Inspiring Sustainability - Podcast

#034: From Rock n Roll to Renewable Fintech - Phillip Bruner of Enian

Wed, 06 Feb 2019 08:00:41 GMT

Phillip Bruner is the CEO of Enian, a platform that makes investment in renewable energy projects easy for investors large and small. In a fascinating podcast with Adam Woodhall (left-side in the show picture), Phil shares both his journey and the challenges and opportunities that renewables is facing. In addition, he gives insightful advice on how to get involved in renewable energy.

Phil (right-side in the show picture) is a serial entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience working at every stage of a renewable energy deal from project conception to completion. He is the Founder of the Green Investment Forum, a private dinner club of market leaders in project finance and wealth management.

In this episode Phil shares his personal experiences from Rock n Roll frontman, founding of the Sustainable Community Energy Network, launching Enian and the experience of crowdfunding that they are currently going through.

Topics covered:

How his career in academia led him to the entrepreneurial world
The importance of partnerships and collaborating
How to generate network effects to grow a tech platform
Why crowdfunding is a good strategy for a technology company
What it means to be building a fossil fuel free world
How to start a career in renewable energy

Useful links:

Enian - https://enian.co/

Phillip Bruner's Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pbruner/

Phillip Bruner's Twitter - https://twitter.com/phibrune

Enian's Blog - https://medium.com/enian

Podcast host Adam Woodhall:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/adamwoodhall

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall/

Inspiring Sustainability - http://www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Podcasting Delivery Partner:

Woon Tan of Podcast Publishing: http://podcastpublishing.help

Chapters:

[02:46] Why are you passionate about renewables?

[03:36] How long have you been working in the renewables industry?

[06:01] What is Enian?

[06:37] Why Enian now?

[12:45] Who else is in the Enian team?

[14:21] What are your ambitions for Enian?

[17:29] How does Enian make money and how do they plan to scale the platform?

[18:35] How to get involved in the renewable energy sector?

[21:32] Examples of partnerships and impact

[23:30] The Rock and Roll career of Phil and his personal journey.

[30:06] What it means to be living in a fossil fuel free world?

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#033: Why Some Clean Technologies Fail While Others Succeed - Clive Hall of Rushlight Events

Thu, 24 Jan 2019 07:45:37 GMT

Clive Hall, founder of Rushlight Events and London Cleantech Cluster, chairman London Community Resource Network, and a Fellow of the RSA discusses the keys to building successful sustainability solutions and clean technologies start-ups, why he is inspired by the circular economy and the evolution of the Rushlight events. He talks passionately about why he has carried the torch for the cleantech sector as different buzzwords come and go.

The conversation shares some powerful entrepreneurial advice for founders of cleantech and sustainable companies. Reminding startups to think about their route to market, Clive said that ‘its better to have a small percent of something than 100% percent of nothing.’

Topics covered in this episode:

Tips for cleantech entrepreneurs and how to get your startup investment
‘Its not the best technology but the best business that wins’
Why Clive is passionate about the circular economy
The Rushlight Show on 30th January, upcoming investor evening briefings and the Summer Showcase
Evolution of the cleantech events
The reason behind the name ‘Rushlight’

Useful links:

Rushlight Show - https://www.rushlightevents.com

Clive Hall's Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-hall-68740a/

Rushlight Twitter: https://twitter.com/rushlight

Innovate UK - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/innovate-uk

BEIS - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-business-energy-and-industrial-strategy

Venner Shipley - https://www.vennershipley.co.uk/

Carbon Limiting Technologies - https://www.carbonlimitingtechnologies.com/

Granted Consultancy - https://grantedltd.co.uk/

Everoze - http://everoze.com/

Flanders Investment and Trade - https://www.flandersinvestmentandtrade.com/en

Prova - https://provapr.co.uk/

Where did the word "Rushlight" come from - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rushlight

Chapters:

[00:38] Who is Clive Hall?

[02:53] What ignited the passion of Clive?

[06:30] Why Rushlight?

[09:35] Evolution of cleantech

[15:06] Favourite technology or companies

[18:31] Focus on effective storytelling

[20:48] Routes to market

[22:00] Why marine energy hasn't been the vanguard of renewable energy

[23:02] Advice for cleantech company

[25:20] Understanding yourself as an entrepreneur

[26:27] Evolution of cleantech events

[28:22] What is the Rushlight Show and who attends the event?

[30:58] Circular economy

[38:00] Rushlight Awards, Investor briefings

Podcast host, Adam Woodhall, is an advisor to cleantech, circular economy and sustainable startups on their growth stories. Connect with him here:

https://twitter.com/adamwoodhall

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall/

http://www.inspiring-sustainability.com

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#032: Cleantech + #ClimateAction motivations, frustrations, challenges and opportunities – Hugh Parnell of Cambridge Cleantech

Mon, 17 Dec 2018 07:58:40 GMT

The passionate brainchild behind Cambridge Cleantech, Hugh Parnell gives a broad and deep insight into this critical industry as it is today including; the market failings it faces and how to overcome them, the relevance of his own acronym, EECO, the three S’s for start-up success, why we need inspiration from successful cleantech heroes and the collective approach needed to resolve global environmental issues.

Recorded at the start of COP24, the global climate talks, in Adam Woodhall’s #GameChanger interview we learn how after a working for two decades in the oil industry, Hugh changed course in the year 2000 and has been involved in many environmental ventures in the two decades since and has helped grow a vibrant angel network.

