At GreenFin, a focus on the evolving role of sustainability professionals

ESG Insider: A podcast from S&P Global

In today's episode of the ESG Insider podcast, we explore key themes from the GreenFin 24 conference — including data, disclosures, and advancing the low-carbon transition in emerging markets. We also hear how these topics are prompting an evolution in the role of sustainability professionals and driving a need for greater internal collaboration.

"There's a sense that we can make progress and there are viable solutions out there," says Kristina Wyatt, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Sustainability Officer at carbon accounting software company Persefoni. "There are plenty of projects, technologies, opportunities to deploy capital toward the transition. But one of the real challenges is speed and the need to deploy more capital faster."

We hear how banks are changing the way they look at energy transition opportunities in an interview with Samantha Norquist, Chief Sustainability Officer at Maryland-based Forbright Bank.

To understand how the role of accountants and sustainability professionals is changing, we talk with Sarah Digirolamo, US Audit & Assurance Financial Services ESG Leader and US Investment Management ESG Leader at Deloitte & Touche LLP, which is an audit, consulting and advisory firm.

"What's really interesting about the sustainability space is that in order for it to evolve in the way that people are looking to make change, it takes great collaboration, probably more so than any area I've seen before," Sarah says. "So many are being asked to come outside of their comfort zone."

And we explore how the current landscape is impacting the way companies approach diversity, equity and inclusion in an interview with Alphonso David, President and CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum, a group dedicated to elevating and advocating for Black and marginalized communities around the world.

Check out our prior coverage of GreenFin 24 here:

Bezos Earth Fund director on how to drive climate, nature action: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/bezos-earth-fund-director-on-how-to-drive-climate-nature-action

How to finance a nature-positive future and transform industries: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-to-finance-a-nature-positive-future-and-transform-industries

GreenBiz Group hosts the GreenFin conference and S&P Global Sustainable1 is a sponsor.

This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.

*Show notes updated July 16, 2024, to clarify title of Sarah Digirolamo.

Copyright ©2024 by S&P Global

DISCLAIMER

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.

S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.