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The Sustainability Story

The Sustainability Story

CFA Institute 67 Episodes Jan 23, 2026

The Sustainability Story podcast explores how environmental, social, and governance issues intersect with the investment industry and the global financial system. Each episode features insights from leading experts and practitioners who share stories of innovation and real-world experiences in sustainable investing.

Episodes

Simone Ruiz-Vergote: Decoding SFDR 2.0 for Asset Managers and Investors Jan 23, 2026 35:52 Simone Ruiz-Vergote, Head of Sustainable Finance Policy Research at MSCI, joins host Nicole Gehrig, Director of Global Industry Standards at CFA Institute, to discuss the European Commission's proposed reforms to the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR 2.0). They examine the move toward clearer sustainability product categories, expectations around data and substantiation, and how asse
Sajia Ferdous: Rewriting Work in the Age of Longevity and AI Dec 7, 2025 31:07 Guest host Tiffany Tivasuradej, Inclusion Research Associate, speaks with Dr. Sajia Ferdous of Queen's Business School about her research on aging, workplace inclusion, and the convergence of human longevity with AI-driven work. They discuss algorithmic ageism, multigenerational workplaces, and why investment firms must rethink human capital strategies for longer, more digitally integrated careers
Emma Harvey Smith: Mobilizing Global Capital for a Sustainable Future Nov 7, 2025 29:03 Emma Harvey Smith, Managing Director of Partnerships at Green Finance Institute, joins host Paul Moody, Managing Director of Global Partnerships and Client Solutions at CFA Institute, to discuss how finance can drive the transition to a net zero and nature-positive economy. From leading the UK's first green mortgage initiative to scaling impact across nine countries, Emma shares insights on the Gr
Bill Green: Rethinking Infrastructure Investing for a Changing Climate Oct 7, 2025 27:36 Bill Green, managing partner at Climate Adaptive Infrastructure, joins host Deborah Kidd, CFA, director, Global Industry Standards at CFA Institute, to discuss how climate change is reshaping risks and opportunities in critical infrastructure. He explains why infrastructure assets are uniquely exposed to what he calls the "triple threat" of physical, regulatory, and political risks—and why investi
Daniel Warcholak, CFA: Understanding Climate Risk in Mortgage-Backed Securities Sep 7, 2025 35:23 How do climate events, transition risks, and insurance costs shape the future of commercial mortgage-backed securities? Daniel Warcholak, CFA, Head of Capital Markets at Basis Investment Group, joins host, Nicole Gehrig, Director, Global Industry Standards at CFA institute, to share his perspective on how extreme weather events, sustainability transitions, and green incentives like LEED certificat
Clare Brook: From Sustainable Finance to Ocean Impact in the Blue Economy Aug 7, 2025 32:54 In this episode, Paul Moody interviews Clare Brook, a veteran of 24 years in sustainable finance who now leads Blue Marine Foundation. In their conversation Clare reflects on her journey from managing ESG funds and co-founding an investment firm to running an NGO dedicated to protecting the blue planet.   Clare and Paul dive into innovative ways finance can accelerate marine conservation. They dis
Livio Stracca, PhD: Pioneering Short-Term Climate Scenarios for Financial Decision-Making Jul 23, 2025 31:55 Livio Stracca, Phd joins host Deborah Kidd, CFA, to introduce the innovative NGFS Short-Term Climate Scenarios. This groundbreaking tool is the first publicly available global resource designed to assess climate-related macroeconomic and sector risks over a five-year horizon for specific regions and industries. The scenarios demonstrate how extreme weather, policy shifts, and transition shocks cou
Tamara Close, CFA: The Evolution of ESG Practices for Institutional Investors Jun 9, 2025 30:10 Nicole Gehrig speaks with Tamara Close, CFA, Senior Director of ESG Advisory for the Petra Funds Group, about the ongoing evolution of sustainable finance and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) practices within the institutional investment landscape. Tamara reflects on her career path, including her time at PSP Investments, and shares key insights into the shifting perceptions and integra
Steve Waygood: Building a Sustainable Financial System May 12, 2025 37:40 Dr. Steve Waygood, Chief Sustainable Finance Advisor at Aviva Investors, shares insights from his 25-year journey in sustainable finance. He discusses the evolution from ethical investing to system-level stewardship, the under-pricing of climate risks in financial models, and the vital role of public policy in aligning markets with sustainability goals. Packed with real-world examples and forward-
Mark Campanale: The Carbon Bubble and Future of Fossil Fuels Apr 7, 2025 35:21 Mark Campanale, founder of the Carbon Tracker Initiative, talks with Paul Moody, Managing Director of Global Partnerships and Client Solutions at CFA Institute,  about the growing risks tied to fossil fuel investments. Mark explains the concept of the carbon bubble—the gap between the carbon in global reserves and what the climate can safely absorb—and what it means for investors, regulators, and
Mel Peh, CFA: Guidance for Integrating Nature-Related Risks into Investment Strategies Mar 11, 2025 27:10 In this episode of the Sustainability Story, host Nicole Gehrig, Director of Global Industry Standards at CFA Institute, discusses the importance of integrating nature-related risks into investment strategies with Mel Peh, CFA, an independent consultant for the United Nations Environment Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). They explore how nature-related risks, such as biodiversity loss and defo
Dr. Ma Jun: The Future of Sustainable Finance Feb 21, 2025 29:55 Join Paul Moody, Managing Director at CFA Institute, as he sits down with Dr. Ma Jun, President of the Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS) and founder of CASI (Climate Action and Sustainability Initiative), for a thought-provoking discussion on the future of sustainable finance. In this engaging episode, Dr. Ma Jun shares his journey from shaping global sustainable finance policies to la

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