Straight Talking Sustainability

In this practical and uplifting solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow kicks off 2026 with a powerful reframe for sustainability professionals exhausted by negativity, what-aboutism, and constant battles over every small change. Drawing on groundbreaking research published in Nature Food, Emma demonstrates how clever behind-the-scenes switches can deliver massive carbon...

In this powerful and eye-opening episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow sits down with Sian Cuffey-Young , founder of SAEL Environmental in Trinidad and Tobago, to explore the intersection of food waste, food security, and climate action in Caribbean island states. With 20 years of experience in waste management and a mission statement that "waste is sexy," Sian brings infec...

In this powerful year-end compilation episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow revisits the three solo episodes that resonated most strongly with listeners in 2025, addressing the thorniest challenges facing sustainability professionals today. From navigating conversations with climate sceptics to avoiding the "evangelical trap" that alienates colleagues, to breaking free from...

In this practical and inspiring episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow sits down with Sanita Garley , Net Zero Transition Plan Lead at B&Q, to explore the often-discussed but rarely-demonstrated journey from setting net zero targets to actually implementing change across a major retail organisation. With over 20 years in buying and product development before transitionin...

In this action-packed solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow delivers exactly what sustainability-conscious listeners have been asking for: five straightforward switches that make the biggest dent in your personal carbon footprint, complete with referral codes, money-off promotions, and practical bonus links worth £332 to remove every excuse for inaction. Top 5 Carbon‑Cu...

In this career-focused episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow sits down with Nick Valenzia, co-founder of Leafr (the world's largest marketplace for sustainability skills), to unpack the brutal realities facing sustainability professionals today: unclear career pathways, exhausting job searches, and the dangerous myth that passion alone will get you ahead. Nick reveals how Le...

In this game-changing solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow reveals the counterintuitive strategy that's transforming how organisations achieve climate action: forget trying to convince everyone and focus on activating just 25% of your workforce to create unstoppable momentum. Emma unpacks the frustrating paradox facing sustainability professionals everywhere: if 80% of...

In this inspiring and deeply personal episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow sits down with Ben Luger , Marketing Project Specialist at Ecosurety, to explore how volunteering can be the secret weapon for engaging people in climate action whilst simultaneously improving mental health and building stronger communities. Ben's journey from delivering carbon literacy training to...

In this landmark anniversary episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow celebrates one year of the podcast by revisiting the most impactful moments from five extraordinary guests who have shared their hard-earned wisdom over the past 12 months. After nearly 30 years in the sustainability sector, Emma knows that we simply do not have time to keep knowledge locked away, which is w...

In this practical and reassuring episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow reconnects with long-time colleague Kirsteen Harrison from Not Sustainable to tackle the carbon reporting challenges facing what they call "the missing middle" (companies with 250 to 1,000 employees). These businesses face intense supply chain pressure to report emissions but often lack the dedicated sus...

In this powerful and practical solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow tackles the most frustrating challenge facing corporate sustainability teams today: the target action gap. Companies have set ambitious net-zero targets, invested heavily in reporting and data collection, yet most employees remain disengaged and the sustainability team feels isolated, pushing a rock u...

In this insightful and practical episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow sits down with Julia Vol , an independent sustainability consultant who helps organisations move beyond sustainability theatre to genuine impact. With experience spanning corporate roles at major companies like Sainsbury's and Decathlon, plus expertise in sustainable packaging and circular economy, Julia...

In this passionate and fact-packed solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability, host Emma Burlow tackles one of the most common conversation stoppers in climate action discussions: "There's no point in us doing anything because we're only 2% of global emissions. What about China?" This excuse appears everywhere, from boardrooms to living rooms, and Emma has had enough of watching it derail pro...

In this ground-breaking episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow sits down with Silja Chouquet , former pharmaceutical executive turned social entrepreneur and founder of Match for Impact. With extensive experience weaving between corporate leadership roles and startup ventures, Silja has identified a critical gap in the sustainability and social innovation landscape: highly s...

In this practical and empowering final episode of the 52 Simple Sustainability Hacks series, host Emma Burlow delivers the last actionable tips (numbers 40 to 52) that prove sustainable living doesn't have to cost money or consume your life. Recording in beautiful autumn while resisting the urge to tidy her garden, Emma wraps up this comprehensive series with hard-hitting advice that ranges from d...

In this inspiring episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow sits down with Nicola Jones , a 26-year veteran of the steel industry and a sustainability professional at Tata Steel UK. From starting as a business apprentice in 1999 when the company was British Steel, to now spearheading sustainability initiatives during one of the industry's most dramatic transformations, Nicola o...

In this ground-breaking episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow sits down with Catherine Conway , the visionary founder of the UK's first modern zero-waste store and current CEO of Go Unpackaged. With over 20 years of experience pioneering reusable packaging solutions, Catherine has evolved from running a small unpackaged shop to leading industry-transforming research that co...

In this tactical and transformative solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow delivers a game-changing challenge that could revolutionize how you approach sustainability conversations at work. If you've ever felt like you're on the back foot when discussing environmental initiatives, constantly defending your position with facts and evidence, this episode offers a radicall...

In this deeply personal and transformative episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow sits down with Tamsin Acheson , a life coach and leadership development expert, to tackle one of the most uncomfortable questions facing experienced professionals: Why is it so hard to claim our expertise, even after decades in our field? Emma opens up about her own struggles with the dreaded e...

In this thought-provoking solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow returns from her travels to Oslo, Norway, with some uncomfortable truths about sustainability assumptions that might just change how you view the climate conversation forever. Fresh from a four-day trip to one of the world's most sustainable cities, Emma peels back the glossy green exterior of Norway's env...

In this transformative episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow interviews Virginia Cinquemani , a sustainability communication expert, coach, and author who specialises in helping sustainability leaders engage audiences and communicate their message powerfully. Virginia brings a unique background combining architecture, sustainable building expertise, and coaching to help sus...

In this reflective solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow shares powerful insights from her holiday experiences that reveal how climate change and sustainability conversations are happening everywhere; we just need to know how to recognise and join them. Fresh from a transformative trip to Costa Rica, Emma challenges the common belief that sustainability professionals a...

In this empowering episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow interviews Sharon Oranekwu , an award-winning ESG consultant and sustainability leadership expert, for the third instalment of the "Speak Up Woman" series. Sharon specializes in ESG reporting, CSRD compliance, corporate sustainability strategy, and environmental governance, helping companies across Europe navigate com...

In this thought-provoking episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow sits down with climate comedian Stuart Goldsmith to explore the unexpected intersection of humour and environmental action. Stuart, who has been performing comedy for 20 years and moved into climate comedy four years ago, shares his unique journey from traditional stand-up to addressing the climate crisis on st...

In this empowering solo episode of Straight Talking Sustainability , host Emma Burlow tackles a challenge familiar to many sustainability professionals: feeling stuck. Drawing on years of experience, Emma offers a compassionate but practical framework for getting unstuck, starting with self-awareness, small wins, and intentional discomfort . This is not about fixing everything overnight. It’s abou...