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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

#63 Alicia García-Herrero: Can the EU Build a Resilient and Sustainable Green Tech Strategy to Counter China?

Is China making its green stride forward? Listen to Chief Economist and Bruegel Senior Fellow, Alicia García-Herrero.

“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

30:54

#26 Giulia Bondi: Unpacking the new EU Deforestation Regulation

Listen to Giulia Bondi, Senior EU Campaigner, lead for Forests at the investigatory organisation Global Witness.

31:40

#25 Sonja Haut: Why ‘impact’ of the business is the next big thing

Listen to Sonja Haut, Head of Impact Valuation at pharmaceuticals company Novartis and member of the World Economic Forum Futures Council.

28:17

#24 Agnese Ruggiero: Europe’s new green tariff on imports

Listen to Agnese Ruggiero: Policy Lead at Carbon Market Watch.

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.

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