This week on ESG Radio with Sasja Beslik:Electric vehicles (EVs) represent approximately one in seven vehicles globally, accounting for roughly 14% of all vehicles. Forecasts project a substantial increase in this number over the next 25 years. As China charges ahead in the battery race, dominating the market with significant and heavily subsidised  production, what does this mean for the future of recycling?Whilst the FT and Bloomberg have labeled this the hottest year on record, the media generally focussed on the consequences and not the culprits with a glaring absence of discussions with politicians or decision-makers of major emitting companies. Amid such dire circumstances, the public response is astonishingly passive.And some positive news to end the week. Nairobi, Kenya, hosted the inaugural African Climate Summit, emphasizing Africa's unique position in the climate crisis. With only 4% of global carbon emissions, Africa experiences significant impacts from climate change. The summit focused on collaboration, seeking both international support and local solutions for a sustainable African future. 

This week on ESG Radio, Sasja Beslik explores some of the world's best climate solutions to try and identify what might help us transform our economies to a more sustainable model, and outlines the challenges we need to overcome.Despite global discussion on the energy transition, fossil fuels still dominate, powering 80% of the world, overshadowing renewable investments.Renewables are also facing financial challenges around interest rate sensitivity coupled with market speculations impacting stock values.G20 countries? They're crawling in the renewable race, with a scant 6% invested in renewables indicating a lag in large-scale commitment to sustainable energy.Meanwhile, Pope Francis has labeled the ongoing environmental degradation as a "world war against nature" urging global communities to view nature as a sacred gift and to act accordingly.And with a glimmer of positive news, in Ecuador, voters approved a groundbreaking ban on oil drilling in the protected Amazon Yasuni National Park, a significant biodiversity hotspot and home to uncontacted indigenous groups, marking a victory for climate justice and indigenous rights.Tune in for more!

This week, Sasja is joined by Mari Kogiso, Co-CEO of SDG Impact Japan, a leading voice in sustainable finance and social entrepreneurship. Mari established the first gender lens investing fund in Asia to promote gender equality and also served as the Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion at the Fast Retailing Group.Japan is one of the world's largest economies, yet it lags behind in gender diversity within the corporate and finance sectors. Mari shares her unique insights on the reasons for this, and the cultural influences impacting the pace of change.Against this backdrop, Mari also highlights where there are signs of a positive shift in corporate attitudes influenced by investors and government. The effectiveness of quotas versus voluntary initiatives are explored, along with hopes for a more equitable future.Tune in for an insightful discussion on the impact of gender equality on Japan's societal and economic landscape.

On this week's ESG Radio, Sasja Beslik challenges the notion that a sustainable transition is going to be 'win-win' - that the transition itself will be without pain or cost. The core point of sustainable optimization is to address the shortcomings of the existing system; to use whatever is good in the system to try to shift it towards something that is better. This includes painful, and sometimes very costly, things such as impact on short term profits, cost drivers of the company, and changes to a company's business model.Also, this week:How investors are underpricing climate riskThe real estate industry's flood risk and valuation mismatchPolitical dynamics of the UN Climate SummitForever chemicals contaminating US drinking waterAnd plenty more!

Banks can be the biggest driver of a company's carbon emissions, often greater than the carbon emissions for a firm's entire supply chain.  Your own savings and pension could also be having double the carbon impact of eating less meat, quitting flying and choosing a bike over a car combined.This week on ESG Radio, Sasja speaks with Dan Sherrard-Smith from MotherTree on the carbon impact of your bank and pension investment, and what you can do about it!