Transformation is a constant for modern business.

But today, it can no longer be discussed in the absence of climate action. If you want to reshape your business for the future, you need to be preparing for a business landscape that will be aggressively dealing with climate change and its impacts. From brand impacts and customer preferences to managing sustainability targets throughout business supply chains, sustainability will become essential to long-term success for every enterprise.

Guests:

• Professor Martina Linnenluecke – Director of the Centre for Corporate Sustainability and Environmental Finance, Macquarie University

• Faith Taylor – Vice President and Global Sustainability Officer, Kyndryl

Show notes:

Targets are only getting stronger as the need to achieve a carbon zero future as soon as possible grows critical. So how are leading businesses balancing sustainability and growth? What are the biggest questions business leaders should explore to meet this challenge? And what lessons can we take from businesses who have taken real leadership in the fight to save our planet? From first steps to a full integration of zero emissions objectives, we’re speaking to two sustainability leaders to understand how to meet this crisis head on.

We explore the importance of setting ambitious targets that match your corporate strategy, and ensuring they are given the resources needed to reach them. Avoiding poor assumptions while grasping the appropriate boundaries and scope to underpin your baselines will ensure a business can set goals with confidence.

Our guests also explore the importance of working in partnership with others – from other businesses to NGOs – as the challenges we face need collective efforts to succeed. Sustainability is not just a question of environmental management but the ability to build resilient businesses that deliver sustainable financial results over the long term future.

Above all, we learn the importance of a clear vision that is led from the top. All action is meaningful, but the greatest successes are found when action is driven by senior leadership and a clear alignment with business objectives.

Read more:

• Lead with intent: putting sustainable goals at the heart of your business plan

Links:

• Centre for Corporate Sustainability and Environmental Finance

• McKinsey “net-zero transition” study

• Greenhouse Gas Protocol

• Global Reporting Initiative

Credits:

The Tech Pulse Podcast is produced by Guardian Labs Australia

• Host: Seamus Byrne

• Guardian Labs producers: Alison Tanudisastro and Joady Weatherup

• Executive producer and Guardian Labs head of content: Justine O’Donnell

• Sound editor: Mellany Chun

• Sound recordist: Dan McHugh