In this episode of The No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, host Ildiko Almasi Simsic welcomes Gary Baker, CEO of the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA). They discuss the evolving role of impact assessments in sustainable development and decision-making. Gary Baker explains the mission of IAIA and the importance of impact assessments in improving decision-making processes across various levels. The conversation delves into the misconceptions surrounding im

In this episode of The No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, host Ildiko Almasi Simsic welcomes Sandhya Sabapathy, founder of Kaleidoscope and author of Burn Bright, Build Slow. The discussion centers around the effectiveness of corporate net-zero pledges and the real impact of sustainability efforts. The conversation delves into the operational realities of sustainability, examining the pitfalls of corporate philanthropy and the myths surrounding climate transition in boardro

In this episode of The No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, host Ildiko Almasi Simsic welcomes Peter Nelson, Team Lead for SEA2050 and Planning Green Futures International. They explore the complexities of national-scale Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) and their potential impact on future planning. The discussion delves into the intricacies of SEAs, examining their role in analyzing policies, plans, and programs for environmental, social, and economic impacts. Peter

In this episode of The No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, host Ildiko Almasi Simsic welcomes Dr. Adegboyega Lawal from Nigeria's Federal Ministry. Dr. Lawal shares insights into his role overseeing environmental permitting and compliance in Nigeria. The conversation delves into the complexities of environmental permitting in a developing country, addressing challenges like aligning local laws with international standards and the importance of public consultations. Dr. Lawal

In this episode of The No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, host Ildiko Almasi Simsic welcomes Evgenia Preimane to discuss the intersection of fashion, workplace expectations, and female empowerment. The conversation delves into the concept of the "aesthetic tax," which refers to the costs women face to maintain a professional appearance. Evgenia shares her insights on how women can reclaim their style as a form of authentic power. The discussion covers a range of topics incl

In this episode of The No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, host Ildiko Almasi Simsic welcomes Dr. Tedd George, a leading expert in African markets and ESG, to discuss the challenges facing global supply chain compliance. Dr. George, founder of Kleos Advisory Ltd, brings his expertise to shed light on the complexities of commodity trading and the pitfalls of current compliance practices. The conversation delves into the shortcomings of desktop compliance, the intricacies of m

In this episode of The No-Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, host Ildiko Almasi Simsic welcomes Ben Cave, a leading expert in Health Impact Assessments (HIA). The discussion centers around what HIAs are and how they can be effectively implemented in development projects. Ben Cave explains the determinants of health, highlighting environmental, social, and economic factors. He also delves into the importance of considering vulnerable groups in HIAs and the role of health deter

In this episode of The No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, host Ildiko Almasi Simsic invites Laura Palmariello, the E&S Solutions Data Protection Officer, to discuss the often overlooked subject of data protection in environmental and social projects. Laura shares her passion for making data protection relatable and understandable, emphasizing its importance beyond mere compliance. The conversation delves into the complexities of data protection, exploring practical strategi

In this episode of the Non-Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, host Ildiko Almasi Simsic welcomes Adele Tharani, Social Sustainability Manager at Ørsted. They delve into the complexities of making renewable energy projects socially positive and discuss the concept of a "Just Transition." Adele shares her insights on the challenges and responsibilities developers face in ensuring that renewable energy projects benefit local communities. The conversation covers the importance of

In this episode of the No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, host Ildiko Almasi Simsic welcomes back Paul Lawrence, a senior social advisor, to discuss the intricacies of stakeholder engagement. The conversation delves into the practical aspects of engaging stakeholders beyond the typical corporate checkbox, focusing on real-world applications and challenges. Paul Lawrence shares his insights on the importance of listening and responding to stakeholders, emphasizing that engag

In this episode of the No Nonsense Sustainability podcast, host Ildikó Almási Simsic engages with Robert Adamczyk, head of the energy sector team at EBRD, to explore the complexities of EU sustainability regulations. Adamczyk, a key figure in shaping European ESG frameworks, shares insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and other related regulations. The conversation delves into the concept of "Doub

In this episode of The No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, host Ildiko Almasi Simsic engages in a compelling discussion with Dr. Margerita Topalli from the Bank of Albania. The central topic revolves around Albania's ambitious plan to establish its first Green Taxonomy by 2027, a crucial step in building a green financial system from scratch. The conversation delves into the intricacies of creating a green capital market in a country with no existing framework. Dr. Topalli e

In this episode of The No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, host Ildiko Almasi Simsic is joined by Stuart Trow, a Bloomberg columnist and author of the book "Young, Poor and Totally Screwed." The discussion centers around the financial struggles faced by millennials and the intergenerational inequalities exacerbated by current economic policies. The conversation delves into topics such as the gig economy, housing market challenges, and the framing of sustainability as a cost

In this episode of the No Nonsense Sustainability podcast, host Ili Kama Shisim welcomes Victoria Marquez-Mees, the first Chief Accountability Officer at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). They delve into the intricacies of accountability within development banks, exploring how these institutions ensure their projects promote sustainability and avoid harm. The discussion covers the Independent Project Accountability Mechanism (IPAM) process, highlig

In this episode of the No Nonsense Sustainability podcast, host Ildiko Almasi Simsic welcomes Nikola Nikacevic, co-founder of EON+ and creator of the Envigo platform. They discuss the transformation of environmental and social impact assessments (ESIA) through digital technology. Nikola shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, focusing on how technology can streamline and enhance the impact assessment process. The conversation delves into the evolution of impact

In this episode of The No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, host Ildiko Almasi Simsic welcomes Emily Warren, an award-winning HR leader, to discuss the evolving landscape of employee wellbeing within the context of ESG initiatives. The conversation delves into the often overlooked 'Social' pillar of ESG and how companies can better address employee mental health and resilience. Emily Warren shares her insights on the limitations of traditional corporate wellness programs, whi

In this solo episode of The No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, host Ildiko Almasi Simsic delves into the history and evolution of environmental and social safeguards. She explores how these standards, initially born out of protests and public outrage, have shaped the policies of international financial institutions. The episode provides a comprehensive look at how these safeguards have developed over time and their current significance. Ildiko discusses the origins of these

In this episode of the No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, host Ildiko Almasi Simsic welcomes Andrea Kanaris, founder of All Things Social Impact. They delve into the true meaning of social impact, exploring how it is taught versus how it operates in practice. Andrea shares insights from her entrepreneurial journey and the challenges faced by early career professionals in the field. The conversation covers a range of topics, including the misconceptions about social impact,

In this episode of "The Non-Nonsense Sustainability Podcast," host Ildiko Almasi Simsic is joined by experts Hugh Dugan and Daniel Wagner to discuss the evolution of global institutions. With decades of experience, Dugan and Wagner explore how these organizations can adapt to modern challenges. The conversation delves into the historical context and current struggles of multilateral organizations like the UN and international financial institutions (IFIs). The guests highli

In this episode of The No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, host Ildiko Almasi Simsic welcomes Danie Strachan, Senior Privacy Counsel at VeraSafe, to discuss data protection in the environmental and social (E&S) sectors. The conversation centers around the legal aspects of data protection and its importance in E&S projects. The discussion covers a range of topics including the essentials of data protection, common legal pitfalls, and the distinction between legal requirements