All Things Sustainable

War in the Middle East, climate change, AI: These are just some of the major factors reshaping the sustainability landscape in 2026. In this episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast, we're asking: What does all this mean for careers in sustainability? 

To understand how recruiting is changing for sustainability roles at all levels, we talk to Kurt Harrison, who founded and co-leads the global sustainability practice at leadership advisory and search firm Russell Reynolds Associates. 

Despite recent headwinds, "sustainability is alive and well," Kurt says. "We're now more in the implementation and operationalization phase of sustainability, where it's not driving a ton of new hiring, but it is certainly a key component of any credible corporate strategy." 

We explore how the Chief Sustainability Officer role is evolving in an interview with Ellen Weinreb, founder of boutique search firm Weinreb Group. She tells us why the US has seen a drop in the number of executives holding the CSO title, how AI is impacting the job search, and what she's hearing in the recruiting process.  

"Companies are focused on adding value, and so they're looking for sustainability leaders who can demonstrate the value," Ellen says.  

And to understand the skillsets that sustainability professionals need to succeed in this changing environment, we talk to Tensie Whelan. Tensie was the Founding Director of the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business, where she is now a senior advisor. She explains how the center trains university students from all backgrounds to navigate changing talent expectations in 2026. 

"One of the things that we're working on is engaging students and executives around how they can invest or drive sustainability at speed and scale through the understanding that, actually, this is part of business strategy that will drive better enterprise value," Tensie says. 

Further listening:  

Hear our previous podcast episodes about sustainability jobs and recruiting:  

What's ahead for green, climate and sustainability jobs | S&P Global 

How the global ESG recruiting landscape is changing | S&P Global 

The rise of the ESG controller in the sustainability talent landscape | S&P Global 

Listen to our interviews with CSOs across industries and geographies: 

CSO Insights by All Things Sustainable - YouTube 

Copyright ©2026 by S&P Global 

DISCLAIMER      

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.   

Any unauthorized use, facilitation or encouragement of a third party's unauthorized use (including without limitation copy, distribution, transmission or modification, use as part of generative artificial intelligence or for training any artificial intelligence models) of this Podcast or any related information is not permitted without S&P Global's prior consent subject to appropriate licensing and shall be deemed an infringement, violation, breach or contravention of the rights of S&P Global or any applicable third-party (including any copyright, trademark, patent, rights of privacy or publicity or any other proprietary rights).    

This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.   

S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

In this episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast, we explore how companies are leveraging AI and other technologies to address some of the world's most pressing water challenges even as a new threat is emerging for US water utilities in the form of cyberattacks. 

We talk with Claudia Toussaint, Executive Vice President and Chief People and Sustainability Officer at Xylem. Xylem is a major global water technology company that provides services to utility, industrial, commercial, and residential markets. 

Claudia outlines the fundamental role water plays in the AI economy, from data center operations to semiconductor manufacturing and electricity generation. She explains how companies can accommodate growing AI demand while also reducing their water use and dependence.  

Claudia also tells us how Xylem is working to address big water challenges, including climate change, an infrastructure investment gap and cybersecurity threats. As water utilities increasingly digitize their systems, she says most are not equipped to consistently defend themselves against the kind of cyberattacks that have recently hit water utilities across multiple US states. 

"Part of becoming a really good, resilient and sustainable utility means that you manage all of your operational risks. And cybersecurity is an increasing and critical risk for our water utilities," Claudia says. 

This episode is the latest installment in our CSO Insights podcast series, where we interview Chief Sustainability Officers around the world and across industries. Listen to other episodes in this series here.  

Further reading and listening:   

Rapid data center growth faces sustainability challenges: Increasing emissions and water stress | S&P Global 

CSO Insights: The big blind spot software giant SAP sees in AI strategies | All Things Sustainable 

Copyright ©2026 by S&P Global  

DISCLAIMER      

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.   

Any unauthorized use, facilitation or encouragement of a third party's unauthorized use (including without limitation copy, distribution, transmission or modification, use as part of generative artificial intelligence or for training any artificial intelligence models) of this Podcast or any related information is not permitted without S&P Global's prior consent subject to appropriate licensing and shall be deemed an infringement, violation, breach or contravention of the rights of S&P Global or any applicable third-party (including any copyright, trademark, patent, rights of privacy or publicity or any other proprietary rights).    

This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.   

S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

In this episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast, S&P Global Energy President Dave Ernsberger joins host Lindsey Hall to discuss how data centers, geopolitical risk and sustainability priorities are changing the global energy mix in 2026.
As war in the Middle East continues, Dave explains how countries are rethinking the balance between immediate priorities — like energy security, availability and affordability — and the reality of climate change risk. In this context, Dave calls for a reframing of sustainability conversations.
"The sustainability discussion will become irrelevant if it doesn't speak to the needs of the half of the world's population that needs energy in the first place," Dave says. "The leaders who are driving a conversation that is predicated on a statement like 'phase out fossil fuels' need to switch the conversation up and say: 'How do we maximize investment in clean fuels?'"
Dave says investment decisions are already evolving at speed in response to continued geopolitical conflict. "I was amazed at how fast infrastructure was getting built out to maximize self-sufficiency, minimize import dependency," Dave says of a recent visit he made to the Middle East. "People aren't waiting."
Dave also points to surging power demand tied to AI as a key factor reshaping global energy markets. He says S&P Global's newly announced acquisition of datacenterHawk will help fill information gaps about data center infrastructure, from the hardware inside each facility to who the investors are to how much debt is involved.
"The questions that confront AI are big. The answers are highly specific and very detailed, and that's what we're driving towards with this investment," he tells us. 
Further reading:  
S&P Global's Top 10 Sustainability Trends to Watch in 2026 | S&P Global
For the world's largest companies, climate physical risks have a $1.2 trillion annual price tag by the 2050s | S&P Global
S&P Global to Acquire datacenterHawk Connecting Global Data Center, Power and Infrastructure Markets - S&P Global
Further listening:  
The big blind spot software giant SAP sees in AI strategies | S&P Global
What planetary health means for the private sector | S&P Global 

Copyright ©2026 by S&P Global   

DISCLAIMER     
By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.   

