All Things Sustainable

As many of our listeners embark on summer vacations and the US heads into a busy travel weekend for the Fourth of July holiday, we’re talking with the chief executive of one of the world’s busiest airports.  Paul Griffiths is CEO of Dubai Airports, which owns and manages the operation and development of Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International (DWC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  In this episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast, Paul shares the path that led him from training as a musician to working with Sir Richard Branson to leading an airport that served more than 92 million travelers in 2024.  Paul explains the initiatives Dubai Airports has undertaken to become more sustainable and to decarbonize. He talks about how to balance rising demand for travel while also ensuring the sustainability of airport operations.  “There is a growing realization that the industry has to clean its act up as far as carbon emissions are concerned,” Paul says.  This episode is the latest in our Terra Carta Series of the All Things Sustainable podcast, a collaboration with the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI). Throughout 2025, we’ll be interviewing SMI member CEOs like Paul from around the world and across industries about how they’re approaching sustainability challenges and opportunities.  About the SMI and Terra Carta Podcast Series: The SMI is a network of over 250 global CEOs across finance and industry. It facilitates private sector diplomacy with the ambition of making sustainability the driving force of global markets and value creation. S&P Global is a proud SMI member.   We’re calling this the Terra Carta Series based on the SMI’s Terra Carta mandate. This is the guiding mandate for the SMI and sets out ambitious and practical actions to help the private sector accelerate progress toward a sustainable future. The name Terra Carta is a play on the historic Magna Carta.    Listen to previous episodes in the Terra Carta Series:   How the Sustainable Markets Initiative convenes the public and private sectors to drive solutions: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-the-sustainable-markets-initiative-convenes-the-public-and-private-sectors-to-drive-solutions?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=Patch+CEO&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-the-sustainable-markets-initiative-convenes-the-public-and-private-sectors-to-drive-solutions?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=Patch+CEO&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast]   How climate tech company Patch works to build integrity of carbon markets: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-climate-tech-company-patch-works-to-build-integrity-of-carbon-markets [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-climate-tech-company-patch-works-to-build-integrity-of-carbon-markets]  How tech solutions, AI can drive the business case for sustainability: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-tech-solutions-ai-can-drive-the-business-case-for-sustainability [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-tech-solutions-ai-can-drive-the-business-case-for-sustainability]  Learn about energy transition data and services [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/solutions/energy-transition?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=methane&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast] from S&P Global Commodity Insights: https://www.spglobal.com/esg/solutions/energy-transition?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=methane&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/solutions/energy-transition?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=methane&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast]      This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.     Copyright ©2025 by S&P Global DISCLAIMER By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.  Any unauthorized use, facilitation or encouragement of a third party’s unauthorized use (including without limitation copy, distribution, transmission or modification, use as part of generative artificial intelligence or for training any artificial intelligence models) of this Podcast or any related information is not permitted without S&P Global’s prior consent subject to appropriate licensing and shall be deemed an infringement, violation, breach or contravention of the rights of S&P Global or any applicable third-party (including any copyright, trademark, patent, rights of privacy or publicity or any other proprietary rights).  This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

Welcome to the latest episode in the Terra Carta Series of the All Things Sustainable podcast, a collaboration with the Sustainable Markets Initiative (SMI). Throughout 2025, we’ll be interviewing SMI member CEOs across industries and around the world about how they’re approaching sustainability challenges and opportunities.  In today’s episode, we speak to Caspar Herzberg, CEO of AVEVA, a UK-based software company and SMI member. “It’s not the time to retreat on climate,” Caspar says. “The solutions exist today that can keep us on the path to net-zero, and now we need to focus on scaling these through digitization and adoption.” Caspar outlines the technology solutions that are supporting decarbonization efforts across sectors. He also talks about the role AI can play in driving efficiency and boosting the business case for sustainability. “At the end of the day, sustainability is only going to work when you are profitable,” he says. “Otherwise, businesses won’t do it.” About the Terra Carta Podcast Series: The SMI is a network of over 250 global CEOs across finance and industry. It facilitates private sector diplomacy with the ambition of making sustainability the driving force of global markets and value creation. S&P Global is a proud SMI member. We’re calling this the Terra Carta Series based on the SMI’s Terra Carta mandate. This is the guiding mandate for the SMI and sets out ambitious and practical actions to help the private sector accelerate progress toward a sustainable future. The name Terra Carta is a play on the historic Magna Carta.  Listen to previous episodes in the Terra Carta Series: How the Sustainable Markets Initiative convenes the public and private sectors to drive solutions | S&P Global [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-the-sustainable-markets-initiative-convenes-the-public-and-private-sectors-to-drive-solutions?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=Patch+CEO&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast] How climate tech company Patch works to build integrity of carbon markets | S&P Global [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-climate-tech-company-patch-works-to-build-integrity-of-carbon-markets] Learn about energy transition data and services [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/solutions/energy-transition?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=methane&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast] from S&P Global Commodity Insights.   This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.   Copyright ©2025 by S&P Global            DISCLAIMER    By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.      S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

