Shows
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastEP16 Accountability in Action: How Banks Actually Walk the Talk with Victoria Marquez-MeesA candid conversation with Victoria Marquez-Mees, EBRD’s first Chief Accountability Officer, about accountability in development finance. We discuss the IPAM process, mediation vs investigation, evidence for decision making, collaboration with E&S teams, and the shared goal of delivering projects responsibly.Listen and join the conversation by sharing your experiences or reflections on accountability processes.
2026-02-1951 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastEP15 From PDFs to Platforms: Rethinking Impact Assessments with Nikola NikacevicA conversation with Nikola Nikacevic, co-founder of EON+ and creator of the Envigo platform, exploring how environmental and social impact assessments are evolving in a digital world. The discussion covers the limits of traditional ESIA approaches, the role of technology in improving transparency and usability, and what innovation could mean for the future of sustainability practice. A thoughtful episode for professionals interested in where impact assessment is heading next. Listen in and share your perspective.
2026-02-0548 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastEP14 Beyond the Wellness Perks: Rethinking Employee Wellbeing with Emily WarrenIs your corporate wellbeing strategy actually working, or is it just "wellness theater"? In this episode, we sit down with award-winning wellbeing expert Emily Warren to strip away the fluff surrounding the "S" in ESG.We dive deep into:The Burnout Epidemic: Why it’s more than just a "personal problem."Ownership: Determining where employee responsibility ends and employer duty of care begins.Why Initiatives Fail: The common pitfalls of generic wellbeing programs.Pragmatic Solutions: Actionable, no-nonsense ways to improve your corporate approach to mental health.If you’re tired of surface-level initiatives and want to b...
2026-01-2242 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastEP13 From Protest to Policy: The Evolution of Environmental and Social SafeguardsEnvironmental and social safeguards did not start as box-ticking exercises. They were created in response to protest, public outrage, and real damage caused by development projects financed by international institutions.In this solo episode of The TNo Nonsense Sustainability, I break down how safeguard standards at International Financial Institutions came to be, the projects and protests that forced change, and why these policies still matter today. I also share my perspective on where safeguards are struggling, what is being watered down, and what their future needs to look like if they are going to protect people and...
2026-01-0819 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastIFI Watch 1-26 Dec 2025IFI Watch – A No Nonsense Sustainability MiniseriesEvery two weeks, we check in on what our favourite international financial institutions (IFIs) are up to - what’s being funded, where, and why it matters. From climate resilience projects in small island states to massive infrastructure investments, we break down the latest disclosures and unpack what they really mean for communities, investors, and practitioners on the ground.Short, conversational, and grounded in real-world context, IFI Watch by E&S Solutions helps you stay informed about the trends shaping sustainable finance and development - minus the jargon. For...
2026-01-0609 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastEP12 What is a Social Impact, Really? with Andrea KanarisWhat does social impact really mean in practice, beyond the buzzwords?In this episode of the No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, I’m joined by Andrea Kanaris, founder of All Things Social Impact. Andrea works at the intersection of theory and practice, supporting early career professionals navigating the social impact space.We talk about how social impact is taught versus how it actually works on the ground, whether the field is better understood today, and what early career practitioners really need to succeed. We also explore Andrea’s platform, her book, her podcast, and what’s next f...
2025-12-1847 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastIFI Watch 17-28 November 2025IFI Watch – A No Nonsense Sustainability MiniseriesEvery two weeks, we check in on what our favourite international financial institutions (IFIs) are up to - what’s being funded, where, and why it matters. From climate resilience projects in small island states to massive infrastructure investments, we break down the latest disclosures and unpack what they really mean for communities, investors, and practitioners on the ground.Short, conversational, and grounded in real-world context, IFI Watch by E&S Solutions helps you stay informed about the trends shaping sustainable finance and development - minus the jargon. For...
2025-12-1009 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastEP11 The New Multilateralism: Rethinking Global Institutions for Development and Sustainability with Hugh Dugan and Daniel WagnerThis episode takes a clear look at the state of global cooperation. Many of the institutions that shape international policy were built more than 80 years ago and still operate as if the world hasn’t changed. We brought in two people who know the system from the inside to talk about what actually works and what keeps breaking down.Hugh Dugan served as a special advisor to the President of the United States and supported eleven US Ambassadors to the United Nations. Daniel Wagner published twelve books and more than seven hundred pieces on global risk and kn...
