In this episode of The Ethical Futurists podcast, hosts James Taylor and Alison Burns engage in a compelling conversation with Daniel Gribbin, the sustainability and climate growth lead at Deloitte Middle East. Daniel shares his extensive experience in ESG advisory, touching on key aspects of sustainability, regulatory requirements, and practical strategies for businesses to adopt. He highlights the advancements and challenges in the MENA region and discusses his career milestones, offering listeners valuable insights into the future of sustainable business practices. Episode links and transcript at https://www.theethicalfuturists.com/

Key Takeaways:

1. Regional Sustainability Progress: The MENA region is rapidly catching up with global standards in sustainability, driven by increasing corporate and governmental initiatives.

2. Corporate Strategy: The importance of integrating sustainability into core business strategies, from executive decisions to operational practices.

3. Regulatory Environment: Overview of current and upcoming regulatory requirements in the Middle East, and their implications for businesses.

4. Behavioral Change: The critical role of behavioral change in achieving sustainable goals within organizations.

5. Innovative Solutions: Introduction to Deloitte’s digital tools, like the Green Light solution, that help companies manage and reduce their carbon footprint.

Memorable Quotes:

1. "The biggest challenges we've often faced is the mismatch in expectations and levels of awareness." - Daniel Gribbin

2. "For companies, it's really important to think strategically about sustainability and link it with their corporate strategic position." - Daniel Gribbin

3. "Our role as consultants is to make ourselves obsolete by embedding sustainability into the DNA of organizations." - Daniel Gribbin

Timestamps:

1. 0:00 - Introduction by James Taylor and Alison Burns

2. 0:41 - Overview of podcast topics

3. 1:46 - Introduction of Daniel Gribbin

4. 2:55 - Daniel Gribbin discusses current focus and activities

5. 4:14 - Top three career accomplishments

6. 8:14 - Regulatory requirements in the Middle East

7. 12:57 - Implementing sustainability programs in companies

8. 15:27 - Disclosure requirements in the region

9. 17:19 - Hardest part of the job and regional differences

10. 17:28 - Key aha moment in Daniel’s sustainability journey

11. 19:05 - Book recommendations and favorite podcasts

12. 20:04 - The meaning of sustainability and future vision

13. 23:14 - Final thoughts and where to find more information

For more information about booking James Taylor and Alison Burns for your next event, visit The Ethical Futurists Speaking Page. https://www.theethicalfuturists.com/speaking

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