Frankly Speaking Podcast

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

“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

Listen Frankly Speaking on

Spotify

Apple Podcasts

Past episodes

35:07

#73 Joeri de Wilde: What Does the Tariff War Mean for Sustainability?

What impact will the tariff war have on the global fight against climate change? Listen to Joeri de Wilde, Economist at Triodos Bank

34.29

#72 Ulrike Sapiro: Inside the First Wave - A Practitioner’s Perspective on EU Reporting

What has been the experience of first-wave practitioners implementing the EU's sustainability reporting legislation? Listen to Ulrike Sapiro, Chief Sustainability Officer at Henkel

‍

32.54

#71 Antoni Ballabriga: Why ESG investment is still a business winner

What impact will the Omnibus simplification proposals have on banks, and what is their message to European policymakers? Listen to Antoni Ballabriga, Global Head for Sustainability Intelligence and Advocacy at BBVA

36.14

#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

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.

‍