2025-12-0451 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastIFI Watch 3-14 November 2025IFI Watch – A No Nonsense Sustainability MiniseriesEvery two weeks, we check in on what our favourite international financial institutions (IFIs) are up to - what’s being funded, where, and why it matters. From climate resilience projects in small island states to massive infrastructure investments, we break down the latest disclosures and unpack what they really mean for communities, investors, and practitioners on the ground.Short, conversational, and grounded in real-world context, IFI Watch by E&S Solutions helps you stay informed about the trends shaping sustainable finance and development - minus the jargon. For...
2025-11-2506 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastEP10 Data Protection in E&S: The Legal Lens with Danie StrachanSenior Privacy Counsel Danie Strachan joins the show to explain how data protection applies to environmental and social work. The episode covers common legal blind spots, what the law requires, how to design practical data protection systems and new guidance being developed for IA practitioners. A clear and grounded conversation for anyone handling community or project data.
2025-11-2053 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastIFI Watch 20-31 October 2025IFI Watch – A No Nonsense Sustainability MiniseriesEvery two weeks, we check in on what our favourite international financial institutions (IFIs) are up to - what’s being funded, where, and why it matters. From climate resilience projects in small island states to massive infrastructure investments, we break down the latest disclosures and unpack what they really mean for communities, investors, and practitioners on the ground.Short, conversational, and grounded in real-world context, IFI Watch by E&S Solutions helps you stay informed about the trends shaping sustainable finance and development - minus the jargon. For...
2025-11-1107 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastEP09 Energy Transitions: Between Strategy and Reality with Mehmet ÖğütçüGuest: Mehmet Öğütçü - globally recognised expert in energy policy, investment and geopolitics, with senior stints at the IEA and OECD, and extensive advisory experience across government and industry. In this episode we discuss: ✔️ How big-picture energy transition strategy is emerging today ✔️ The practical realities of delivering energy projects -| infrastructure, investment, stakeholders ✔️ What leaders (public & private) can do to move from ambition to action Tune in for a candid, no-fluff conversation on what it actually takes to build energy-transition projects that work. 👉 Watch now, subscribe for future episodes. #NoFluff #BobtheBuzzer #EnergyTransition #Sustainability #StrategyVsReality #ClimateTech #Infrastructure
2025-11-0643 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastIFI Watch 6-17 Oct 2025IFI Watch – A No Nonsense Sustainability MiniseriesEvery two weeks, we check in on what our favourite international financial institutions (IFIs) are up to - what’s being funded, where, and why it matters. From climate resilience projects in small island states to massive infrastructure investments, we break down the latest disclosures and unpack what they really mean for communities, investors, and practitioners on the ground.Short, conversational, and grounded in real-world context, IFI Watch by E&S Solutions helps you stay informed about the trends shaping sustainable finance and development - minus the jargon. For...
2025-10-2808 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastEP08 Data Protection for E&S: Don't just tick the boxIn this episode of The No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, we sit down with Laura Palmariello, our E&S Solutions Data Protection Officer, to explore the practical realities of managing data protection in the field.From navigating complex regulations to embedding good practices in daily operations, Laura shares insights from our joint journey of understanding each other’s worlds. This isn’t about checking a box - it’s about real impact, smarter processes, and protecting people on the ground.Tune in for actionable tips and a candid conversation about data protection in E&S projects....
2025-10-2335 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastIFI Watch 22 Sept - 3 Oct 2025IFI Watch – A No Nonsense Sustainability MiniseriesEvery two weeks, we check in on what our favourite international financial institutions (IFIs) are up to - what’s being funded, where, and why it matters. From climate resilience projects in small island states to massive infrastructure investments, we break down the latest disclosures and unpack what they really mean for communities, investors, and practitioners on the ground.Short, conversational, and grounded in real-world context, IFI Watch by E&S Solutions helps you stay informed about the trends shaping sustainable finance and development - minus the jargon. For...
