Speaking at World Biodiversity Summit

As project director of the Food Sustainability Index, developed by Economist Impact with the Barilla Foundation, I spoke about "Nature-Based Solutions, Finance & Regenerative Agriculture" at the World Climate Foundation's World Biodiversity Summit during Climate Week NYC.

Economist Impact launched

The Economist Group's corporate mission is to pursue progress for individuals, organisations and the world. This week we have launched Economist Impact. We combine think-tank rigour, media brand creativity and global influence to catalyse growth and change in the world.

Emissions-reduction targets approved

The Economist Group has had its emissions-reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative as consistent with levels required to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Our goal is to cut our greenhouse-gas emissions by at least 25% by 2025.

World EV Day: Will we be ready for the EV transition?

Today is World EV Day, celebrating sustainable e-mobility! The UK is preparing for the ban of new sales of petrol and diesel vehicles in 2030. I am the project director of the rEV Index, produced by The Economist Group and sponsored by bp, exploring how we can best prepare ourselves for the transition.

European Forum Alpbach: Greening the Blue Economy

Between August 27th 2021 and September 3rd 2021 I took part in the Climate Opportunity Leaders Retreat at European Forum Alpbach. As part of my participation, I moderated an important session on "Greening the Blue Economy – Linking Ocean Health and Wealth".

World Water Week: Scaling up and community building

It's World Water Week this week, organised by SIWI - Stockholm International Water Institute. The Economist Group's World Ocean Initiative is an official outreach partner of the week. I am participating in today's Accelerator on Communication and Behaviour Change, aimed at highlighting levers that can speed up and intensify our impact.

Webinar: Achieving sustainable aquaculture

I moderated this World Ocean Summit Insight Hour, which examined how to increase sustainability in aquaculture supply chains. It will highlight the role of retailers in influencing best-practice operations throughout the value chain. Speakers will identify key steps for seafood processors, fish farmers, feed suppliers and technology developers as they scale production.

Aquaculture in the spotlight

Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food-production sector globally and is vital for feeding our growing population. But there are challenges facing the industry. More than half of consumers do not trust seafood, with one in five of all fish sold mislabelled. Read an overview of recent coverage on sustainable aquaculture from the World Ocean Initiative.

Plastic Free July: Finding solutions to marine plastic pollution

Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution. The World Ocean Initiative's coverage includes research on the value that can be extracted from plastic waste, an article exploring what’s in our plastic waste, and summary articles of recent webinars and events.

New publication in Ocean Yearbook

The article I co-wrote with Karin Kemper, global director for Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy at the World Bank, and Ambassador Peter Thomson, the UN's special envoy for the ocean, has been published in the Ocean Yearbook. It is entitled "The Post-COVID-19 Ocean Economy: Building Back Bluer".

Fixing food 2021: An opportunity for G20 countries to lead the way

To find out more about how G20 countries are performing on the latest Food Sustainability Index, read a new report and watch the launch webinar that I moderated.

Breathing life into plastic waste

The first phase of a new research project that I am directing, on "Rethinking plastics in a circular economy", sponsored by Dow, has just been released. There is significant value to extract from plastic waste. Scaling up advanced chemical recycling technologies could help close the loop and create a circular system for plastic waste.

How business can drive positive ecological change in the ocean

On July 7th I moderated a World Ocean Summit Insight Hour on how business can be a key driver behind restoring the regenerative capacity of critical ecosystems. I was joined by leading scientists, conservationists and executives to discuss key solutions to restore ocean health and create both socio-economic and ecological value.

Resetting the agenda: How ESG is shaping our future

Happy to announce the launch of a new Economist Intelligence Unit research project that I led, on how environmental, governance and social factors are shaping our future. The research is based on a survey of 450 institutional investors. It explores the ongoing shift of ESG from risk to opportunity.

Getting to Net-Zero: New project launch

I am delighted to announce the launch of a new project by The Economist Intelligence Unit that I led, Getting to Net-Zero, sponsored by HSBC. To assess the progress of companies towards net-zero emissions, we conducted a survey of 500 global business leaders and convened an advisory board of experts.

Sustainability Week: Protecting and fostering the natural environment

It's day three of The Economist Group's Sustainability Week US! I am moderating a panel discussion on "Protecting and fostering the natural environment" from 1.15pm EDT, with National Park Foundation's president and chief executive Will Shafroth; Nestlé's head of sustainable sourcing Emily Johannes; and Rainforest Alliance's director of global policy and coalitions Jeffrey Milder.

How to drive change and communicate complex issues

On June 8th I gave an inspirational talk to journalists and communicators as part of the World Water Week Communications Initiative. The aim was to share my experiences as head of the World Ocean Initiative on how to communicate science and complex issues.

World Ocean Day: Accelerating a Sustainable Ocean Economy

Happy World Ocean Day! The health of the ocean continues to deteriorate, but exciting ideas and solutions highlighted at the 8th annual World Ocean Summit Virtual Week could accelerate the shift towards a sustainable ocean economy. We have produced a summary report with outlook for the ocean economy.

World Ocean Day: Panel on Blue Economy and Private-Sector Impact

June 8th marks World Ocean Day! The UN launched its second-ever fully digital edition of its event celebrating the 2021 theme, The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods. I moderated a panel on “Blue Economy and Private-Sector Impact”.

New publication: Preparing a Workforce for the New Blue Economy

A new book for which I wrote the foreword, Preparing a Workforce for the New Blue Economy: People, Products and Policies, has been published by Elsevier. The book was edited by Rick Spinrad, the new Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under President Biden, and Liesl Hotaling, president of Eidos Education.