Navigating Sustainability and Controversial Choices – Episode 1 of Sustainability Pep-Talk Is Live!

Podcast

9 Apr

It’s here—the very first episode of Sustainability Pep Talk! I couldn’t imagine a more perfect setting to record the intro: a sunny bench in a Paris park, birds chirping around me, just after three inspiring days with 800 climate activists at a Climate Reality Project training led by Al Gore. That moment set the tone for this podcast and for the conversations I hope to have going forward—conversations rooted in purpose, activism, and action.

In our debut episode, I’m joined by Ana Maksimovic, a sustainability expert with a decade of experience guiding businesses through the complexities of climate strategy, procurement, supply chains, and reporting. Together, we dive into three timely sustainability stories that are making headlines—and some that are flying under the radar but deserve our attention.

What We Talked About

1. 36 Companies Responsible for Over Half of Global Emissions

We start with a heavy hitter: the recent report that 36 fossil fuel firms accounted for over 50% of global carbon emissions in 2023. Ana and I unpack what this means for Scope 3 reporting, procurement strategies, and the growing disconnect between corporate sustainability claims and financial structures that prioritise short-term profit.

“The future cost of inaction is not higher insurance premiums. It’s the loss of land, displacement, and irreversible damage.” – Ana Maksimovic

2. Nauru’s Golden Passport Scheme

Next, we discuss a bold and controversial move by the small Pacific Island nation of Nauru. In an effort to fund climate adaptation strategies, the government is offering wealthy individuals citizenship in exchange for investment. It’s an entrepreneurial—but ethically loaded—attempt to protect its citizens from rising seas.

“Climate change isn’t just about energy or emissions. It’s about entire nations preparing for existential threats.” – Ana Maksimovic

This story led us into a deep conversation about climate justice, global inequality, and how climate change is not a future scenario—it’s already here, reshaping borders, identities, and possibilities.

3. Dr. Bronner’s Drops B Corp Certification

Finally, we turn to a story close to my heart. Dr. Bronner’s—a long-time leader in ethical business—has chosen to walk away from its B Corp certification, claiming the standards no longer go far enough. Instead, they’ve launched the Purpose Pledge, a new model for self-imposed, high-integrity accountability.

“Accountability is evolving. The most forward-thinking businesses won’t wait for certifications or regulators to dictate the pace of change—they’ll set their own bar and raise it.” – Ana Maksimovic

As someone who deeply values the B Corp movement, this story sparked a lot of reflection for me. How do we hold certifications accountable, and how do we ensure that standards evolve to meet the urgency of our times?

Why These Stories Matter

Each of these stories presents a different facet of today’s sustainability landscape: systemic inertia, creative (and at times controversial) responses to crisis, and the need for ever-higher standards in a rapidly changing world. They challenge us to think beyond compliance and certification, and toward leadership, justice, and bold experimentation.

A Few Questions to Reflect On:

How can we support businesses that go beyond compliance—and hold accountable those that fall short?
Can we afford to wait for regulation to catch up with reality?
Are you doing enough—or is there room to raise the bar?

Get Involved

If you enjoyed the episode, there are a few ways to support the show:

Listen to the episode
Leave a review and share with someone who cares ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Support us at buymeacoffee.com/sustainabilitypeptalk
Email me at podcast@thegoodtribe.com with your thoughts or questions

Follow our guest Ana Maksimovic for her excellent weekly newsletter and ongoing work:

This isn’t just talk. This is pep talk for action. Let’s stay curious, stay critical, and above all—stay committed to creating change. Thank you for being part of this first step.