In addition to his stimulating insights, we go on fascinating journey through his cleantech career, including being the founder and Chairman of Cambridge Cleantech and also non-exec director of five companies, including Enval a ground-breaking circular economy solution.

With the aim of supporting and promoting commercial activities to encourage environmental sustainability initiatives, Cambridge Cleantech are a proactive connector in the green and eco technology solutions space. Hugh first met Adam at the recent Cleantech Venture Day in London, run by Cambridge Cleantech in partnership with the Nordic Innovation Accelerator, where he Chaired this prestigious networking event to bring together start-up companies, larger established organisations and investors.

Useful Links:

Hugh Parnell - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughparnellincambridge

Cambridge Cleantech - www.cambridgecleantech.org.uk

Enval - www.enval.com

Nordic Innovation Accelerator - https://www.nordicinnovationaccelerator.com

Cleantech Venture Day - http://www.cleantechday.com/london/

Meet The Buyer Events - https://www.cambridgecleantech.org.uk/events/greater-london-authority-meet-the-buyer-event

Podcast host, Adam Woodhall, is an advisor to cleantech, circular economy and sustainable startups on their growth stories. Connect with him here:

https://twitter.com/adamwoodhall

https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall/

http://www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Chapters:

[02:55] Hugh Parnell - background and career

[04:15] Hugh’s version of eco – an explanation of the EECO framework

[11:23] Governmental obligations and expectations

[13:08] The motivation behind Hugh’s two decades years in the cleantech industry

[15:47] The three S’s – scale, speed and strength: Reality in transforming ideas into business

[17:42] Market failings in the cleantech space and how to overcome these

[19:22] Challenges in the progression of cleantech and sustainable enterprises

[21:56] Evolution of Cambridge Cleantech, their purpose and mission

[24:40] How Cambridge Cleantech is supporting companies to achieve scale

[28:00] Enval circular economy technology

[31:40] Why we need a language that better describes the current situation

[33:30] Importance of designing products with reusable and recyclable options in mind

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#031: Game Changers squared: mainstreaming 1000 sustainability solutions – Willem van Hasselt of Solar Impulse Foundation

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 08:44:48 GMT

The Solar Impulse Foundation both celebrates and promotes game changing solutions and is a game changing organisation itself. In Adam Woodhall’s Inspiring Sustainability interview with Willem van Hasselt we learn where they are on this exciting, and necessary, journey.

In 2003 global adventurer Betrand Picard decided to prove that you could fly around the world without use of fossil fuel. A 16-year-old Willem saw Betrand speak about his ambitions and was inspired to follow him in delivering a more sustainable world. In 2016, flying the Solar Impulse 2, Betrand fulfilled his ambition, and then launched the Solar Impulse Foundation. In 2018, Willem fulfilled his, by joining the Foundation as Investor Relations Manager.

The Foundation established ‘The World Alliance for Efficient Solutions’ and in the interview we discuss how they are bringing together the main actors involved in developing, financing and promoting products, services and technologies that can mitigate climate change, protect the environment and create clean growth.

If you are an innovator, entrepreneur or investor in cleantech and environmental sustainability, and want to be a member of the Foundation, create your free account on their website. Then you can apply to become a ‘Labelled Solution’: (https://solarimpulse.com/members/subscribe)

Highlights of this episode:

* What was learnt from flying around the world using only solar power

* The types of cleantech ventures they are working with - from re-engineered wood to acid regeneration and from maritime to the building industry

* How far into the 1000 ‘Labelled Solutions’ they are

* Why profitability is essential for sustainability

* How Willem is inspired by the collaborative nature of sustainable entrepreneurs

* The ventures the foundation are looking to partner with

* Betrand’s three key things which he shared with Willem 18 years ago

Useful Links:

Podcast host, Adam Woodhall:

- https://twitter.com/adamwoodhall

- https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall/

Inspiring Sustainability: http://www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Solar Impulse Foundation online: https://solarimpulse.com/

Connect with Willem on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willemvanhasselt/

Follow Solar Impulse Foundation and Bertand on Twitter:

- https://twitter.com/solarimpulse

- https://twitter.com/bertrandpiccard

Cleantech Venture Day run by Cambridge Cleantech:

- http://www.cleantechday.com/london/

- http://cambridgecleantech.org.uk/

Cleantech startups featured:

- Bound For Blue (Rigid Wing Sail System) https://solarimpulse.com/efficient-solutions/bound4blue-wingsail-system-for-fuel-efficiency-in-the-shipping-industry

- REGMAX (Acid regeneration system for pickling steel) https://solarimpulse.com/efficient-solutions-design/regmax

- WooDoo (Reengineered Wood) https://solarimpulse.com/efficient-solutions-design/woodoo

United World College Singapore https://www.uwcsea.edu.sg/

Chapters:

[0:58] What is the Solar Impulse Foundation

[2:20] Examples of cleantech ventures on their platform and who they partner with

[4:00] The genesis of the venture

[8:38] The bigger picture of the foundation

[11:03] How they review if a solution is profitable

[12:20] Why it’s so important to be profitable

[14:24] Dealing with people who don’t care about the environment

[24:08] How Willem was inspired from a young age

[30:00] Bertrand’s quote that WiIlem lives by everyday

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#030: Science fiction to renewable reality: nuclear fusion energy - Dr Melanie Windridge of Tokamak Energy

Tue, 09 Oct 2018 09:37:34 GMT

Fusing the energy of the sun and start-ups is the topic of this podcast, where we find out how Tokamak Energy is planning to recreate the power of the sun... on a business park in Oxfordshire, and thus deliver almost limitless renewable energy.

