Sustainable Edge

In this episode Florian shares the story behind The Ocean Cleanup’s rise — from early setbacks and viral breakthroughs to the partnerships, persistence, and purpose driving one of the world’s most iconic environmental missions. Learn about: * The real story behind The Ocean Cleanup: How a global sailing expedition led Florian to co-founding a non-profit tackling plastic pollution at scale. * Failure as fuel: How trial and error became The Ocean Cleanup’s greatest advantage — and why Florian embraces iteration over perfection to make impact scalable. * From awareness to action: How the team moved from visibility to measurable, system-changing impact. * Scaling ambition: The role of business, capital, and storytelling in turning a grassroots project into a global operation. About Florian Dirkse Florian Dirkse is a Dutch entrepreneur, sailor, and co-founder of The Ocean Cleanup. After circumnavigating the globe by sailboat, he joined forces with Boyan Slat to launch a global effort to eliminate ocean plastic. Today, Florian is a sought-after speaker and a vocal advocate for taking bold action in service of environmental change.

Episode #20: Banks, credibility & the transition economy – with Hilde Nordbø, EVP Group Sustainability, DNB In this episode of Sustainable Edge, host Joachim Nahem, Executive Chairman at Position Green, sits down with Hilde Nordbø, Executive Vice President for Group Sustainability at DNB, Norway’s largest financial services group. Together, they explore the critical role of banks in enabling — and accelerating — the green transition. With experience at the intersection of banking, policy, and sustainability, Hilde shares how DNB is navigating EU regulation, addressing climate risks that directly impact their business, and remodelling their assessments of clients and customers with ESG factors embedded in the process. Hilde Nordbø unpacks the unique position full-service banks occupy in the sustainability transition — as capital providers, asset managers, systemic actors, and increasingly, as de-facto standard-setters. This conversation takes you behind the scenes of DNB’s sustainability strategy, including discussions on combating the risk of greenwashing, scope 3 emissions, and what “transition finance” really means in practice. Learn about: * The role of banks in the real economy. * Inside DNB’s transition plan. * The credibility challenge. * Client engagement vs. exclusion. * Regulation and readiness.   About Hilde Nordbø Hilde Nordbø is Executive Vice President of Group Sustainability at DNB. She leads the bank’s group-wide sustainability strategy and implementation, including climate targets, regulatory alignment, and sector-specific transition efforts. With a background in finance, ESG, and risk management, Hilde plays a key role in shaping DNB’s contribution to the green transition in the Nordic region and beyond.

In this episode of Sustainable Edge, Joachim Nahem, Executive Chairman at Position Green, sits down with Lasse Kristoffersen, CEO of Wallenius Wilhelmsen—a global leader in vehicle logistics and roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) shipping—to explore what it really takes to lead in a sector that’s often labeled “hard to abate.” From cutting through the noise on decarbonization to challenging the corporate silence on climate and inclusion, Lasse offers a refreshing, pragmatic take on sustainability as a business imperative — not a branding exercise. Lasse Kristoffersen shares why orchestrating the transition to green shipping is more a matter of leadership than technology — and how Wallenius Wilhelmsen is making it happen. With nearly 10,000 employees and operations in 40 countries, the company is transforming its global fleet and logistics network while pushing for accountability across its entire value chain. Learn about: * Why ‘hard to abate’ is a myth – The real barriers to net-zero in shipping aren’t technical — they’re systemic. * W-Zero: A roadmap for real emissions cuts – How Wallenius Wilhelmsen is using biofuels, AI, and new ship designs to cut emissions in half by 2030. * Sustainability with dollar signs – Why the path to net-zero must be financially viable to succeed — and how to price it in. * Moral leadership in a polarized era – On free riders, greenwashing, and why backing away from ESG is bad for business and worse for society. * Diversity as a strategic advantage – How global representation and inclusion power innovation and long-term success. About Lasse Kristoffersen Lasse Kristoffersen is the CEO of Wallenius Wilhelmsen, one of the world’s largest logistics companies specializing in RoRo shipping and vehicle supply chains. A vocal advocate for credible sustainability leadership, Lasse is spearheading the company’s bold net-zero strategy and pushing the industry to rethink what’s possible when climate action is integrated into core business strategy.

The Sustainable Edge podcast returns with a bite-sized episode that cuts through the noise on impact investing. Host Joachim Nahem sits down with renowned finance professor Alex Edmans to explore what it really means to invest for impact—and the caveats leaders and investors need to keep in mind.   This 9-minute listen is packed with bold perspectives and practical reflections for anyone navigating the evolving ESG and sustainability space.   Key highlights: * Why some impact investing claims are overstated—and how to spot it * The double-edged sword of ESG: long-term value vs. marketing hype * Alex’s bold prediction: the end of ESG as a term—and why that might be a good thing

In this episode Jan Erik Saugestad shares his candid views on the role of investors in navigating today’s sustainability landscape — from the limitations of exclusion to the power of long-term engagement. With over €120 billion under management, Storebrand’s approach is rooted in the belief that sustainability isn’t a trade-off — it’s a strategic advantage. Learn about: * Sustainable returns in a polarized world – How Storebrand is balancing investment risk with values, even as global commitments to sustainability diverge. * The power of influence – Why nudging companies (and governments) can be more effective than divestment alone. * The evolving ESG data dilemma – How to avoid investing only in good reporters, and instead focus on real-world impact. * Nature, net-zero and next steps – How Storebrand is working to integrate biodiversity risks and solutions across its investment universe. * Why values matter – How standing firm on sustainability is not just the right thing to do — it's a competitive advantage in today’s market. About Jan Erik Saugestad Jan Erik Saugestad is the CEO of Storebrand Asset Management, one of the leading asset managers in the Nordics with over €120 billion under management. With nearly 30 years of experience integrating sustainability into investment decision-making, Jan Erik is widely recognized as a champion for responsible capital and long-term value creation. Under his leadership, Storebrand continues to raise the bar for sustainable investing on the global stage.