Sustainable connections

In this episode, Mark Lee is joined by Jennifer Park, Head of Impact at ALTÉRRA, and Peter Rawlings, Head of Middle East at ERM, to explore how climate investment can accelerate the global net-zero transition while delivering impact and commercial returns. Their conversation examines ALTÉRRA’s approach to mobilizing capital at scale, attracting investors to growth markets, and unlocking opportunities across clean energy, industrial decarbonization, and climate technology. They also discuss the Middle East’s growing role in climate leadership and how capital, innovation, and practical solutions can drive resilience, economic value, and the transition globally. Related content: Inflection Point - The Iran War and the Energy Transition | Podcast | ERMThe Next Phase of Sustainable Investing: The Era of Repricing | ERMRupture Point: Sustainability Trends Shaping 2026 | Podcast | ERM 

In this episode, Michael Regan, former administrator of the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, and Sabine Hoefnagel, Interim CEO at ERM, join Linden Edgell, ERM’s Global Sustainability Director, to reflect on Climate Week NYC 2026. Listen to learn why trust Is critical to advancing the energy transition, and how early community engagement, authentic communication, cross-sector collaboration can help turn capital, technology, and expertise into action. The conversation also explores why climate adaptation, energy security, and resilience are becoming central to business strategy. Related content:Climate Week NYC 2026: restoring trust to ensure progress | ERMComplexity is no excuse: Our Climate Week NYC 2026 summary | ERMTurning Bottlenecks into Advantage: Future-Proofing the AI Infrastructure Value Chain | ERMCommunity Permission: The New Critical Path for U.S. Data Center Delivery | ERMWatch the full podcast video on Youtube 

In this episode, Mark Lee is joined by Chris Brown, founder and CEO of ReThink Hong Kong; Bien Wong, Head of Group ESG at Towngas; and Robin Kennish, Managing Partner for ERM East Asia, to reflect on key insights from ReThink Hong Kong 2026 conference. They explore how businesses across Asia-Pacific are moving beyond sustainability ambition and target-setting toward implementation and value creation. Their conversation examines the role of energy transition, climate finance, and integrated transition planning in helping organizations build resilience and competitiveness while navigating a rapidly changing operating environment.Related content:2026 APAC trends report | ERM From sustainability ambition to business transformation: Key themes shaping ReThink Hong Kong 2026 | ERM Integrated transition planning: business case, early steps, actions and guidance | ERM 

In this episode, ERM partners Irem Yerdelen, Anna Jakobsen, and Jason Smith join host Mark Lee to reflect on key insights from London Climate Action Week 2026. Together, they explore what the week signaled about the state of the climate agenda, from the shift toward implementation and delivery, to the growing importance of collaboration, finance, and system‑level change.Their conversation covers:Just Transition - embedding social value into climate strategy and investment decisionsSupply chain decarbonization - moving from compliance to collaboration, enablement and investment across value chainsElectrification - scaling the transition to clean energy systems and overcoming infrastructure and cost barriersSustainable packaging - unlocking innovation, regulatory compliance, and commercial valueRelated content:A Business Leader’s Guide to a Just Climate Transition | ERMClean Heat Program Launch: ERM, Secaro and AstraZeneca Target Supply Chain Heat Decarbonization | ERM

In this episode of the Sustainable Connections podcast, Sebastian Leape, CEO at Natcap, Nadine McCormick, Senior Manager at WBCSD (the World Business Council for Sustainable Development), and Daniele Strippoli, EMEA Nature Lead at ERM, join Mark Lee to explore the emerging challenges in the nature market, the opportunities for companies to accelerate solutions, and what embedding nature into decision‑making could look like by 2030. Drawing on examples from supply chains, finance, and operations, the conversation examines how organizations can move from understanding nature‑related risk to taking practical action that strengthens long‑term business resilience.Related content:ERM and Natcap Partner to Scale Science-Based Nature and Water Solutions | ERMNatcap and ERM Partner to Deliver Science-Based Nature Intelligence for Corporate Action and ResilienceMore on how WBCSD supports business to take action on nature hereLearn and explore nature actions and metrics for business 

In this episode, ERM Partners Andrew Probert, Amy McDonald, and Todd Hall join host Mark Lee to explore how the current Iran War and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are reshaping the global energy landscape. They examine what this means for energy security, interest rates, and capital project decisions, and how it could either slow or accelerate the low-carbon transition. The conversation highlights how policy choices, financing conditions, and supply chain vulnerabilities can turn conflict into either a setback or a catalyst for greener, more resilient systems. Their conversation covers: Initial reactions to the Strait of Hormuz closure  Geopolitics, energy markets, and emerging pressure points Regional policy realities: U.S., Europe, and APACHow lenders and corporate leaders are responding Related content:"The 2026 Middle East War Could Accelerate the Green Transition. But Only If We Choose It."ERM 2026 Annual Sustainability Trends Report | Key Issues Shaping Business

In this episode, Daniele Strippoli, ERM’s EMEA Nature and Water Lead, joins Mark Lee to discuss the role of nature in the recent Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games. Together, they discuss what major sporting events can reveal about valuing natural capital, understanding ecosystem dependencies, and shaping decisions that support both communities and the environments they depend on. Their conversation covers:·       How nature can shape major sporting events ·       Balancing infrastructure, communities, and the environment·       Natural capital accounting and future of climate-resilient games

In this episode, Annie Longsworth, Doug Park, and Ollie Forster join host Mark Lee to reflect on key insights from GreenBiz 2026 in Phoenix. Together, they explore what the conference signaled about the state of corporate sustainability, from treating sustainability as a commercial growth lever and the rise of AI agents and technology ecosystems, to the tightening definition of “high‑quality” carbon credits and the hidden risks buyers still overlook. Their conversation covers: What happened at GreenBiz 2026? Key insights from our GreenBiz panels Looking ahead to how sustainability strategies are evolvingRelated content: 1.   Quantifying Sustainability: Turning ESG into Business Value | ERM2.   What Makes a High-Quality Carbon Credit? | ERM3.   Unlocking the Business Value of Sustainability | ERM4.   GreenBiz 2026 | ERM

In this episode of the Sustainable Connections podcast, host Mark Lee brings together an all‑ERM panel to unpack our 2026 Annual Trends Report. The conversation explores how companies are navigating a year defined by volatility, ruptures in the geopolitical and sustainability landscapes, and rising expectations for value creation. Our experts dive into shifts across decarbonization, energy, reporting, digital transformation, and the growing importance of stakeholder engagement and adaptation. Listen to find out what’s shaping corporate sustainability in 2026 and what leaders should be watching in the months ahead. Learn more about: Why does sustainability matter now? How are companies shifting from intent to execution What to watch out for in 2026 Related links:  2026 Annual Trends Report Trends report2026 Annual Trends Webinar - Wednesday February 11 2026 at 11:00 EST/ 16:00 GMT 

In this episode, Mark Lee speaks to Prashanthi Sudhakar, Head of Product for Agentforce Net Zero at Salesforce and Meera Krishnan, Managing Consultant for Net Zero Cloud Solutions at ERM. Together, they explore how digital innovations, particularly Salesforce’s Agentforce Net Zero platform, is transforming sustainability management, enabling organizations to drive meaningful change and unlock business value. The conversation highlights the growing role of AI and data driven solutions in helping companies meet both regulatory requirements and broader sustainability goals.  Listen to learn more about: Value creation in action Turning data into business advantage AI and the future of sustainability decision making Related links: Sustainability Value Triangle: Creating impact through Finance, IT, and SustainabilityERM strengthens alliance with Salesforce as global Net Zero Cloud Advisory & Implementation Partner