Please note anyone coming to tonight's event "Due Diligence on Trial" at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), there is a room change from room 1.09 to room 2.08. The new room is in the same building, but on the second floor. I look forward to seeing you later.

The latest @globescan.bsky.social survey shows shareholder support for ESG remains strong: 80% say economic inequality is one of the biggest risks to investors and the view that more responsible investments deliver higher returns showed clear upward momentum. trellis.net/article/shar...

92% of global individual investors say they are very or somewhat interested in sustainable investing, up four percentage points from 2025. #justsaying

Please join me in a 'mock trial' of corporate sustainability due diligence, where I will be expert witness, Wed 20 May, 6.30-8pm followed by drinks, at Marshall Building, Room 1.09, London School of Economics, London WC2A 3LY. Advance in-person or online registration: lselaw.events/event/due-di...

European Sustainability Reporting Standards for companies released for consultation, are explained & debated in the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast: Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/7sEm... Apple Podcasts podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1... Youtube youtu.be/wruRUiN-5W4 #ESRS

Accountants can save the planet, but a new book says they're 'leaving it on the edge' instead. Listen and subscribe to the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast: Youtube youtu.be/JsDaQK5INUY Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/0RbD... Apple Podcasts podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...

How can companies contribute to nature restoration? Hear the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast just released. Youtube youtu.be/OS8FAnz_xU8 Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/57Oj... Apple Podcasts podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1... @wwf.eu @wwfclimatebiz.bsky.social Pls share

What are the lessons from three years of the German Supply Chain Act LkSG, now CSDDD is being rolled out? Find out in the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast: Youtube youtu.be/YQA54kopUJE Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/6VEP... Apple Podcasts podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...

How can the new EU Grid Package build capacity to enable companies access renewable energy? Hear and subscribe to the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast at: Youtube: youtu.be/SCvokVy0oZA Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7vEQ... Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...

I look forward to running the Co-Creation Workshop "Mastering your sustainability and ESG reporting" at this week's #edie26 sustainable business conference in London. We will explore how reporting can both meet evolving regulation and create value. Please join me: www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...

Will reform to the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation SFDR shift more money into the sustainability transition? Listen to the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast: Youtube youtu.be/oT5ilS90x1M Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/3vDb... Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...

The role of company Chief Sustainability Officers and of sustainability teams is fast changing - but how? Listen to the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast: Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/4prM... Apple Podcasts podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1... Youtube youtu.be/Xpv2nAQoRD4

The latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast focuses on the 'G' in ESG, discussing 'Principles on Climate & Nature Governance' from the World Economic Forum. Youtube: youtu.be/KRdgeZePQGk  Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1PhX... Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...

Whilst the Northern Hemisphere is freezing, we shouldn't overlook further evidence of global warming in the Southern Hemisphere at present, with record high temperatures in Australia and wild fires raging across Argentina and Chile. www.reuters.com/sustainabili...

How companies can undertake worker-centric human rights due diligence.Listen to the Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast as the OECD Forum on garment & footwear meets. Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/75uP... Apple Podcasts podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/1... Youtube youtu.be/6qX04YRYf8g

The inside story of European Sustainability Reporting Standards from the Chair, as he steps down. Hear the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast just released. Youtube: youtu.be/pS-hflp2-Tw Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3Lmx... Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/1...

Sales of new electric vehicles exceed new petrol cars in Europe for the first time. Thanks @carbonbrief.org

Two weeks to go until the Skytop Strategies’ Shareholder Engagement & Communication Summit in London on 5 February. Full agenda and registration details: www.skytopstrategies.com/conferences-... As Co-Chair I can bring some friends/colleagues for free. Contact me: www.richardhowitt.com/contact

How far has sustainability really gone? Listen to a special Responsible Business debate to mark the 100th 'Frankly Speaking' podcast, which I am proud to host. Youtube: youtu.be/_G_ugwMt-6c Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4IJs... Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/1... #RBC #CSR

Why Greenland is "the canary in the coal mine" for climate change. www.nature.com/articles/d41...

How well are International Financial Institutions (IFIs) backing business in the sustainability transition? Listen to the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast: Youtube youtu.be/h3ViS_dGKGs Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/2Vl5... Apple Podcasts podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/9...

Congratulations to @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org for comprehensively rebutting a right-wing think tank report which totally misrepresents the cost of Net Zero transition in the U.K. Renewables are 10-20 times cheaper than the fossil fuel alternative. www.linkedin.com/posts/richar... @carbonbrief.org

Responsible AI isn't an issue for tech companies alone - it's now an issue for every company. Catch up my article published by @sustainablebrands.bsky.social sustainablebrands.com/read/now-eve... #artificialintelligence #AIethics #responsibleAI

Listen to the Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast for predictions on the most important developments in 2026 with my guests, two renowned sustainability journalists: Youtube youtu.be/SMWAmZi9Clo Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/4xCM... Apple Podcasts podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/9...

If conducting business in conflict zones whilst respecting human rights is one of the biggest challenges, how can investors get the data they need to assess their investment in that business? Read my article just published by @sustainablebrands.bsky.social sustainablebrands.com/read/how-can...

