How data centres are reshaping climate politics

As Climate Week NYC prepares for its biggest edition yet, what does corporate climate action look like in a world where businesses are increasingly reluctant to even use the word “climate”?In this episode of the Sustainable Views podcast, deputy editor Elizabeth Meager speaks to Helen Clarkson OBE, chief executive of Climate Group, the organisation behind Climate Week NYC. They discuss whether sustainability is genuinely becoming embedded in businesses or simply disappearing from public view, and why Clarkson believes staying silent on climate creates space for misinformation.The conversation explores the growing links between climate action, energy security and affordability; how US climate policy is affecting businesses; and why China and other parts of Asia are increasingly important to the global clean-energy transition.Clarkson also discusses the huge energy demands of AI, whether technology companies can maintain their climate ambitions as data-centre investment accelerates, and why she believes the economics of renewable energy still provide reasons for optimism.With businesses moving from climate commitments towards implementation, what will determine whether the transition happens quickly enough—and can Climate Week help turn conversations into action?Sustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Sustainable Views podcast, deputy editor Elizabeth Meager speaks to reporter Ben Steel about his coverage of AI and data centres, from their growing demands for energy and water to the political backlash emerging across the US.They discuss concerns raised by communities living near major data centre developments, why opposition is becoming a bipartisan political issue, and whether businesses and investors have underestimated the scale of public resistance. The conversation also examines the sustainability claims made by hyperscalers, the scrutiny facing frontier AI companies, and how businesses using AI should think about the environmental footprint of the technology.With AI investment continuing to accelerate, what will determine whether the infrastructure needed to support it can expand sustainable and how much could local opposition change the economics of the boom?Sustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Sustainable Views, journalist Florence Jones speaks to leading climate scientist Professor Tim Lenton OBE, chair in Climate Change and Earth System Science at the University of Exeter and chair of the Global Tipping Points initiative.They discuss what climate tipping points are, why they make conventional climate risk planning more difficult, and whether the 1.5°C target still matters. Lenton also explains where the economic consequences could emerge and offers a more optimistic perspective through positive tipping points, moments when changes in technology, markets and behaviour become self-reinforcing and accelerate the transition to a more sustainable economy.They discuss what businesses, policymakers and individuals can do to help trigger these positive changes, and whether influential companies can use their scale to accelerate climate action.Sustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Energy and climate policy are divisive issues in the United States but is there still room for bipartisan action?In this episode of the Sustainable Views Podcast, deputy editor Elizabeth Meager speaks with Alex Flint, Executive Director of the Alliance for Market Solutions and a former member of President Trump's transition team, about the future of climate policy in the US.They discuss why Republicans have become quieter on climate change, where there is still potential for cross-party cooperation, how businesses are shifting their focus from climate mitigation to adaptation, and what rising energy demand from AI and data centres means for the energy transition.Sustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PFAS, often called "forever chemicals", are found in everything from non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing to food packaging and industrial products. But growing concerns over their health and environmental impacts are driving tighter regulation around the world.In this episode of the Sustainable Views Podcast, editor, Philippa Nuttall is joined by Elizabeth Meager and Florence Jones to explore what PFAS are, why they're attracting so much attention from regulators, and what businesses need to know as rules tighten across the EU, UK and US.We also discuss the potential financial risks for companies, the legal action against manufacturers such as 3M, and why investors are paying closer attention to PFAS exposure.Sustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, editor, Philippa Nuttall is joined by reporters, Florence Jones and Fiona McNally, to explore the rapidly changing landscape for sustainable investing and ESG funds.As political pressure, regulatory changes and shifting market conditions reshape the investment industry, sustainable funds are facing growing scrutiny from investors, policymakers and regulators alike. But despite the challenges, many asset managers continue to argue that sustainability remains a critical part of long-term investment decision-making.The discussion examines how sustainable funds are adapting, what will happen with the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) review, and whether the ESG backlash has fundamentally changed the outlook for sustainable investing.Sustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Sustainable Views, editor, Philippa Nuttall is joined by reporters Florence Jones and Fiona McNally to examine the future of corporate sustainability reporting in Europe, the UK and beyond.We unpack the latest developments around the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the ongoing revision of the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), and what businesses are saying about the new reporting requirements.As sustainability reporting frameworks continue to evolve around the world, we explore what businesses, investors and policymakers should be watching next.Timestamps00:00 - EU CSRD & ESRS Updates09:19 - UK Reporting: SRS, ISSB, EU15:14 - Global Reporting Trends & Policies19:50 - UK Government & Double Materiality20:42 - Podcast Conclusion & ResourcesSustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why did BP face such a strong shareholder backlash — and what does it mean for climate votes?In this episode of Sustainable Views, editor, Philippa Nuttall is joined by Elizabeth Meager and Fiona McNally to unpack a dramatic AGM season, starting with BP’s recent shareholder revolt, where investors pushed back against proposals seen to weaken governance and climate accountability.We explore what’s driving the tension between companies and shareholders, whether climate resolutions are losing momentum, and how trends differ between Europe and the US. From Exxon’s influence on voting rights to upcoming votes at Shell and Equinor, we look at whether this is a turning point for shareholder activism — or just a noisy moment in a shifting landscape.Read more on Sustainable Views:Investors raise alarm over Exxon’s controversial voting platformWhy we need standardised nature reportingBP chair faces heavy shareholder opposition following governance concernsTimestamps:00:00 - What happened at BP's AGM?06:27 - Climate Resolutions & Investor Strategies08:24 - US Regulatory & Shareholder Influence13:14 - Global Governance & Democracy Concerns16:37 - European Accountability & OutlookSustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How is business really dealing with the EU’s deforestation rules?In this episode of Sustainable Views, editor, Philippa Nuttall speaks to Nestlé’s head of government relations and ESG engagement, Bart Vandewaetere about the realities of implementing the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) — from supply chain traceability to navigating delays and shifting rules.With the regulation repeatedly postponed and political opposition growing, we explore what’s actually happening on the ground: how companies track thousands of suppliers, the cost and complexity of compliance, and why uncertainty around implementation is one of the biggest challenges.We also examine the bigger picture — whether sustainability and competitiveness are really in conflict, and why deforestation rules could ultimately strengthen supply chains, improve resilience, and support long-term business performance.Sustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How real is reputation risk in today’s political and business climate?In this episode of Sustainable Views, Alison Taylor of NYU Stern joins Sustainable Views deputy editor, Elizabeth Meager, to unpack why so many companies have fallen silent, how legal and political risks are reshaping corporate decision-making, and whether reputation can really be measured in any meaningful way.From US immigration crackdowns and DEI rollbacks to tariff disputes, AI, boycotts and government retaliation, we explore why business leaders are struggling to balance short-term legal exposure against long-term trust and credibility.We also discuss why some companies seem able to withstand pressure better than others, what makes corporate backlash stick, and how executives are thinking about issues such as employee dignity, political spending and collective action.Read more here:Trump’s latest tariffs throw clean energy into deeper uncertaintyBusiness cannot stay silent on American democracy and climateICE’s expansion leaves US companies with a choice they cannot dodgeSustainable Views is an intelligence service by the Financial Times Group. To stay up-to-date, subscribe to our newsletter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.