Physicist and communications consultant at Tokamak Energy, and polar explorer and conqueror of Everest, Dr Melanie Windridge, explains how nuclear fusion is not science fiction, but an energy source that will be clean, green and safe.

Fusion energy has famously always been 30 years away from commercial utilisation, starting from the first international agreement to build a fusion reactor by the leaders of the USA and USSR, Reagan and Gorbachev, in 1985. There is still no clarity on when this massive global initiative will start producing energy commercially.

Tokamak Energy, which started in 2009, is developing a small scale fusion reactor, which recently reached a temperature hotter than the centre of the Sun, 15 million degrees, and they plan to be producing industrial scale energy by 2025.

Melanie who has a PhD in Plasma Physics from Imperial College London shares the history of fusion energy from the development of the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) and the JET (Joint European Thorus) to the current race for fusion energy which is now being led by start-ups around the world.

Highlights of this episode:

What is fusion energy how does it compare to fission nuclear energy
Recent history of the developments in fusion energy and why the tokamak is a promising approach
Current race to develop the first commercial fusion energy reactor
Current developments at Tokamak Energy and their future plans
Criticism of fusion energy and how we can overcome these challenges
How being an outdoor adventurer combined with her science background has allowed her to inspire others
How she overcame initial difficulties working in a male dominated area

Useful links:

Tokamak Energy: https://www.tokamakenergy.co.uk/

Recent news release: https://www.tokamakenergy.co.uk/hotter-than-the-centre-of-the-sun-uk-prototype-reaches-15-million-degrees-paving-the-way-for-commercial-fusion-energy/

Melanie Windridge’s personal website: http://melaniewindridge.co.uk/

Melanie’s book - Aurora: In search of the Nothern Lights: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28014506-aurora

Nuclear Fusion as a renewable resource: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_proposed_as_renewable_energy#Fusion_fuel_supply

Chapters:

[00:50] What is nuclear fusion?

[05:00] Why is nuclear fusion energy always still 30 years away?

[10:00] Tokamak Energy

[13:00] A worldwide collaboration to create ITER and a big meeting between Reagan and Gorbachev

[15:00] 3 things that affects output of fusion energy

[17:00] Magnetic technology has moved on

[19:00] Pivoting to making power stations with small tokamaks

[20:40] Milestones to commercialise Tokamak Energy

[23:00] Science is difficult to predict

[26:00] Climate change is happening

[29:00] Other types of fusion energy

[32:00] Criticism of fusion energy

[34:00] Background of Melanie Windridge

[37:00] Polar exploration and climbing Everest

[39:00] Being a woman in science

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#029: From disrupting mobility to cleantech investing - Charlotte Morton of Cleantech Innovate

Wed, 26 Sep 2018 10:03:53 GMT

Serial entrepreneur Charlotte Morton of Cleantech Innovate shares her experience founding, advising and investing in game changing sustainable startups.

In this episode, Charlotte talks about her inspiration switching from being a lawyer to founding car rental company Whizzgo which was acquired by City Car Club. Charlotte currently runs We Are Orchard where they manage the trade association ADBA (Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association) and Cleantech Innovate events that showcases and connects startups in sustainability with investors.

Highlights of this episode:

Introducing the pay-by-the-hour car rental concept to the UK and changing consumer behaviours with Whizzgo
Running a trade association organisation for sustainability niches at We Are Orchard
The types of support startup can expect from Cleantech Innovate and some of her favourite startup ideas
Elements that will derisk a startup for investors and success factors for founders
How to bring the right experience into your board member and executive team

Useful links:

Charlotte Morton’s Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-morton-1a0a322

Charlotte Morton’s Twitter https://twitter.com/charlotte_adba

We Are Orchard http://www.weareorchard.com/

We Are Orchard’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-are-orchard-ltd/

We Are Orchard’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/orchardexpo

Cleantech Innovate https://www.cleantechinnovate.com/

Cleantech Innovate YT channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxp-J_8HK3h-a-ON71TSuRQ/videos

Airponix http://www.airponix.com/

Kite Power Solution http://www.kps.energy/

67PallMall http://67pallmall.co.uk/

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#028: Unshackling ourselves from fossil fuels - Richard Barker at Iona Capital

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 06:30:44 GMT

Richard Barker of Iona Capital talks about what the abolition of slavery in Britain tells us about climate change. The historic moral movement that preceded the industrial revolution is a poorly understood era of Britain but could hold the key to how finance and political campaigning need to change.

This episode follows Richard Barker’s thought provoking TEDTalk and shines a light on possible radical solutions that can unlock the trillions of dollars tied in pension funds for long term sustainable investments.

Richard Barker is an Adviser and Investment Committee Member at Iona Capital, a specialist environmental infrastructure investor. He has been active in the low carbon space for over a decade having previously been CEO of the UK’s leading biogas company and also CEO of France’s largest aluminium recycling company. He is a member of Al Gore’s Climate Reality Leadership Corps.

