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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

#54 Michael H. Posner: Views from the U.S. on the Future of Business and Human Rights

There's very little pressure being applied to companies by investors looking at how they're actually behaving and treating human rights as a core business priority. This needs to change.

“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

35:29

#23 Bennett Freeman: SEC climate rules and ESG backlash in the United States - What’s really happening?

Listen to Bennett Freeman, former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.

31:18

#22: Antje von Dewitz: How 'responsibility' applies to all sizes of company

Listen to Antje von Dewitz, CEO of the mountain sports outdoor products manufacturer Vaude.

32:56

#21 Beate Sjåfjell: Is shareholder primacy consistent with sustainability?

Listen to Professor Beate Kristine Sjåfjell, Head of Research Group on Companies, Markets and Sustainability at the University of Oslo.

33:39

#20 Dimitri Vergne: The new EU anti-greenwashing law - what you need to know

Listen to Dimitri Vergne, team leader for sustainability at the European Consumer Organisation BEUC.

29:55

#19 Isabelle Schömann: Trade unions, human rights and democracy

Listen to Isabelle Schömann, elected Confederal Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation. (ETUC).

30:10

#18 Lene Serpa: Trade Unions, Human Rights and Democracy

Listen to Lene Serpa, Head of Corporate Sustainability & ESG at A.P. Moller - Maersk.

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