T2 Podcast: Talking Transformations
Research shows conversations matter - both for learning and inspiring action. In this new podcast collection, we are 'Talking Transformations' with thought leaders from government, industry, and academia. Our mission is to discuss current trends in science, technology, governance, and behaviours to transform our society and economy towards sustainability. We release a mini-series several times a year, consisting of a bundle of episodes around a common theme.
The inaugural series - Season 1 - focuses on cities, climate, and change. Season 2 focuses on sustainability entrepreneurship and the importance of collaboration, experimentation and capacity-building in driving sustainability transitions in small and medium-sized enterprises.
Many thanks to ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability - for their support and contributions making the podcast possible as well as the WRI Ross Centre for Sustainable Cities, the European Commission, the Pune Municipal Corporation and the University of Waterloo and the Social Science and Humanities Research Council in Canada.
Subscribe here for the Talking Transformations Podcast.
Season 2
In this podcast mini-series, we talk with members of the TRANSFORM project, which is a vibrant global partnership helping to accelerate sustainability entrepreneurship in local spaces and cities. The TRANSFORM project works specifically with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to experiment with fundamentally transformative business models and practices.
Sustainability Entrepreneurship - Talking Transformations with Sarah Burch
In this episode, professor Sarah Burch, introduces the Transform project and highlights the importance of building capacity among SMEs to design and implement potentially transformative sustainability experiments. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of collaboration, experimentation, and capacity-building in driving sustainability transitions, and the need for a more nuanced understanding of transformation as a complex, human-centered phenomenon.
Music by Melker Wickenberg at Instagram
A story of success and struggles: Lessons on Sustainability Entrepreneurship from Canada - Talking Transformations with Sarah Burch
Sarah Burch, a professor at the University of Waterloo in Canada, shares her insights on sustainability entrepreneurship in small firms, specifically highlighting the case of 100 Kilometer Foods. This organization is a food distributor that aims to build deep relationships with local, sustainable, and regenerative farms, connecting their products to chefs in Toronto. Their goal is to support regenerative agriculture and food retail in big cities. Overall, the case of 100 Kilometer Foods provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of sustainability entrepreneurship in small firms, and highlights the importance of considering multiple aspects of sustainability in business practices.
Music by Melker Wickenberg at Instagram
Building the ship while sailing it: Lessons on Sustainability Entrepreneurship from the USA - Talking Transformations with Arnim Wiek
The conversation revolves around the Transform project, a transdisciplinary solution-oriented sustainability project. Professor Arnim Wiek, shares his experiences and insights from working on the project and highlights the importance of cooperation and collaboration in achieving sustainability goals. Arnim shares a specific example of sustainability entrepreneurship in small firms, focusing on cooperative business models: a new food cooperative in Phoenix, Arizona, that developed a Cooperative Food Business Development and Training Program. One of the key findings from the Transform project is the co-evolution of developing cooperative food businesses and building supporting infrastructure and services to achieve sustainability goals. Music by Melker Wickenberg
Music by Melker Wickenberg at Instagram
Knocking on impacts and learning: Lessons on Sustainability Entrepreneurship from Sweden - Talking Transformations with Barry Ness
Barry Ness, Director of Lund University's Center for Sustainability Studies, discusses his involvement in the Transform project and his work with sustainability experimentation. Barry shares his experiences with a regional brewery, where he has been working on a hydroponic hop growing experiment. The project aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and create a more sustainable production process. Overall, the interview provides valuable insights into the complexities of sustainability transformation and the need for collaborative efforts to drive meaningful change.
Music by Melker Wickenberg at Instagram
From a technical to social focus: Lessons on Sustainability Entrepreneurship from Mexico - Talking Transformations with Jose Di Bello
The conversation revolves around the Transform project, a research initiative focused on sustainability entrepreneurship. Professor Jose Di Bello, discusses the project's approach, key lessons, and challenges. Jose shares his experience working with small businesses in the Global South, highlighting the importance of community engagement and participation in sustainability initiatives. Jose highlights the importance of experimentation and testing new solutions in the field, which the Transform project has enabled.
Music by Melker Wickenberg at Instagram
Season 1
The inaugural series focuses on cities, climate and change.
Innovation and Cities
Medals at the Olympics, the Oscars in Hollywood, Nobel Prizes for scientists – but what about an award for cities working with sustainability? In this episode, we discuss the ‘Prize for Cities’ recognising transformative projects in cities around the world that are igniting innovation on sustainability and climate action. We interview Rogier Vandenberg – the Global Director for the Ross Centre for Sustainable Cities at the World Resources Institute (WRI). He provides a host of insights into the purpose, ambitions and impact of the ‘Prize for Cities’.
Collaboration and Cities
We don’t just need action, we need informed action. That’s the ambition behind the global research and action agenda for cities. In this episode, we discuss collaborative urban research and what co-creating means in practice. We interview Pourya Salehi who is the Head of the Urban Research Team at ICLEI. He discusses the importance of informed decision-making, genuinely engaging cities in research processes, and the role of research for transformative climate action in cities.
Missions and Cities - Spotlight on Europe
The mission to the moon – an extraordinary achievement by humanity. But can we take that mission approach and apply it to cities? In this episode, we discuss the mission for 100 climate neutral cities in Europe by 2030. We interview Matthew Baldwin from the European Commission and the inaugural Mission Manager for the Mission on 100 Climate Neutral Cities. He gives a glimpse into the thinking behind the mission and how cities can harness collaborations, innovation and financing.
Resilience and Cities - Spotlight on USA
The ‘Race to Zero’ emissions is here, where cities around the world have recognised the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change. In this episode, we focus on cities within the USA, and the ‘Race to Zero’ as well as the ‘Race to Resilience’. We interview Angie Fyfe, the Executive Director of ICLEI USA. She provides insights into how cities in the USA are combating climate change and building resilience, and she talks about the type of leadership needed for transformation.
Nature and Cities - Spotlight on Africa
It’s time for Africa. A continent that is home to 1.2 billion people. But how are cities and communities responding to a changing climate and building resilience? In this episode, we discuss how cities in Africa are working with nature and biodiversity. We interview Ingrid Coetzee who is the Director of Biodiversity, Nature and Health at ICLEI Africa and the ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center. She talks about a host of initiatives in Africa and lessons on how to connect biodiversity, nature, cities and communities.
Transport and Cities - Spotlight on India
The Taj Mahal, Bollywood, and a cricket powerhouse. India means many things to many people. It is also a country of some 1.3 billion people where mitigation and adaptation to climate change is rising up the agenda. In this episode, we discuss transformative urban action in the City of Pune in India. We interview Kunal Kumar who is Additional Municipal Commissioner from the Pune Municipal Corporation in India. He focuses on how the City of Pune is working with transport and in particular public transport and electrification of transport.