Any unauthorized use, facilitation or encouragement of a third party's unauthorized use (including without limitation copy, distribution, transmission or modification, use as part of generative artificial intelligence or for training any artificial intelligence models) of this Podcast or any related information is not permitted without S&P Global's prior consent subject to appropriate licensing and shall be deemed an infringement, violation, breach or contravention of the rights of S&P Global or any applicable third-party (including any copyright, trademark, patent, rights of privacy or publicity or any other proprietary rights).    

This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.   

S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

In this episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast, we explore the risks and opportunities AI presents for companies in an interview with Sophia Mendelsohn.  

Sophia is Chief Sustainability and Commercial Officer at SAP, one of the world's largest producers of software. She outlines how companies are leveraging AI to become more sustainable. She also explains why many executives have "a blind spot" in their AI strategy when it comes to sustainability.  

"They're racing to scale the technology, and we're treating sustainability sort of as last year's hype cycle ... instead of a condition for AI growth," Sophia says. "AI's first wave of expansion was fueled by our awe of the technology, but our second wave of the expansion has to be powered and protected by our ability to reconcile AI with the physical world we're using it in."  

This episode is the latest installment in our CSO Insights podcast series, where we interview Chief Sustainability Officers around the world and across industries. Listen to other episodes in this series here. 

Further reading: 

AI adoption is soaring, but few companies are measuring its impact | S&P Global 

S&P Global's Top 10 Sustainability Trends to Watch in 2026 | S&P Global 

Copyright ©2026 by S&P Global 

DISCLAIMER      

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.   

Any unauthorized use, facilitation or encouragement of a third party's unauthorized use (including without limitation copy, distribution, transmission or modification, use as part of generative artificial intelligence or for training any artificial intelligence models) of this Podcast or any related information is not permitted without S&P Global's prior consent subject to appropriate licensing and shall be deemed an infringement, violation, breach or contravention of the rights of S&P Global or any applicable third-party (including any copyright, trademark, patent, rights of privacy or publicity or any other proprietary rights).   

This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.   

S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.

Swiss finance and innovation hub Zurich held its first Climate Week in May 2026, joining a growing global network of cities hosting climate-focused gatherings. All Things Sustainable is the official podcast of Climate Week Zurich, and in this episode, we bring you highlights, key takeaways and a look ahead to the next big events on the climate calendar. 

To learn about Zurich's approach to decarbonization and climate adaptation, we sit down with the city's Director of Environmental and Health Protection, René Estermann. 

"We know climate change is a huge risk," René says. "As the major economic driver in Switzerland, Zurich wants to grow its business hubs here for climate technologies, climate science, carbon management ... [and] climate finance ... to turn these risks to opportunities." 

To understand how financial institutions are responding to growing calls to make the business case for sustainability, we talk to Sabine Döbeli. Sabine is CEO of Swiss Sustainable Finance, a nonprofit whose members aim to strengthen Switzerland's position as a leading worldwide center for sustainable finance. 

"If you invest today to improve your factory, to have less pollution, to use less water, to have a circular process, then that of course means capex, it means investments," Sabine says. "It will pay off in the long term if you have less costs. But to prove this at every point in time is not always easy." 

And we talk to Christophe Lumsden, Partner and Sustainability Lead at Ernst & Young AG Switzerland and EY's Global Climate Change and Decarbonization Leader. He says Climate Week Zurich is an example of how climate action continues to develop at a local level even as it faces pushback in parts of the world.  

"Science is clear. Evidence is there. Climate change is not going away anytime soon," Christophe says. "Health repercussions are massive, human repercussions are big. So we just need to continue the movement."  

S&P Global Energy is a founding partner and sponsor of the inaugural Climate Week Zurich.  

Further listening 

Hear the podcast interviews referenced in today's episode: 

California's biggest utility talks decarbonization, climate adaptation and AI energy demands 

CSO Insights: How climate adaptation is hitting the mainstream for Middle East banks 

Listen to our interview with Johan Rockström, who spoke at the Climate Week Zurich Opening Ceremony:  

What planetary health means for the private sector 

Listen to all our interviews from Climate Week Zurich: 

How Swiss food giant Nestlé tackles sustainable supply chains 

Swiss private bank talks sustainable investment opportunities 

How one of the world's largest insurers is building climate resilience 

How retail giant IKEA built the business case for sustainability 

World Meteorological Organization leader on the need for science, data and collaboration 

Learn about Nature and Biodiversity data and solutions from S&P Global Sustainable1.  

Copyright ©2026 by S&P Global

Disclaimer 

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk.   

Any unauthorized use, facilitation or encouragement of a third party's unauthorized use (including without limitation copy, distribution, transmission or modification, use as part of generative artificial intelligence or for training any artificial intelligence models) of this Podcast or any related information is not permitted without S&P Global's prior consent subject to appropriate licensing and shall be deemed an infringement, violation, breach or contravention of the rights of S&P Global or any applicable third-party (including any copyright, trademark, patent, rights of privacy or publicity or any other proprietary rights).   

This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, S&P GLOBAL does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. The third party materials or content of any third party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of S&P GLOBAL. S&P GLOBAL assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, S&P GLOBAL makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties.   

S&P GLOBAL EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL'S USE OF, REFERENCE TO, RELIANCE ON, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS PODCAST OR THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PODCAST.