Can Tobacco Ever Be Sustainable? An ESG Reality Check | ESG Decoded Podcast #186

Join us for our special ESG Decoded x Climate Week NYC video series, where leading minds gathered in New York City to shape our sustainable future. Explore breakthrough ideas, bold conversations, and the urgent actions driving sustainability forward! These leaders aren’t just talking about change — they’re driving it. Each episode delivers real-world insights and inspiration you can apply to make an impact in your own sphere.

Be part of the change! Stay tuned for more episodes from this exclusive series. For now, let’s decode ESG together.

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Can a tobacco company be a leader in sustainability? Host Emma Cox takes on this provocative question with Jennifer Motles, Chief Sustainability Officer at Philip Morris International (PMI).

As a former international human rights lawyer, Jennifer shares why she initially turned down the role at PMI—and how her perspective shifted. If real change was possible from the inside, could she walk away from the chance to make it happen?

In this candid discussion, Jennifer opens up about PMI’s transformation journey toward smoke-free alternatives and its ambition to eventually stop selling cigarettes entirely. She doesn’t shy away from the skepticism PMI faces—instead, she calls for curiosity, transparency, and meaningful engagement across opposing viewpoints.

This episode challenges listeners to rethink what corporate transformation can look like when courage meets accountability

Subscribe and follow ESG Decoded for more thought-provoking conversations from Climate Week NYC—your gateway to the world’s brightest sustainability minds and actionable ideas. 

Episode Resources:

PMI Sustainability & Transformation Hub: https://www.pmi.com/sustainability/

PMI Integrated Report & Business Transformation Metrics: https://www.pmi.com/sustainability/business-transformation-metrics/

Philip Morris International Smoke-Free Vision: https://www.pmi.com/our-business/smoke-free-products/ Forbes Net Zero Leaders List: https://www.forbes.com/lists/net-zero-leaders/

Professor Bob Eccles (Sustainability Thought Leader): https://roberteccles.com/about/ -

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.

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*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.

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