Will there be a just transition?

How far does the climate crisis affect workers and businesses and what needs to be done about it?

Today in Frankly Speaking, Richard Howitt welcomes Jason Judd, executive director of Cornell's Global Labor Institute.

They recently produced a set of 25 social indicators which it believes are measurable and impactful, and which can give certainty to social issues and corporate sustainability reporting. The Institute has also produced research on the impact of extreme weather events on the apparel or fashion industry to understand the real scale of change which is confronting us.

You’ll hear more about:

• What are the impacts of extreme heat or flooding on workers in the apparel sector
• What does it mean in practice and what are the needed investments in climate adaption
• The path for due diligence in the US and in the rest of the world
• How to measure supply chain due diligence and labour metrics
• What would happen for sustainability if Kamala Harris wins?

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Do our ideas about what makes companies competitive actually hinder the shift toward sustainability?

What role do share or stock buybacks have in this?

And has the move towards sustainable finance actually succeeded in providing incentives for companies to change?

As former ECB President Mario Draghi made his own proposals for returning Europe to competitiveness and President von der Leyen reveals her new proposed team, we ask if there is enough money for sustainability and competitiveness. If yes, where is it?

To discuss these related issues, Frankly Speaking welcomes Myriam Vander Stichele, senior researcher at SOMO, the center for research on multinational corporations.

You’ll hear more about:

• Competitiveness for long term resilience of the company is still the strongest argument

• What are share buybacks, what is happening and what are the implications for business

• How reality is catching up and how it's time to go back to an evidence-based debate to end polarisation

• Myriam shares how Europe must be a leader and champion the role of cooperation rather than simple economic competitiveness

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Welcome to the third season of Frankly Speaking!

We’re kicking it off strong with a crucial topic: trust and what can drive improving it in business?

To discuss this, Richard Howitt welcomes Alison Taylor, author of Higher Ground: How Business Can Do the Right Thing in a Turbulent World. Alison is a clinical associate professor at NYU Stern School of Business, Executive Director of the organization Ethical Systems, and has been involved with some major consulting organizations, including Control Risks, Preventable Surprises and Business for Social Responsibility.

In this episode, you’ll hear more about:

• Why Alison advocates for companies to say less and do more - and whether there's a danger in that
• The challenge of balancing meaningful action with broader accountability
• The crucial distinction between trust and reputation management
• Why it's high time companies start treating people like human beings

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