Is Sustainability rising or falling? Lessons from past downturns with John Elkington

"What we're going to see over the next probably 20 to 30 years is a profound value shift but it's not necessarily going to come where we most expect it. So Europe for example, I think is being left behind. It's doing a lot of regulation and all the rest of it but in a sense that's old order approach to the sustainability agenda."The State of Sustainability podcast is where we unpack the topics and trends of corporate sustainability with me Saif Hameed, founder and CEO of Altruistiq. This time I'm joined by John Elkington. John is a serial sustainability entrepreneur and has been an observer and collaborator of corporate sustainability since the 80s. He’s credited with coining the terms 'green growth' and 'triple bottom line' and has been called the 'dean of the corporate sustainability movement' by Business week. John and I explore the current ESG downturn, lessons learned through previous downturns and we look at how companies and countries are adapting. We also  discuss what makes a high performing sustainability professional today. To find out more about what we do at Altruistiq, visit altruistiq.comThis podcast is produced by The Podcast Coach.

We've spent the last few months working on improvements to the podcast, lining up a fantastic selection of guests to help us discuss a wide range of topics in the sustainability space. 

We've been hearing whispers about this trend for months, and now it's time to address it head-on: sustainability teams across major corporations are being restructured, downsized, or absorbed into other departments. In this episode, we dive into this critical shift that's affecting sustainability professionals worldwide. We cover:The dramatic shift from the sustainability hiring boom of 2-3 years ago to today's restructuring waveWhich sustainability roles are most vulnerable (hint: it's not who you might think)Where sustainability functions are being relocated within organisational structuresWhether this integration is actually good for sustainability's long-term impactPractical advice for navigating your career during this transitionWe're going on a season break and will be back with you in June.

What does “sustainable agriculture” look like from a farmer’s perspective?Saif Hameed sits down with Adam Henkel, a 7th-generation farmer and 3rd-generation conservationist from Illinois. They break down:The true meaning of sustainability on the farmBridging the farmer-corporate gapEasy wins vs real challenges in practiceHow corporations and sustainability professionals can help

In short… yes. But is that really a bad thing?In this week’s episode, we ask whether the hype around sustainability is deflating, and what that means for progress.We dive into the latest headlines:Is the UK on the brink of scaling back its climate ambitions?Are we stuck in a loop of ever-rising energy demand?What's next for sustainability-linked executive pay?PLUS: A climate tech reality check. Is climate tech entering its "trough of disillusionment"? Saif unpacks why corporate budgets are tightening, which solutions are struggling, and what climate tech founders need to hear.

This week’s headlines:Trump’s Tariff’s and the climate fall outSoaring commodity prices and what to doJust Stop Oil to disband - victory or retreat?PLUS: Our how-to segment tackles a question many of you have asked: how to run a board meeting that secures sustainability buy in.Got a question for the next ‘How-To’ segment? Join and drop us a message in the State of Sustainability Community: https://altruistiq.com/state-of-sustainability/community

What does it take to build a successful coral reef restoration program? In this episode, Saif Hameed dives into SHEBA®’s groundbreaking coral restoration program with Mars’ Chief Marine Scientist Prof. David Smith and SHEBA®’s Global VP of Marketing Mindy Barry. Points covered:Business + Science = Impact: How applying process engineering to conservation created unprecedented restoration scaleProject set up: Why success starts with understanding local needs, empowering communities, and tailoring interventions to contextMeasuring what matters: Beyond basic coral counts, why and how the team tracks ecosystem health, skills transfer, and ROI.Practical takeaways: Consumer insights, cross-team collaboration, and stakeholder alignment strategiesRead more about the SHEBA® Hope Program here: https://www.shebahopegrows.com/uk

Plastic: The Most Sustainable Packaging?In the high-stakes world of sustainable packaging, incremental change isn't enough. Join Saif Hameed and Melissa Brice, Senior Sustainability Manager at Amcor, a global leader in sustainable packaging as they unpack the complex landscape of plastic decarbonisation.Key Insights:The true carbon impact of plastic vs. other packaging materialsThe hidden trade-offs between recyclability, emissions, and functionalityWhy recycling systems struggle and how EPR can helpInnovations transforming packaging, from light-weighting to full recyclabilityHow businesses can navigate legislation and consumer expectationsListen now to rethink your approach to sustainable packaging.

In today’s episode we tackle two critical market signals:The SEC's dramatic climate disclosure rollback and what it means for corporate transparencyThe Net Zero Banking Alliance's retreat from 1.5°C commitments and if financial institutions are losing their climate ambitionThen we break down the EU Deforestation Regulation essentials:Who's affected and compliance timelinesGeolocation data requirements and verification challengesImplementation strategies across different commodity sectorsNavigating smallholder farmer relationshipsLeveraging compliance data for strategic advantageIf you’re navigating EUDR, sustainability reporting, or just trying to keep up with shifting regulations, this one’s for you. Tune in!

Tired of "supply chain engagement" programs that generate more surveys than carbon reductions?In our latest episode, Saif Hameed and Beth Jones (Supply Chain Decarbonisation Lead, Altruistiq) cut through the hype to outline a framework for real impact:Align before action: Bridge internal agendas and make procurement central—they understand the supplier relationships.Evolve data, don't overhaul: Progress from compliance surveys to product carbon footprints - without specific PCF components, you're collecting numbers, not insights.Integrate commercials: Embed carbon into procurement metrics (e.g., “The Three C’s: Cost, Cash, Carbon), rather than treating as a side issue.Prioritise ruthlessly: Focus on suppliers with the highest emissions, strategic value, and collaboration potential.Tune in below