Highlights of the podcast:

+ Why there is enough wealth in the world to address climate change

+ How a pay cheque to owners of big oil assets can be a solution to climate change

+ Why the finance sector is not fit for purpose and how to fix this

+ Why we should pay more attention to the opportunities than the cost of climate action

+ Effective climate action for individuals, employees, businesses and governments

+ What we can learn from organ donation to change people’s psychology

“What Abolition of Slavery tells us about Climate Change” TEDTalk: https://youtu.be/3NI-j8sDKno

Iona Capital https://www.ionacapital.co.uk/

Richard Barker’s Linkendin https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-barker-78b97428/

Host Adam Woodhall of http://www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Connect: http://www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#027: Leading a revolution with a life less throwaway - Tara Button, Founder of BuyMeOnce

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 12:30:11 GMT

BuyMeOnce is an online curator of beautiful products that last. Tara Button, CEO of buymeonce.com and author of “A Life Less Throwaway” shares her journey from working at a global advertising agency to manifesting her dream of a global platform for durable goods and leading a movement for sustainable living.

First inspired by a Le Creuset cast iron pot, she was constantly looking for products that last and thought that someone else must have created a website with such a collection. Tara was “stalked by the idea of a website” for over 2 years before realising she had to take action.

Tara shares her journey of commercialising the early Buy Me Once website after a Telegraph article went viral and her inbox was flooded with interest. After two major website upgrades and a change in business model, Buy Me Once is a growing seven person team, including one in New York, and over 2000 products listed.

Highlights of the podcast:

+ How they have developed a process to assess longevity and durability of products

+ What companies are doing to improve the sustainability of products

+ Why Tara is campaigning to make product lifetime information more transparent

+ How the circular economy is the only way forward

+ Tara’s book being sold all over the world, from Taiwan to Turkey and Vietnam to Poland

+ Interesting products listed on their website; including a pen that has enough ink to last a lifetime, the unpoppable One World Futbol and the Elvis & Kresse wallets made out of London Fire Brigade hoses

Buy Me Once website: www.buymeonce.com

Tara’s personal website: www.tarabutton.com

Twitter https://twitter.com/buymeonce

A Life Less Throway: https://buymeonce.com/pages/a-life-less-throwaway

One World Futbol: https://uk.buymeonce.com/products/one-world-play-one-world-football-blue

Infinium Space Pen: https://uk.buymeonce.com/products/fisher-space-pen-infinium-space-pen-black-titanium

Elvis & Kresse: https://www.elvisandkresse.com

Host Adam Woodhall of www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#026: Turning mangroves into money: cryptocurrencies for good - Alan Laubsch, Director of Lykke’s Natural Capital Markets group

Wed, 11 Jul 2018 07:59:25 GMT

The risk of crossing a tipping point leading to ecosystem collapse is clear to Alan Laubsch of Lykke, and having spent years mapping climate risk he came to conclude that it is his life commitment to take systemic climate action.

Alan is a connector and ecosystems builder. His mission is to protect earth’s most vital ecosystems by democratizing impact investment with the blockchain. He has over two decades of risk management experience with leading financial institutions. As he says in the interview:

“After many false starts I believe it’s time for a new approach to carbon, to reinvent carbon markets and the overall idea is very simple. Every organisation manages financial capital. It also manages human capital. Finally, every organisation should also manage natural capital.”

Lykke is a marketplace for free exchange of financial assets. Their mission is huge, with a fully open-sourced platform, they see a future where natural capital is fully tokenized and protection of natural resources is incentivised.

Alan explains how blockchain technology is uniquely positioned to disrupt financial markets which is full of intermediaries, such as brokers and banks. Bringing in high frequency trading algorithms into marketplaces like Lykke will bring liquidity to the natural capital markets.

Lykke listed TREE, the first natural capital backed cryptocurrency where anyone can invest into preservation of our planet. By owning one TREE token, you participate in the movement of preserving one of the most valuable plants of Myanmar, the mangrove.

Connect with Alan Laubsch https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlaubsch/

Alan interview on Lykke: https://www.lykke.com/city/blog/team-interview-alan

Tree Tokens http://tree-volution.com/

Tree Tokens on Lykke: https://www.lykke.com/how-to-buy-world-view-tree

Thor Heyerdahl Climate Park: http://www.wif.care/heyerdahl-climate-parks/

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#025: Using crypto to reimagine a fairer financial system - Scott Nelson, Chairman & CEO of Sweetbridge

Tue, 19 Jun 2018 12:00:37 GMT

Scott Nelson explains this once in a lifetime opportunity of how this blockchain future will create a level playing field for everyone by reducing the cost of capital. Scott was on a beach in Hawaii after selling his logistic payment platform company and was concerned that the blockchain pioneers might not know how to develop a good financial system of the future.

Sweetbridge is a blockchain operating system and they will be releasing a wallet and a loan product alongside their cryptocurrency. They are actively engaging their community, working with regulators, governments, municipalities and early adopters excited to test out their game changing platform.

With a background in technology, finance and supply chain Scott Nelson has a unique experience to help build a more efficient financial system. Scott talks about his motivation and the challenges of running a blockchain organisation and how this could become a #GameChanger for our world.

Connect with Scott Nelson on Linkedin here.

Host: Adam Woodhall of www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#024: How Blockchain Can Disrupt The Energy Supply Chain - Erwin Smole, Cofounder of Grid Singularity and Energy Web Foundation

Tue, 22 May 2018 20:51:48 GMT

Rapid innovation using blockchain technology is becoming a major game changer, surfing the renewables revolution and shift to prosumers*. We interviewed Erwin Smole at the EventHorizon conference in Berlin on how blockchain has the potential to disrupt every part of the energy market.