A question we’ve been hearing a lot at the All Things Sustainable podcast is: How do businesses sync their climate strategies with their financial decisions?    In this episode, we bring you highlights from an event that dove into this question in detail: The inaugural S&P Global Sustainable1 Climate Summit hosted by the S&P Global Climate Center of Excellence.   The center is home to world-class scientists dedicated to addressing the frontiers of long-term climate, environmental and nature research and methodology development. The June 5 Climate Summit in New York City convened many of those scientists alongside financial institutions and industry leaders to talk about translating climate science into actionable insights that inform investment and financial decision-making.  In today’s episode we talk to three speakers from the Summit:   -Dr. Terence Thompson, the Chief Science Officer at the S&P Global Climate Center of Excellence; he explains the center’s work and how it seeks to bridge gaps between stakeholders, including climate scientists, economists and financial institutions.   -Sonja Gibbs, Managing Director and Head of Sustainable Finance at the Institute for International Finance, a global network of financial institutions; she explains how IIF members are thinking about climate risks and opportunities.  -Aniket Shah, Managing Director and Global Head of the Sustainability and Transition Strategy team at Jefferies Group; he tells us why financial decision-makers need “data, not vibes” to drive their sustainability strategies.   Listen to recent podcast interviews referenced in today’s episode:    Why businesses are going ‘back to basics’ in sustainability strategies | S&P Global [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/why-businesses-are-going-back-to-basics-in-sustainability-strategies?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=CCOE+Event&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast]  How HSBC is financing infrastructure for a low-carbon economy | S&P Global [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-hsbc-is-financing-infrastructure-for-a-low-carbon-economy?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=CCOE+Event&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast]  How EU proposals could change the sustainability reporting landscape | S&P Global [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-eu-proposals-could-change-the-sustainability-reporting-landscape?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=CCOE+Event&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast]  Learn more about the Climate Center of Excellence | S&P Global [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/climate-center-excellence?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=CCOE+Event&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast]  This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.    Copyright ©2025 by S&P Global             DISCLAIMER     By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.       S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

In this episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast, we’re examining the role insurance plays in helping stakeholders understand and adapt to the physical risks of climate change.   We speak to Rowan Douglas, CEO of Climate Risk & Resilience at global insurance group Howden. He explains how the insurance industry’s approach to climate change has evolved over decades to better understand future risks. He says the insurance sector is front and center in conversations about climate impacts because insurance gives financial institutions and investors an economic guide for risk.  "There's a recognition that insurance is absolutely essential to allow credit and investment to flow with confidence,” he says.  Rowan also addresses the importance of breaking down barriers in climate conversations, including how climate and nature intersect and the need for collaboration between the financial community and scientists, economists and engineers.      “All of us in the world of finance have got something to offer, and we've got something to learn from each other,” he says. "We're getting to the point now where we've got to confront this growing risk.”    This interview took place on the sidelines of the S&P Global Sustainable1 Summit in London. Listen to more interviews from the event here: Why businesses are going ‘back to basics’ in sustainability strategies | S&P Global [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/why-businesses-are-going-back-to-basics-in-sustainability-strategies?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=insurance&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast]  And here: How HSBC is financing infrastructure for a low-carbon economy | S&P Global [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-hsbc-is-financing-infrastructure-for-a-low-carbon-economy?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=insurance&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast]  Learn more about the S&P Global Sustainable1 Summit in Singapore June 26, 2025: Sustainable1 Summit 2025 | S&P Global [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/events/sustainable1-summit-2025?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=insurance&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast]  Read the forecast for the 2025 hurricane season from the S&P Global Climate Center of Excellence: An Elevated 2025 Hurricane Season | S&P Global [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/insights/featured/special-editorial/an-elevated-2025-hurricane-season?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=insurance&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast]  Learn more about the Climate Center of Excellence: Climate Center of Excellence | S&P Global [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/climate-center-excellence?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=insurance&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast]  Learn more about Physical Climate Risk Solutions from S&P Global [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/solutions/physical-climate-risk-solutions?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=insurance&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast]  This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.   Copyright ©2025 by S&P Global            DISCLAIMER    By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.      S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

In this episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast, we continue our deep dive into methane emissions. Today we’re exploring the role that private equity can play in eliminating methane emissions, including at abandoned oil and gas wells.  Methane is the second largest contributor to global warming behind carbon dioxide. And the fossil fuel sector is responsible for nearly one-third of methane emissions from human activity today. Record production of oil, gas and coal, combined with limited mitigation efforts, has kept emissions above 120 million metric tons annually, according to the International Energy Agency’s 2025 Global Methane Tracker published in May. The IEA calls methane abatement a “crucial opportunity” to reduce near-term global warming.  To understand how some companies are tackling methane emissions at abandoned facilities, in the episode we talk with Zefiro Methane Corp., an environmental services company that specializes in methane abatement at abandoned oil and gas wells in the US. Zefiro is a portfolio company of private equity firm X Machina Capital Strategies, or XMC, which works to transform oil and gas assets into long-term, sustainable solutions.  We speak with Catherine Flax, Founding Member and President of Private Markets at XMC. On June 5, Catherine was appointed interim CEO of Zefiro Methane Corp., where she also serves on the board.  We also talk with Talal Debs, Founder and Managing Partner of XMC. Talal was CEO of Zefiro Methane Corp. from November 2023 until June 2025.  In the episode, Talal outlines how XMC takes a "full-spectrum energy investment" approach.   "Let's take all the energy that we can get economically, but make it as clean as possible with a mind towards: what are we going to do with the mess afterwards?" he says. "If we can do that ... we're capturing the full spectrum of opportunity without ignoring the full spectrum of risks."  Listen to our previous episode on methane emissions here [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/podcasts/how-cutting-methane-emissions-became-energy-sector-s-big-climate-opportunity?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=methane&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast].  Learn about energy transition data and services [https://www.spglobal.com/esg/solutions/energy-transition?utm_source=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast&utm_medium=libsyn&utm_campaign=methane&utm_id=All+Things+Sustainable+podcast] from S&P Global Commodity Insights.   This piece was published by S&P Global Sustainable1, a part of S&P Global.           Copyright ©2025 by S&P Global           DISCLAIMER   By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.     S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.