Degrowth or 'forced green growth'? Listen to the arguments with my guest @mattorsagh.bsky.social in the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast. Youtube: youtu.be/6Sb2TjkeG98 Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6Zg0... Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/9... #beyondGDP

A very Happy Christmas to everyone who celebrates it and a peaceful and successful New Year to all. Richard Thanks to all friends and colleagues with whom I have worked this year. www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...

OUT NOW! The definitive guide to the EU Omnibus of sustainability laws, finally agreed this week. Listen to the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast: @Youtube: youtu.be/nqJsSS_mTtU @Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2EOP... @Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/9...

As the EU Omnibus of sustainability laws is agreed, what was the influence from the U.S. Government and corporations? Listen to the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast: Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/4i0y... Apple podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/9... Youtube youtu.be/X2n3QvcsoZQ

The outcome of the Trialogue on the EU Omnibus of sustainability laws reported this morning is sadly deeply flawed. See my full statement at: www.linkedin.com/posts/richar... #EUOmnibus #CSDDD #CSRD

Today we've reached a total of 50,000 unique listeners to our 'Frankly Speaking' responsible business podcast, which I am deeply proud to host. Thank-you to all our listeners, our guests and our colleagues in Frank Bold. Indeed, let's make that 50,000 thanks! www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...

Five key take-aways from sessions I led on the corporate sustainability reporting landscape with major companies and on simplified European Sustainability Reporting Standards, at the Corporate Disclosures 2025 Conference today. www.linkedin.com/posts/richar... #CorporateDisclosures2025 #cd25 #CSRD

There really is a business case for companies to respect human rights. Hear about a new @undp.org study showing how, in the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast: Youtube: youtu.be/yUGBYpf2t_k Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/797D... Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/9...

It is possible that leadership in sustainability in the world is shifting from Europe to Asia and the experience of this week's 'India and Sustainability Standards' 2025 Summit gives plenty of evidence that this is true. See my take-aways: www.linkedin.com/posts/richar... #ISS2025 #ISSCRB2025

I am so sorry that as the world meets for climate talks, in the European Parliament centre-right MEPs joined far right climate change denying MEPs to remove companies' obligation to draw up climate transition plans. See my full reading of what happened: www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...

To win the battle against climate change, we have to enable high-emitting heavy industries to decarbonise. The latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast explains how: Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/5kKA... Apple podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/9... YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?lis...

I very much look forward to this year's flagship India conference on sustainability standards for business 12-14 November in Delhi, when I'll speak on sustainable B2B cooperation and on the link between trade and sustainability. To join us: event.godreamcast.com/reg-events/g... #ISS2025 #CRB

Very simple message from America's first Pope. Will it be heard?

Why the Global South wants mandatory due diligence by companies on supply chains. Hear the case example of Thailand, in the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast: YouTube youtu.be/w9MkWBiOtmI?... Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/6Hgm... Apple podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/9...

The 'Sea-Change needed. A lay guide to degradation of marine ecosystems, the link to climate and what we need to do to maintain biodiversity of sealife for the future. Read my essay presented to this week's Critical Fish exhibition and programme in Hull www.thecriticalfishtrail.co.uk/essays/blog-...

Should we measure product not company sustainability? Find out in the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast: @Youtube: youtu.be/9mO84omX-5Y?... @Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6Bof... @Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/8... #product #susty #lifecycleassessment

How to make sustainability a strategic asset for the company in a time of resource constraint? Please join a webinar later today which I am honoured to be moderating, for the U.K. Network of @globalcompact.bsky.social. Full details and registration at: www.unglobalcompact.org.uk/sustainabili...

To make progress on climate and human rights, there is no alternative but to pushback against the radical right. However, this won't be achieved through oppositionalism alone, but by being prepared to be self-critical too. Read my 'Capitalism Today' article: www.skytopstrategies.com/capitalism-t...

A new study of 100 first wave companies shows the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive really is working. Find out in the latest Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast. Youtube youtu.be/HuKj4xTBU-o?... Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/6u2x... Apple podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/8...

The United Kingdom's National Baseline Assessment on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights is a crucial opportunity to inform the U.K. Government as it contemplates calls for a U.K. Business, Human Rights and Environment Act (BHREA). nottingham.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... #mHRDD

Companies are refusing to retrench on sustainability in the face of current economic pressures - the clear conclusion from the panel I convened on financing sustainable transformation at the @reuters.com Sustainability Europe 2025 conference today. See my summary: www.linkedin.com/posts/richar...

If you see hope in today's EU Parliament vote to reopen the Omnibus sustainability simplification package to further amendment - be careful. The vote in secret means we cannot know whether it is the Right and Far Right who will further dismantle the package or centrist moves to better maintain it.

These are difficult economic times and it is impossible to deny sustainability is affected. How should - and how are - companies responding? That's the theme of the panel I am convening at the #SustainabilityEurope 2025 conference, organised by @reuters.com on 21-22 October. Hope to see you there!

"Younger investors plan to increase portfolio allocations to sustainable options at higher rates and prioritize a broader range of environmental and social issues when making investments." More evidence from Morgan Stanley that sustainable investment is here to stay www.investors.com/news/50-most...

Recognition that our Frankly Speaking responsible business podcast is reaching the business mainstream, came in the International Business Silver Award, received at the Award Ceremony last week. en.frankbold.org/news/frankly... Listen, watch & subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube. #susty