Erwin is a busy man, having co-founded both Grid Singularity, which runs a blockchain peer-to-peer energy platform and the Energy Web Foundation, an open sourced platform designed to create a unified standard to make energy data more usable, as well as being part of the team that made EventHorizon happen. Therefore, he is well placed to give an overview of blockchain for energy.

Erwin explains that in Europe, governments are expecting the energy transition to happen at a consumer level as current approach of building big wind farms are starting to cause problems to the energy grid. In the developing world, with 2 billion people without electricity, solar and small batteries along with blockchain technology is expected to accelerate the creation of local energy markets with invoicing capability.

He also shares his personal journey of more than 2 decades in the energy sector and why innovation in the energy sector and the purpose of reducing environmental impact inspires him.

* a prosumer is both a consumer and producer of energy

Erwin Smole on linkedin.

Host: Adam Woodhall of www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#023: Blockchain Crowdfunding for a Solar Powered Africa - Abraham Cambridge, Founder of The Sun Exchange

Thu, 03 May 2018 10:14:58 GMT

The Sun Exchange’s vision is enable Africa to leapfrog into a new clean energy future using a blockchain enabled crowdfunding platform. Their solution enables anyone, anywhere in the world, to buy and lease solar assets to power villages starting in South Africa.

In this episode, I talk to Abraham Cambridge, CEO and Founder of The Sun Exchange. Abe explains how they are bypassing the disinterest of governments and banks in solar energy, while combining the best decentralised technology and financing model to create game changing impact.

Abe talks about how solar energy is the most distributed and democratic source of energy and why the openness and transparency is key to making their platform work. Abe also shared on how a change in market conditions and his experience running a solar installation cooperative in Cornwall, UK lead to the founding of The Sun Exchange.

Connect with Abraham Cambridge on linkedin.

Host: Adam Woodhall of www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#022: Getting circular in the office: remanufacturing beautiful furniture - Dr Greg Lavery, Founder of Rype Office

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 09:52:24 GMT

According to a 2012 study by WRAP, 300 tons of office furniture is going to waste every day. Serial entrepreneur, Dr Greg Lavery enlightens us on why he sees remanufacturing office furniture as the big opportunity for a more circular building industry.

In this episode, Greg shares his personal journey from running a solar company in Australia to founding Rype Office and how they are able to supply beautifully designed, sustainable and low cost furniture. Greg talks about their game changing innovation of creating job opportunities for the long term unemployed, thus creating social, financial and environmental sustainability.

Greg shares an interesting insight to his product innovation and highly encourage other remanufacturers to follow suit. As a successful entrepreneur, Greg talks about where he looks for inspiration, and it’s not where you would expect and not from within the sustainability sector.

As an unintentional minor comedy moment, also listen out for when the cleaner walks into Greg’s flat during the interview.

RypeOffice tweets @RypeOffice

Host: Adam Woodhall of www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#021: Signs of Circular Economy Tipping Points - Ken Webster, Head of Innovation at Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Wed, 14 Mar 2018 16:33:18 GMT

This fascinating episode features Ken Webster the Head of Innovation at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, whose aim is to accelerate the transition to the circular economy.

We are now moving towards an economy where utilisation of assets rather than selling of products becomes important. Ken explains how we are shifting from products to services and cites Philip’s offering of lighting-as-a-service and Bundle's washing machine and MudJean’s clothing rentals as examples of moving away from selling products to providing a service which means making things last longer.

Ken shares that nature works with a limited palette of material and there is a new science of using form to find new functions in biomimicry and at a materials level we should move towards simplicity. He illustrates this by highlighting Brazil’s Leontino Balbo Junior who is scaling regenerative agriculture, and Lula farms in Canada which is using rooftop aquaponics for urban farming and London’s own Winnow who reduce food wastage from restaurants.

Ken discusses why platform cooperatives and collaboration opportunities in circular economy are seen as a key in moving towards a circular economy. He also talks about policy issues such as how finance will need to be more patient and why there needs to be a change in taxation to tip us towards a truly circular economy.

The podcast was recorded over the phone, so apologies for the comparatively poor audio quality.

Ken Webster tweets @CircularEconKen

Host: Adam Woodhall of www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#020: Achieving culture change with a global business - Frank Krikhaar, Global CSR Director of Dentsu Aegis Network

Wed, 07 Mar 2018 18:56:23 GMT

Frank Krikhaar leads the Global CSR team in Dentsu Aegis Network (DAN), a global corporation with 65 offices and 35000 people. DAN has worked on creating marketing campaigns to create mass awareness for the UN Sustainable Development Goals as well as working with local partners to achieve behavior change at a community level.

In this episode, Frank talks about his 6 years in DAN and how he achieved the culture change in this large global marketing agency and why people are now knocking on doors wanting to engage in sustainability.

Frank made the internal move from finance and strategy into sustainability. With a background in the creative and marketing industry, Frank emphasises the importance of using connections and relationships in building on the sustainability transformation within Dentsu Aegis Network.

Frank also shares with us where he takes inspiration from and his personal concerns of the future of CSR.

Head over to Dentsu Aegis Network CSR page here.

Frank Krikhaar tweets at @FKrikhaar

Host: Adam Woodhall of www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#019: The Sage of Sustainability - John Elkington, Founder of Volans

Tue, 20 Feb 2018 11:39:35 GMT

Business Week described John Elkington as "a dean of the corporate responsibility movement", a poll placed him in the top 5 of global CSR leaders and he created the concept of the Triple Bottom Line: he truly is the sage of sustainability.

