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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

#97 Matt Orsagh: Is There a Case for Degrowth?

Are we inevitably heading towards a post-growth world? Listen to Matt Orsagh, co-founder of the Arketa Institute for Post-Growth Finance and former Senior Director of Capital Markets at the CFA Institute

“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

32:26

#96 Julia Otten & Andreas Rasche: The Definitive Guide to the Final EU Omnibus

The final Omnibus 1 text has now been ratified. What now? Listen to Julia Otten, Senior Policy Officer at Frank Bold and Andreas Rasche, Assistant Dean and Professor of Business in Society at Copenhagen Business School

49:16

#95 Abrial Gilbert-d'Halluin & Michael Mehling: What the EU-US Trade Deal Means for Global Corporate Accountability

Why is the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive coming up against intense lobbying by US politicians and businesses? Listen to Abrial Gilbert-d'Halluin, Policy Advisor for MEP Raden Kanev and Professor Michael Mehling, Deputy Director of the Centre for Energy and Environmental Policy Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

36:30

#94 Niklas Wehner: How to Conduct Corporate Human Rights Due Diligence

What are the most important elements of a strong corporate human rights due diligence strategy? Listen to Niklas Wehner, Director of Corporate Responsibility International for ALDI South Group

35:58

#93 Petter Forslund: Living Wages – Where Are We Now?

What progress has been made on real living wages? Listen to Petter Forslund, Engagement Manager at AP2 and Steering Committee Member of the Platform Living Wage Financials

34:56

#92 Siniša Milatović & Olena Uvarova: The Business Case for Human Rights

Can human rights due diligence improve corporate financial performance? Listen to Dr Siniša Milatović, Programme Manager at UNDP and Olena Uvarova, UNDP Business and Human Rights Specialist as well as Associate Professor at Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University in Ukraine

35:11

#91 Jiří Mravec & Antonín Šámal: What Heavy Industry Needs to Successfully Decarbonise

What are the major roadblocks in heavy industry’s pathway to decarbonisation? Listen to Jiří Mravec, Head of Innovation and Transformation at Třinecké železárny & Antonín Šámal, Research Fellow at the thinktank Association for International Affairs

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, on parental leave