EY Sustainability Matters

In this episode of EY Sustainability Matters, David Rae, EY Global Lead for Technology, AI and Innovation at EY Climate Change and Sustainability Services, explores the complex intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and nature. The host poses the question: Can technology solve the nature loss crisis, or will its resource-heavy footprint only accelerate the problem? Hear industry voices and activists debate whether AI is a necessary tool for nature's survival and offer holistic views on the risks and opportunities ahead, drawing on a hypothetical debate from The EY AI x Sustainability Exchange: from big questions to real solutions, where activists were asked to take opposing sides of the argument. Gilad Goren of the Nature Tech Collective argues that reversing nature loss is impossible without AI, which is essential for de-risking private sector investment and closing the nature finance gap. We also hear how companies, such as SAP, IBM, Treefera and others, are leveraging real-time data to track deforestation and optimize crop yields in hard-to-abate sectors. Conversely, activists Livia Pagoto and Fred Werner highlight the "shadow effect" — the skyrocketing energy and water demands of massive data centers. The conversation also explores ethical governance, questioning whether potentially biased algorithms can ever replicate human care required to protect the environment. AI is already accelerating nature protection, from monitoring deforestation and biodiversity to improving climate risk assessment, supply‑chain transparency and renewable energy optimization. However, AI's rapid growth is resource‑intensive, driving significant increases in energy and water use, and raising concerns about scalability, equity and environmental impact. Progress requires collective action, combining human wisdom, inclusive governance, Indigenous knowledge and responsible innovation, to ensure that AI strengthens — rather than replaces — our relationship with nature. @2026 Ernst & Young LLP

In this episode of the Sustainability Matters podcast, hosts Bruno Sarda and Anne Munaretto interview Ravi Annapragada, Director of Sustainability and Energy Strategy at Carrier, a global supplier of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) products. Together they discuss 'Joining forces for a sustainable future', a collaboration between Carrier customers, suppliers, and internal teams that aims to accelerate decarbonization and drive meaningful sustainability progress. The initiative, engaging 10 major customers across various sectors at different stages of their sustainability journey, highlights the benefits of moving away from isolated efforts toward partnership and co-creation. The discussion describes the HVAC giant's path to setting ambitious science-based targets, recognizing that most emissions stem from product use and realizing that addressing these challenges requires collaboration rather than a solely transactional relationship. The guests also emphasize the importance of internal alignment, especially with sales teams, and demonstrate that sustainability and business growth can be mutually reinforcing.

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.

Alice Ashpitel, Sustainability Lead at Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, shares insights on embedding sustainability in high-speed racing, balancing performance with eco-friendly innovations. Janine Osborne, CEO of Sustainable Seas Trust, discusses her journey from biologist to advocate, emphasizing the importance of community impact and strategic partnerships for marine conservation in Africa. Lastly, Benjamin Okpara, senior consultant in EY Climate Change and Sustainability Services, highlights the nuances of advising clients on decarbonization and the challenges faced in consulting, framing a multifaceted view of sustainability.

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.

Claudia Gollmeier, Managing Director at Colchester Global Investors, dives into the transformative power of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in shaping global investment strategies. She highlights how NDCs can be designed to drive economic growth while supporting climate goals. The discussion features innovative financial tools like sustainability-linked bonds, which are essential for attracting green capital. Gollmeier emphasizes the urgency for businesses and investors to collaborate in making NDCs more investable and inclusive for a sustainable future.

This special episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast is introduced by Nadia Woodhouse from the EY New Economy Unit (NEU), which focuses on the long-term, systemic shifts toward a new, regenerative economy. Nadia presents a thought-provoking dialogue with two influential leaders in sustainability: Helena Helmersson, former CEO of the fashion giant H&M Group, and Jonathon Porritt, a writer, environmentalist, advocate for sustainable development and a member of the advisory council for the NEU. The discussion centers around the pressing need for businesses to adopt regenerative practices in the face of escalating sustainability challenges and the crucial role of CEOs in driving that change. The conversation delves into critical themes, such as the tension between profitability and sustainability, the importance of structural changes within large organizations, and the importance of forming deep, cross-industry coalitions. Both guests emphasize the need for greater inclusion of sustainability professionals in decision-making roles, the need for appropriate regulation, and urge CEOs to view sustainability not just as a responsibility, but as a core business imperative that drives innovation and competitiveness. Read more about the EY New Economy Unit here. CEOs' commitment to sustainability can drive significant organizational change and inspire collective action at all levels of the business. Immediate and decisive actions are essential for companies to transition toward sustainable practices and mitigate the drastic impacts of climate change. Companies should align their economic objectives with sustainability commitments to foster innovation and resilience in an increasingly resource-constrained world. © 2025 Ernst & Young LLP

Despite the popular belief that slavery is a thing of the past, it is estimated that slavery affects around 50 million people globally. Human exploitation for labour and other forms of modern slavery are embedded within the supply chains of many of the products and services that we choose to consume regularly, whether we are buying clothes, electronics, or even a bar of chocolate. This is becoming an increasing concern for business as well. Mounting pressure from both legislative bodies that introduce new regulations and a new generation of consumers, who seem to be willing to pay more for sustainable products, signals a need for a change. In this episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast, host Bruno Sarda explores this topic further with Tom Veit, CEO of Asahi Global Procurement – a large Japanese consumer goods company, and Kate Skattang, Director in the Climate Change and Sustainability Services practice at EY Australia (Ernst & Young Services Pty Limited). The guests discuss the challenges posed by the issue of forced labor across global supply chains and the recent legislative changes that compel organizations to scrutinize their procurement. Tom and Kate share industry insights about how EY worked with Asahi Global to create their own human rights due diligence framework, emphasizing the importance of a top-down approach as well as putting people first across all areas of business processes. Protecting human rights is a fundamental responsibility for companies, as forced labor impacts tens of millions of people globally. Leadership commitment is essential for prioritizing human rights and implementing effective due diligence frameworks within organizations. Recent laws, such as modern slavery regulations in the UK and Australia, or Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), are driving companies to assess and proactively disclose human rights risks in their supply chains. © 2025 Ernst & Young LLP

In this episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast hosted by Bruno Sarda, the discussion centers around the vital collaboration between the public and private sectors in advancing sustainability efforts. Bruno welcomes Ruth Ahchow, EY Global Government and Public Sector Leader for Climate Change and Sustainability Services, who elaborates on the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) as key mechanisms for sustainable development, showcasing successful examples from around the world, including the Asia-Pacific region. Bruno and Ruth discuss how recent political shifts in regions, such as the US and Europe, influence sustainability initiatives. Ruth also provides actionable insights, urging governments to actively participate in sustainable procurement and create stable policies that encourage green investments, while companies are encouraged to integrate long-term sustainability into their core strategies. 01:48 - Evolution of sustainability in the public sector through Ruth's career 05:50 - Understanding PPPs 08:06 - Examples of successful PPPs around the world and in the Asia-Pacific 16:16 - The impact of political shifts on sustainability 19:41 - Role of sustainability reporting standards 25:34 - Actionable insights for business and governments © 2025 Ernst & Young LLP