In this episode, John talks about his personal journey over the decades pushing for sustainable development. He discusses his work bridging the gap between activist NGO campaigners and those mainstream businesses looking to be responsible.

During the conversation he shares insight from the Volans report “Breakthrough Business Models: Exponentially, More Social, Lean, Integrated, and Circular.” John suggests that the sustainability industry needs to disrupt itself and how we need to think in much longer terms.

A serial sustainability entrepreneur and thinker for 40 years, he started his first business, ENDS, in 1978 (which is still going strong), founded two high profile consultancies, SustainAbility and Volans, is the author of 19 books and is on the boards of 20 organisations.

Head over to Volans to learn more about Breakthrough Business Models.

John Elkington tweets at @VolansJohn

Host: Adam Woodhall of www.inspiring-sustainability.com Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#018: Circular Feathers: Rethinking Waste - Ryan Robinson, Cofounder of Aeropowder

Wed, 07 Feb 2018 07:39:40 GMT

Mayor of London Low Carbon Entrepreneur 2016 Winner and Echoing Green Fellow, Ryan Robinson is the cofounder of Aeropowder which is turning waste feathers from the poultry industry into a high value circular economy product.

In this episode, Ryan explains how biomimicry inspired Aeropowder is exploiting the unique insulation properties of feathers for last mile food delivery and getting rid of synthetic insulation. Ryan shares the interesting background behind meeting cofounder Elena Dieckmann at Imperial College and what lead them to forming their company.

Ryan also talks about his journey from being a PhD researcher in air pollution and talking to astronauts in his Masters to figuring out the entrepreneurial challenges of working with industry partners and the importance of learning by doing.

Head over to Aeropowder to learn more about this new circular economy product.

Ryan Robinson tweets at @Aeropowder

Host: Adam Woodhall of www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#017: Tackling Extreme Poverty - Kennedy Odede, Founder of SHOFCO

Wed, 31 Jan 2018 07:51:09 GMT

Multi award winning African entrepreneur, Kennedy Odede shares is journey tackling extreme poverty and bringing education, healthcare and clean energy to local communities. In this episode, Kennedy Odede inspires us with his story as a homeless kid facing daily challenges of violence on the street to how he started SHOFCO, the largest grassroot movement transforming urban slums in Nairobi, Kenya.

Kennedy Odede is the founder of SHOFCO Shining Hope for Communities that is addressing the deep challenges of extreme poverty. Kennedy explains how he has managed to create quality healthcare services and a safe space to educate young women and bringing in new solar technology to the local community.

Kennedy is recognised for the impact he is creating and awarded the Young Global Leaders and Echoing Green Fellow. Kennedy strongly believes the power of technology, education and why we should always start with the people.

Learn more about SHOFCO here https://www.shofco.org/

Kennedy Odede tweets @KennedyOdede

Host: Adam Woodhall of www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#016: From Bamboo to Loo - Chris Forbes, Cofounder of The Cheeky Panda

Tue, 23 Jan 2018 17:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Chris Forbes the cofounder of award winning The Cheeky Panda talks about why bamboo is an obvious solution to disrupt a mainstream product that is such a core part of everyday life. Chris explains how The Cheeky Panda business has moved from concept in 2016 to launching in mainstream retailers such as Wholefoods and Ocado and big wholesale distributors Bunzl by 2017, and with even bigger plans for 2018.

Chris explains how he is driving this potential #GameChanger business and why the whole business process is pushing the boundaries of consumer sustainability.

Chris compares bamboo versus recycled toilet paper and why they have created a health product in the process of developing Cheeky Panda. He also talks about how they are protecting the rainforests through carbon offsets and plan to use biobased plastics in their packaging.

Head over to www.TheCheekyPanda.co.uk to find out more about their bamboo loo rolls.

Chris Forbes tweets @forbesymore

Host: Adam Woodhall of www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#015: Single Organizing Idea - Neil Gaught, Author of "CORE"

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 12:05:36 GMT

Neil Gaught is a strategy advisor, author and speaker who helps businesses define and implement sustainable positioning strategies. He is the author of “CORE: How a Single Organizing Idea Can Change Business for Good.”

In this episode, Neil talks about; his journey, both recent and over his career, how he is using the Single Organising Idea (SOI) framework to get clarity on business positioning, the power of brand, and how to humanise businesses.

“CORE” draws on Neil Gaught’s personal experiences as a design consultant and strategy advisor on businesses positioning to change business for good.

He advises a wide variety of organizations, ranging from international NGOs and corporates to start-ups, faith based organizations and government institutions across the world and is currently on a world tour and is delivering keynote presentations.

Neil Gaught tweets @NeilGaught

Host: Adam Woodhall of www.inspiring-sustainability.com Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#014: The Power of Purpose - John O'Brien, Partner at One Hundred

Tue, 19 Dec 2017 12:22:26 GMT

Ethical purpose champion, author and philanthropist, John spent over a decade with Business in the Community before managing several of the Prince of Wales' charity programmes. More recently John wears several hats within Omnicom, where his passion for purpose led positions is evident. He brought all his learning from the last decades together in his book "The Power of Purpose", which has the tempting sub-title: "Inspire teams, engage customers, transform business" and has got into the Top 10 for Amazon, and Top 3 for WH Smith business book charts. John is a #GameChanger within the world of charity, social enterprise and business, and in this podcast we discuss how anyone within an organisation has the potential to influence and add purpose to their place of work. John shares his obervsations of the shift towards purpose lead organisations following the financial crash, the rise and fall of "CSR" and how to use the power of purpose to create a new culture within your organisation. Find see his Tweets here.

