bold ideas, collaborative energy and a clear shift from strategy to delivery. In this episode of EY Sustainability Matters, host Matthew Bell shares insights from leaders across various industries-utilities, consumer goods, technology and agriculture-as well as NGOs interviewed on the sidelines of EY-hosted events.
Hear how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming sustainability efforts, enabling smarter and faster decisions in the race against time. Discover why nature is no longer just an ethical concern but a material business priority. Learn how cross-sector partnerships are unlocking regenerative practices and reshaping supply chains.
From boardroom strategies to landscape-level collaboration, this episode captures the pulse of NY Climate Week and the momentum building toward the upcoming COP30 in Brazil.
Collaboration and cross-sector partnerships can unlock scalable climate and nature solutions, especially in agriculture and energy.

Nature is now strategic, and businesses are integrating nature into core operations for resilience and profitability.

From predictive analytics to emissions reduction, AI is accelerating sustainability with speed and precision.

@2025 Ernst & Young LLP

This episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast is a rare opportunity to hear from two global thought leaders who have shaped sustainability strategies at the highest levels of business and international development, about the need for a move toward a regenerative economy, and the challenges and opportunities that will present. 

Nadia Woodhouse from the EY New Economy Unit (NEU) welcomes two distinguished thinkers: Sir Noel Quinn, former Chief Executive of HSBC, and Usha Rao-Monari, former Under-Secretary General of the United Nations Development Programme and member of the EY New Economy Unit Advisory Council. Both guests bring a wealth of experience from the worlds of global finance, development and industry, and currently serve as independent directors on the board of Fortescue, a global metal mining company at the forefront of commercial decarbonization.  

The conversation dives deep into the challenges and opportunities of building a regenerative economy. Noel shares insights from his tenure at HSBC, emphasizing the importance of economic case-making, transparency in target setting and overcoming organizational fear in driving change. Usha expands the discussion to the global scale, highlighting the push for better data, risk mitigation, and collaboration between public and private sectors — especially in emerging markets.  

Together, they explore the roles of policy, finance and innovation in accelerating the transition to a sustainable future, offering practical insights for leaders navigating the complexities of climate action and systemic transformation. 

Read more about the EY New Economy Unit here.