Just Transition: reshaping communities reliant on fossil fuel production
Release Date: 09/08/2023
Why healthy rivers are critical to businesses and the economy
EY Sustainability Matters
In this episode of the EY Sustainability Matters podcast, Bruno Sarda hosts a discussion with Mark Greatrex, President of Cox Communications, and Tom Kiernan, CEO of American Rivers, about the pivotal role of water in supporting communities and businesses. The guests emphasize that, amid increasing challenges such as nature loss, pollution, drought, flooding and climate extremes, safeguarding rivers is now more critical than ever for commercial interests and economic health. The dialogue explores how organizations can deepen their understanding of their...
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Can AI save nature, or will it cause more harm?
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...
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How collaboration can open new opportunities to reduce emissions
EY Sustainability Matters
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...
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2026: from climate pledges to measurable results
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...
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What working in sustainability looks like in today’s global market
EY Sustainability Matters
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...
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Why businesses are leaning in at Climate Week NYC 2025
EY Sustainability Matters
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...
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How to overcome fear in financing climate innovation
EY Sustainability Matters
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...
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How national climate plans can reshape global investments
EY Sustainability Matters
Host Matt Bell explores the pivotal role of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in shaping climate policy and investment strategies. He interviews four experts to get their insights. Joanna MacGregor, a senior advisor at the UN Climate Change (UNFCCC), explains how NDCs have evolved into comprehensive national climate plans that can drive economic growth and resilience. Antonina Scheer, Policy Fellow at the London School of Economics and Research Project Manager at the Transition Pathway Initiative Centre, discusses the challenges of financing climate action in emerging...
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How and why should CEOs put sustainability at the core of business
EY Sustainability Matters
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...
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How companies can address human rights risks in global supply chains
EY Sustainability Matters
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...
info_outlineThe necessary transition away from fossil fuels toward clean energy can be extremely disruptive for people and communities reliant on fossil fuel plants and mines for jobs. How can the power generators support these communities and achieve a just transition to a cleaner energy future?
In the latest episode of the Sustainability Matters podcast, host Bruno Sarda, Principal at Ernst & Young LLP and Shannon Roberts, CCaSS Power and Utilities Leader at Ernst & Young LLP, interview Sandy Nessing, Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at American Electric Power (AEP) about how the company is developing a new model for a just energy transition.
Nessing points out that the current economy is heavily fossil fuel-dependent, so the green energy transition has to be implemented thoughtfully to avoid severe social and economic risks. People reliant on the plants and communities built around them should be considered when driving the energy transition.
Nessing shares an example of AEP’s Pirkey Plant in the US, in the process of being decommissioned. She gives listeners insights into how AEP created a transition task force and engaged with community leaders to help mitigate the impact on the local people.
Both Roberts and Nessing agree that power plants form their own unique social and economic ecosystems, and a proper, just transition requires thoughtful intention and may take a long time. Hence the importance of early planning, including engagement and collaboration with communities, and retaining and leveraging partnerships with stakeholders in the company’s value chain.
Key takeaways include:
- The transition to cleaner power generation should involve supporting communities dependent on the fossil fuel industry.
- Green energy transition impacts people not just in the industry itself, but also those in the supply chain and regional economy.
- Engaging with leaders from every area of the community is vital: from local politicians to school superintendents.
- The top priority of a just transition should be to keep people, taxes and jobs within the same region.
- Planning ahead is vital to allow time for a proper just transition in full collaboration with local communities.
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