Host: Adam Woodhall of www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#013: Happy Hero & #ClimateOptimist - Solitaire Townsend, Co-founder of Futerra

Mon, 11 Dec 2017 15:33:58 GMT

Solitaire Townsend’s Twitter profile succinctly reads: “Author of www.thehappyhero.org . Co-founder of @Futerra. #ClimateOptimist”

In this equally succinct interview we dive into an exploration of what inspired Solitaire to become a green entrepreneur as a teenager, how that has influenced her to investigate the connection between happiness and heroism and the evidence of its impact.

We discuss how she is passionate about communicating that whilst we must take climate change seriously, that linking climate and optimism isn't either weird or dangerous, and how we can deal with apathy around climate change by believing that we can deal with it.

Along the way we also find out about the work Futerra has done with the likes of WWF and Sky, their partnership with The Climate Group for #ClimateOptimist, the importance of empowering and educating women, and more, all in a succinct 26 minutes.

Host: Adam Woodhall of www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#012: Cleantech Horizon Scanning - Bernie Bulkin, Executive Chairman of K3Solar

Mon, 04 Dec 2017 12:07:37 GMT

Bernie Bulkin is currently Executive Chairman of K3Solar. In this podcast we share his #GameChanger ideas which include the need and future of Solar energy and its role in supporting health and education in developing economies. We also discuss the challenges and opportunities also seen in other sectors, including the clean-tech application of 5G in water monitoring and waste-reuse - it's not just for making phone-calls!

Bernie is a former Chemist Lecturer and was the Chief Scientist for BP. As a "critical friend" to the UK Government, he championed a number of topics in his role within the Sustainable Development Commission with a specific focus on solar when he led the UK Office of Renewable Energy.

Host: Adam Woodhall of www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#011: Zero Carbon Economy - John Corr, MD of Smart Ledger

Thu, 23 Nov 2017 16:20:55 GMT

John Corr founded Smart Ledger in April 2016, since then it has gone on to become one of the global Top 40 Blockchain businesses.

In this #GameChangers conversation we discuss the rapid rise in electric vehicle (EV) use, with the potential that in 10 years 95% of all journeys will be electric. We also explore how ordinary citizens are set to go from being just energy users to also being energy producers (AKA prosumers), storers and traders on the wider market, driven by blockchain technology.

Lastly we discuss how the very nature of venture capital (VC) is changing to drive forward these innovations.

Host: Adam Woodhall of www.inspiring-sustainability.com

Connect: www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#010: Business on a Mission - Andy Last, Co-founder MullenLowe salt

Tue, 03 Oct 2017 19:14:13 GMT

Andy Last co-founded MullenLowe salt in 2000 and in 2016 published the award winning 'Business on a Mission: how to build a sustainable brand'.

In this conversation we have a fascinating chat about his career, his clients and the power of business to do good and grow profitably.

Andy advises brands and corporates on social purpose and sustainability communications and is a regular speaker and commentator on the power of business to lead positive change.

His consultancy was one of the first companies in the UK to be accredited as a B-Corporation, working on high profile campaigns for brands such as Unilever, Manpower and JLL.

About your host: Adam Woodhall

He’s advisor, activator and author whose aim is to help large organisations, entrepreneurial enterprises and NGOs communicate excellently, connect with other sustainability leaders and generate transformational change.

To find out more, go to: www.inspiring-sustainability.com or connect with him on www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#009: 'Culture trumps compliance' - Pat Harned, Ethics & Compliance Initiative

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 18:59:57 GMT

Pat Harned leads the Ethics and Compliance Initiative (ECI), regularly engaging with leaders of global corporations and the US Department of Justice as well as testifying before Congress. She was named one of the ‘100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics’ in 2014.

In this conversation, she shares how culture trumps compliance, the key to reducing corporate risk and her volunteer role as a baby cuddler.

About your host: Adam Woodhall

To find out more, go to: www.inspiring-sustainability.com or connect with him on www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#008: Future Generations - Dr. Jane Davidson, Director of INSPIRE @ Uni of Wales

Wed, 28 Jun 2017 16:55:55 GMT

Dr Jane Davidson has achieved many things in her time and this conversation takes us from her childhood in Africa to her current role as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Sustainability and Engagement and Director of INSPIRE at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David which is on a journey to embed sustainability throughout the university’s culture, campus and curriculum. Jane has won a number of UK wide awards for this work.

A highlight of Jane’s career is her work, from 2007- 2011, as Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing in Wales where she proposed legislation to make sustainable development its central organising principle – the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act which subsequently came into law in April 2015.

Her work saw her being recognised as the third most influential environmentalist in the UK for the Independent on Sunday in 2009.

Listen to this fascinating journey through a life which has been devoted to inspiring sustainability.

About your host: Adam Woodhall

To find out more, go to: www.inspiring-sustainability.com or connect with him on www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#007: Record-breaking Renewables - Christine Lins, Executive Secretary of REN21

Mon, 12 Jun 2017 11:22:46 GMT

Just prior to the launch of their Renewables 2017 Global Status Report, which found there was a record of 161 GW added to global power capacity, for 23% less investment, I talked with the Executive Secretary of REN21, Christine Lins. In this fascinating conversation, Christine and I discussed Trump's decision to pull out of the Paris Agreement, and why it may aid global action on climate change, baseload myths, fossil fuel divestment and how policy makers and innovative small businesses can help drive the renewable revolution. REN21 was created in 2004 as a ‘Coalition of the Willing’: all those in the private and the public sector that are keen on advancing renewable energy. Their members span from national governments to different international institutions such as the UN, European Commission, World Bank, industry associations, NGOs and actors in the field of science and academia.

