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FRANKLY SPEAKING PODCAST

Frankly Speaking - Podcast on Responsible Business

Every two weeks, we discuss the latest political, legal, and business developments in the field of ESG, business and human rights, and corporate reporting.
Host Richard Howitt is a pioneer in the field of corporate disclosure and former Member of the European Parliament.

He speaks frankly and personally about what moves policy makers, business and activists to make responsible business the norm and last but not least - redefine business!
“The transition to sustainable business is often described as a ‘journey’. Wherever you are on that journey and whichever role you have, we hope that ‘Frankly Speaking’ will be a guide, a vehicle and a source of inspiration to move forward.”

Richard Howitt, Frankly Speaking Host

latest episode

#70 Maria Tymtsias & Julia Otten: EU Omnibus Revealed and How Companies Should Respond

What have been the latest developments on the European Commission’s Omnibus proposals and how have companies reacted? Listen to Maria Tymtsias, co-founder of the Palau Project and Frank Bold’s Julia Otten 

“Thanks for this very interesting podcast. It is encouraging that a serious and comprehensive approach to the issue of child labour results in a financially profitable and sustainable business”

Eckart von Malsen about Episode #40

"Very interesting conversation! At Learning and Knowledge Development Facility we are also thinking about systemic barriers for upstream sustainability. One of the transformations that need to take place in growth and business models is how we look at sustainability skills."

Alisa Herrero Cangas about Episode #39

“For anyone struggling with the day to day challenges of ESRS disclosures, I thoroughly recommend this wonderful conversation between Caroline Rees and Richard Howitt that reminds us of WHY this is all so very important.”

Francis West about Episode #36 

“Thank you for an excellent and highly informative episode and of course the brilliant work conducted by TNFD. I am looking forward to hearing more from TNFD about (tailored) sector guidance in the LEAP approach when available.”

Pia Horttanainen Croxford about Episode #35

“Great to get voices from the global south into the discussion- as it seems this is only addressed from a “burden” perspective in the EU and not from an opportunity and justice perspective !”

Christian Honoré about  Episode #34

“Another very helpful Frankly Speaking podcast from Richard Howitt, this time with his guest Filip Gregor on how to unpack the EU’s new standards for corporate sustainability reporting. The spaghetti soup is starting to unravel…”

Vanessa Zimmerman about  Episode #29

Past episodes

39.20

#69 Anne Kelly: What Does Trump 2.0 Mean for Sustainable Business?

How can US businesses continue their work towards a green transition despite the Trump 2.0 administration’s efforts to derail them? Listen to Anne Kelly, Vice President of Government Relations at Ceres

31:42

#68 Donato Calace: Can Data Solutions Make ESG Easier and Better?

Are there other ways to make green legislation easier for businesses besides dismantling the system? Listen to Donato Calace, SVP Market Leader, Partnerships & Innovation at Datamaran.

38:32

#67 Filip Gregor: Proposed Omnibus on EU Sustainability Laws - Latest “Inside View” from Brussels

What are the options for moving forward while remaining true to the EU's sustainability framework? Listen to Filip Gregor, head of Responsible Companies, Frank Bold

34:38

#66 Is There a Silver Bullet to ESG Data? Why the Answer is More Complex Than You Think

How can companies get the data which they need from suppliers? Listen to Natalie Grillon (OS Hub) and Tara Scally (Zeeman) in Frankly Speaking.

07:06

#65 Countdown to Omnibus: Join the Conference on Sustainability & Competitiveness

Why the Omnibus, portrayed by some as a tidying up exercise to get rid of duplication, should be seen as something more serious than that? Listen to Filip Gregor, Head of Responsible Companies at Frank Bold.

42:22

#64 Alberto Alemanno & Patrizia Heidegger: Von der Leyen 2.0 & Trump 2.0 - A Battle for Sustainability

How to respond to the backlash against sustainability legislation? Listen to Alberto Alemanno, founder of the Good Lobby and Patrizia Heidegger, deputy secretary general at EEB

32:26

#59 Laura Gitman: Which Future for Sustainability Leadership in the Company?

Is the role of the corporate chief sustainability officer at a crossroads? Listen to Laura Gitman, Chief Impact Officer at BSR.

33:58

#45 Sarah Dadush: Can Contracts Support Promoting Responsible Business?

Listen to Sarah Dadush, founder of the Responsible Contracting Project, writer and professor in business and human rights at Rutgers Law School

Key contacts

Sarah Chenoun

Communications officer