In this episode of the Sustainable Connections podcast, host Mark Lee brings together an all‑ERM panel to unpack our 2026 Annual Trends Report. The conversation explores how companies are navigating a year defined by volatility, ruptures in the geopolitical and sustainability landscapes, and rising expectations for value creation. Our experts dive into shifts across decarbonization, energy, reporting, digital transformation, and the growing importance of stakeholder engagement and adaptation. Listen to find out what’s shaping corporate sustainability in 2026 and what leaders should be watching in the months ahead.

Learn more about:

• Why does sustainability matter now?
• How are companies shifting from intent to execution
• What to watch out for in 2026

Related links:

• 2026 Annual Trends Report Trends report
• 2026 Annual Trends Webinar - Wednesday February 11 2026 at 11:00 EST/ 16:00 GMT

In this episode, Mark Lee speaks to Prashanthi Sudhakar, Head of Product for Agentforce Net Zero at Salesforce and Meera Krishnan, Managing Consultant for Net Zero Cloud Solutions at ERM. Together, they explore how digital innovations, particularly Salesforce’s Agentforce Net Zero platform, is transforming sustainability management, enabling organizations to drive meaningful change and unlock business value. The conversation highlights the growing role of AI and data driven solutions in helping companies meet both regulatory requirements and broader sustainability goals.

Listen to learn more about:

• Value creation in action
• Turning data into business advantage
• AI and the future of sustainability decision making

Related links:

• Sustainability Value Triangle: Creating impact through Finance, IT, and Sustainability
• ERM strengthens alliance with Salesforce as global Net Zero Cloud Advisory & Implementation Partner

In this episode of the Sustainable Connections podcast, host Mark Lee speaks to ERM colleagues Ricardo Zibas, Linden Edgell, and Alexandra Guaqueta as they share their reflections from COP30 in Belém, Brazil. This episode was recorded on Tuesday 18 November, towards the end of COP, and explores the summit’s unique focus on implementation, just transition, and the integration of climate, nature, and people.

Listen to learn more about:

• What sets COP30 apart from previous COPs
• The role of the private sector and implications for companies
• How momentum from Belém can drive action ahead of COP31

Related links

• ERM COP30 takeaways week one
• What will Brazil’s implementation COP deliver?
• Business Leaders Guide to a Just Climate Transition

In this episode, Mark Lee is joined by Darren Stralow, CEO of Bellevue Gold, and Dr Mary Stewart, ERM’s Lead Partner for Corporate Sustainability and Climate Change in Australia. Together, they explore Bellevue Gold’s journey to becoming the world’s first net zero gold mine and discuss the evolving role of sustainability in the mining sector. From regulatory shifts and investor expectations to decarbonization strategies, their discussion delves into how Bellevue Gold is navigating industry challenges while pursuing innovative approaches to sustainability and responsible mining.

Their conversation covers:

• Sustainability as a strategic advantage
• Decarbonizing gold: avoid, eliminate, reduce, offset
• The future of sustainability in mining

Related links:

• Mission Critical: Resilient mines for a modern society
• Episode 33: We are all miners: Rethinking mining investment featuring Appian Capital
• Sustainability that pays: Defining a credible business case for investing in sustainability in mining and metals

In our first video Sustainable Connections podcast, host Mark Lee speaks with ERM colleagues Linden Edgell, Sabine Hoefnagel, and Liam Walsh about their experience at and impressions of Climate Week New York 2025.

Listen and watch to hear their views including:

• The overall mood as compared to prior years and to London Climate Action Week a few months ago.
• A summary of key topics and themes, from the roles of investors and customers in providing capital and shaping demand for low-carbon products and services, to how companies are working to address the social impacts of decarbonization and adaptation and the ways carbon markets are evolving.
• The differences in regional and sectoral approaches to climate solutions and what businesses need to do to adapt their strategies to successfully navigate varied policy and societal terrain.
• New ways technology and innovation are spurring development of more sustainable products and services capable of winning greater market share.
• How sustainability leaders need to evolve their leadership style to support the market transformation that building a net-zero carbon future requires.
• Expectations for how issues swirling at Climate Week may shape COP30 in Belém, Brazil this November.

Watch the full episode on Youtube

Find out more about ERM at Climate Week NYC

In this episode, Mark Lee speaks to Silvio Lima, Head of Corporate Affairs, ESG and Community Engagement at Appian Capital Advisory and Conor Grieve, Principal Consultant at ERM, to discuss how mine development can be made more sustainable. They explore how approaches like technical arbitrage, ESG integration, and social integration are reshaping the mining investment landscape.

Their conversation covers:

· How technical arbitrage can unlock value

· Using ESG as a strategic lever in mining investment

· The importance of building community trust through social integration

· Lessons from Mineração Vale Verde

Related links:

Sustainability that pays: Defining a credible business case for investing in sustainability in mining and metals

In this episode, Mark Lee is joined by ERM colleagues Mathias Lelievre, Linden Edgell and Andrew Probert to unpack their key takeaways from London Climate Action Week (LCAW) 2025. Together, they reflect on evolving business approaches to sustainability quantification and implementation, and explore how climate strategy is adapting during current global geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Their conversation covers:

• Climate strategy in a shifting business environment
• Shifting from broad goals to measurable actions
• People-centred transition and global-local balance

Related links:

Volatility to value creation: Five key takeaways from London Climate Action Week 2025

Navigating change: Delivering sustainability value in a volatile world

In this episode, Mark Lee is joined by Vicente Saiso Alva, Global Vice President of Sustainability at Cemex, and Greg Koch, Technical Consulting Director at ERM, to discuss Cemex’s recent achievement of zero freshwater use and how companies can better manage water risk in their operations.

Their conversation covers:

· Cemex’s zero freshwater use achievement

· Responding to increasing water scarcity

· Collaborating with stakeholders to manage water

· Investment and innovation in water

Related Links:

Cemex 2024 Integrated Report