About your host: Adam Woodhall

To find out more, go to: www.inspiring-sustainability.com or connect with him on www.linkedin.com/in/adamwoodhall

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#006: Renewable Switching - Karl Walker & Tom Old, Directors at Clean Energy UK

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 14:44:08 GMT

On this podcast I’m joined by Tom Old and Karl Walker who are both directors of Clean Energy UK, which is a leading light in the renewables revolution, helping businesses switch to 100% clean supply.

They share their adventures in sustainability, with Al Gore being their matchmaker, and then taking us through their visit to COP21 and onto founding Clean Energy UK together in addition to being involved with The Big Clean Switch and the Carbon Free Group. On the way we discuss the learnings from An Inconvenient Truth and how they are looking towards the exponential growth of climate solutions.

About your host: Adam Woodhall

To find out more, go to www.inspiring-sustainability.com.

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#005: Making Fishing Brighter - Dan Watson & Nadia Labbs of SafetyNet Technologies

Fri, 19 May 2017 17:12:09 GMT

Over-fishing and bycatch are massive global issues with few clear solutions. In this edition of we talk to Dan Watson, the founder and CEO of SafetyNet Technologies, which has developed the innovative Pisces, and has the potential to provide a solution to this massive problem (27 million tons of bycatch!) and revolutionise fishing. Using light to attract the right fish into nets, they could reduce wasted catch by up to 90%.

Also joining us on the podcast is Nadia Labbs who guides their business strategy, which is currently centred on a Crowdfunder to support the business to bring Pisces to life on a mass scale.

The fascinating conversation ranged from where Dan got his inspiration from for this exponential technology to why businesses and individuals should care about it.

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#004: Modern Slavery Leadership - Paul Gerrard, Group Policy & Campaigns Director Co-op Group

Thu, 11 May 2017 21:32:33 GMT

In this fascinating and inspiring conversation Paul Gerrard, Group Policy and Campaigns Director for The Co-op tells us about why this grand-daddy of the co-operative movement was one of the leading businesses to campaign for the introduction of the UK Modern Slavery Act (MSA).

The interview also covers how the Co-op first started to address slavery over 150 years ago and how they have now developed a range of partnerships to help people in slavery to break free.

I was also delighted to be joined by an expert in the MSA, Jessica Cresswell, from the highly-regarded consultancy Carbon Smart who asked insightful questions regarding the challenging area of engagement with suppliers regarding modern slavery.

As an added bonus Paul also shares at the end of the discussion two further fantastic initiatives that the Co-op are delivering in their communities.

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#003: Building a Hydrogen Car - Hugo Spowers, founder Riversimple

Mon, 20 Mar 2017 22:49:11 GMT

Hugo Spowers founder of Riversimple talks about multiple innovations that are being applied to developing a cutting edge eco-auto.

A passion for racing cars and sustainability aren't usual bedfellows. Hugo Spowers is not an usual entrepreneur though, and the business he has created, Riversimple, isn't a business-as-usual company, as represented by its purpose: “To pursue, systematically, the elimination of the environmental impact of personal transport”.

The headline innovation of Riversimple is they are bringing to market a hydrogen fuel cell car: the Rasa. Whilst this is impressive, it is actually only one of the cutting edge circular economy innovations at the core of this company. As Andrew Davis, CEO of the Environmental Transport Association, observes: "It’s important to think outside the box. I think some people at Riversimple don't know where the box is”.

For a summary of this fascinating interview, go to: www.inspiring-sustainability.com/blog/out-of-the-box-circular-innovation

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#002: Generating Good Governance - Ian Joseph, CEO of Trustees Unlimited

Sun, 05 Mar 2017 21:25:34 GMT

Ian Joesph, the CEO of Trustees Unlimited, a leading resource of trustees and board roles for not-for-profits, had a fascinating conversation with Adam Woodhall about the benefits of good governance, avoiding Napoleon’s and finding where the magic happens.

Beginning life as a church minister, Ian Joseph has had an eclectic career. He moved from being a pastor to working with those experiencing homelessness and drug addiction, and then took an interesting step into being a head hunter. His heart was still in the right place however, as he continued working in the charity sector, recruiting the CEO's of numerous charities such RSPCA and National Autistic Society. As well as being a father of three, Ian walks the talk himself as a trustee of a charity.

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#001: Making Sustainability Happen - Tim Haywood, MD of Interserve PLC

Sun, 29 Jan 2017 13:00:00 GMT

Interview with Tim Haywood, Finance Director and Head of Sustainability at Interserve PLC.

Interserve is one of the world’s foremost support services and construction companies of 80,000 people. They are in the FTSE250, with revenues of £3.6billion. After a career in finance, Tim joined the business six years ago as FD, and five years ago, took on the sustainability portfolio.

In a stimulating and engaging conversation, we talked about what inspired his interest in sustainability, favourite story, uncomfortable lessons and what inspires him about the future.

You can read a summary of the interview here: www.inspiring-sustainability.com/blog/inspiring-sustainability-the-interserve-way

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