2025-10-1706 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastEP07 Trauma, Drama and the Space Between | Building Emotional Resilience in the FieldHost Ildiko Almasi Simsic talks with Dr. Sérgio Moreira about the emotional challenges of sustainability and social performance work - from managing others’ emotions in consultations to witnessing communities affected by projects. They discuss building resilience, preventing burnout, and the importance of self-care. The episode also highlights SPCircles, a new Community Insights Group initiative supporting practitioners facing mental health challenges. This conversation is a reminder to put on your own oxygen mask first.
2025-10-0930 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastEP06 IFIs vs. Watchdogs | Who’s Right and Who’s Wrong?In this episode of The No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast, host Ildiko Almási Simsic meets Nina Lesikhina from Bankwatch for the first time after years of working on opposite sides of development finance projects. Their conversation explores accountability, personal safety, and investigations, while asking a central question: are IFIs and watchdogs really adversaries, or can they find ways to work together?
2025-09-2555 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastEP05 AI in Disaster Risk Management: Does it really work Most disasters aren’t natural - they’re systemic failures.In this special episode recorded in Geneva, I’m joined by Dr. David Daou from the UN University. Together we unpack:Why disaster risk reduction (DRR) must go beyond buzzwordsHow AI can predict hazards but still miss inequalityWhat inclusive AI for resilience actually looks likeWhy resilience is built long before the disaster hitsIf you care about sustainability, climate resilience, and the future of AI, this conversation is for you.🎧 Listen now on The No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast.
2025-09-111h 02
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastEP 04 The New Skills of E&S - Proportion, Prediction and People🎙️ This week on The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastWe’ll be diving into Proportion, Prediction and People: The New Skills of E&S with Josh Fothergrill from Fothergill Training & Consulting.From cutting through 65,000-page reports to the future skillset of impact assessors, Josh shares sharp insights on how environmental & social assessments need to evolve.👉 Watch on YouTube or listen on your favourite podcast platform.#TheNoNonsenseSustainability #JoshFothergrill #ESG #Sustainability #TNNSP #IldikoAlmasiSimsic
2025-08-2849 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastEP03 Beyond the Contract: What it Really Means to Be a Responsible Employer?In our latest podcast with David Rousseau from Impactt Consulting to share raw, real stories from the frontlines of global supply chains.🚫 Workers without contracts🛑 Codes of conduct that go nowhere⏳ Zero-hour contracts & gig economy pitfalls💸 Migrant workers trapped in debt bondageFrom corporate policies that never make it off the page to practical steps for responsible recruitment, David Rousseau reveals what’s really going on - and what can be done about it.👉 Watch on YouTube or listen on your favourite podcast platform.#Sustainability #Podcast #NoFluff...
2025-08-1451 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastEP02 Circular Economy Explained: From Buzzwords to Real Change 🌍What does a circular economy really mean - and why does it matter for our future? In this episode, sustainability expert Dariusz Prasek (ex‑EBRD) joins us to break down: ✅ How to design products that last longer ✅ Why waste should always be a resource ✅ Business models that make sustainability profitable ✅ The role of governments, startups, and finance in making it real ✅ How to spot real solutions vs. greenwash If you want to understand how circular thinking can save resources, create jobs, and reshape industries - this episode...
2025-08-0148 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastEP01 Community Engagement – Who’s Even in the Community?The No-Nonsense Sustainability Podcast with Ildiko Almasi SimsicBuzzwords aside, what does community engagement really mean?In this episode, Ildiko Almasi Simsic speaks with Paul Lawrence to unpack what’s behind the jargon and frameworks.Who actually counts as "the community"? How do big organisations engage - or fail to engage - with real people on the ground?No fluff. Just honest, practical conversation about the human side of sustainability and social impact.Follow for more unfiltered insights on ESG, sustainability, and leadership.
2025-07-1748 min
The No Nonsense Sustainability PodcastWhat to Expect from This Channel🎙️ Not another ESG report full of buzzwords and zero action. I’m Ildiko Almasi Simsic, a social development specialist who’s worked in 89 countries with 753 companies, and interviewed over 3,000 people living the reality behind sustainability projects. Here’s the truth: We don’t talk about what’s really happening anymore. This is the channel where that changes. The No Nonsense Sustainability Podcast is where sustainability gets real. No green gloss. No perfection politics. No net-zero rainbows. Just unfiltered conversations from the field.📅 First full episodes drop mid July. 🔗 Follow & Liste...
2025-07-0803 min